Measure Before you Buy (Dishwashers)

At a first glance, getting a new dishwasher seems pretty easy. Just slide the old one out and replace with a new one. It’s easy, but not that simple. The biggest thing to do before you buy a dishwasher is to make some measurements.

When measuring, you can use a tape measure. This is what contractor’s will use. It is detailed with specific measurements such as 1/8 or 5/8. Make sure to jot down your measurements. You never just want to remember the measurement because you might forget the specific details and tell the appliance store wrong. You can even draw a little diagram so you know which measurement goes with which length.

Width

For the most part, dishwashers are standard as far as sizing goes. There are really only two widths, the most common is 24” dishwasher, and the least common is 18” dishwasher. Unless you have a super small kitchen, you probably have the larger sized one, the 24” dishwasher. To measure, start at the top of the dishwasher and measure horizontally from left to right. Also measure the bottom this way too.

Depth

This is probably the easiest to measure. If you have a dishwasher in place, you want to take your tape measure and align the end with the back of the countertop. Pull your tape measure down to the front of the countertop or where the dishwasher front is. If your dishwasher is not installed, you can measure inside. Take the tape measure and place it at the very back of the wall and measure it to the front of the opening.

Height

There is however one dimension that can catch you; the height. While there is a standard to counter top height, there are variations in floor thickness. Such as the lip on counter tops, new floors, new cabinetry, or new countertops.

The measurement you want is from the floor in front of the dishwasher to the bottom most point of the counter top. When you measure, make sure to measure both sides to see if you get the same distance. If you are below 34”, this can limit your options. If you are at or below 33 1/2”, this can limit your amount even more drastically.

So when shopping for a dishwasher, bring your width, your depth, and your height, and be as accurate as possible. A 1/8 of an inch can make or break you below 34”. Once you have these, our team can help you find the best dishwasher for your kitchen.