Best 6 Camping Dishwashers To Take On Vacation

Are you interested in buying a camping dishwasher?

Then keep reading this post!

You will find reviews of the six best models that are currently up for sale. Find out more about their design and price range, and compare the beneficial features they have to offer to ensure that you choose the best one.

The Rundown

What Is A Camping Dishwasher?

This dishwasher is a model that can be used on camping trips. That includes RV and camping spot usage. Such a dishwasher can be either electrical or manual, depending on your needs.

What Models Can I Get?

Actually, you can get both built-in and freestanding models. If you have a high-end RV, it already has an installed dishwasher. However, if it doesn’t, and you have enough room to customize the RV, you can get a classic built-in model or a countertop model. This depends on the number of people too. Built-in dishwashers are for more than 4 people, while freestanding models are for 2 to a maximum of 4 persons.

Does Electric Dishwasher Consume A lot Of RV’s Electricity?

Yes. Most RV dishwashers require 120 V power. So to use them, you need to be fully plugged in or, if you’re boondocking, you need to use a generator. And a dishwasher will eat up a lot of your off-grid power supply and it will do that rather fast.

What About Water?

Usually, the dishwasher in the RV uses about 4 to 6 gallons of water. That amount doesn’t include the water that is used for rinsing the dishes before you even put them into the dishwasher for cleaning. On the other hand, when hand washing the dishes, you use up to 27 gallons of water per load.

Do These Dishwashers Heat Water?

Yes, as they work the same way as any other built-in or freestanding dishwasher. The model comes with heating elements which then heat the water up to 140 Fahrenheit degrees.

Where Does Dishwasher Drain?

Electric dishwasher drains through the sink plumbing.

Do I Even Need Such A Model?

It can be convenient, yes. It isn’t a must-have appliance, but it is a time-saver. Especially if you tend to gather up with your friends and travel together, whether with your RV or by foot at a specific camping spot. Both electric and manual models have great advantages so choose according to your needs and preferences.

What Features Make A Camping Model Stand Out?

Besides the basic but efficient functions and specifications that we are going to mention later in the article, there are a few factors you should definitely bear in mind while deciding on whether or not you need this dishwasher.

Budget-Friendly Dishwashers

Manual dishwashers are really affordable with a price of around or less than $100. Electrical dishwashers are more expensive but they come with many additional features are you can find them for less than $300.

Compact Design With Water Tank

Since this dishwasher model needs to be practical and easy to move around, both the models for camping and RV trips come in compact sizes. Most of such units and models come with water tanks that are more practical for transportation because they don’t require any additional water hookups.

Camping Dishwasher Options & Specifications

So, you can choose between an electric and manual dishwasher. To ease up your decision, here are the key factors, functions, and specifications of each of the models.

Electric Dishwasher For Traveling

These models are very easy to find as they are not only used for camping, but also for everyday household life.

• Electric dishwashers are great for RV use as they do need a power outlet to work. You can choose a classic built-in model or a countertop one, as we already mentioned.
• A built-in dishwasher usually features an 18-inch unit. Freestanding dishwasher’s size varies between 14 and 21 inches.
• Electric dishwashers are made from metal, plastic, or a combination of those two. When we’re talking about metal, we refer to stainless steel which is the strongest and most durable material of the making. It ensures the long life of a dishwasher.
• What electric models do ensure are multiple cleaning cycles. You can choose normal, hard, or quick wash, sanitize option, or ECO mode. You will have all the features of your standard home dishwasher.
• The interior capacity depends on the model you go for. Built-in models for RV can hold about 8 to 10 place settings, while countertop models about 4 place settings.
• Electric dishwashers can feature a low noise level. You can choose between the models with 45 to 60 dB.

Manual Dishwasher

You need to use your hand for this one, however, you still need far less time than you would need if you washed all the dishes with your hand.

