Bosch dishwashers

[Susie]

After moving into our house I've discovered that I hate the dishwasher that's here.  The top rack pops out of the track on one side, sending the top rack hanging at a precarious angle, the door doesn't open flat, so either you have to reach inside the dishwasher or you have to lift and pull the bottom rack out, and then lift it back in... there's no place to put sippy cup pieces that they don't fall through, etc.  It's just not working for us, so I'm shopping around.

Our Kitchen Aid at the old house was fine, but my dad has Bosch in both of his houses, and I think that's what I'm leaning toward.  I like the Aqua Stop feature (contains water in event of a leak) which seems to come on all the models I'm looking at.  IDK how much I care about the fancy drying features on the high end models?  

Do you prefer a bar handle or scoop?  Controls on the top or the front panel?  Any other recs?

[deadwing]

I have a mid-range Bosch (metal interior without drying features). Overall, I'm very happy with it but if I forget to open the door quickly after the cycle ends, everything stays damp. I kind of wish I spent the extra $100-ish it would have taken to get one with a drying cycle. When the cycle ends, it does 3 beeps in a row, 3 times (maybe 30 seconds apart), so it's easy to know when it's done.

I've had this thing for a few years and I've yet to get it to run a delayed cycle. I don't know what I'm doing wrong and it's not a feature I use often. I tried to do it recently and the delay timer had elapsed, but the cycle didn't start. No clue why.

I have the scoop handle and controls on the top because my dealer only stocked these options in the model I bought. I do prefer the look of controls on the top, but I think they're more functional on the front. I slightly prefer the look of a bar handle, but the scoop is fine. If space is at all a concern, I'd pick the scoop.

[Susie]

It will be going into kind of a tight space, although I don’t think it precludes a bar if we wanted one. Scoop might be better for this space though.

[atarianna]

We did the handle option but primarily because our oven and microwave are also Bosch and have handles.

[deadwing]

How close does the dishwasher door come to the drawer handles on the right when you open it? That would be my only concern with a bar handle in your space. Clash of the handles!

[macmars45]

A year/18 months before we sold our TH H & I bought an LG dishwasher. It was great and I still miss it a year later. It had a moveable top rack (could lower or raise), was super quiet and had faster cleaning cycles.

In our new construction house we have a whirpool dishwasher. It's fine. It does the job. Nothing to shout about though.

[Pibs]

I just tracked down our dishwasher info -- we bought a Bosch 800 series, model SHP68T55UC in 2016. I would absolutely get it again. Ours has the pocket handle which is ideal for our space since the dishwasher is directly across from the island (but the scoop would also work). The controls are on the top, but I don't think I have a preference one way or another about that.

I'm not sure what differences there might be with the drying features compared to what we have, but we generally run it in eco mode where it doesn't dry the dishes. We're currently using pods and since we switched to those we've had to start running it on a regular cycle with drying because the pods weren't dissolving -- we'll go back to powder or gel once we're out of the pods.

I'm not sure what options are available now with the top shelf for silverware, but I never want another dishwasher without one. At least until they make ones that put the dishes away for you. It takes like 3 extra seconds to put the salad forks with each other, the spoons with each other, the knives with each other and takes so much less time to put them away because you can just grab them all in a handful and drop them in their drawer spot without sorting through them.

I will caution that my parents first Bosch was a lemon. I'm completely shocked they actually bought another one after that one because it was so problematic, but it's the best choice for them since they're on a septic system. That said, their second one, ours and my brothers have all been fine without any issues.

[Susie]

Pibs, thanks.  The 300, 500, and 800 series are the ones I was primarily considering.  How do you like the info light to tell you that it's running?  Does that work well? 

My dad is always opening running dishwashers because he can't hear them, lol.  So a nice, obvious indicator for him to look for is a plus.

[CallingAllAngels]

I haven’t posted on this board in years, but we are doing some remodeling so I’ve been lurking. We got a Bosch 500 series dishwasher last year. It has been amazing. We replaced the 20 year old one that came with our house. We decided on the 500-series bc we really wanted the auto air feature (where the door opens at the end of the cycle and so the dishes continue to air dry). We have the top rack for silverware and the adjustable middle rack. The light indicating that it is running is pretty obvious, especially if you know what you’re looking for.

We opted for the handle and hidden controls because that is what works best in our space. We have been very happy with our Bosch. It finally feels like we have a grown-up dishwasher. Definitely my favorite pandemic purchase!

[libbygrl109]

We haven’t gotten it yet, but we ordered the 300. We looked at the 800, because everyone raves about it, but couldn’t justify the extra $$ to spend on it. We are going without the handle because it will be in a high traffic spot and didn’t want the potential of whacking into it or getting things caught on it every time I go by.

My brother, who is super picky and researches the heck out of everything, got the 300 a few months ago and loves it.

[KellyEasterbrook]

Jul 9, 2021 10:22:17 GMT -5 deadwing said:

I have a mid-range Bosch (metal interior without drying features). Overall, I'm very happy with it but if I forget to open the door quickly after the cycle ends, everything stays damp. I kind of wish I spent the extra $100-ish it would have taken to get one with a drying cycle. When the cycle ends, it does 3 beeps in a row, 3 times (maybe 30 seconds apart), so it's easy to know when it's done.

