My wife and I have a 20-year-old dishwasher (Whirlpool Quiet Partner II) we probably have not used for years because we don't use many dishes.

We thought we had a good idea and now use it for the storage of dishes and other items.

I have been reading a dishwasher should be used every so often, once a week, once a month, or several times a year to keep it in good working order.

What is the correct answer for the dishwasher if not using it? Perhaps, we should use it even for a few dishes and silverware? Maybe, even get an up-to-date (quiet) dishwasher? What models are suggested?

Question from user No-Currency-97 at Appliances at reddit.

Answer:

Modern dishwashers use about 2-3 gallons per load.

It's less water than leaving the kitchen faucet running for 2-3 minutes and less than filling a sink basin.

Even with the small amount of dishes you two use, you will very likely conserve water and energy (energy used to heat water), save time and effort, etc.

Not all modern dishwashers are crap.

Just want to offer a different perspective.

Answer from user Middle_Name-Danger at Appliances at reddit.

My wife and I have a 20-year-old dishwasher (Whirlpool Quiet Partner II) we probably have not used for years because we don't use many dishes.

We thought we had a good idea and now use it for the storage of dishes and other items.

I have been reading a dishwasher should be used every so often, once a week, once a month, or several times a year to keep it in good working order.

What is the correct answer for the dishwasher if not using it? Perhaps, we should use it even for a few dishes and silverware? Maybe, even get an up-to-date (quiet) dishwasher? What models are suggested?

Question from user No-Currency-97 at Appliances at reddit.

Answer:

Modern dishwashers use about 2-3 gallons per load.

It's less water than leaving the kitchen faucet running for 2-3 minutes and less than filling a sink basin.

Even with the small amount of dishes you two use, you will very likely conserve water and energy (energy used to heat water), save time and effort, etc.

Not all modern dishwashers are crap.

Just want to offer a different perspective.

Answer from user Middle_Name-Danger at Appliances at reddit.