We did a lot of research before selecting a dishwasher for our own home. The Bosch dishwasher routinely shows up on the top recommended lists. We also knew that we wanted a panel ready dishwasher, which Bosch makes. We ultimately purchased the Panel Ready Bosch 800 Series, but this has the same functions as the Stainless Steel Bosch 800 Series. The below Bosch dishwasher review highlights the dishwasher’s pros and cons, the differences and similarities between the different models, and tips on getting the most out of your dishwasher.
Pros
Top rack for silverware and cutlery
There is a top rack in the dishwasher for your silverware and cutlery. It has grooves in it to hold your silverware and keep it from rolling around. This is so helpful, because you don’t have to bend all the way down to place something in the bottom silverware bin like with other dishwashers. It is also neat because since things are laying horizontally not vertically, you can see what every piece is. (No more grabbing a handle not knowing if you are grabbing a fork or spoon.) It is also useful for small items such as vegetable peelers.
Note that the dishwasher does still include an optional silverware basket for the bottom rack.
Red light that shines when running or blinks when paused
The Bosch dishwasher has a red light built into the bottom right that shines onto your floor when a cycle is running. Bosch refers to it as an “InfoLight”. The light is solid when a cycle is running, and blinks when a cycle has been started but is paused. You can see it both from up close and from across the room, so there is no more accidentally opening the dishwasher while it is running, or having to ask your family if they have started it. This is one of our all time favorite things about this dishwasher. It makes you wander why all dishwashers don’t have this function.
The “InfoLight” is included in every model from the 100 Series and up.
Quiet
The Bosch 800 dishwasher is the most quiet dishwasher I have ever experienced. It creates only 42 decibels of sound when running. Luckily, it has the red light that is on when running – otherwise you might not be able to tell. All of the Bosch models are 50 decibels or less.
Height of top shelf is adjustable
The adjustable height of the top rack is so helpful. This allows you to lower it for example if you want to put wine glasses on top, or you could raise it to accommodate bulky cutting boards or baking sheets on the bottom rack.
Panel ready option
The Bosch dishwasher has several panel ready options. This allows you to hide your dishwasher behind a custom panel that looks just like your cabinetry. Bosch provides the exact specs as well as the mounting supplies. We recommend that you have a separate toe kick, which can be velcro-ed on. If you were to have the same continuous toe kick, you would have to take it off of the entire run of cabinets if your dishwasher ever needs servicing/replacing.
Control panel
The control panel (located on the top, inside of the door) tells you far more information than most dishwashers do. It lets you know how long a cycle will be (or if it is mid-cycle, how long the cycle has left). As well as if you are getting low on JetDry, the heat, etc.
Cleaning capabilities
This one is a basic, but the dishwasher cleans extremely well. I recently put my embarrassingly dirty microwave plate into my Bosch dishwasher and it came out spotless. I used to be adamant about fully cleaning dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, but I don’t have to worry about this as much with this dishwasher. I just get any chunks or excess sauce off of my dishes, then load them in. It saves my family a lot of time. I use the Cascade Platinum Plus dishwasher pods. I feel that they wash slightly better than the normal Cascade Platinum pods.
CrystalDry
CrystalDry only comes on the 800 Series, and in my opinion, it is the most significant difference between the different Bosch dishwasher models. Bosch dishwashers do not have a heating unit like other dishwashers do – this is beneficial, because items on the bottom shelf won’t melt or warp. CrystalDry dries everything (including plastics!) by removing the moisture in the air and turning it into heat. If you have children (i.e. you will be washing lots of plastic cups, plates, etc), do yourself a favor and purchase a model with CrystalDry.
If you don’t purchase a model with CrystalDry, I would recommend you at least purchase a model with AutoAir. AutoAir automatically cracks the dishwasher at the end of the cycle, allowing all of the steam to escape. If the steam does not escape, it will turn into water on your dishes.
No matter which model you have, Rinse Aids also help with the drying process. I’ve tested several brands, and my favorite is Finish JetDry. It does a great job at assisting in the drying process and making glasses clear and sparkly. I will also link the smaller bottle here (under $5) in case you want to give it a try before purchasing the larger bottle.
Cons
Drying capabilities for models that don’t have CrystalDry
During my research, I found recurring theme that the drying function doesn’t work as well in models that don’t have CrystalDry. I feel that it is worth it to pay a couple hundred dollars more to avoid having to dry off dishes as I unload. I have also read that using JetDry fluid greatly helps. The only times that I have excess water are for items with a large inward curve such as spoons facing the wrong way, or plastic tupperware lips.
As I noted above, using a Rinse Aid does make a big difference (regardless of which model you have). I will link my favorite rinse aid here.
Installation for panel ready models
Installation was a challenge for our contractors. If you are working with an extremely experienced, high-end builder, then this may not be an issue for you. They may try to tell you that it cannot be flush with counter-depth cabinetry (24″), but this is not the case. Read the manual closely ahead of time to understand exactly where your outlet and drains need to be positioned, as the margin of error is small. Also, as I mentioned above, velcro a toe-kick onto the dishwasher. Do not have one continuous piece with the adjacent cabinetry. You do not want to rip apart all of your cabinetry if you ever need to pull out your dishwasher.
Lead times can be long
Lead times vary based on model, season, retailer, etc., but the Bosch dishwashers can take several weeks from the time that you order until the time that they arrive.
Need to flip spoons
Because the silverware is loaded horizontally, you have to make sure that you have the spoons face down. If not, you will have spoons full of water when you go to unload the dishwasher. Note though that there is a normal bottom shelf basket as well if this bothers you. This isn’t a huge nuisance, but it is just one of those little things that you have to think about every time you go to load the dishwasher.
Dishwasher door springs shut
The panel ready dishwasher door has a slight spring function to it. If it is all the way open, it stays open, but if it is partially open, it generally shuts itself. This is a bit annoying, because if you want to open it just a bit to add something to the top shelf, then you have to hold it open the whole time. Maybe this is adjustable, but I haven’t really looked into it. If so, please leave a comment and let me know! I will say, the benefit to this is that you don’t constantly have an open dishwasher.
Spinner sometimes has residual water on it
The spinner under the top rack sometimes has water on it. This is annoying if you go to pull out the top rack and water falls onto your plates on the bottom rack. This isn’t every time, and it isn’t a ton of water. One solution is to unload the bottom rack first.
FAQ
I have the Bosch dishwasher model with PureDry (not CrystalDry or AutoAir) and my dishes are slightly wet when I go to unload it. What will help?
There are several things that you can do that will help maximize the dryness:
- Always open your dishwasher as soon after the end of the cycle as possible. This will allow the steam to escape so that it doesn’t turn into residual water on your dishes. Do not let the dishwasher sit overnight after the cycle, or you are sure to wake up to damp dishes.
- Use a Rinse Aid. This helps with drying as well as removing water spots, keeping your glass clear.
- Run the “sanitize” cycle every time you run the dishwasher. The extra heat will help to get rid of residual water.
Can you summarize the differences between the various models?
Bosch created this graphic which is extremely helpful! In my opinion, the most important things to consider are the drying features and if you want Panel Ready (this removes several options).
CREDIT: BOSCH
Summary
We love our Bosch dishwasher. It is laid out well, and includes features that make it significantly more helpful than other dishwashers on the market, such as the utensil rack and InfoLight. There aren’t many significant downsides, but we recommend splurging for the 800 Series so that you have the CrystalDry function.
If you are interested in a panel ready refrigerator, read Fisher & Paykel Refrigerator Review – What You Need To Know.
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