There are a few reasons why people select a dishwasher drawer over a standard dishwasher. Although we can say the dishwasher drawers are more popular with empty-nesters, urban apartment dwellers, or those maximizing their kitchen footprint, we’ve noticed that the reasons customers purchase a dishwasher drawer really run the gamut. Some customers have a full-sized dishwasher and install a single dishwasher drawer in their bar area or pantry as an additional work-horse for ease of entertaining and clean-up. Others value an appliance that washes the amount of everyday dishes and flatware that they typically use and yet like to wash their large paella pans, stock pots, and saute pans in a separate load. We often hear that using just a top dishwasher drawer not only saves water and time but is much easier to load and unload.
Before we dive deeper into the article, let’s address the single most frequently asked question about the Fisher Paykel dishwasher drawers. Most people ask us if a these units fit in standard cabinets. The answer is yes. A single dishwasher drawer fits into a cabinet space typically reserved for a cabinet drawer while a double dishwasher drawer integrates into a cabinet reserved for a standard 24-inch dishwasher.
Fisher Paykel (owned by GE Appliances, now Haier) invented the "DishDrawer" and released it around 1998. After a few hiccups with quality and service, Fisher Paykel dishwashers are now incredibly reliable and efficient. In this article you will learn how to choose a drawer dishwasher to fit the way you like to clean your dishes. We even prepared a video with great visuals to help you make the best selection for your home.
Why Choose a Dishwasher Drawer?
Energy Efficiency – Fisher Paykel dishwasher drawers can run simultaneously or independently based on the need. If you feel guilty running a half empty dishwasher, that is no longer a problem.
Versatile – Dishwasher drawers give you the capabilities of two dishwashers in one. If you entertain a lot, we have seen customers serve appetizers and drinks and fill one drawer with soiled cocktail dishes and then go on to fill the other drawer with pots and pans after dinner has been served. Once the cocktail dishes are done, the dishwasher drawer is ready for the dinner plates. Gone are the days of hand washing dishes after everyone has left. We also like that you have many design options with dishwasher drawers. You can use a full size 2 drawer unit or get a single drawer or place 2 drawers next to each other so you don’t have to bend down.
Quiet – Fisher Paykel has designed their dishwasher drawers to be extremely quiet (at or below 45 dB). In addition to having a quiet noise rating during the wash cycle, the water pump and drain pump, usually the loudest parts of a dishwasher, are engineered to run far quieter than the competition. We covered most quiet dishwashers in our earlier blog post.
Space Savings – When you open the door on a traditional dishwasher the open door sticks out about 21 inches. If you have a galley kitchen that 21 inches can block the walkway in your kitchen. With a Fisher Paykel DishDrawer you can partially open the drawer and still have access to loading and unloading the dishes.
Great Service, Industry Best Warranty – In the last 10 years they have revamped the way their dishwashers are engineered and eliminated the quality issues that plagued their brand when it first launched. They are so confident in the quality of their product they now offer a free 5 year extended warranty
Which Dishwasher Drawer Should I Buy?
If you are tired of lingering dishes in your sink and have limited cabinet space, you may find Fisher Paykel drawer dishwashers handy. Single drawers save space in a tight kitchen and allows for additional cabinets or drawers under the dishdrawer. On the other hand, double drawers will allow you to run each drawer independently to save valuable sink and counter space.
All Fisher Paykel dishwashers are energy efficient and use less than 4 gallons of water per wash cycle. You will notice the interior of the dishwasher is not stainless steel, rather a custom molded plastic. When we asked our contacts at Fisher Paykel why the interior was not stainless steel we received an interesting response. Fisher Paykel molds the interior of their dishwashers to deflect water at just the right angle so that every dish is cleaned. This in turn makes more room in the tub to fit large size plates as there is no need to have a spray arm on the top of the tub. Also, Fisher Paykel found that water bouncing off of stainless steel is louder than water bouncing off of plastic in a drawer setting.
Fisher Paykel drawer dishwashers have been in the US market for the past 20 years. As much as we love these products both in terms of form and performance, we noticed that manufacturers’ catalog is cumbersome and not easy to follow. Below you will find a quick breakdown of the product line to help you choose the perfect dishwasher drawer for your home.
At this time, Fisher Paykel only makes dishwasher drawers. In case you are eyeing a standard dishwasher please check out our latest dishwasher buying guide.
Option 1 (Most Popular) – Double Drawer Dishwashers
Double Drawer Dishwashers have the same dimensions as traditional dishwashers. This makes swapping one for another effortless. Some people refer to these dishwashers as "two drawer dishwasher" as each drawer can operate independently or simultaneously.
Fisher Paykel makes four different series of double drawer dishwashers.
1. Standard Height
2. Tall Tub
3. Tall Tub with Water Softener
4. Panel Ready
Top Picks Table1) Standard Height Fisher Paykel Double Drawer Dishwasher
DD24DAX9N 24" Double DishDrawer
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Standard height DishDrawers can be adjusted between heights of 32 5/16" and 34 5/8". 32 5/16" will fit under even the shortest counters sometimes found in older homes.
