Dishwasher - freestanding or integrated?
Discussion
My dishwasher is on its last legs.. and no I don't mean the missus.. but am clueless about dishwashers other than I want a Bosch because they're supposed to be good.
The kitchen (came with the house) is of the John Lewis of Hungerford "artisan" range, so old-fashioned looking. The dishwasher and washing machine are hidden units with hinged doors. So there are no bits of matching cabinetry stuck on the front of the machines if you know what I mean, they are freestanding units that happen to be in a cupboard.
My question is - apart from the ability to stick a bit of wood on the front, is there any difference between integrated and freestanding? Is there any problem putting a freestanding machine inside a unit, regarding ventilation for example? Are integrated machines cheaper or more expensive? Or is it only a question of dimensions? For instance the washing machine could do with a couple more millimetres of room.. the cabinet door doesn't quite shut properly.
thanks!
The kitchen (came with the house) is of the John Lewis of Hungerford "artisan" range, so old-fashioned looking. The dishwasher and washing machine are hidden units with hinged doors. So there are no bits of matching cabinetry stuck on the front of the machines if you know what I mean, they are freestanding units that happen to be in a cupboard.
My question is - apart from the ability to stick a bit of wood on the front, is there any difference between integrated and freestanding? Is there any problem putting a freestanding machine inside a unit, regarding ventilation for example? Are integrated machines cheaper or more expensive? Or is it only a question of dimensions? For instance the washing machine could do with a couple more millimetres of room.. the cabinet door doesn't quite shut properly.
thanks!
munky said:
My dishwasher is on its last legs.. and no I don't mean the missus.. but am clueless about dishwashers other than I want a Bosch because they're supposed to be good.
The kitchen (came with the house) is of the John Lewis of Hungerford "artisan" range, so old-fashioned looking. The dishwasher and washing machine are hidden units with hinged doors. So there are no bits of matching cabinetry stuck on the front of the machines if you know what I mean, they are freestanding units that happen to be in a cupboard.
My question is - apart from the ability to stick a bit of wood on the front, is there any difference between integrated and freestanding? Is there any problem putting a freestanding machine inside a unit, regarding ventilation for example? Are integrated machines cheaper or more expensive? Or is it only a question of dimensions? For instance the washing machine could do with a couple more millimetres of room.. the cabinet door doesn't quite shut properly.
thanks!
Freestanding will be cheaper and less hassle to fit/replace/remove for repair etc, and what I personally prefer in a working environment kitchen.The kitchen (came with the house) is of the John Lewis of Hungerford "artisan" range, so old-fashioned looking. The dishwasher and washing machine are hidden units with hinged doors. So there are no bits of matching cabinetry stuck on the front of the machines if you know what I mean, they are freestanding units that happen to be in a cupboard.
My question is - apart from the ability to stick a bit of wood on the front, is there any difference between integrated and freestanding? Is there any problem putting a freestanding machine inside a unit, regarding ventilation for example? Are integrated machines cheaper or more expensive? Or is it only a question of dimensions? For instance the washing machine could do with a couple more millimetres of room.. the cabinet door doesn't quite shut properly.
thanks!
Freestanding appliances don't normally fit in cupboards; they are too deep. So you can't buy any old freestander and stick it in a 600mm cupboard.
Integrated machines fit between units; you raise them up to worktop height and then stick a door on the front. They generally cost more, perhaps as fewer are made.
I would always choose integrated; IMHO the lines of many kitchens are spoiled by appliances sticking out. First thing to do I guess is measure your cupboard!
Integrated machines fit between units; you raise them up to worktop height and then stick a door on the front. They generally cost more, perhaps as fewer are made.
I would always choose integrated; IMHO the lines of many kitchens are spoiled by appliances sticking out. First thing to do I guess is measure your cupboard!
munky said:
...the cabinet door doesn't quite shut properly.
The kitchen in my in-laws house is like that - the "cabinets" (well they're basically just side panels with a slightly wider than normal door on) were made a bit bigger to take free standing appliances. Perhaps the washing machine just needs pushing back a bit - wait until it's spinning then ease it back.Integrated appliances are dearer, although less so now, they used to be a lot more expensive, and there's a more limited range. Are they a bit smaller inside too? Not sure about that.
The other thing is that you can mix makes of appliance if they're integrated - rather than feeling you have to buy the same make / style if it's on show. But you can do that in your case anyway if the appliances are hidden in cupboards.
Thinking about it, if the cupboards have been made bigger than standard then you can't really have integrated appliances as they'll be too small.
Heat shouldn't be a problem for free standing appliances - integrated ones are a pretty tight fit and work OK.
thanks fellas.. tape measure out this evening then. I mainly wondered if there was some other design difference for integrated appliances regarding how they deal with heat or water vapour. I read something somewhere that said only buy appliances designed to be in an enclosed space.. but for the life of me I can't remember where I read that!
The existing ancient dishwasher has a programme knob that you pull out to switch it on. The cabinet door closes fine when the machine is off, but not when it's on, which is annoying, so I guess careful measuring is everything.
The existing ancient dishwasher has a programme knob that you pull out to switch it on. The cabinet door closes fine when the machine is off, but not when it's on, which is annoying, so I guess careful measuring is everything.
munky said:
The existing ancient dishwasher has a programme knob that you pull out to switch it on. The cabinet door closes fine when the machine is off, but not when it's on, which is annoying, so I guess careful measuring is everything.
Sorry - I was thinking washing machine in my comments - hopefully the dishwasher doesn't have a spin cycle!The knob thing must have really annoyed whoever designed the kitchen.
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
I had a Thread like this
And I would add it was a fine end of the fart to get the new (very good I add) Bosch unit to fit in the gap.
One other point to say - whenever browsing websites of houses for sale - or kitchen rebuilds I think the Under counter white goods that art not hidden when in lovely kitchens stand out like a bulldogs b
kss.
Don't like, personally.
We have a bosch dishwasher in our (rented) houseAnd I would add it was a fine end of the fart to get the new (very good I add) Bosch unit to fit in the gap.
One other point to say - whenever browsing websites of houses for sale - or kitchen rebuilds I think the Under counter white goods that art not hidden when in lovely kitchens stand out like a bulldogs b
kss. Don't like, personally.
Not working too well which I think is due to a missing "fine mesh" filter. The filter is probably the weakest item in the whole machine, looks like a 50p component, but can only be purchased as part of a £35 filter assembly kit (every other part in the assembly except this comparatively flimsy part can be purchased separately)
It's an absolute scam and I'm surprised you can't buy a chinese pattern replacement, given how many bosch/neff/siemens items probably use this part.
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