Some dishwashers use steam to clean dishes.
In the quest for cleaner dishes, the latest innovation is steam-cleaning dishwashers. These dishwashers use blasts of steam to melt away caked-on food and leave dishes clean and sterilized. Many manufacturers offer dishwashers with steam-cleaning features, but as of the date of publication, Whirlpool offers steam-cleaning dishwashers under its Maytag and KitchenAid brands. LG, Kenmore and GE also have steam models on the market.
Whirlpool Brands
The Whirlpool Corporation acquired KitchenAid in 1986 and added Maytag in 2006. KitchenAid had established itself as a model used by professional cooks, while Maytag's long-running line of commercials featuring the lonely Maytag repairman emphasized the line's durability. These two brands complemented the Whirlpool brand, which appealed to people seeking lower-priced appliances.
Steam Dishwasher Models
Maytag's line of JetClean Plus dishwashers features a steam clean cycle. Ads tout the ability of the steam to clean glasses without producing spots. In 2008, KitchenAid introduced a line of dishwashers with a steam option. They have since discontinued these models. A 2008 press release announcing the new Steam Option dishwashers touted steam as a way to clean dishes while saving water.
Performance
Consumer Reports tested steam dishwashers in 2008 and found they did not perform better, or even as well as, more traditional dishwashers. Dishwashers with the steam feature cost more than more standard models, and using the steam option can add up to 45 minutes to the time it takes the dishwasher to clean the dishes. Consumer Reports noted that additional spray jets did more to improve the cleaning function of dishwashers than steam.
Options
When buying a dishwasher, Consumer Reports recommends you consider the cost to operate the dishwasher. Some models use less water and less energy than others. Features such as extra spray jets and racks that adjust to accommodate different sized dishes may be features you will find useful.
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