24 out of 24 people found this review helpful.
Sleek, charming, and cleans dishes: Whirlpool Stainless Steel Dishwasher
Date of Review: Oct 22, 2007
The Bottom Line: Definitely recommended for a stylish AND effective kitchen appliance. The Whirlpool 3600 met all of my criteria--and then some!
After researching dozens of dishwashers, I chose the Whirlpool GU3600XTSY because it met a variety of criteria:
1) stylish molded-stainless door
2) built-in food disposer
3) stainless inside
4) vent for excess steam (I'll explain the importance later)
5) simple rack system with adjustable upper rack
6) silverware basket on the door makes more room for dishes
7) Energy Star * rating
Also, my previous dishwasher was a builder-grade Whirlpool and it held up for 14 years. In fact, it was still working when I replaced it, but I was tired of grimy food residue in the interior of my OLD one. Therefore, a built-in food disposer was an essential feature for my NEW dishwasher.
When talking to the salesperson, he explained the importance of the vent on the outside, which allows steam to escape during the washing and drying cycles. Not all models have vents, however. I learned that models with solid-panel fronts, although very attractive, do not have a vent on the door, which can hamper the drying process. Other reviewers of dishwashers have complained about wet plastic items or funny smells on the interior; it seems to me that the vent solves these issues.
Another vent issue I noticed in different reviews was that some dishwasher vents may actually release steam into the surrounding cabinets--I would avoid those models for obvious reasons!
Features:
The wash option buttons on the Whirlpool GU3600XTSY are simple to operate and most of the controls are at the top of the door. It is sleek looking and not crammed with unnecessary options. However, some additional choices which seem worthwhile (that I have not tried yet) are the hi-temp wash and sani-dry. It also has a party mode--"glass xpress", which will clean a top rack of glasses in half the time.
Racks: The upper adjustable rack can easily be moved up or down to accommodate larger pots. I also like how glasses and coffee mugs fit in slightly tilted--which means the bottoms come out squeaky clean, with no residue or pooling water. The top rack also has a few handy clips for lids or utensils.
One thing I noticed about other dishwashers in my search was that some of the higher end models had fairly complicated rack systems. For me, the relative simplicity of this model is a plus.
Performance:
So, how does Whirlpool GU3600XTSY CLEAN? Spotless!! The dishwasher continually filters wash water and rinse water to minimize stuck-on food deposits on your dishes. I LOVE that feature! Dishes come out VERY clean and I don't notice residue of any sort. There is no need to rinse dishes first; just scrape and load. Also, I am using a rinse agent which I purchased in bulk at Costco.
I tried the power scour option with a stuck-on casserole dish and it did not disappoint. Basically, power scour uses an extra set of nozzles at the lower back end of the dishwasher which operate if that cycle is chosen. Therefore, when choosing power scour you should load your dirtiest dishes facing those water jets for maximum effectiveness. The back rack tines can also fold down to accommodate extra-large items.
Drying: Amazingly enough, the heated dry cycle is not even necessary! Just leave the dishwasher closed for a few hours after a normal cycle and the entire load is dry and ready to unload. This is thanks to the vent again...
Noise Level: This dishwasher is much quieter than my previous one. Although not totally silent--a low shushing sound is audible during the wash cycle, and a slightly louder (but infrequent) noise can be heard during the short food grinding/disposing phase. However, compared to an older model, it is very quiet!! I frequently watch the nearby TV while running the dishwasher, and I don't have to turn the volume up like before!
Minor Issue:
Wash Cycle Time: **UPDATED** After using the Whirlpool GU3600XTSY dishwasher for about a month, I noticed that the wash time seems to be increasing slightly with each wash on the normal cycle. Also, the wash count-down timer on the front is misleading. It does not seem to keep the time accurately, and a 97 minute wash probably takes closer to two hours. Despite this glitch, I still recommend the dishwasher for all the above reasons, and because I don't think this is a fatal flaw. However, for a new machine I would expect the timer to be more accurate.
Final Thoughts:
Overall, I am very pleased with the Whirlpool GU3600XTSY dishwasher, which I have owned for six months now. The stainless interior should hold up for a long time, and none of the components seem cheap or flimsy.
By the way, I bought the appliance at a Maytag Store, which sells both Maytag and Whirlpool products (they are now both owned by Whirlpool corporation).
Similar Models to check out:
GU3600XTS, GU2700XTSS, 2700XTSB, GU3600, GU2700
The main difference between Whirlpool GU2700 and GU3600 seems to be that with the 2700 model the controls are all out front, and on the 3600 they are mostly concealed at the top of the door (except for a few which are on the front). I would ask your appliance dealer for clarification.
