- The concept of the dishwasher can be traced back to 1850 when Joel Houghton acquired a patent for a hand-powered dishwashing device. However modern dishwashers descend from the 1886 invention of Josephine Cochrane, a woman who never cleaned dishes herself but was peeved by the fact that her servants chipped her fine china. By 1937, a unit resembling the kind that we use today was created by William Howard Livens and within 30 years, the dishwasher became a common domestic appliance.
- The typical household dishwasher has two racks with special carrying prongs and cases that can be loaded with dishes, silverware, pots and various other items. Once filled, the cleaning options are selected and then the machine is started. Water with detergent is sprayed first, and then the dishes are rinsed with clean, hot water. Many machines offer a heated cycle that can dry the dishes, or you can allow them to air-dry. Once dried, you can simple return the items to the cabinets and drawers.
- Household dishwashers are all very similar. They are generally installed next to the sink under the counter. Sound damping is a popular component and each manufacturer has its own name for its soundproofing system. Popular brands include Kenmore, Whirlpool and Bosch. Since 1994, dishwashers can be marked with an ENERGY STAR. What this means is that the model meets the energy efficiency guidelines of the U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. These dishwashers use less water and energy without sacrificing performance. Commercial dishwashers are typically much larger and are capable of washing a vast amount of items simultaneously. Many types of these commercial machines are available including carousel, conveyor and single tank.
- The inside of a dishwasher is called the tub and it is usually made of heat-resistant plastic or stainless steel; the latter is preferred over plastic but also more expensive. Dishwashers have knobs and buttons that can control certain aspects such as the temperature of the water and level of scrubbing. Some newer models use sensors to determine how many dishes are inside the dishwasher, adjusting the length and intensity of the wash cycle appropriately. Child lockout features also keep children from interfering with the wash cycle and potentially burning themselves with hot water.
- Studies have shown that newer dishwashers are far more efficient than hand-washers in the areas of electricity, water and detergent usage. Not only that, studies have shown that they eliminate more harmful germs than washing by hand. It is no wonder that more than 75 percent of houses in the United States are equipped with a dishwasher.
