For those of you who own dishwashers...

[Michelle]

...do you use them or wash dishes by hand instead?

I am wondering if the savings from washing by hand is significant enough for me to start washing mostly by hand vs. using the dishwasher every day.

I already run it during the "off peak" times, but I am trying to save even more.

TIA

[PrairieRose]

I have and use my dishwasher Chelle. I don't think it costs us anymore to use it b/c in order to get hot water to my kitchen sink you have to let the water run for ages. Our dishwasher heats it up itself. I've heard it both ways as far as savings goes.

[lucy979]

I use it all the time. Although I don't pay electric bills. (Army pays it)

[Sara Noel]

This won't really answer your question, but I'll reply anyway. lol

I don't mind washing by hand, but am not proper about it. I don't fill the sink and know that for me, it would cost more to handwash. I've just been letting them air dry in the dishwasher vs. the heat cycle on the dishwasher and I am hoping that makes a greater difference for us here.

A sinkful of dishes is not good for my overall outlook on the day either. Nothing bums me out more than facing a full sink.

Well this post has prompted me to go call our electric company and have one of those energy audits done.

[frugalmel]

I use mine, but set it to run late at nite. I am lazy enough that I won't wash them by hand if I don't have to.

[Darlene]

We do most in DW but some things can't or I won't put in there like my wooden spoons & knives. I do let the dw air dry to save on energy.

Speaking of dishwashers I also use 1/2 ammount of soap in mine.(only barely fill one section)

[Kimmomo3]

I use my DW but I do not use the dry cycle I just let them air dry.

[SewCrafty]

My dishwasher does the dishes every morning and most nights too!

My dishwashers name is Jack!

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

We don't have a dishwasher, I don't have room even for a portable one.

[QuilterMom]

We use it for everything that will safely go in it and use the air dry feature.

[lacyj]

Dishwashers, what dishwashers?, They moved out, years ago...Can't rely on the dogs to do a good job either....
Actually, I've never owned a dishwasher, hope to have one in the NEW house. Since, it's just the two of us now, I'll probably still do alot of hand washing, unless,...I get a whole lot more dishes. I cook almost exclusively in castiron and wouldn't trust my old dishes to a dishwasher. I plan on using it heavily during canning season...
lacyj

[couponchic]

I use the dishwasher mainly as a timesaver. It is much easier to fill it as we dirty the dishes, then once it is full, we run it as opposed to letting them pile up in the sink. Another advantage to this is that the kitchen looks cleaner even though the dishes aren't done. I haven't saw an increase in the water bill or electric bill since we started using the dishwasher versus hand washing.

[Mom23boys]

I wanted to see how much difference it would make, so I stopped using it for one month just to see. I also stopped using the dryer. My light bill went down drastically!! Now I only use the dishwasher if I am pressed for time...which isn't too often.

[KKCondrey]

When we had a diswasher at our old home, we only used it once a week or so. With it being just the 2 of us it took us a week to get a decent load....lol

I would let them air dry vs using the dryer on th DW. Now I am the dishwasher and I hate it.

[mom2matty]

We also use ours daily but I run it after everyone is in bed at night and I use the air dry feature too!

[Lori Biever-Launder]

I was not put on this earth to wash dishes...any more than I have to! We run the dishwasher about three times in two days (unless I bake or cook a lot). My DSs load and unload the dishwasher.