Gunjan Srivastava
Can you feel the grease on your kadais and utensils even after a thorough hand wash? Do you see unpleasant, dried water spots on your expensive crockery and glassware? If so, it’s time to get rid of old habits of hand-washing and try out a dishwasher.
Indian consumers are leading a fast-paced life which necessitates a greater role for technology in their homes and kitchens. Educated and informed, evolved customers increasingly want to make their homes healthier, hygienic and efficient, and so they turn to appliances. The dishwasher is one of the most significant components of an evolved household worldwide.
However, in India this appliance continues to be perceived as pricy and out of reach by the average middle class family, besides suffering from several myths. It’s therefore, time to bust some of the most common myths.
Myth 1: The dishwasher cannot be started until it is full
Dishwashers are usually more efficient when they are fully loaded, as they can then make the most of the energy, water and detergent. However, this is not a hard and fast rule; one can run a dishwasher when it is partly loaded as well. The latest dishwashers are equipped with a ‘half load’ option to cater to smaller loads, while assuring 100% performance and a hygienic wash.
Myth 2: Indian utensils and kadais cannot be washed in dishwashers
Most dishwashers have flexible tines which help in adjusting and making space according to the load size. Good dishwashers are designed keeping Indian households in mind, and can effortlessly wash larger pots like the kadai; pressure cookers etc and still have ample space for flatware, glassware and plates.
Myth 3: Dishwashers are expensive; it’s cheaper to get maids to wash the dishes
Like many other home appliances, dishwashers are a one-time investment which proves cost-effective in the long run. If dishwashers are used efficiently, they can save both electricity and water. As opposed to hand washing of utensils, a process that consumes approximately 60 litres per wash, a Bosch dishwasher would take 10-13 litres and 1.45kWh of electricity for one wash cycle.
Myth 4: A pre-rinse is required
Dishes do not need to be washed before being put in the dishwasher. In fact, you can put in the greasy, masala stained dishes in the dishwasher and be pleasantly surprised with sparkling and hygienic dishes. Just like while hand-washing the larger chunks of food particles have to be discarded, the same needs to be done before placing the dishes in the dishwasher. This is basically to prevent the pipes from getting clogged.
Myth 5: Not meant for expensive cutlery and other materials
Dishwashers can efficiently wash large and small utensils and dishes of all kinds including expensive China, crockery and ceramics; even delicate wine glasses. They are ideal for baby bottles, as the 70°C-wash terminates germs with a 99.9% success rate. The same goes for microwave safe plastic and melamine ware.
The author is managing director and CEO, BSH Household Appliances. ')}
