When shopping for a dishwasher, one thing you want to keep in mind is the possibility of transporting it back home in your saloon or SUV. Why is this so? It’s so because most dishwashers in the market are bulky to move about with. So that’s why people always ask us, will A Dishwasher Fit In My Car?
You can fit your dishwasher in a car. However, as well as other electrical appliances like (deep freezers, refrigerators, and a/c units), after transporting any of these things on its side, you should let it sit for at least one hour before powering it.
In this guide, we’ve discussed how to transport your dishwasher in your car. Also, we’ve outlined the cost and steps in installing a new dishwasher in your home. If you’re ready to find out more, keep reading!
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Will A Dishwasher Fit In My Car?
If you own a minivan or SUV, then it will fit properly. However, if you’re driving a convertible, then that will be a bigger challenge. So the answer to will A dishwasher Fit In My Car? Is that it depends on the size of the car you own.
However, let’s consider how to determine the possibility of carrying the dishwasher in your car.
Check The Dishwasher Size
Dishwashers come in various standard sizes. Thus, the standard dishwasher size is designed for a kitchen cabin, which is 24 inches deep, 24 inches wide, and 35 inches in height. Some other dishwasher brands come in the same depth and height but with varying width sizes. So, the best way to tackle this is by getting the right dishwasher, its dimensions from the top of the back from the left side to its right-hand side.
Find Out How To Carry The Machine
Check in the user’s manual to see if you’d be able to put it from its right, back, or set it upright while driving. By doing this, you can discover which side will be best to position in your vehicle.
Check The Weight Capacity Of Your Car
However, we also realize that SUVs also vary in size, as dishwashers do. So the size of your car matters when considering carrying a dishwasher. Also, you’d be able to tell whether the interior of your vehicle will be able to contain your dishwasher as you want to transport it.
Buy A Portable Dishwasher
One essential thing to note is that the best kind of dishwasher to transport is the portable one. They don’t usually contain compressors and are more lightweight to transport. Also, while transporting a portable dishwasher, its components are the least likely to get damaged. However, you need to be careful while wrapping it, to avoid scratches on it.
What’s The Best Way To Transport Your Dishwasher?
Transporting your dishwasher can be a risky business as the thing is often prone to break. Here are some tips you can follow to transport your dishwasher from one place to another.
1. Unplug the Unit
The first thing to do while transporting your dishwasher is to disconnect all power cords and water lines connecting the unit if it’s in your kitchen. You should also make sure that all water supply connected to it from your kitchen is shut off. Notably, the dishwasher has two water lines–the first one supplies fresh water to the unit, while the second water line takes away the water from the dishwasher.
2. Clean the Interior of Your Dishwasher
to clean the interior. This will prevent all bacteria from increasing within it while transporting. Also, you can use a clean cloth, warm water, and mild soap or bleach to clean the inside. When you’re done cleaning the dishwasher, dry it with a dry cloth. By doing this, you will make sure that the unit has no remaining water droplets in it.
3. Take out any Trays, Baskets, and Racks
You’d need to remove all dishware from the unit. Make sure to remove all the racks, baskets, and trays from the dishwasher. Additionally, you can hold them with some padding to prevent scratches. Also, note that, since most of these components are movable, it’s recommended that you pad them using bubble wrap.
4. Using a Bubble Wrap, cover the Dishwasher
Then, pad your dishwasher unit using bubble wrap, beginning from the bottom of it. Then, pad the sides of your dishwasher and ensure to reinforce the wrapping with packing tape. After that, you’d need to pad the top of the dishwasher using a blanket or a thick padding material.
However, note that you tape the top of your unit can damage it. So, be sure to cover the wrapping on your unit with a tap.
5. Set it on a Dolly
After properly covering the unit with bubble wraps and another padding, it’s time to load them on a dolly. Also, note the loading style of your unit because while you can load some dishwashers on their side, you load others uprightly. We recommend that you have someone or two people to assist you in loading it because dishwashers are usually bulky and heavy.
6. Put it into the back of an SUV
Then, using the dolly, roll your unit till you’ve gotten to the minivan or SUV. You can preferably use a loading ramp together with a thick tie. But, if you have no loading ramp, you’d have to put it manually.
What Should I Do If My New Dishwasher Does Not Fit?
When replacing your dishwasher or getting a new one, you might end up with a smaller space than required. This can also happen while you’re putting the washer into your car; it might have an inch or two larger a size footprint than the car itself. Now, how do you fit the dishwasher into your kitchen cabinet or the car to transport somewhere?
