Monday 15 August 2011

the way to a girls heart is through her dishwasher

Ready for a Cuppa - Tattoo Plate
'Ready for a Cuppa' Tattoo Plate by Jeez Vanilla- available on etsy

For my birthday, my family all went in to help us buy a new dishwasher. We bought it the day after. Our last dishwasher was a mid-90's model and we just couldn't justify having it fixed for the fourth time (costing about $100 each time) when we could buy a new one (under warranty) for $800 or less.

I heart it. I heart it so much that Kym is probably starting to notice (on account of me being much nicer to him and singing to it). We've had it for about a month and I can't begin to tell you how good it is to be saving all that hand washing time.

There's a lot of debate out there about the environmental factors of automatic dishwashers versus hand washing. The general consensus, however, is that the newer range of automatic dishwashers are the way to go, saving water, and further, money.

Here's what you're thinking: what about the electricity use and the cost (and environmental impact) of the dishwasher itself?

Here's where I stand: New dishwashers use a portion of the electricity of earlier models. With our solar power we're generating about the same energy that we use, so it doesn't really come into play for us. Dishwashers use less water than hand washing and they save time. Oh, and I HATE WASHING DISHES.

I think of it like having a washing machine. If I were super eco conscious and hand washed my clothes myself, I might save a small amount of money, water and energy use. I'd also save a spot in the rubbish dump when I had to replace it. Realistically, I am not willing to commit the time or energy it requires.

I'm not endorsing all my readers to drop what they're doing and purchase every kitchen appliance they can think of, but I do think we need to weigh all options before we a) buy something that we wont use or, b) refuse to buy something based on uninformed principles. That includes thinking about what we're willing to lose to gain something else. For me, the fact that my dishwasher uses some electricity is a price I'm willing to pay for the time I get from not having to hand wash. I figure as we now have solar electricity and it will save water it's all thumbs up for me.

So, where do you stand on the dishwasher front?

Kate xx

5 comments:

  1. I'm so on the dishwasher bandwagon, I totally love mine!!

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  2. I'm totally on the bandwagon too. I think the toss up for most people is ethics vs. convenience. I look on the convenient side of life.
    I guess really, if the only question is that of the environmental impact of the machine itself at the end of it's life, perhaps now is the time to start thinking about how we can recycle/upcycle these cumbersome household appliances. Is there already an answer to this?

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  3. Ooh good question Kendelle, I'm sure there is! In the past we have 'donated' our electrical appliances to different metal recycling businesses (some do recycling of the copper wire etc in the machines) but not sure about what happens to the rest of the machine. Thanks for asking- I'll look more into it and stick a blog up when I have an answer xx

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  4. No worries! I live to inspire :p xoxo

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  5. Recycle the box. Makes a good cool box for parties. Chuck ice in the bottom. Shut the door. Then put drinks and more ice. If yr creative which you r paint it and make it a talking piece.

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thanks for your comments, I love to hear from you!

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