Whirlpool Dishwasher - Built-in - DU850SWPB Review

Appliance Commentary:

Whirlpool Model DU850SWPB is a basic, inexpensive dishwasher (cost is less than $300) with few features and simple operation- the type that covers the bare minimums expected in a dishwasher but little else. Starting with the cycles offered and general features, this dishwasher is very simplistic. It offers only four cycles, a temperature boost setting, and an energy saving no heat dry. It also offers the option to delay the start time, which is nice. But the lack of precision on the control panel is a definite strike against this dishwasher. The cycles and special features are all operated by pushing a button, but the control that gets the washer started is nothing more than a round knob. There is no digital panel or anything else to indicate how far along the cycle is or how much time is remaining. There are no minute markers on the knob, either.

Cleaning ability with this dishwasher is acceptable, but to make sure dishes get clean the first time, consumers really need to use the Pots & Pans setting. This cycle is the longest of the three main cleaning cycles and the extra cleaning time is often needed for getting rid of the dirt and grime on certain dishes. If I have skillets, cookie sheets, etc., my experience has shown me that the Normal and Heavy Duty settings are not long enough to get these dishes clean. The high temperature boost setting helps, but the longer running time offered by the Pots & Pans setting is really what you need to get the dishes as clean as possible.

One unique feature of Whirlpool DU850SWPB is its central cleaning system, which I started to describe above. There is no upper spray arm in this dishwasher, like there is in many of the better dishwashers. In its place, Whirlpool has this series of tubes. The tubes, of course, are not directly joined because if they were, the upper and lower racks would be attached to each other. Instead, the tube on the lower rack is situated directly underneath the one on the upper rack so that when the racks are pushed in and the dishwasher starts, the water will shoot through the bottom tube through the tube above, where it then hits the lid of the top tube and is dispersed through the openings around the side, spraying hot water on the dishes in the upper rack. This helps get the dishes on the upper rack a little cleaner than otherwise, but this system isn't as effective as having a separate, rotating spray arm on top, like some of the better dishwashers.

Looking around at the other features of this dishwasher, another complaint I must make is with the utensil basket. This basket is far too small and it doesn't hold many pieces of flatware. Also, it isn't very deep so many utensils will fall over if they are placed here. I have opened the dishwasher after a completed cycle and found long spoons lying on the bottom rack- spoons that had originally been placed in the utensil rack. It is a noisy appliance, too, making a loud grinding/vibrating noise that makes you wonder if something is broken.

Bottom Line:

Whirlpool makes a few good appliances along with an occasional spotty offering that doesn't quite deliver acceptable quality to most consumers. Whirlpool DU850SWPB ranks as one of the less desirable Whirlpool appliances. It would probably be fine for someone who has never owned a dishwasher before or for use in a vacation condo or suite. But for someone with experience using dishwashers or who plans to use their dishwasher on a regular basis, this unit won't satisfy. It doesn't offer enough settings, makes too much noise, has inadequate space for utensils, and gets dishes clean only if the longest setting is used. Its inexpensive and its qualities make it okay for a week or two, but it's a product to avoid for long- term use.