Well, if exchanging the dishwasher with a new one with a size smaller is an option, go for that. Otherwise, you might have to renovate the kitchen cabinet a little to make room for the dishwasher. Or, design the cabinet to accommodate the washer on the furthest side so that size doesn’t matter in the first place.
However, if it’s with your car, you might consider hiring a truck or van, alternating to tie the dishwasher on the roof of your car.
One golden rule: If you have a 32″ height and 24″ width, any dishwasher will fit.
How Much Does Dishwasher Installation Cost?
One thing to note about installing a dishwasher in your home is that the cost of installing the unit can vary between $250 and $2,000. Due to the present national average charge, you should be ready to pay an average of $970 to install your dishwasher in your kitchen.
As we’ve earlier stated, the cost of installation is determined by certain factors. These include the kind of dishwasher you purchase, whether you’re willing to purchase a professional’s services, and if you’d love to add any more modifications to your kitchen to adapt it with the dishwasher.
Dishwasher Installation Instructions
Regardless of the dishwasher, you select, the installation process shouldn’t cost you much, so long as you have an existing structure. Let’s discuss the installation process below.
Hiring an Expert to Do the Installation
If you’re hiring a plumbing expert to do the installation for you, you may pay between $100 to $450 for all fundamental installations in an already-existing structure. While performing the installation, the experts will help you do away with the previous dishwasher, which is a bit of extra luck for you.
Also, local stores usually help install new dishwashers (N.b, new dishwashers, not old ones). So, if you want your installation procedures to be executed speedily, then a professional is your go-to option. To add more emphasis, you should consider hiring an expert if you’re not confident in doing the installation the DIY way for an old one.
Then, when installing any extra modifications to the installation process, you should anticipate paying from $500 upwards. This extra charge handles all labor charges for getting other artisans like electricians and even plumbers.
One other thing to note is that the older your house is, the more difficult it is to come up with customizations. That’s mostly because of the old plumbing methods. Also, while purchasing your dishwasher, you don’t need to go for a costly one; there are Cheap dishwashers under $300 that still deliver the most efficient results you desire for.
Doing It Yourself
If you already have an existing dishwasher structure, then the DIY installation may be as cheap as $20, although you’d need your basic tools like pliers, wrench, even a screwdriver. You will need other materials, such as screws, Teflon, and tapes. Additionally, based on your location, you may incur some additional charges for disposing of the previous dishwasher.
Furthermore, if you aren’t well acquainted with plumbing, then you’d need to pay some more to get it done for you. The plumbing of the dishwasher basically requires you to connect the inline valve and the drain hose to adequate places.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dishwashers a standard size?
Typically, dishwashers have a standard size for which their dimensions are created. The standard dimensions include 24 inches in depth, 24 inches in width, and 32 inches in height. However, some manufacturers create their dishwashers with the same depth and width but varying heights.
Can one person lift a dishwasher?
No, it’s not possible for only one person to lift off a dishwasher. The average dishwasher weight is bulky at around 77 pounds or more. That’s a huge number for a human to carry all by him/herself, especially with the bulky size where having control over the dishwasher body is nearly impossible.
Will a dishwasher fit in an SUV?
Depending on the size of the SUV and the amount of interior space, a dishwasher may or may not be able to enter an SUV. To find out if your dishwasher can enter your SUV, you’d need to measure the dimensions of the dishwasher.
Should the dishwasher be flush with the countertop?
Yes. When installing your dishwasher, position the unit below your countertop. In fact, we suggest that you place your dishwasher close to your sink and flush to the countertop so that you have a seamless finish when the dishwasher is not in use.
Why is my dishwasher leaning forward?
Certain factors determine why your dishwasher is leaning forward. In truth, the dishwasher is not supposed to tilt forward when installed properly. However, if the dishwasher doesn’t fit the space allocated for it, it will tilt out when you open the doors.
Conclusion
As you’ve been wondering whether a dishwasher will fit your car or not, now you have the answers. The size of your car will determine if your dishwasher can fit into it. If you’re using a minivan or SUV, then it’d be possible. However, just as dishwashers vary in models and sizes, so do vehicles differ.
Therefore, you should measure the sizes of all things in prior: the dishwasher itself, the car’s back, and under the cabinet you have back at home. With everything in a proper place, you should have no issues transporting your new dishwasher using your car and installing it in the house.
