Dishwasher Manuals & Owner Guides

Dishwasher sizes explained

Standard (24 in.)

The most common built-in size, typically 12–16 place settings. Federal limits for standard models are 307 kWh per year and 5.0 gallons per cycle.

Slim (18 in.)

Fits narrow openings; usually 8–10 place settings. Still classified as standard size for efficiency rules.

Compact

Fewer than eight place settings — countertop, portable and some drawer designs. Held to separate limits of 222 kWh per year and 3.5 gallons per cycle.

How modern dishwashers dry

Heated dry uses an element after the final rinse. Condensation drying relies on stored heat and a cool tub wall. Fan-assisted drying and automatic door release move moisture out of the tub, and mineral drying uses a moisture-absorbing material that gives off heat. All of them work far better with rinse aid, and plastics tend to stay damp in any non-heated system.

Reading energy and water numbers

Annual energy (kWh/yr) and water per cycle (gallons) come from the DOE test procedure on the Normal cycle. The energy figure includes heating the water with an electric water heater. Multiply gallons per cycle by roughly 215 cycles a year to estimate annual water use.

Dishwasher FAQ