I've had this thing for a few years and I've yet to get it to run a delayed cycle. I don't know what I'm doing wrong and it's not a feature I use often. I tried to do it recently and the delay timer had elapsed, but the cycle didn't start. No clue why.

I have the scoop handle and controls on the top because my dealer only stocked these options in the model I bought. I do prefer the look of controls on the top, but I think they're more functional on the front. I slightly prefer the look of a bar handle, but the scoop is fine. If space is at all a concern, I'd pick the scoop.

I’m looking at buying a Bosch in the next six months, and I’m reluctantly leaning towards the higher range model because of this exact issue. My parents have a mid range one, and it’s drives us nuts with drying issues. It was okay for a few months and then nothing seems to ever dry completely.

[RockNVoll]

Bosch loyalist here. We have the scoop because we thought it was dumb to pay more for the handle but now wish we had. It would be the perfect spot from which to hang a towel for drying hands since it's right next to the sink.

I'd have to look up the model we have but I'm almost positive we don't have one with any active drying features. Everything comes out perfectly nonetheless.

[ktw]

We have a scoop handle, buttons on top, and I like it so far. But, we only moved in 1.5 weeks ago. So far, it seems to clean really well, and it dries better than I was expecting. We built the house and have Frigidaire appliances, but our realtor recommended Bosch over Frigidaire (or anything else) for the dishwasher, so we took his advice.

[penguingrrl]

My mom has a Bosch 800 series, which we actually bought when we were renting her house a few years ago. It’s amazing and I miss it! Her appliance guy (she is an interior designer and has a great relationship with a local store) said that a Bosch is the only one he would recommend and steered us to it. We’ve never regretted an appliance he recommended.

He said to avoid the panel on the top as his repair people are often out fixing those because the steam messes them up.

[savan]

We’ve had a mid range Bosch for 6 years now. We have the handle with controls on top. We previously had an older scoop model. One time we went to pull it open and the whole front control panel cover broke off. I guess the repeated pulling force over the years finally got to it. I figure a handle will be easier to replace.

We don’t have a specific drying option but discovered early on to use the sanitize feature with every load. That dries the dishes.

[tacoflavoredkisses]

Our new house has a Bosch. I don’t love it other than that it’s very quiet, because it’s just small and the drawers are flimsier than I’d like them to be.

[mrsukyankee]

Jul 9, 2021 16:04:20 GMT -5 Susie said:

Pibs , thanks.  The 300, 500, and 800 series are the ones I was primarily considering.  How do you like the info light to tell you that it's running?  Does that work well? 

My dad is always opening running dishwashers because he can't hear them, lol.  So a nice, obvious indicator for him to look for is a plus.

Yes. We love, love, love this feature.

[cmeon]

We have a non-Bosch (which we're entirely happy with, but you don't seem to need help with brands LOL), and very specifically chose top controls because we have dogs who were always pushing the front controls on our last one (it was seriously, SO annoying). We never had a significant problem with the kids doing it, but I know some kids enjoy that, too. We like having the handle, but it is one more thing to clean (so I could go either way).

With small kids, though, you likely have a lot more plastics than most families- so you will want some extra drying help. They're the most challenging items to dry for modern dishwashers (without an exposed heating element on the bottom).

[SusanBAnthony]

We have the cheapest model that has the 3rd rack.

No idea on the drying feature and I don't care about that.

The feature I love (other than getting dishes clean and not breaking lolol, shouldn't have to be said but our last two dishwashers were absolutely terrible) is the red light on the floor when it is running.

[MrsDarcy]

I really like our Bosch dishwasher, and love the top rack. I wish now I had sprung for the controls on the top.

[freshsqueezed]

We have a Bosch with bar handle and installed a Bosch scoop handle at our last house. Prefer the bar handle.

[Pibs]

Jul 9, 2021 16:04:20 GMT -5 Susie said:

Pibs , thanks.  The 300, 500, and 800 series are the ones I was primarily considering.  How do you like the info light to tell you that it's running?  Does that work well? 

My dad is always opening running dishwashers because he can't hear them, lol.  So a nice, obvious indicator for him to look for is a plus.

Yes! It's great -- I just wish that they would have a red light and a green light. Red so you know it's running, green so you know it's done, and then once you open the door once or something the light could go completely away. IDK why, but sometimes I look at the red light and forget if it means that it's done or that it's running. And then I remember red = pretty much universal for stop, so LOL.

[deadwing]

Jul 10, 2021 18:55:02 GMT -5 Pibs said:

Jul 9, 2021 16:04:20 GMT -5 Susie said:

Pibs , thanks.  The 300, 500, and 800 series are the ones I was primarily considering.  How do you like the info light to tell you that it's running?  Does that work well? 

My dad is always opening running dishwashers because he can't hear them, lol.  So a nice, obvious indicator for him to look for is a plus.

