6 Best Retro Dishwashers: 40s And 60s Style For Efficient Cleanup

Feeling retro, are you? Before turning up the volume on your old stereo, grab some aesthetic items for your kitchen!

Retro dishwashing machines are in style – they are cutie pies with excellent cleaning and drying performance. What more could we ask for! Find out more about retro style and which dishwasher brands offer such a design.

The Rundown

What Is Retro Style?

In the terms of interior design, retro is an eclectic mix of old styles and new forms or new forms with old materials and finishes. Retro is characterized by a diverse color palette. It can be intense and a mix of brights or muddy muted neutrals. Motifs can be combined with the art deco, nouveau, oversized, and psychedelic.

What’s The Difference Between Antique, Vintage, And Retro?

People are often confused with these 3 terms and styles. Here are the details that will make it easier to recognize each of the styles.

• Antique referes to something that is really, really old. Usually, at least 100 years old. Most often made of wood.
• Vintage items are either mid-century modern or somehow related to bygone pop culture, fashion trends, or junk food.
• Retro referes to something that is designed to mimic styles and designs from the past. It is often described as “vintage-inspired”. Retro is also described as something that is outdated or out of style.

How To Incorporate Retro In The Interior?

No matter if your home decorating style is minimalist, farmhouse, boho, or modern, you can easily enhance any space with retro touches. Don’t overdo it and mix loud patterns and retro pieces, that will work rather negatively for the space. Focus on bringing an item or two in retro style and let them enhance the space. If your house is in lighter tones, you can use a mix of retro neutrals and brights. If your house is already in color, maybe lighten it up a bit with neutrals only.

Retro Pieces In The Kitchen

The kitchen is a great space for incorporating retro pieces. In the terms of bigger appliances, most often those are refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and microwaves. Of course, there are many smaller appliances that are designed in retro styles, such as kettles, juicers, coffee machines, and more.

What Dishwasher Brands Produce This Style?

Most dishwashers still have pretty basic and modern designs, however, there are a couple of brands that produce retro-designed models. The most reliable ones are Z Line Kitchen and Bath and Smeg. But there are many smaller brands that may have some models with this style, such as AngelHJQ, Frigidaire, HOmeLabs, and GASLAND.

How Much Does Retro Cost?

The price depends on the model you want. The usual price range goes between $500 and $3,000. Countertop models are usually more budget-friendly, while classic built-in and freestanding dishwashers are more high-end, and due to that, pricier.

Retro Dishwasher: To Buy Or Not To Buy?

Definitely buy. These are beautifully designed dishwashers that are both aesthetic and efficient. But retro style is much more. Here are some of the components that make it a really good choice for your kitchen.

• Unique pieces. A dishwasher that features a retro unit is really special and unique, usually, there is a limited number of such designs.
• The centerpiece of the kitchen. If your kitchen is minimalistic, a retro dishwashing machine in bold coloring can be an ideal centerpiece of the entire space. From there, you can build an entire story.
• Panel-ready model? Even better. If you can’t find the model that is your perfect fit, you can always get a panel-ready dishwasher. Such a model allows you to customize the doors of the dishwasher, usually to fit the rest of your kitchen cabinetry, however, you can always give it a unique retro touch.

4 Model Options: What Can You Get?

Retro style can be present in all 4 standard dishwasher types. That includes built-in, freestanding and portable models, and countertop dishwashers. Here are all the details you should know about each of them.

Built-In Dishwashers

These models are the most popular ones and they are preferred by the customers.

• This type is designed, as the name suggests, to be built into the already existing kitchen cabinetry.
• It features an 18 or 24-inch big unit.
• It can have a front or top control panel, depending on the design.
• This dishwasher type can hold between 12 and 20 place settings.
• Suitable for larger families and households.

Freestanding Dishwashers

These models are quite popular too.

• This type is finished on all sides so it can be placed next to the kitchen cabinetry where you have available space and plumbing.
• The standalone model features an 18 or 24-inch big unit, and a front or top control panel.
• It can be designed to be portable. In that case, it features wheels on its bottom.
• It can hold between 8 and 12 place settings.
• This dishwasher, depending on the model, can be suitable for standard-sized kitchens, as well as for limited spaces.

Countertop Dishwashers

These dishwasher models are designed to be small and compact. They are submodels of freestanding dishwashers too.

• This dishwasher features a small unit in order to be suitable to be placed on a kitchen countertop.
• It can be big between 12 and 18 inches.
• Due to its size, a countertop dishwasher can hold between 4 and 8 place settings.
• This model can only have a front control panel.
• The compact design of this dishwasher model is suitable for small kitchens, apartments, RVs, boats, mobile homes, and other limited spaces.

What To Consider Before Going Retro

Going after a retro-designed dishwasher is a great idea, however, there are many other factors that you need to consider before buying such a model. That includes well-made construction, powerful cleaning cycles, efficient drying operation, and more. Here is everything you must know before purchasing.

Strong & Durable Construction

The best material on the market is stainless steel. This material of the making is not only strong and durable, but also resistant to high temperatures, odors, and stains. It also contributes to better cleaning and drying results. Most built-in and freestanding models feature steel construction. On the other hand, countertop dishwashers are usually made from plastic. Plastic is also a rather strong and durable material.

