Should I Buy a Dishwasher with a Plastic or Stainless Steel Tub?

When you need a new dishwasher, there are many options you can choose from. While each one has its own features, one of the more critical choices you must make is between a stainless steel or plastic tub.

It will not take long to discover that a stainless steel tub is more expensive than a plastic one. Your budget is essential, so which one do you choose?

Benefits of Stainless Steel Dishwasher Tubs

A stainless steel tub can hold up to heat and hard water better than plastic. The water temperature in a dishwasher gets as high as 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill germs and bacteria. A plastic tub can warp and leak when exposed to high temperatures over a long period. Hard water can also cause a plastic tub to warp. 

A stainless steel tub uses less power energy.  A stainless steel tub only uses 450 watts as opposed to the 600 – 750 watts of energy used by a plastic tub. 

Stainless steel is more durable and lasts longer than plastic. Plastic is likely to crack and require a replacement. A stainless steel tub is also less likely to stain than a plastic tub.

Stainless steel tubs are better able to absorb sound, making them less noisy than plastic tubs. They produce as much as 10 decibels less noise than a plastic one. This noise reduction means that a dishwasher with a stainless steel tub is less disruptive to the household when it is running.

Stainless steel tubs use conduction, which means that the dishes dry faster. Stainless steel pulls in heat and turns it into condensation, which drops to the bottom of the dishwasher instead of becoming a puddle on the plates.

At Sarah’s Appliance Repair, we recommend a stainless steel dishwasher tub. While stainless steel may cost a little bit more up front, the extra cost will be worth it because of all the benefits it provides in the short-term as well as saved money in the long run by avoiding the cost of replacement parts.

Having issues with your current dishwasher? Give us a call today!