Cohousing-L Mailing List: Dishwashers/residential Dishwashers

[Ruth J Hirsch (heidinys]

Hi,  

There are two big factors that are problematic with sanitizers.  There are also 
some in favor. 

One serious drawback to the commercial style dishwasher we have is that many 
cannot/do not lift the racks of dishes.  While we do use Corelle, relatively 
lightweight, they are clumsy, and do need lifting of the entire rack over and 
over.  And over again.    
Accessibility wise,  we find it is a thumbs down.  (Sorry, sanitizer 
supporters.)  We find that those who are not in a position to lift the trays, 
only sign up to clean if there is a 'heavy lifter' signed up too.   We may be 
moving to domestic dishwashers.  

Also, repairs have been mentioned.

Any repair person who works on home appliances can repair a household 
dishwasher. 
We are backed into a corner, so to speak,  when needing repairs on our 
commercial dw.  Repairs have been very very costly.  $500, more or less each 
time.  And we have had too many repairs.  
We recently had someone come (to our house) for our amazing home machine,  
installed, I think, 2008 (I over load it with our Fiestaware:  bowls not as 
good a fit as Corelle, and do not understand how it gets things clean.  But it 
does.)
It was either $60 or $70.  And we had a choice of repair people (actually, we 
have a repair contract.  It cost us nothing.  The warrantee paid the $60 or 
$70.)

 One thing in favor of the commercial machine we have had for years, is that 
for some here it is a social event, that almost hour of putting dishes thru, 
etc.     (That it takes a few minutes per cycle,  is so, however, it requires 
someone there to pull the rack out every two or three minutes.    It takes 
time.) 
We have lots of needs for volunteer time, and would like to spend fewer  
volunteer hours on dishwashing.  While the cycle is only a few minutes,  it 
requires attention, putting loads in and lifting them out, and drying.   Ours 
come out almost dry, i.e., some drying of pretty much each plate is needed 
(glasses can finish drying on their rack;  dishes get stacked,  and would not 
dry themselves.)

So, when looking at accessibility,  repair costs, and total actual volunteer 
time spent,  oh, and up front cost.  Ours cost double what two top notch 
domestic ones would cost,  + much much much higher repair costs.  Though if 
that were the only criterion,  it would be different.  The human cost,  of 
volunteer time,  is a huge drawback,  as is the fact that it leaves out folks 
who are not in a position to lift racks of dishes.   

Back when we were first discussing this,  one neighbor said of the strong push 
for commercial ('it only takes three minutes')

" I'm not going to block consensus on this (commercial dw purchase,) but I 
reserve the right to say: 'I told you so!'


Best wishes whichever way you go,
Ruth J Hirsch
Cantines Island,  a family friendly community,  two houses for sale (kids grow 
up and leave a parent in a too big house!)
Saugerties

…………………………………

> 
>> On Mar 13, 2016, at 7:19 PM, Jessie Kome <jehako [at] me.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I would opt for an under counter commercial unit.
> 
> They are six times the price. Do you think it is worth it?
> 
> Do you have an repairs? We have had months and months with the sanitizer 
> down. And we are low person on the totem pole when service is needed. 
> Restaurants squeak louder. And it seems never to cost less than $1,000. Maybe 
> $500 a couple of times.
> 
> Sharon
> ----
> Sharon Villines
> Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
> http://www.takomavillage.org
> 
> 
>