Where can I find a "freestanding" dishwasher?

[theHandpuppet]

Help!

I simply cannot find a freestanding dishwasher to install in my old country kitchen. When I say "freestanding" I don''t mean a portable that attaches to the kitchen sink, but a dishwasher that has its own sides and top and doesn't have to be installed into/under the kitchen cabinetry.

We are remodeling our older home (Circa 1891) and the large country kitchen already has sufficient hookup for a dishwasher, but it needs to stand independent of the original cabinetry, which we do not intend to modify or expand in order to accommodate a built-in.

I've googled a search and apparently these freestanding models are quite common in the U.K., but so far I cannot find one available here. Any advice would be appreciated!!

[Stinky The Clown]

1. Here's two .......

http://www.activeshopper.com/search.asp?pid=46152

http://www.mysimon.com/Dishwashers/9000-10981_8-0.html?pid=21135233

It wasn't clear to me if these were the kind that hook to your sink or not.

But you could also take a standard unit and simply clad the sides and top yourself with some wood panels. Any kitchen cabinet specialist (not Sears or Home Dept or Lowes) should be able to get you what you need.

And .... if you get a portable unit, is there any reason it couldn't be hooked to its own water suply and drain and not use the typical quick-connect hose they provide?

[theHandpuppet]

4. Thanks for the info

I will take the specifications you provided and find a retailer who carries these to see if they are truly freestanding vs portable.

Hiring kitchen cabinet specialists is outrageously expensive and I really don't want to add that expense to the cost of the dishwasher.

As far as hooking portables up to our existing water supply and drain, I was told by the salesmen that the hoses for portables are completely different (portables have the rubber hoses whereas other dishwashers have those high pressure stainless hoses) and even if we wanted to try a modification we'd have to find someone who was willing to take the dishwasher apart, but then the warranty when be null and void. So you can see how I'm in a bit of a pickle. :shrug:

[NMDemDist2]

2. here's a place that sells side panels for new dishwashers

maybe that will help, pick the washer you want then add side panels?

http://www.applianceaccessories.com/thirdlevel.asp?MapID=5&Category=Appliance%20Accessories@Installation@Panels/Dishwasher

[theHandpuppet]

5. Thanks -- this may be my only solution

I may end up having to buy a built-in and just ordering some side panels and top for it. Nothing is simple anymore, is it.

[NMDemDist2]

7. you can get a butcher block counter top piece for the top prolly

and the side kits didn't look TOO pricy :shrug:

[eleny]

3. Here are the free standing machines at Epinions

I see many that don't have the wheels. I imagine that those are the ones that can get hooked up to your exisiting plumping.
http://www.epinions.com/Dishwashers--reviews--design_free_standing

[theHandpuppet]

6. At least I can take this info to a dealer

All this info gives me a place to start looking. I think at least one of these models is actually a portable, but I'll check it out.

[eleny]

8. You might also look for a "convertible dishwasher"

These are portable machines that have a special kit available for adapting to a built-in application. It doesn't appear that they have to slide into a counter situation.

Here are the convertible dishwasher listings at Froogle. http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=convertible+dishwasher&hl=en&hs=Bqy&lr=&c2coff=1&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=N&tab=ff&oi=froogler