• This model is excellent for camping trips as it doesn’t need any power outlet to work.
• The manual dishwasher can have a small bucket with two separate compartments. One compartment has a harsh brush for cleaning the dishes, while the other one is designed for rinsing. You need to add a detergent to the first compartment, soak the dish in it while it is cleaning itself with a brush, and then just rinse it.
• The other design of a dishwasher presents a small box. You pull out the bottom tray of the dishwasher and fill it with water, sodium acetate tablets, and dish soap. Once you load the dishes, you turn the crank to quickly wash the dishes. This model uses a centrifuge mechanism to spray water from the base.
• Manual dishwashers feature up to 15 inches in size unit, they are easy to carry, move, and store.
• These models are made from plastic. This material of the making is strong and durable.
• Manual dishwashers, depending on the type, can fit up to 2 place settings.
• As these models use some kind of manual work, they are as quiet as possible, environment-friendly, and both water and energy-efficient.

Best 6 Camping Dishwashers

BLACK+DECKER BCD6W Dishwasher

Countertop Design
This dishwasher for camping is a model that features a freestanding countertop design. That means that it will perfectly fit in somewhat smaller campers too. It can accommodate up to six standard place settings that are up to ten inches.

Electronic Touch Controls
Another great thing about this smart dishwasher is that it comes with simple electronic touch controls that are located just above the dishwasher’s door. Thanks to that feature you will never have any trouble setting up the desired cleaning cycle. The small LED display will show you the remaining time the dishwasher needs to complete the set cycle.

Seven Different Programs
Thanks to the seven different cleaning programs that this dishwasher provides you with, you will be able to adjust its cleaning performance according to your needs. These include intensive, normal, 90 minutes, eco, glass, rapid, and soak. The soak cycle will remove all the leftovers from your plates and eliminate the need for pre-rinsing.

Safety Child Lock
The best thing about this silver dishwasher is that it provides you with a safety child lock. That feature will allow you to lock up the control panel to ensure that no one can tamper with the settings or unintentionally run the dishwasher.

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Kuppet Small Dishwasher

Small Size
This camping-designed dishwasher comes in a somewhat smaller size. This means that it will perfectly fit both in larger and is smaller places. Even though it is smaller, it can still accommodate up to six standard place settings like some of the bigger units can.

Powerful Spray Arm
You can be sure that this dishwasher will provide your dishes with a very thorough wash. It comes with a dual spray arm that is designed to spray powerful high-pressure jets of water directly at your dishes and provide complete coverage throughout the entire unit.

Multipurpose Use
Thanks to the variety of cleaning cycles that this small dishwasher provides you with, you will be able to use it for all kinds of purposes. For example, you can use it to thoroughly clean your fruit and veggies or to sanitize your child bottles and toys.

Quick Setup
The best thing about this dishwasher is that it is very easy and quick to set up. Everything you need to do is connect the inlet hose to a faucet and connect the drain hose to your sink or directly to the sewer. All the accessories you need come included with the dishwasher.

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hOmeLabs Portable Dishwasher

User-Friendly Controls
Thanks to the user-friendly control panel that is located at the top of the dishwasher’s door, you will be able to adjust the cleaning performance of this portable dishwasher according to your needs. Use the heavy cycle for heavily soiled dishes and use the glass cycle when washing delicate glassware.

Warning Indicators
The control panel also features warning light indicators that light up when something is wrong with the dishwasher. For example, once the small faucet indicator lights up check if the faucet is turned on. If the faucet light is still on you can also check if the connections have become loose.

Completely Portable
This dishwasher is completely portable. That means that you can easily move it from your apartment to dor room, office, camper, etc. It doesn’t require any special installations or plumbing. You can easily attach it to a kitchen faucet using a water hose and a faucet adapter.

Energy Star Certified
The best thing about this dishwasher is that it also comes with an Energy Star certificate. Thanks to that feature you can be sure that this dishwasher will use a much lower amount of water and electrical power than the models that don’t come with the certificate.

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COSTWAY White Dishwasher

Multiple Cleaning Programs
This dishwasher for camping provides you with multiple user-friendly features including different cleaning programs. These include an intensive program that lasts 99 minutes, a normal program that lasts 79 minutes, an eco-program that lasts 139 minutes, a rapid program for a quick 29-minute wash, and a fruit program that lasts around 18 minutes.

