Can dishwashers be made integrated?

mel.b

I need a dishwasher, however I'm planning to redo my kitchen probably within the next 18mths and when I do I want an integrated dishwasher. Can I get a dishwasher now and can a cupboard be added to the front or something to make it look integrated or am i either stuck continuing to handwash for the next however long?

Quazzie

Yes. Very easily. Most top brands make integrated dishwashers. I'd hazard a guess that an integrated dishwasher is more common than a non-integrated one,.

EDIT: I just copped that you are talking about changing an existing one to an integrated one. This would be very hard I'd imagine but maybe someone has done it.

DublinDilbert

An intergrated dish washer is just a dish washer designed to have a kitchen door screwed on the front and high enough to sit above the kick board at the bottom.

If you have space in existing kitchen there's no reason you can't buy one and screw on a front similar to your existing presses....

KAGY

mel.b wrote: »

I need a dishwasher, however I'm planning to redo my kitchen probably within the next 18mths and when I do I want an integrated dishwasher. Can I get a dishwasher now and can a cupboard be added to the front or something to make it look integrated or am i either stuck continuing to handwash for the next however long?

A dishwasher will be integrated or not. I don't think that you can get one that can be converted. If you get an integrated one now you will need to get a cheap door for it until you get your new kitchen because it will be just bare steel and probably with out a handle. ( but that might just be the excuse you need to get the new kitchen sooner :-)

mel.b

Oh, so I could get an integrated one now? I had been looking at normal freestanding ones. If I could get an integrated one now and have a cheap door on it, that would be perfect

The Red Ace

If you buy an integrated d/w for the new kitchen but want to use it now as freestanding there are a few things you need to be made aware of, the intg. machine has a different door structure with much stronger springs and hinges to take the weight and be able to lift the weight of the wooden door when attached. If you use the intg. machine as free standing it will need to be anchored into position otherwise it will tend to topple over as these dishwashers are normally screwed into position in the kitchen unit. when its being fitted in the new kitchen make sure all the plumbing is offset

mel.b

Thanks RedAce, that is helpful. What would you use to anchor it? There is a space for a dishwasher - there was a freestanding one inbetween two cupboards, but the previous owners took it when they moved out.

mark17j

We have a Zanussi integrated dishwasher... best one we ever had..
it has a 30 min quick wash cycle, which is great for saving water with the charges coming in.

The Red Ace

If there was one fitted already you will have no great problem fitting it, hopefully the waste standpipe is offset otherwise it will make the d/w stick out the width of the pipe, if you are fitting it between units that have a worktop just fit it into position and screw down the levelling legs fairly tight this will push it up against the worktop and keep it in position

greasepalm

i got an intergrated one after i got kitchen converted with the door to add,never got that far yet and must secure sides to stop it tilting.
one i used and is handy for later problems is carpet gliders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhA9sv-Iu4w

wytch

Red Ace is on the money with his/her advice. If you take a photo of the opening you have to place the dishwasher in, I could give you some help with options.

mel.b

Thanks Wytch, that would be appreciated. Here are some pics...ignore the dishes on & in the sink

wytch

That looks ideal for what you want. Check you have the correct space for it to fit, you need 600mm plus in width. Measure top and bottom at front and rear, thats 4 measurements in all. Or cut a piece of timber 600mm wide and see that it fits everywhere.

When your fitting the machine in place remove the kicker board at the sink, feed the pipes in at kicker board level behind the rear leg on the left hand side supporting the sink unit. Push in the machine and pull the pipes & power cord out at the same time (pipes wont get kinked or caught behind the machine). The machine will almost touch the back wall.

Then raise the dishwasher up by lowering its adjustable legs until the top of the dishwasher is touching the underside of the countertop. Go gently with the rear leg which nearly always adjusts using a screwdriver turning a mechanism. Once the machine is in place and touching the underside of the countertop, tighten up the front legs even more to lock the appliance in place. Don't tighten up the back one, the mechanism will break and you will need it working to remove and refit in your new kitchen.

Most integrated dishwashers doors have adjustable springs, you can loosen it up somewhat to compensate for not having cabinet door fitted. Its more often than not an Allen key tool that is needed.

Enjoy.

greasepalm

and i do hope he has a 13amp socket in under there also.and a clod water feed with a tap to shut off water if needed.

Snaggerman

Off topic, but you really need to investigate why the shirting board in the ope is rotted. Looks like water damage.....

Snaggerman

Double post

mel.b

Snaggerman wrote: »

Off topic, but you really need to investigate why the shirting board in the ope is rotted. Looks like water damage.....

There's no skirting board there (in the opening is what i presume you mean.) it is a very bad plaster job

mel.b

mel.b wrote: »

There's no skirting board there (in the opening is what i presume you mean.) it is a very bad plaster job

Plasterers seldom go right to the bottom of the wall as that part is usually covered by a skirting board.

mel.b

Deleted User wrote: »

Plasterers seldom go right to the bottom of the wall as that part is usually covered by a skirting board.

Not quite sure what you are actually saying or implying There is definitely no skirting there, nor is there along the entire length of that wall behind the fitted cupboards (I got down with a torch and checked). It does not feel damp and I have noticed no water leakage in the 6mths I have been here.

To me, it looks nothing more than a very dodgy plaster job, by someone not caring as it would be hidden by a dishwasher. Or perhaps they knocked a hole there for some reason and attempted a bad patch job. However if people want closeups to double check or think I should get it looked at I will - which professional would be best?

What I am saying is that it is perfectly normal for the first 6cm or so of wall up from the floor is not plastered as this area is usually covered up by a skirting board.

If no skirting is fitted then you get to see the rough edge of the plaster, it's perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

mel.b

Perfect, thankyou i thought you might have been saying that they had done something dodgy there!

Snaggerman

mel.b wrote: »

Not quite sure what you are actually saying or implying There is definitely no skirting there, nor is there along the entire length of that wall behind the fitted cupboards (I got down with a torch and checked). It does not feel damp and I have noticed no water leakage in the 6mths I have been here.

To me, it looks nothing more than a very dodgy plaster job, by someone not caring as it would be hidden by a dishwasher. Or perhaps they knocked a hole there for some reason and attempted a bad patch job. However if people want closeups to double check or think I should get it looked at I will - which professional would be best?

Apologies, viewing on mobile, looked like a skirting board to me. Maybe time to get the eyes checked :-). Other poster is indeed correct, dodgy plaster patch/finish, more than likely nothing to be concerned about.