Racks Made For Customization

Adjustable racks are a great feature as they allow you to rearrange the baskets, compartments, and racks in the dishwasher’s interior in order to make more space for awkwardly-shaped cookware and large items such as pots and pans.

Third Rack Included

Most dishwashers have 2 racks, one bottom, and one top. However, many of them also come with a third rack option. This is an additional rack placed above the top rack. It presents a drawer for utensils, flatware, cooking and serving tools, and other smaller items.

Multiple Cleaning Cycles

When it comes to the cycles, a dishwasher can feature between 4 and 15 different washes. The final number and cycle options depend on the model, however, some of the cycles that are usually included are normal, light, heavy, and quick wash, ECO mode, rinse only, and delicate.

Different Drying Options

Just like with the rest of the dishwasher models, retro-designed appliances can also have 2 different drying functions.

• Heated drying uses a fan or some other heated element to dry the dishes. It does that performance efficiently, thoroughly, and quickly. However, the downside of this drying type is that it uses a lot of energy.
• An air-dry option is an eco-friendly function. It draws the room temperature air and then circulates it in the dishwasher to dry the dishes. This function is also efficient and thorough. But what makes it stand out, even more, is the fact that it uses 15% less energy than heated drying does.

Noise Range Levels

All dishwasher models can feature between 38 and 55 decibels. The lower the decibel level, the quieter the dishwasher will be. Most high-quality dishwashers usually have between 38 and 50 decibels, which is a pretty standard noise range.

Energy Start Certificate: A Great Plus

If you wish to save water and energy, get a retro model with an Energy Star certificate.

• Such a certified model uses only 3 gallons of water per load. Non-certified one uses between 10 and 15 gallons of water per load.
• An Energy Star dishwasher uses 0.87 kWh of energy per load. Those models that aren’t graded with this certificate use 1.59 kWh of energy per load.

6 Best Retro Dishwashers

ZLINE DWMTZ-WM-24-CB Dishwasher

Champagne Bronze Touch
This is a beautifully-designed dishwasher. It features a matte white unit with a champagne bronze handle. The color gives nice retro vibes. This is a built-in model and it will surely fit nicely into any kitchen cabinetry.

High Sanitation
The dishwasher comes with stainless steel tub which contributes to better cleaning and drying results. It also has a special sanitize option which removes all the possible germs and bacteria.

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Smeg STU2FABRD2 Dishwasher

Red Retro Style
This is one of the most recognizable retro dishwashing models. The Smeg dishwasher features a bright red unit with silver touches and details. It also has red details in its interior. This model is what a true retro-style design is.

Half-Load Cycle For Smaller Loads
What makes this dishwasher a great choice is its half-load wash cycle. This function saves water and electricity as you can choose which rack you wish to use, a top or bottom one. The cycle is ideal for smaller loads of dishes.

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AngelHJQ LL-31 Slimline Dishwasher

Designed For Small Spaces
This is a small countertop dishwasher ideal for limited spaces. It features a pastel green unit with a black transparent top. The dishwasher can fit up to 4 place settings and is great for singles, couples, and small families.

Double Spray Arms
This model features 6 different washing cycles. To ensure impeccable cleaning performance, the dishwasher has upper and lower double spray arms that rotate for 360 degrees in order to thoroughly clean all the dishes.

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ZLINE DW-BLM-24 Dishwasher

Top Control Model
This ZLINE dishwasher comes with a top control panel for a sleek and concealed look. Such a panel is quite convenient as you won’t be able to accidentally disturb the cleaning cycle.

High Temperature For Sanitation
In order to ensure impeccable cleaning and sanitation, this dishwasher model uses the water of 156 Fahrenheit degrees. Such a high heat level eliminates all bacteria and germs. The dishwasher has 6 different wash cycles.

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Smeg STFABUWH Dishwasher

Silver Accents
This beautiful SMEG dishwasher in white coloring comes with silver accents and round shape lines. It has a top control panel that is visible only when the doors are open. Such feature contributes to the sleek design and convenient use.

6 Quick Wash Cycles
The dishwasher has 10 wash cycles. That includes 6 different quick cleaning options. Those are rapid, extreme wash, light quick, eco quick, normal quick, and strong and fast. A quick cycle is both fast and efficient.

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AngelHJQ Small Automatic Dishwasher

For Singles & Couples
This is a small compact dishwasher designed to be placed on the countertop. It features a white unit with bronze details and it can hold up to 4 place settings. Due to that, it is a great addition for limited spaces, singles, and couples.

Thorough Performance
This model has 2 spray arms, upper and lower. The 360-degree fan-shaped water flow ensures powerful pressure and thorough cleaning performance. No dirty dishes with this dishwashing machine.

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Simple Maintenance For A Shiny Style

Retro dishwashing machines aren’t any different to clean and maintain. Here is how to keep ithem nice, shiny, and clean.

• Clean filter twice a month. Clean it under the running water by using a mild detergent and tootbrush.
• Deep clean a dishwasher once a week. To do that, run 2 cycles. The first needs to be with a white vinegar placed in a dishwasher-safe bowl at the top rack. In the second cycle, sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of the dishwasher.
• Clean the dishwasher’s exterior twice a month, or more if you find it dirty. To do that, use lukewarm water and cloth.