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The Editor : June
2007
New Appliances for Old Homes
To submit your own kitchen question, send
an e-mail to editor@kitchens.com.
Question: We have an older home with counters/cabinets that
are only 23 inches deep. Are there any built-in dishwashers out there
that will fit such a space?
The Bosch Evolution 500 series dishwasher is just 22 7/16
inches deep and 23 9/16 inches wide, making it a good choice for a tight
space or small kitchen.
Answer: Yes, there are. Although the standard under-counter
dishwasher size is 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep, European
dishwashers often tend to be a little narrower and shallower than U.S.
models. Bosch, Thermador, Miele and Asko all offer models about 22.5
inches deep. (FYI: These will all cost at least $500.) If your
countertops are stone or another hard surface, you’ll need a model that
can mount on the side instead of to the top.
We can’t emphasize enough the importance of consulting with an
experienced, knowledgeable professional at a good appliance store or
retailer. Such a person will be familiar with the local housing stock
and its typical challenges, as well as the products most likely to work
in a challenging situation. Bring along exact measurements for potential
dishwasher locations—not just the depth of the counter but also the
height from the floor to the bottom of the countertop.
You don’t mention the width of your base cabinets. Standard
under-counter dishwashers are about 24 inches wide, give or take half an
inch. Built-in dishwashers also come in compact 18-inch models, which
may be a better option for your cabinetry. Try to select a location near
your sink that won’t interfere with your ability to open and close
cabinet and refrigerator doors.
By the way, installing any dishwasher in a kitchen that has never had
one is a challenge, so we strongly recommend hiring a professional. Not
only will you need to cut out a section of your base cabinets to create
space for the dishwasher, you will have to run dedicated water and power
lines to the dishwasher. This electrical and plumbing work will require
opening up the wall, which has the potential to uncover rot, code
violations and other not-so-fun stuff.
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