Yes! It's great -- I just wish that they would have a red light and a green light. Red so you know it's running, green so you know it's done, and then once you open the door once or something the light could go completely away. IDK why, but sometimes I look at the red light and forget if it means that it's done or that it's running. And then I remember red = pretty much universal for stop, so LOL.

The higher end models display the remaining run time on the floor instead of the dot. That would probably be more useful to you - it wouldn't be counting down if it was done.

[Pibs]

Jul 10, 2021 19:01:04 GMT -5 deadwing said:

Jul 10, 2021 18:55:02 GMT -5 Pibs said:

Yes! It's great -- I just wish that they would have a red light and a green light. Red so you know it's running, green so you know it's done, and then once you open the door once or something the light could go completely away. IDK why, but sometimes I look at the red light and forget if it means that it's done or that it's running. And then I remember red = pretty much universal for stop, so LOL.

The higher end models display the remaining run time on the floor instead of the dot. That would probably be more useful to you - it wouldn't be counting down if it was done.

Ooooooh, that's fun! We're in the process of buying a house -- I'm not even sure what dishwasher is there, but I'll keep this in mind if we need to replace it!

[TR]

Jul 10, 2021 19:01:04 GMT -5 deadwing said:

Jul 10, 2021 18:55:02 GMT -5 Pibs said:

Yes! It's great -- I just wish that they would have a red light and a green light. Red so you know it's running, green so you know it's done, and then once you open the door once or something the light could go completely away. IDK why, but sometimes I look at the red light and forget if it means that it's done or that it's running. And then I remember red = pretty much universal for stop, so LOL.

The higher end models display the remaining run time on the floor instead of the dot. That would probably be more useful to you - it wouldn't be counting down if it was done.

I would love this. Outs just had the red dot and controls are on the top of the door so you can’t see them when it’s closed so I often am wondering when it will be done because, of course, I don’t note the time when I start it or anything lol

[dr.girlfriend]

We have a Bosch...I think it's the 700 series. It has controls on the top which I think is good, because it's harder to accidentally hit them. I like the light that tells you it's running because it is VERY quiet. I also love the top silverware tray, and also sort by type so I can just grab handfuls to unload. It doesn't dry plastic completely because of the no-heat way it dries stuff. I just put a dishcloth on the counter and unload the plastic stuff first, and then put it away last and it's pretty much dry. There's also sometimes water in the top of upside-down mugs or water bottles if they have a little hollow there, so I have to flip that into the sink and then put them on the dishcloth too. Not a big deal for me but others might find it annoying. The main thing I don't like is that the tines on the bottom are set very close together, so it's hard to fit anything big, especially tupperware, in there. I can run one or two of the bigger tupperware containers per cycle and that's pretty much it. Little tupperware has to go in the top rack or they flip over and get filled with water but I just think that means the jets are strong. Otherwise, we've had it for 7 years and it's been very reliable. The little door to the dishwasher pod was not opening for awhile a couple of months ago but we found a YouTube video about how to fix that and it worked. :-)  If there are fancy drying cycles on mine I haven't tried to use them.  I have used the delay before and I think it did work but I haven't used it often enough to guarantee that it works every time.

[lo]

We have a Bosch that is probably around 12 years and was here when we moved in. It took some getting used to that our dishes were still wet after the cycle ended. Also, I HATE that plastic racks on the bottom. All the little plastic clips have broken and now the bottom rack has like 5 slots for plates and the rest is wide open.

[dr.girlfriend]

Jul 12, 2021 10:08:12 GMT -5 lo said:

We have a Bosch that is probably around 12 years and was here when we moved in. It took some getting used to that our dishes were still wet after the cycle ended. Also, I HATE that plastic racks on the bottom. All the little plastic clips have broken and now the bottom rack has like 5 slots for plates and the rest is wide open.

Oh, interesting, it seems like that got fixed, or at least the plastic fatigue doesn't kick in for a few more years.  In 6-ish years I haven't seen a single one break and I'm always trying to jam things in to get the tupperware in.  :-D

[Susie]

After all our consideration, we arrived at a 500 series with a pocket handle... and then realized that there are no 500 or 800 series dishwashers available anywhere near us right now.  Sigh.  Oh 2021.

[Susie]

Update:  we got a new dishwasher!  It now shows as out of stock (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-500-Series-AutoAir-44-Decibel-Filtration-Built-In-Dishwasher-Stainless-Steel-Common-24-in-Actual-23-56-in-ENERGY-STAR/1001054156), but when I ordered it about 2 weeks ago there were 21 of them at a store in CT, and one eventually made it to us.  Logistics of getting it delivered was wonky, it ended up coming on a pickup truck from Lowe's because shipper that was supposed to bring it from the store to us never showed.  But either way, they got it to us last week, and H installed it this weekend.  

He has installed Bosch dishwashers before, including at my dad's, so we were expecting it to be smooth sailing.  It mostly was, except we didn't expect to find that we needed to install a receptacle.  The old Frigidaire dishwasher was hardwired in, like other dishwasher installs he's done previously.  This one has a plug in the back, so he had to install a receptacle to plug it into.

I am a fan of the little beam of red light as a running indicator.