Whirlpool Dishwasher Reviews: Supercapacity

Whirlpool dishwasher reviews on this page cover the super capacity series.

At face value Built-In Supercapacity Dishwasher models DU1100XTP, DU1055XTP and DU1055XTS, don't seem to vary from each other much.

Size and structure Compared

Aside from their very similar and somewhat confusing model names, they're practically the same size, all 24 and a half inches deep and 23 7/8 inches wide, varying slightly only in height, as the DU1055XTS is only a little shorter at 33 7/8 inches tall, while the others are both 34 and a half inches tall.

They also more or less come in the same colors of black on black, white on white, and biscuit on biscuit.

The DU1055XTP is the only model that doesn't also come in stainless steel, and the DU1055XTS has an additional available universal silver color.

So, since there's not much difference between the dishwashers physically, when choosing which Whirlpool dishwasher to buy, you'll have to rely on what each can accomplish.

Features Compared

Being similar models, all three have some of the same specifications. They all have the super capacity tub, which fits about 14 five-piece sets of dinnerware in one wash.

Even if the tub is taller, the horizontal motor hardly takes any space at all and the dishwasher fits in well in most kitchen spaces.

All three models also have four automatic cycles – instead of the usual Normal, Light and Rinse Only cycles, Whirlpool has added Pots & Pans for heavy duty cleaning.

Other features that are found on all three dishwashers are the control lock, which prevents any accidental button pushing during washing; the High Temp Wash Option, which makes your washing water hotter; and the 2-4-6 Hour Delay Wash Option.

All three dishwashers are also Energy Star qualified, which helps conserve energy and the environment by whittling down energy use by about 25%. While it sounds promising, this isn't the highest selling point of the dishwashers.

Customer Opinions

Some users have complained that the Energy Star qualified units do not use enough water to clean their dishes thoroughly and have to give them a second washing, defeating the purpose of conserving energy.

This is a complaint even with the DU1100XTP model, even if it has features like the SheerClean Wash System, Temperature and Soil Sensors, the Sani Rinse Option as certified by the National Sanitation Foundation, and the Hard Food Disposer with Self Cleaning Filter.

The SheerClean Wash System is an intelligent sensor that can tell if it needs to raise the water temperature and if the dishes are already "clean."

Based on this, Whirlpool assures you that you won't have to pre-rinse your dishes before loading them into the machine. However, with the low water level used for washing due to the Energy Star feature, the DU1100XTP doesn't seem to work any better or harder than the DU1055XTP or the DU1055XTS, which are both priced lower.

In fact, many argue that the DU1055XTP does a great job of removing burnt food from pots, and since it's not made to be as high tech as the DU1100XTP, its users don't mind rewashing a few plates with leftover food now and again.

Advantages

Perhaps the highest selling point of the three dishwashers is the Quiet Partner Sound Package, which successfully keeps the washer quiet and doesn’t disturb the dialogue of your favorite TV show or when your kids have to study.

The DU1055XTS has more features than the DU1055XTP, such as the NSF Certified Sani Rinse Option, which kills 99.9% of bacteria by raising the water temperature of the final rinse cycle to 155° F, and the Scour and Soak Option, which allows you to soak your dishes for a while to dislodge all sorts of clingy food.

It also comes with the unattached Anyware Silverware Basket, which holds silverware and can be inserted anywhere in the dishwasher.

The DU1100XTP has the Anyware Plus Silverware Basket, which is bigger than the one in the DU1055XTS, and is another cause for complaint as it is so big and sometimes won't fit in the washer anymore when there are too many plates and glasses that are already in.

Recommendations

What happens here is that while the DU1100XTP is ideally several notches above both the DU1055XTP and the DU1055XTS when it comes to technical features, it simply does not do a better job than either of its less costly counterparts.

Consumers who paid more for a high tech dishwasher will expect more for their money. Meanwhile, the DU1055XTP even surprises its customers with what it can actually do at the price they paid for.