Powerful Drying Performance
You can forget about drying your dishes manually with a kitchen cloth. This dishwasher also provides a very powerful drying performance. It provides hot air drying performance to ensure that your dishes are dried evenly and thoroughly throughout the entire unit.

Built-In Water Tank
Another amazing thing about this economical dishwasher is that it comes with a built-in five-liter water tank. If you want to use it, you only need to open the water tank cover and add clean water. If the tank runs out of the water a small faucet icon will light up and stay that way until you refill it again.

Easy To Transport
Because of its highly practical size, this dishwasher is very easy to transport. In addition, because of the five-liter water tank, you can use it anywhere you are. Everything you need to have is a power source you can plug the dishwasher in.

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EasyGoDishwasherTM  Manual Dishwasher

Manual Use
This dishwasher is quite different than the models that are listed above. First of all, this dishwasher is designed for manual use. It does come with some additional features so you don’t have to worry that you will end up scrubbing the dishes for a long time.

Two Compartments
It comes with two separate compartments including one with a harsh brush and one that is designed for rinsing. Simply add a dish detergent in the first compartment to ensure that all of the stains get removed from the dishes. Once your plates are clean simply rinse them out in the clean water compartment.

Brush Attachment
The compartment with the brush is great for plates, pans, and cutlery, but it is narrow and tight so it won’t be able to clean cups and glasses. That’s when the additional brush comes in handy. It is specially designed to ensure that it fits perfectly inside the glass and gives it a thorough wash.

Affordable Price
This manual dishwasher for camping comes at the most affordable price out of all models in this post. It cost around one hundred dollars. Although it doesn’t offer as many features as electrical models do, it will help you clean your dishes without wasting too much time.

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Furrion FDW18SAS-SS Dishwasher

Built-In Design
Unlike other dishwashers in this post, this camping model features a built-in design. It is the perfect choice for everyone who has a larger camper and needs a full-size dishwasher. Its interior features two dish racks and a cutlery basket to ensure that you have enough room for all of your dishes.

Durable Construction
The best thing about this dishwasher is that it features highly durable construction which makes it an amazing choice for a moving RV. It can withstand both vibrations that are caused by harsh road conditions and different climate changes.

Stainless Steel Interior
You can be sure that this dishwasher will provide you with a long life span. It features stainless steel interior and exterior surfaces that are highly durable and resistant to all kinds of damages. Thanks to that feature you never have to worry that the dishwasher might start to corrode or rust.

Powerful Filtration System
This dishwasher comes with a powerful three-part filtration system that is specially designed to keep the small food particles from getting inside the water pump. Thanks to that feature you never have to worry that the dishwasher might get clogged up.

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Washing Dishes On The Camping Trip: Safety Level

Both electric and manual models are designed to provide safe usage. Electric models feature components such as child lock and leakage protection. That makes them safe to use in the RVs and around children. Manual dishwashers don’t have any special safety features but you can’t really hurt yourself while using one of them. Of course, one of the key factors of a safe dishwasher is regular cleaning and maintaining too.

Installation Requirements Of Dishwashers Made For Camping

The installation process depends on the model you choose. Manual dishwashers don’t need anything for installation, they just need to be placed on a stable surface and that’s it. On the other hand, if you get an electric model, it can require a simple attachment to a faucet, but there is also an option for getting a model with built-in water tanks.

Can I Install A Dishwasher By Myself?

If we’re talking about replacing an existing dishwasher, then yes. For installing a new dishwasher, you can do it by yourself only if you already have some skills. Otherwise, a licensed professional should do it as the installation requires plumbing knowledge.

How Do You Hook Up A Dishwasher On A Camping Trip?

Manual models don’t require any hook-up. If you have an electric model and you wish to install it in an RV, check under the kitchen sink, and connect the dishwasher’s faucet to the existing hot water line. You should connect one more plumbing faucet to the sink. Make sure to follow all the instructions from the manual to do this properly.