Haier Portable Space-Saving Dishwasher

I live in a modest space and enjoy it that way and prefer to not use the utilities and the water consumption of a full size washer. I have had my dishwasher for two years now and have never had a problem. No leaks, beautifully clean dishes, pots, pans, silver, you name it. I have never been so satisfied with a household small appliance.

If you live in small space and have little time for dishes, this is the product for you!

Haier Portable 18" Floor Model:
I had a very limited budget, only enough storage room and need for a small portable dishwasher. This Haier unit was the only one available in my immediate shopping area (with exception the over priced, $529 Kenmore model). I really like this machine but gee-meenish, one problem after another:

First, the hook-up. This AIN'T no plug and play. Like most, I had hose connection and water leakage problems but once I realized the illustration in the Haier manual is wrong (though the wording is correct- THE RED HOOK-LIKE END CONNECTS TO THE DISHWASHER), I took the faucet quick connect piece and hose back to the home improvement store, had their personnel undo my work, and then correctly assemble the parts together. He used "2" adjustable multi-position clamp-type pliers to make the connection (no tape needed and all threads completely screwed in). At home, we used box joint pliers to attach the red hook-like end to the dishwasher (no tape needed) until there was no movement of the hose attachment. Connected to the faucet and TA-DAH, absolutely NO leakage! (Ladies, I am also female and I simply did not have the strength or proper tools necessary to get these connectors fitted together properly, so get help if needed.) I loaded the dishes, started it up, and 45 minutes later, wow, does this little machine really cleans!!!

Second, 10 inch plates will not fit! Now, what good is a dishwasher if I can't wash the plates! I finally managed to work in 3 (nope, couldn't get in the 4th) with a lot of maneuvering and pressing down the tongs so the plates would lean enough to avoid the spray arm, and everything came out spotlessly clean! I really liked this dishwasher and decided to purchased 9.5" plates, however, couldn't find them anywhere. Then . . .

Third, during the 3rd use, the machine started beeping, beeping, beeping, and appeared to be stuck in-cycle (though my dishes were clean but a little wet). Not realizing the control buttons were locked up, I pressed one, and it broke (but still worked). There is nothing in the manual about this problem. I went to Haier's online site and the problem is addressed there. I worked through the steps and got the machine to clear. However, the next time I used the machine, it happened again but this time I could not get the dishwasher to clear and after multiple attempts, I finally/reluctantly gave up. I returned the dishwasher for a refund.

This dishwasher has a lot of nice features: A 45 minute normal cycle (with 3 other cycle options), top or bottom rack cleaning only or both, quiet operation, compact size (but needs to be taller), stainless interior, and I think I mentioned - it really cleans thoroughly. For a one-person household, it seemed to be just what I need. This really could be a great little machine - but Haier must work out the kinks (starting with the hose assembly).

PS: Consider the Danby 1805W. Fortunately, I found it on-line with free ship-to-store included. The size is similar (taller to accommodate 11.5" plates and deeper for already-attached hose storage), and the is price comparable. While it is not perfect, it solves a lot of the problems of the Haier model (I was told Haier and Danby are manufactured by the same company).

I purchased this dishwasher due to it's small size and used it for a little over a year. All and all I think it's a good product, but it's not perfect, but had the manufacturer spent a little more on this machine it would have been. Here are the three major problems with this dishwasher:
1) The lower rack needs an inch or so more clearance, regular size plates just don't fit. I became and expert in loading this machine and found that one can get three full size plates to fit by placing one on the far left, right and back edges of the lower rack, but for the back you'll need to angle the plate in to clear the spray arm located under the upper rack.
2) The inlet hose connection at the back of the dishwasher seems to leak, I was able to fix this using a new rubber washer (red) from home depot.
3) The connection kit that comes with the dishwasher is just plain silly. I replaced this with a Maytag portable dishwasher hose connection it. the inlet require no modification, the outlet I attached using a hose clamp attached to the what I left of the flexible gray stock hose. The Maytag house is long, but I found that the extra length allows you to loop the hose thereby ensuring that the discharge pump can push the water to the height of a faucet connection.

Other problems that can arise is if you try to force the door closed. I did this once and discovered that the dishwasher did not seal correctly and as a result some water got into the control switch and just continued to beep. There are repair parts available on the web but you need to search. I made this repair, and gave the dishwasher away after deciding I wanted a larger portable dishwasher. The Haier is still running strong. It does a great job cleaning dishes, but you should periodically wipe clean the gasket and the space between the door and tub as detergent will build up and start spotting up the dishes, this is an easy maintenance.

On other note: If you get a constant beeping sound and have eliminated an electronic fault, the problem may be due to the float switch being stuck which is telling the computer that the water is not draining thereby triggering the alarm. This happened to the people I gave it too after I had it in storage for a couple of weeks. I think this got stuck when I laid the machine on it's side to transport it. The fix is to dislodge it, which can be done by picking up a back corner a half inch or so and dropping it, you might need to do so more than once, just don't get carried away.

All and all I would recommend that you only get this dishwasher if there is absolutely no way you can purchase a full-sized or 18" Kenmore style machine b/c of space, if it's a money issue I recommend you do your dishes a little longer by hand until you can get a regular one. I can, without hesitation, recommend the Maytag jet clean II convertible dishwashers, great machine.

I bought this little guy online from 1500 miles away.When it got to me it didn't work.I called customer service and had a repair guy out in 3 days.(Great guy too!)He fixed it,the problem due to rough SHIPPING,and it has been the greatest!It cleans well,and the motor sounds very powerful.I love it!!

I bought this on Craiglist, and then read all these reviews, so I was quite worried.

However, after about 6 washes, I'm feeling good. I haven't had any leaking problems. However, if the connection between your faucet and the unt's water hose isn't solid (tight, teflon tape, etc), water will drip down the hose and onto the floor. If you wrap a towel around the connection, it will trap the water and drip off the towel (not the hose) into the sink. I imagine that was some of the leaking problems, as even a little bit will run down the hose and eventually cause a puddle. The wheels are said to be cheap, but just roll them nicely, and everything's fine. Tough stains and gunk have come out fine with the normal wash.

CONS: Yes, plates over 9 3/4" (manual says 10") dont' fit the right way, but you can place 3 10 1/4" plates leaning over the other way where 5 should fit; yes less capacity, but they fit. The glass/top rack should have a way to change heights to accomodate the larger plates. The top rack's bottom surface doesn't really hold large mouth glasses nicely, but you can work around it.

I don't really know how a small dishwasher could hold 10"+ plates straight up, and wine glasses on the top. That's what you get with a "portable". You have to be a little creative, but for two with glasses, cooking utensils, pots, bowls and plates, and other strays from lunch, this is working fine.

--- UPDATE----
Moving into 6 months, and I am still pleasantly pleased with this product. If you jiggle the connection to your faucet, you don't need the towel to keep it from leaking. My wife never rinses off items (to my consternation) but rarely do items need to be cleaned again, no matter how much grease they've got.
Although the wheels ARE very weak. They have collapsed on each other, and although that just makes it swivel when rolling, I'm afraid they'll break shortly.