A countertop dishwasher is a dishwasher that sits on top of the counter and can be easily relocated as needed. This should not be confused with a portable dishwasher, which holds more dishes but is not quite as compact — i.e., not small enough to sit on a countertop. The typical countertop dishwasher is approximately the size of a large microwave and usually has enough space to wash about four place settings at once, while a portable dishwasher is larger and usually has space for about twice the number of dishes.
While built-in dishwashers are an expected part of any kitchen these days, this was not always the case. Many older homes that were built before dishwashers came into common usage have not been updated, or their kitchens are designed in such a way as to make adding a built-in dishwasher too difficult or costly. Likewise, many small apartments such as studio or efficiency apartments do not have a kitchen with a dishwasher, either because they don’t have the space or because they aren’t considered a necessary feature in the apartment.
In such cases, a countertop dishwasher is ideal, because it can be placed anywhere where there is sufficient counter space. This also makes a countertop dishwasher a good investment for a senior, who may not have as many dishes to wash, or a college student, who most likely doesn’t have much room in their apartment or dorm room and may expect to move several times before graduation.
An automatic dishwasher has many advantages that make getting a countertop unit a good investment for a kitchen that doesn’t have a built-in dishwasher. For instance, having a dishwasher enables people to spend less time washing dishes, and still get them done more quickly and efficiently than you could washing them yourself. But most importantly, an automatic dishwasher does a much better job of cleaning and sterilizing dishes than hand-washing ever could. A person’s hands cannot withstand high enough temperatures to kill the germs on the dishes, but a dishwasher can easily and safely maintain the correct water temperature.
In addition, a countertop dishwasher carries with it many advantages over a normal, built-in dishwasher. First of all, small dishwashers cost less than built-in dishwashers, and don’t require the cost of remodeling the kitchen, either. They can also be moved to whatever location is convenient, making them perfect for small kitchens or even an RV. Also, a countertop dishwasher uses less water, soap, and electricity than the typical built-in dishwasher, making them an earth-friendly option for someone who is environmentally conscious.