Here's When Fixing Your Dishwasher Makes More Sense

Photo: OlgaGi (Shutterstock)

If any of the major appliances in your home were to break, your dishwasher would probably be the least disruptive. Inconvenient? Sure. But given how many households don’t have a dishwasher at all, making do without yours for a bit probably wouldn’t be as bad as life without your refrigerator, for example.

So, if your dishwasher does happen to break, are you better off fixing it or buying a new one? The experts at Consumer Reports (CR) have created a guide and interactive tool to help you figure it out. Here’s what to know.

How to use CR’s interactive tool

You can access the interactive online tool on this page of the CR website. Use the sliders on the bottom of the tool to indicate how long you’ve owned your dishwasher, the original cost, and any estimate you have for a repair.

The color bar will then let you know whether you should definitely repair, consider a repair, or replace your dishwasher. If it indicates that you should replace your dishwasher, the tool provides recommendations for new models to consider.

Disposing of your old dishwasher 

According to CR research, it typically makes more financial sense to replace your dishwasher, because they lose value quickly, and professional repairs can be pricey, with a median repair cost of around $142.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean your old dishwasher has to end up in a landfill. Although appliances are notoriously difficult to recycle, you can try to find a retailer that will haul away—and ideally recycle—your old dishwasher when you purchase a new one.

It’s also a good idea to check with your local city/town or county government to see if there are dedicated appliance or large-item recycling days. Another option is using Earth 911’s search tool to find the nearest recycling center (by ZIP code).