Find Out Why Consumer Reports Ranks This Compact Kitchen Appliance Lowest In Satisfaction
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Dishwashers are one of those appliances that aren't really necessary, but can save you a lot of time in the kitchen. So when yours breaks, you may be rushing through a search to find one that works for you. You may think the specific model doesn't matter much, since it's just a tool you throw your dishes into and let it do the work. However, according to Consumer Reports, there are some dishwashers you may want to avoid, including the Frigidaire 18-inch dishwasher (FFBD1831UW). This model earned a painfully low score when it came to customer satisfaction.
It's not terribly surprising that this Frigidaire ranked so low, as it is one of the unreliable appliance brands to avoid at all costs when it comes to its dishwashers. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports doesn't exactly provide an explanation as to the reason for the poor score, making it hard to determine what makes this dishwasher one not worth recommending.
Interestingly, though most other ratings to do with this dishwasher weren't bad. While certainly not an exceptional appliance, the performance scores were average or a little above. Additionally, if you take time to search its ratings on some big websites like Home Depot and Lowe's, the reviews are generally positive — above a 4.4. This is a pretty big difference in perception, and may leave shoppers wondering what to make of this dishwasher.
What people don't like about this Frigidaire dishwasher
To start, let's look at some of the negatives that might have contributed to Consumer Reports' low customer satisfaction score. Despite the high reviews on websites, there are a few problems mentioned enough times to be worth taking into account. For example, some customers complain that the dishwasher doesn't hold much, even considering its compact size, and requires a specific layout of dishes. This seems to be a common issue, as a different Frigidaire model, the 24-inch Stainless Steel Tub Dishwasher (GDSH4715AF), is on the list of dishwashers to avoid buying, also because of its difficulty with fitting items. While frustrating, these issues may be relatively minor compared with larger reliability concerns mentioned by some buyers.
"The wheel came off and melted in the dishwasher. I figured it would not be a problem, as they just snap in, so one would think Fridgidaire would just send you a new 2-cent piece of plastic. Unfortunately, the only option is to buy a whole new rack from them for $140," said a one-star review on Frigidaire's website. Other customers mention rack deterioration after a few years, failed heating elements and wash pumps, and frequent error codes. If that wasn't bad enough, some customers also report that getting replacement parts is expensive, or downright impossible.
Many people are still satisfied with their purchase
Of course, there are plenty of positives to think about as well. Size is a big consideration, as it's small enough to fit in the tight places of apartments and cramped kitchens. Other positives include its relatively quiet operation, numerous cycle options, and cycle speed. Many reviews also mention that it cleans the dishes well, with most coming out clean and without those annoying little water spots some dishwashers leave behind.
"It has all the features that we were looking for, sanitize, high temperature and heated dry. It cleans the dishes very well and it also drys them very well. We are very happy with our choice," said one 5-star reviewer on Frigidaire's website. Despite the low customer satisfaction from Consumer Reports, there is a lot to like about this dishwasher. Ultimately, buyers have to decide whether potential long-term reliability concerns outweigh the benefits.
There is some debate on whether having this common kitchen appliance makes sense anymore, so if you're feeling frustrated with shopping for dishwashers, you may consider going without one altogether. However, for those who find them necessary, you may want to look at others besides this Frigidaire one, like the higher-rated Bosch 800 Series (SPX68C75UC).