Smart Meters?

[Earthmaiden]

I think it is quite commonplace (from what I've seen in the media) for some younger people not to realise that you can wash things without a machine.

[Stokey Sue]

Mine weighs the load, not quite sure why because like most modern machines it also adjusts the water so that there’s as much used as the cloth absorbs + the amount needed to circulate outside the drum

But the amount used to circulate will be exactly the same for a week’s worth of blouses and as they aren’t usually very absorbent the total amount of water used won’t be much different, I don’t suppose they are very accurate

There was a vox pop on tv today in which someone mentioned saving water by only running the dishwasher after supper and not after breakfast and lunch as well

Does anyone run theirs 3 times a day except when throwing a party?

[Suelle]

There was a vox pop on tv today in which someone mentioned saving water by only running the dishwasher after supper and not after breakfast and lunch as well

Does anyone run theirs 3 times a day except when throwing a party?

I'm new to dishwashers, and I don't use it every day, but I can see a larger family might need to do it twice a day, depending on how they cook.

Large dishwashers are supposed to be '12 place settings' in capacity, but it seems to me that that only means 12 plates, 12 sets of cutlery and perhaps 12 mugs. Anything awkwardly shaped like mixing bowls, baking dishes or saucepans greatly reduces the capacity.

I only cook for one, but if I've used bowls and measuring jugs etc while cooking, as well as a baking dish and a saucepan or two, then I can fill a dishwasher in a day.

[Stokey Sue]

I'm new to dishwashers, and I don't use it every day, but I can see a larger family might need to do it twice a day, depending on how they cook.

The man who mentioned moving from 3 washes to one a day was clearly getting a whole day's stuff into one load, he'd just been running it 3 times because he was using the dishwasher to the same pattern as he's previously hand washed, that was why it struck me so much

I have a slimline, nominal 8 place settings, machine which also has a half load setting which cuts water & energy consumption, though I suspect not really by 50% I run it pretty much every day, but I do get most of the pans etc in too which saves quite a bit of water, and I don't like hand washing as I can't be sure I have got things clean; the eco program uses 0.74 kWh and 9 litres of water which isn't extravagant imo

[Earthmaiden]

I've got a half size dishwasher. I have been known to run it three times in a day (big cooking session or guests) but usually it's just once and it's usually full. I wouldn't dream of running it for just a couple of items which is what I think was Sue's point.

[aero280]

My dishwasher says she only uses enough water to fill the plastic bowl in the sink…

[Suffs]

Mine has a very similar programme Aero ... it's also quite versatile and multi-functional ... I love that it's voice activated ... it cost nothing when I got it and has never needed repair

[Stokey Sue]

My dishwasher says she only uses enough water to fill the plastic bowl in the sink…

Three bowls full will be quite a bit more than my 9 litres

[Suffs]

So our one to two bowls full per day will be quite a bit less … result … plus in this weather it gets tipped out onto the garden or compost heap, thus lessening demand on the water and sewage plant and reducing the need to water our veg etc.

[Earthmaiden]

Of course, you're right Suffs. The wonderful thing about dishwashers is not having piles of dirty crockery on and around the sink all the time or to face washing up after meals or small cooking sessions. We may have to but I'd be sad to part with mine. I'd rather get a large sturdy bucket and save the rinsing water from the washing machine (which I really should).

[Stokey Sue]

Depends on the size of your washing up bowl and how much you rinse in addition - most full size washing up bowls are around 8 to 9 litres capacity (I just checked), so if you half fill the bowl twice, not far short of my full 9 litre wash, and more than my half load.
But I love the convenience and thoroughness of my dishwasher, it’s handy to have storage for used items in my little kitchen, and in my case - well nobody, including me wants to use a glass washed up by someone who can’t see the smears.

[Suffs]

Our bowl takes 4 litres to almost full to the brim, so little more than two litres of water for washing up.
A much smaller bowl of rinsing water next to the sink works for us.

We’re not as scrupulous in normal times … but in what is a very dry part of the country we feel that, if we’re going to use tap to water the veg patch (now that the butts are empty) we should be responsible enough to use as little water as possible in other ways.

[scullion]

we have bowls that size for 'hand' washing up, however, the dishwasher takes a couple of days worth of washing up and all the pans - more than a bowl of soapy water can cope with and the rinse bowl function is well decreased by the end of the session. i often use the rinse as an extra wash and put clean water in for rinsing.
the dishwasher uses less water and many use the rinse/draining water to pre-wash the next load. then factor in the heating of the water, too, the dishwasher only heats what it needs.
the dishwasher is meant to be more efficient than manual if you have more than eight items to wash - according to the 'expert' on 'sliced bread' on radio 4 a few weeks ago.
it also helps avoid varicose veins with standing - and crying.

[KeenCook]

That's interesting about the 8 items, scully.

[WWordsworth]

It has never occurred to me to run the dishwasher when it's not full

[Suelle]

It has never occurred to me to run the dishwasher when it's not full

There's full, and then there's "I'm not sure I ought to leave these dirty dishes for another day"!

I've discovered dried-on yogurt doesn't come off if left too long!

[WWordsworth]

Yep, and anything fishy probably gets a rinse.

The only time I run the machine " not full" is when I am expecting guests and need it empty for later.

[Busybee]

Our dishwasher goes on every night after we have eaten, it’s usually completely full. It’s the dogs signal that we are settling down for the night and no more playing. It confuses him if it goes on at any other time, and if it doesn’t go on for any reason we usually have an unsettled whining doggo!

BB

[scullion]

ours goes on when it's sunny or the batteries are full...

[northleedsbhoy]

To be honest I’ve never thought of getting a dishwasher. I live on my own so I couldn’t justify the expense of buying one let alone any other reason. My water usage is about £8.00 a month and that’s with a daily shower and washing machine on roughly twice every 10 days, or more if required. I wash up after every meal and it doesn’t take me long and sometimes it’s therapeutic to stand and stare out the window whilst doing it.

Cheers
NLB