What is a Dishwasher for RV?

RV dishwashers are quickly becoming a part of the kitchen must-haves of RV owners. If you cook and eat a lot while you’re on the road, this will definitely be a valuable addition to your camper.

Simply put, an RV dishwasher is an appliance or machine for your trailer that automatically cleans all the dishes for you. This eliminates the need for handwashing! It has a mechanism that allows it to clean, rinse, and dry your dishes.

An RV dishwasher is compact and lightweight to suit the RV lifestyle. It should fit in the limited space within the camper and should be light enough to carry around when you travel.

How Does It Work?

An RV dishwasher has to be installed and connected to the water pipes of your trailer for it to perform its job. It consumes power and water each time you use it so better make sure that your power source and water tanks can handle the added demand.

Although it might appear like a miniature version of your dishwasher at home, you can rely on it to handle the loads and conditions of camping settings because they’ve been designed with features that’ll make them suitable for RV life.

But humans also play a part in making sure that the dishwasher does its job. The user segregates the dirty dishes according to material and size then loads them into the machine.

The RV dishwasher works in the same way as residential dishwashers. The machine adds water, heats it according to the temperature level set by the user, opens the detergent dispenser, cleans the dishes then drains the dirty water.

It begins the rinsing process by spraying more water on the dishes then drains the dirty water again. If the user has opted for drying the dishes, then the dishwasher will make the temperature hotter so that it’ll be able to dry the dishes.

A dishwasher also has monitoring capacity to ensure that everything’s working well. The timer controls the duration of each cycle.

There’s also a sensor to help check the temperature of the air and water to prevent it from overheating and damaging your cookware and eating utensils. The sensor is also responsible for detecting the water level and begins draining when the water level reaches its threshold. It also determines if the water is clear enough and the dishes are already clean.

For users of RV dishwashers, here are some helpful tips to make sure that your dishwasher works efficiently and effectively all the time.

• Use soap intended for dishwasher use only.
• Know the capacity of your dishwasher. Do not overload it. There should be enough room for the jet sprays to do their job.
• Segregate the steel from the silverware. Putting them in the dishwasher together will result in corrosion.
• There are some kitchenware that you shouldn’t put inside the dishwasher such as those made of wood, crystal, fine china, or cast iron. These are best washed by hand.
• Don’t put kitchenware made of plastic at the bottom rack of your dishwasher. They might melt during the drying cycle.
• Don’t pre-rinse your pots, pans, and plates. Those bits of food are actually crucial in determining the ph level inside your dishwasher.

Types of RV Dishwasher

Now that you know what RV dishwashers are and how they work, it is time for you to be aware that there are different types of RV dishwashers in the market. This will help you become more particular regarding the type that would suit your camper the best.

There are 3 types of dishwashers for RV. These are the countertop, compact, and dishwasher drawer. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages so let’s discuss them one by one.

Countertop RV Dishwasher

This type of dishwasher for RV can be placed on the top of the kitchen counter preferably near the sink.

Pros:

You can put them anywhere near a water source. They are also easy to use and install. It can be your next DIY project for your RV kitchen.

It’s recommended to position them near your sink so that you can connect it easily with the hot and cold water pipes and you can use the drain.

Cons:

It takes up precious counter space that can be used for your stove or stashing your kitchenware. Some are rather heavy so they’re difficult to carry around. You also have to think about where you’re going to store it when you’re not using it.

Compact RV Dishwasher

This type is also known as a slim line dishwasher. As the name implies, it is compact and slim so it does not need a lot of space.

Pros:

These units do their job quietly and do not take up too much precious space in the kitchen. You can remove some sections of your drawers or cabinets and it’ll fit right in.

Cons:

They need to be securely connected to your trailer making installation a little more complicated. You might even need professional assistance in some cases. They also require more water when cleaning your dishes.

RV Dishwasher Drawer

This type is popular among RV owners because of its space-saving and trendy appearance.

Pros:

It is more efficient in consuming water. It usually has 6 place settings for your dishes

Cons:

You need to have it installed by a professional RV contractor. You also have to determine if your RV has the necessary connections as well as space to be able to accommodate a dishwasher drawer.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Camper Dishwasher

Truth is, not all RV owners need a dishwasher in their camper. If you’re not bothered by handwashing your dirty dishes then by all means please continue with your manual dishwashing.

But if you’re still debating the idea of getting a dishwasher for your RV, we’re laying here the benefits and drawbacks of this kitchen appliance.

Pros

Let’s begin with the advantages or reasons why you should get an RV dishwasher.

Keeps Your Dishes Clean

Well, this is the main purpose of a dishwasher. It helps you have clean pots, plates, and pans automatically.

With its rinsing and drying cycles, you can expect your dishes to be spotless and fully sanitized once you’re done dishwashing.

Cleaning Convenience

Yes, you can clean your dishes by handwashing but a dishwasher makes it so much easier! You just load the dirty dishes inside your dishwasher and you can forget all about them.

You can have washed and sanitized cookware in less than 5 minutes. How long will it take you to wash them by hand, have them dried and sanitized?

