How to install a dishwasher?
Have you never installed a dishwasher before but would like to try it yourself? You can!
Step 1: Attach the moisture protector strip
When you buy your new dishwasher, moisture protectors are included. Stick these to the underside of your kitchen worktop following the instructions provided. This is to prevent moisture from the dishwasher from damaging your kitchen worktop.
Step 2: Mount the mounting brackets
Some dishwashers come with mounting brackets that attach to your kitchen worktop or wall. Not every surface lends itself to this, a brick wall or stone kitchen worktop is too hard to drill into.
Step 3: Position the dishwasher in the right place
Before sliding the dishwasher into the niche, put it in front of it straight.
If there is no existing drain or water pipe nearby, attach an additional hose. You then connect the outlet of this to the nearest outlet. For this, you will need PVC pipes and a rubber transition ring. If your existing kitchen already has a dishwasher, all these outlets are often already in place.
When everything is connected, slide the dishwasher into the recess, if you have one, also place the dishwasher into the installed mounting brackets.
Step 4: Make sure the dishwasher is level
It is important that your dishwasher is always level, otherwise there is a chance the appliance will wear out too quickly. This is easily achieved by turning the feet under the dishwasher.
Step 5: Attach the front panel
The beauty of a built-in or under-counter dishwasher is that it doesn’t stand out in the design of your kitchen, as you can attach the front panel of your cabinets to the front. Hold your dishwasher from the inside and screw the panel to the front.
Step 6: Replace the plinth
When you have finished installing your dishwasher you can replace the plinth. Make sure your dishwasher is secure and check that the plinth still fits. You may need to cut a bit into the plinth to make sure the door opens and closes properly.
How do you fit built-in dishwashers in an existing kitchen?
This is how to fit a dishwasher yourself:
Step 1: Find a good spot
You will have to sacrifice a kitchen cabinet for your dishwasher. So look for the space you can spare and the most convenient place. Once you have found a suitable place for your built-in dishwasher, you will need to break down the kitchen cabinet. In most cases, you only need to remove the door and the bottom shelf, which can often be easily snapped out.
Step 3: Get the right connections
Dishwashers require a wall outlet. You can install this yourself. Make sure it is about 50 centimetres high. Remember that a dishwasher is a heavy consumer and must therefore be connected to a separate group. From the wall socket, run a grey external cable to a separate group.
For the water supply, first close the main tap. Next to the outlet, but about 20 centimeters higher, mount a wall plate. Then pipe a branch from the existing water supply to this wall plate and connect the tap from your built-in dishwasher to it.
Finally, the water from your built-in dishwasher also needs to be drained. Use PVC pipes to make a branch to the existing drain, to which you attach a siphon. This must be 60 centimetres high and fitted with a rubber transition ring.
Step 4: Fit the front panel
When it comes to dishwashers, there is a distinction between a fully integrated dishwasher and a semi-integrated dishwasher. The first model has the control panel on the inside, so you can cover the entire front with a new front panel.
A semi integrated dishwasher has the control panel on the outside, so you can only use part of the front panel. You can cut the front panel for semi-integrated dishwashers from a sheet of plywood yourself, or use the same front panel as your kitchen cabinets.
Step 5: Remove the top panel
A built-in dishwasher, unlike an under-mounted dishwasher, does not require a top panel. This prevents your dishwasher from hitting your countertop.
Step 6: Slide the built-in dishwasher into the recess
Make sure both the water and power are off. Then plug everything in. Only then can you slide the dishwasher into the niche. Then make sure the dishwasher is level. You can do this by screwing on the feet at the bottom to adjust them.
Setting your dishwasher level is important, as otherwise there is a risk that it will wear out more quickly. This is because the appliance has to work harder to spray all the water past your dirty dishes if it’s not completely straight.
When these come with your built-in dishwasher, you can also lift the appliance into the mounting brackets previously installed. These are attached to the cabinet next to it, the countertop or the wall and ensure that the dishwasher is secure. Note that you cannot do this with a brick wall or a stone kitchen countertop, as you cannot mount the brackets on them.
Step 7: Attach the front panel to the door
If your dishwasher is in place, you can finish your job by attaching the front panel. For a fully integrated dishwasher you need to make sure that the front panel doesn’t touch your countertop and for a semi integrated dishwasher you need to make sure that the entire outside of the dishwasher is covered up to the control panel.
Return the plinth back in place, which takes your drain hose, plug and water hose out of sight. Turn the power and water back on and your built-in dishwasher is ready to use!
How do you measure a built-in dishwasher?
The dimensions of a built-in dishwasher are always indicated, so you do not need to go to any trouble yourself. What you do need to measure is the niche in which you want to fit the dishwasher. Step 1: Measure the height of the niche
When measuring the height of the niche it is important to note that the floor in front of the niche is often slightly higher than the niche itself.
You should measure from the floor to the top of the recess to make sure the dishwasher fits in the gap.
Step 2: Measure the front panel
To make your dishwasher blend in with the design of your kitchen cabinets, attach a new front panel to the front. You can be sure it will fit if you measure it carefully beforehand. A front panel that extends to your worktop is too long and will prevent the dishwasher from closing properly.
Please note that some dishwashers have the control panel on the outside, so you only need to measure to where it starts.
Step 3: Measure the depth of the recess
If your built-in dishwasher is deeper than the kitchen itself, it will protrude. The best way to get these measurements is to measure the depth of the niche itself. If you can’t get your current dishwasher out yet, you can also measure the depth of your kitchen worktop or cabinet.
Always remember that you need to leave room for the drain hose, supply hose and water hose coming out of the dishwasher at the bottom.
Step 4: Measure the width of the recess
There are two standard recess sizes for the width of a recess. The standard size is 60 inches and smaller niches are often 45 inches. To be on the safe side, always measure the width of your niche.
Step 5: Measure the height of your plinth
If you have high plinths in your kitchen, not just any dishwasher will fit. The door of your built-in dishwasher will be pushed back by your plinth if it is too high.
A plinth higher than 9 centimetres will only work with a built-in dishwasher with a drag door system, as the door will first slide upwards and not hit your plinth.
Is your plinth lower than 9 centimetres? If so, you may want to consider both door-to-door and drag-door dishwashers.
Step 6: Selecting built-in dishwashers
Now that you have gathered all the niche measurements, you are ready to install a dishwasher. As you search, make sure the dishwasher is the right size. Most dishwashers are 46 or 60 centimetres wide, so be sure to consider their depth and height.
A freestanding dishwasher as an alternative
If installing a dishwasher in your existing kitchen is too much or too risky, you can always opt for a freestanding dishwasher. You won’t benefit from having your dishwasher blend in with the rest of the kitchen, but it will save you a lot of work.
Even if you don’t have access to an existing water pipe, outlet and drain under your kitchen cabinets, it can sometimes be better to choose a freestanding dishwasher that you can place where you do have access to these features.
If you cannot find a suitable dishwasher for the space you have available, for example because the different types of dishwashers are not the right size, a normal dishwasher that stands alone in the kitchen can also be a solution.