Quick Summary
- Quiet at 45 dB
- Fan assisted high performance drying
- 23 9/16" W x 22 9/16" D (excl. handles) x 32 5/16"-34 5/8" H (adjustable)
- 14 Plate Settings
- 6 Wash Cycles, 6 Wash Programs
- Available in 3 colors:
- Stainless Steel DD24DAX9N, Black DD24DAB9N, White with Recessed Handles DD24DAW9N
2) Tall Tub Fisher Paykel Double Drawer Dishwasher
DD24DCTX9N 24" Double DishDrawer
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Tall Tub Dishwasher Drawers share all features of the regular height units but are slightly taller to allow for larger plate sizes (13" Large Plates). They still fit under a standard counter. Their height can be adjusted between 34" and 36 3/8".
Quick Summary
- All of features of the Standard Height Unit PLUS
- Even quieter at 44 dB
- Taller height (34"-36 3/8" adjustable) fits place sizes up to 13"
- 15 Wash Cycles, 6 Wash Programs including quick/express, sanitize and extra-dry
- Adjustable tines in racks
- Added childlock safety feature
- Available in 3 colors: Stainless Steel DD24DCTX9N, Black DD24DCTB9N and White DD24DCTW9N
3) Tall Tub with Water Softener Fisher Paykel Double Dishwasher Drawer
DD24DCHTX9N 24" Double DishDrawer
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If you live in an area with hard water (such as Northern New Jersey) a dishwasher with a built-in water softener can greatly improve your washing results. This dishwasher includes a salt dispenser in order to alter the pH level of your water for optimum washing conditions.
Quick Summary
- Same features as the tall-tub version
- Built-in Water Softener
- Available only in stainless steel
- Stainless Steel DD24DCHTX9
4) Panel Ready Double Drawer Dishwashers
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These products are able to accept custom panels to have a flush finish with your cabinets. They come in three configurations: Standard Height, Tall-Tub and Tall-Tub with Water Softener. Panel ready units share the features and dimensions (depth 22 1/2" to be able to accept custom panel) of their respective siblings in categories above.
Quick Summary
- 46 dB Quietness Rating
- 9 Wash Cycles and 9 Options
- 23 9/16" Width x 22 1/2" Depth that Accepts Custom Panel
- Standard Height Custom Panel Ready (DD24DI9N) – (32 5/16"-34 5/8" adjustable height)
- Tall Tub Custom Panel Ready (DD24DTI9N) – (34"-36 3/8" adjustable height)
- Tall-Tub Custom Panel Ready with Water Softener (DD24DHTI9N) – (34"-36 3/8" adjustable height)
Option 2 – Single Drawer Dishwasher
Great for smaller households and to save space.
Single DishDrawers are very unique and offer just the right amount of wash capacity for smaller households or if you are trying to preserve storage space in your kitchen.
1) Standard Height Fisher Paykel Single Drawer Dishwasher
DD24SAX9N 24" Single DishDrawer
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Most popular single drawer dishwasher in the US market. Ideal for apartments with limited kitchen space.
Quick Summary
- Quiet at 45 dB
- Fan assisted high performance drying
- 23 9/16" W x 22 9/16" D (excl. handles) x 16 1/8" H
- 7 Plate Settings
- 6 Wash Cycles, 6 Wash Programs
- Available in 3 colors:
- Stainless Steel DD24SAX9N, Black DD24SAB9N, White DD24SAW9N
2) Tall Tub Fisher Paykel Single Drawer Dishwasher
DD24SCTX9N 24" Single DishDrawer
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Fit large size pot and pans easily in the tall tub dishwasher.
Quick Summary
- All of features of the Standard Height Unit PLUS
- Even quieter at 44 dB
- Taller height (17 7/8") fits plate sizes up to 13"
- 15 Wash Cycles, 6 Wash Programs including quick/express, sanitize and extra-dry
- Adjustable tines in racks
- Added Childlock safety feature
- Available only in stainless steel
- Stainless Steel DD24SCHTX9N
3) Tall Tub with Water Softener Fisher Paykel Single Dishwasher Drawer
DD24SCHTX9N 24" Single DishDrawer
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Quick Summary
- Same features as the tall-tub version
- Built-in Water Softener
- Available only in stainless steel
- Stainless Steel DD24SCHTX9N
4) Panel Ready Single Drawer Dishwashers
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Panel ready appliances blend in with your kitchen cabinets. They install flush and maintain the same finish with the surroundings. Single dishwasher drawers come in 3 flavors: Standard Height, Tall-Tub and Tall-Tub with Water Softener.
PRO TIP – Make sure to contact our staff at (888) 714-4938 to inquire about unpublished savings on Fisher Paykel dishwasher drawers.
Conclusion: Is a Dishwasher Drawer right for me?
Choosing a dishwasher drawer is a matter of personal preference and space consideration. At Designer Appliances, we think the Fisher & Paykel dishwasher drawers are extremely versatile and offer functionality you just can’t get with a traditional dishwasher. If you run a half load worth of dishes and flatware every day, a dishdrawer is the perfect answer. If you have limited cabinets and want to save space, this unconventional dishwasher might be just what you need.
If you have any questions or would like to make a purchase, view our entire Fisher & Paykel Drawer Dishwasher collection stop by one of our stores in New Jersey and try them out for yourself.
FAQs
How can I get a Bosch drawer dishwasher?
At this time Bosch does not make drawer dishwashers. However, Bosch dishwashers are known to be ultra quiet and have superior cleaning performance.
We cover Bosch dishwashers in our blog posts and keep the information up-to-date with ongoing product changes.