It saves you time and effort to have sparkling clean plates, utensils, and other cookware so that you don’t have to worry about the mountain of dishes that need to be washed and focus on more important matters like having fun while camping.

Compact

RV dishwashers are designed to be compact so that they can fit inside your camper perfectly. A countertop dishwasher is just about the size of your microwave. This will eliminate your concern regarding space and storage.

Less Consumption

RV dishwashers are economical. Due to their compact size, they require less water, power, and soap than traditional dishwashers at home.

Extra Storage Space

Yes, they take up precious space in your RV but when not in use, they can provide you with additional storage space where you can keep your kitchenware safely and securely while you’re traveling.

Safer

Since the dishwasher will clean the dishes for you, there are less chances of accidents happening concerning your kitchenware.

We understand the challenge of having to clean the dishes in a tight space. When you have a dishwasher, you just put your kitchenware inside the machine and they’ll be safe there.

Cons

Of course, there are some who don’t see the need to have a dishwasher in their camper. These are just some of the reasons they cite for not getting one.

Can’t Wash Everything

There are also some limitations to what and how much your RV dishwasher can accommodate inside.

There are some kitchenware that you can’t load inside this machine such as those made from crystal, china, and wood. You better check the packaging of your kitchenware to know if they are dishwasher-safe.

There are times when an RV dishwasher is not able to completely rinse out all the food debris which can affect its performance. When this happens, you have to hand wash your dishes.

Use a Particular Type of Soap

You can’t use just any kind of liquid soap for your RV dishwasher. You have to use a detergent that’s specifically made for dishwashers. Otherwise, you might end up damaging your RV dishwasher.

Ordinary liquid detergents produce too many suds. These suds are hard to remove when you use an RV dishwasher that you’ll need extra cycles to have clean dishes. They might also overflow from your dishwasher which will result in a slippery mess inside your camper and you have to clean that up as well.

Dishwasher detergents are rather expensive but there’s an affordable way of making your own detergent with the help of baking soda and your favorite dishwashing liquid.

Hopefully, you’ve been enlightened regarding the benefits and drawbacks of RV dishwashers.

What to Look for When Buying an RV Dishwasher

Loading Capacity

The loading capacity of an RV dishwasher will determine how many kitchen ware you can put inside and clean in one go.

Of course, you want a dishwasher with maximum loading capacity but you also have to consider its size and weight. Bigger is not necessarily better as you have to think about all the space it will occupy inside your kitchen. Choose one that’ll fit inside your camper and yet give you the best loading capacity.

Take note that when you’re choosing an RV dishwasher, it’s recommended that you get one with at least 6 place settings so that you can maximize its use.

Cycles

This is one of the most important feature of an RV dishwasher. There are different cycles as you wash your kitchenware to make sure that they’re as clean as can be.

It is recommended that you get a dishwasher for your RV that has at least six wash cycles with options for light, normal, heavy, glass, speed, and soak washing.

If you want your dishes to be dry and ready for storage after dishwashing, then you must choose a dishwasher with a dry cycle. This will save you the hassle of having to wipe each of the pots, pans, plates, and utensils dry.

Energy and Water Consumption

An RV dishwasher consumers power and water each time you use it. Check the consumption level of the unit that you’re buying.

You would want to find a healthy balance between energy and water consumption and the dishwasher’s performance. Some might say they have low consumption but you end up with dishes that aren’t totally cleansed and this will just make this appliance useless if that’s the case.

Ease of Use

You want a dishwasher for RV that’s simple and easy to use yet allows you to choose the levels or cycles that you need to make sure everything is spotless once you’re done.

A dishwasher with more than 3 push buttons can be too much. It would also help if the unit comes with a rotary selector or knob for the particular number of cycles and level that you want.

It would also be a big help if it has a LED screen so that you’ll know the time, level, or temperature. And having a safety lock feature is also a big help for those with small kids who like to linger in the kitchen.

Space

We all know how precious space is in any camper. Choose a dishwasher that fits inside your RV kitchen just fine. It shouldn’t be too big nor make your kitchen look too crowded.

This would depend on your kitchen space so make sure that you check the dimensions of the dishwasher that you’re getting to make sure that it’s suited for the space and fits the overall design of your trailer.

Loading Aid

This is a feature found in high quality RV dishwashers. It is intended to make your life much easier by offering a space for you to put your dishes. It can be in the form of a dish rack or a cutlery basket to help you organize your kitchenware.

Interior

The interior of your dishwasher should preferably be made of stainless steel or plastic. Although steel is more durable than plastic, both of these materials help make your dishwasher lightweight and they are effective in cleaning and sanitizing your dishes.

Other materials can be heavy, fragile, or ineffective. You want to invest in a product that you will be able to use for a long time and is efficient in helping you have sparkling clean dishes.

Water Heater

This is another feature that adds value to your dishwasher. It gives you the option to choose your desired water temperature when cleaning your pots, pans, and plates. There are usually two settings in a water heater.

Hot or warm water is more effective in removing grease and makes the cleaning process easier and more effective.

