Richard Walker, sales & marketing director, De Dietrich examines the main design trends for the dishwasher…

The 45cm dishwasher was developed to answer the need for more compact appliances in kitchens that lack space, such as many urban kitchens. 

Most integrated dishwasher models often lack the excellent features and benefits offered by standard-sized machines, but as the market for slimlines is growing more rapidly than for full-size dishwashers, manufacturers have been working to progress the internal design of 45cm models while improving the energy and water efficiency. 

The average integrated slimline dishwasher will clean up to nine place-settings with 14 litre water consumption with AAB energy ratings. Certain models in the market have concentrated on both their internal designs to deliver 10 place settings, while also focusing on both energy and
water-saving methods to bring consumption down to as little as nine or 10 litres with triple A-ratings. 

Stainless steel cavities, as opposed to plastic cavities, reduce the noise levels of slimline dishwashers to as little as 48dB(A). Certain machines have a plasma coating at the top of the internal cavity, which facilitates accelerated drying and ensures an A rating.

The majority of machines have detergent dispensers in the door, which means that clean water starts to fill the cavity before the upper spray arm will start rotating, in order to flick open the
detergent compartment to begin use. While this design is the most popular, we believe it is not the most efficient.

We use a multi-purpose detergent dispenser situated directly beneath the water intake, which ensures the optimal distribution of detergent and water from the moment the machine is started.

Sensor intelligence is the latest technology to look out for and it is as yet limited in terms of slimline dishwashers. These intelligent control systems, fitted in all of our dishwasher models, are intended to make them incredibly easy to use.

Sensors within the internal cavity assess the quantity and level of dirt present in the load and the ICS system automatically calculates the most appropriate wash, rinse and drying programme ensuring the best possible results every time - using the least water and energy.