Modern dishwashers have all kinds of features today that allow you to customize your wash. Do you have bone china you want to machine wash? Put the machine on a gentle setting. Do you have a couple of huge pots caked with cooked-on food? Put it on a tougher setting.

And now, when you can have a solid dishwasher for anywhere from $200 to $1800, what reason do have for not buying a dishwasher? Some people say that space is at a premium. Well, with smaller units, and even portable units, your kitchen can afford to eek out some extra space.

You can buy dishwashers at Sears, Menards, Target, ABC Warehouse, or at any number of large appliance outlets. You can also buy online and have them delivered for a fee.

Most quality dishwashers come with a 3-year warranty for most key parts, and a 20-year warranty for the casing and tub. Often you can buy a 5-year warranty, which is highly recommended. You never know which machines will break down; reviews always vary. A Bosch or a KitchenAid can be a lemon to one person, but be a savior to another.

When shopping for a dishwasher, keep water efficiency in mind. Up to 80% of a dishwashers power goes to heating the water via the heating elements. Older models used to use 10 gallons of water per wash. Now the standard is about 8 gallons. Check the size of the holes on the spray arms: the smaller they are, the more powerfully they spray. This will save you money on your electricity bill. Also ask for the energy efficiency rating. It should appear on the label.

Thicker insulation around the dishwasher tub will make the unit quieter. Check this out before you buy.

Most dishwashers range from $350 to $600. You can also get one for as little as $200, or as much as $1800. Just remember that inexpensive doesnt necessarily mean cheap, and expensive doesnt necessarily denote quality. More economical units tend to have fewer whistles and bells, and fewer dishwashing options. Many people like these for their simplicity and easy serviceability.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, some dishwashers can cost $1000 to $2000. Usually, these more expensive models simply have a greater number of features, such as timers, antibacterial cycles, delicate and tough settings, etc. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you want to look at it. Its your choice.