Personal Preferences

Aesthetic and design would be a matter of personal preference. As RV dishwashers come in different colors and sizes, you have to choose one that’ll fit the overall interior design of your kitchen. You don’t want your dishwasher to stand out like a sore thumb inside your camper, right?

Having your dishwasher blend with everything else inside your trailer will make you feel happy with your purchase and enhance the look of your camper’s interior. Everything should be tied together for a cohesive look.

Wrap Up

In all honesty, an RV dishwasher is not an essential appliance in your camper. It is an extra expense, it adds up to your power and water consumption, it takes up additional space in your trailer, and it’s another thing to add in your winterizing checklist.

There are even low cost options for you to have clean dishes without having to buy a dishwater. This includes using paper plates or wax paper liners, and choosing easy to clean pots and plates. You can also rely on your favorite dishwashing soap to remove grease and dirt effortlessly.

But no one can deny the convenience that a dishwasher brings to RV camping life. It just makes things easier and cleaner so that you can concentrate on more important matters – which are to enjoy your precious vacation and spend more quality time with your loved ones.

When you do decide to get an RV dishwasher, hopefully our reviews and buyer’s guide will help you choose the right one for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put a dishwasher in an RV?

Yes, indeed! You can put a dishwasher in your RV to help you clean your pots, pans, plates, and utensils when you’re out camping. This will help make your camping life easier!

There are 3 different types of dishwashers that you can use inside your RV kitchen. These are the countertop, compact, and RV dishwasher drawer. Each of these types has its own advantages and disadvantages that you need to weigh when choosing the best RV dishwasher.

Take note that an RV dishwasher consumes both power and water each time you use it. Your power source must be able to handle the watts required to run this appliance. At the same time, you must have enough water in your source tank and there should be adequate space in your gray tank for your water consumption when using your dishwasher.

How do you hook up a dishwasher to an RV?

Always refer to your specific RV dishwasher’s manual for instructions and guide regarding its proper installation. Hooking it up to your RV will depend on the type, model, and brand of the dishwasher that you got.

A countertop RV dishwasher is easier to install than a compact type. You just need to place it near your sink where you can conveniently connect it with your hot and cold water and you can use the drain. This is a pretty easy DIY project for RV owners.

For those with compact RV dishwasher, you would need to remove sections of your cabinets or drawers so that it would fit in that space. Then you have to realign the piping from your sink to connect it with your dishwasher.

Lastly, you would need professional help in installing the RV dishwasher drawer in case this is what you got to make sure that the connections are properly attached.

How much water does an RV dishwasher use?

Typically, an RV dishwasher does not consume too much water. It is efficient in its water consumption and even allows you to save a surprising amount of water when cleaning your dishes.

On average, RV dishwashers usually consume between 4 to 6 gallons of water. This is enough to clean your dishes and get them dry.

How to maintain and care for your RV dishwasher?

Refer to your RV dishwasher’s manual for its proper care and maintenance.

But in general, taking care of your RV dishwasher entails proper usage of the appliance. Make sure you load it up the right way, select the correct washing cycle, choose the right temperature, and soap specifically made for dishwashers.

When you use your RV dishwasher properly, you can have clean dishes and prolong its lifespan.

If you want to wash it, make sure it is empty and do not use harsh detergents nor hard bristled brushes to clean its surfaces.

Should I pre-rinse my dishes or cookware before putting them in the dishwasher?

There’s no need to pre-rinse your dishes and cookware before you put them in the dishwasher.

But it’s recommended that you remove leftover food, disposable utensils, and make sure there are no trash when you put them inside the dishwasher to prolong its lifespan. But as far as pre-rinsing is concerned, there’s no need because the dishwasher will do that for you as well as all the cleaning and flushing.

Which items can I wash in an RV dishwasher?

You can check the packaging of your kitchenware to make sure that they are dishwasher safe. Some have the dishwasher-safe imprint at the back or bottom of the products. When you see the imprint at the box or within the product itself, then you’ll know that they’re safe to use inside the dishwasher.

But it’s safe to say that most utensils, cookware, dishware, and other stuff you use for cooking are dishwasher safe.

What temperature is the right one for cleaning with a dishwasher?

Set your dishwasher’s temperature between 120ºF and 150ºF so that you can expect the best performance and maximum cleanliness out of it.

What kind of detergent or soap should I use with a dishwasher?

It is recommended that you use a fresh detergent for your dishwasher. You can also use table, liquid, and pod dishwasher detergents. These are better to use than powdered detergents.

But you should always use soap specially formulated for dishwasher use. This kind of soap doesn’t produce suds during the entire cycle. Too much suds can affect the performance of your dishwasher.

If you use an ordinary liquid detergent, you might need to repeat the cycle a couple of times without using a detergent in order to completely rinse off the soap suds and residue. It might also cause the suds to overflow from your dishwasher creating a slippery mess all over your RV floor and you have to clean that up as well.

If you’ve run out of dishwasher detergent but have regular liquid detergent, you can make your own dishwasher detergent. You just need to fill your container up to 3/4 with baking soda then just add a few drops of your regular dishwashing soap. You can also put in about 1/4 cup of salt if you’re using hard water before you use this solution for your dishwasher. This will result in sparkling dishes in no time.