Dishwasher Racks

Dishwashers these days are considerably more affordable than dishwashers of decades past, and they have become a necessity in many homes, including my own. Washing and drying capabilities have greatly improved since many units are now equipped with built-in food disposers that eliminate the need for scraping and rinsing, and some are designed with three racks instead of the standard two rack varieties. Dishwashers range from very affordable models with basic features on up to trendy costlier models that do just about everything but put the dishes away.

Although dishwashers have evolved over the years, are they really superior to models manufactured decades ago? Appliances from decades ago preformed flawlessly for twenty years plus, but those who have purchased major appliances within the past twenty years know they are not nearly as durable as they once were. In our throwaway society, major appliances are not designed to last. Appliance manufacturers discovered decades ago that it is much more profitable to produce high-priced items that will not last as long as they should. These days, people are lucky if an appliance such as a dishwasher lasts five years before requiring repair or replacement.

Disposable Dishwashers

Within the past six years, I have purchased two dishwashers, and now I have to replace the rusty, deteriorating racks – unless I’m willing to invest in a third dishwasher. Three years ago, I paid approximately $300 for my Frigidaire dishwasher, and I recently spent $137 to replace the racks that within this short period of time have rusted beyond repair. If the new racks require replacement in another three years, the money spent on racks alone would almost cover the cost of an entirely new dishwasher. Sadly, dishwashers just like many other major appliances have become disposable, and besides costing consumers a great deal of money, they are taking up a considerable amount of space in landfills across the country.

Extended Warranties

Most appliance stores these days offer extended warranties, and these warranties can be very beneficial, but unfortunately, dishwasher racks aren’t typically covered. No matter how careful you are, the rubber that coats the racks eventually wears away, and once the metal is exposed, it begins to rust and deteriorate very quickly. If extended warranties covered dishwasher racks, the warranties would definitely be worth the extra cost, but the companies certainly would not profit. No matter what brand of dishwasher you purchase, if the racks are metal coated in rubber, they will eventually rust and require repair or replacement.

Rack Repair

If your dishwasher racks are just beginning to rust, you can save them and greatly extend their life by covering the rusted areas with liquid rubber or rack tips. Appliance stores do not typically stock dishwasher rack repair kits. Dishwasher manufacturers and retailers would rather consumers purchased costly replacement racks that will no doubt once again require replacement.

Do not hesitate to repair your racks while they are still salvageable. You will find dishwasher rack repair kits online, and they are available in various colors and quantities. A repair kit sells for approximately $10 and is well worth the money considering that replacement racks typically cost well over $100 for both the top and bottom.

A Message to Dishwasher Manufacturers

The interior of a dishwasher obviously comes in contact water on a regular basis, and it would make sense if racks were designed using heat-resistant heavy-duty plastic or stainless steel. It is very clear that manufacturers are counting on consumers to replace these costly racks or buy new dishwashers since the racks are priced so high they really are not worth replacing.

Instead of coming up with ways to increase profits by manufacturing disposable junk, environmentally conscious manufacturers should take an interest in designing durable goods that truly are durable in every sense of the word. Lowering the prices of replacement parts such as dishwasher racks would also benefit the environment. Unfortunately, potential profits drive many major appliance companies to continue to produce high-cost inferior products that are deliberately designed to prematurely fail.