Portable dishwashers - need recommendations

[simplyE]

New to Chowhound and I think I posted my original question to the wrong place. Mea Culpa. I need to replace my Mom's portable dishwasher and haven't found much info. from actual users. There are 4 active eaters in her small home and durability is key. She doesn't have water issues but does have septic rather than sewer lines. Anyone have any brand recommendations? thank you.

[kleine mocha]

You might check this out: http://www.compactappliance.com/Danby...
Though I have a built-in Bosch dishwasher, my washer-dryer is all one unit, portable (hooks up to sink) and came from this same outfit. Of course it's awkward having to roll it around but it still works great and is supposed to be very energy efficient. Only downside is it takes a LONG time to dry.

[meatn3]

I have this dish washer. It was about the only one small enough for the space I had.

It works well all in all. Things like cups and plastic ware are never really completely dry, always needs a towel. It is louder than a built in but quieter than I would expect from a portable.

It is fairly easy to maneuver - don't need a lot of strength.

I ordered it through Walmart for the lowest price I could find. They delivered it to the store of my choice.

[Sherri]

Years ago, when we were renting houses with no dishwasher, we bought a regular-sized KitchenAid that could be built-in. Instead, we put wheels on it & a butcher block top and wheeled it around the kitchen; I don't remember any sides but that could just be my poor memory. We took it with us from house to house for several years of frequent Navy moves. There was some sort of conversion kit (bought or made, I don't remember) that hooked up to the sink for water supply and draining. It worked like a charm and yes, we finally did install it in a house that we bought.

[al b. darned]

My old kitchen doesn't have room for a built-in dishwasher, and I hate doing the dishes, so it is a portable dishwasher for us.

We've had the previous version of this one for about five years or so and have been happy with it. if ours died today I would immediately go out and find this one to replace it. (I would go with the black one.)

http://www.us-appliance.com/dp1040xtx...

I like the fact that you can put the flatware basket on the door to get more space in the racks. We really pack the basket, and have never had a problem with the flatware not being clean. Edit: Whoops! Seems this one doesn't have this feature any more.

Before this one, I had another Whirlpool with an dial control for more than ten years. I highly recommend the Whirlpool.

[dessert_diva]

When I was living in an apartment from 1998-2001, I bought one of these; an 18" Kenmore model. It worked great for me. What I did was to replace the blah looking top that came with it, with a piece of faux butcher block Formica that matched (or almost so) the existing countertops, so when I wasn't actually using it (hooked up to the kitchen sink faucet) I put it at the end of the counter and voila! Instant extra counterspace that didn't look weird.

I'll tell you something which I will probaby get pilloried for: I liked that portable dishwasher better than the $800 Miele that I put into my current kitchen remodel 7 years ago! The portable had a true heated dry cycle (which these PITA Energy Star new dishwashers do NOT have) and it did its thing in a respectable amount of time (unlike the Miele on which even the Economy cycle takes two whole hours; ridiculous IMHO).

I don't know who makes the Kenmores nowadays but there doesn't seem to be much difference in price between them and the other brands (GE, Frigidaire, Whirlpool). Actually I'll be interested in others' answers because I'm seriously considering just having a portable in my next house just for the rare (maybe 2 or 3 times a year?) occasions when I use a dishwasher. Given the choice, I'd rather have cabinets in that spot, LOL!

[hala]

I used to have a portable Kenmore and I loved it. The extra counter space is great. I would say go for it. Especially if you rarely use it and if you have limited space in the kitchen, you can store the dishwasher in another room and just push it to the kitchen when you need it.