A dishwasher won't keep you warm at night...

There is an ongoing debate in our household, surrounding the necessity for a dishwasher. I believe that with just the two of us (apart from the occasional entertaining), a dishwasher is a complete waste of $700+ dollars. Andy thinks that it would change our lives (I assume for the better).


I grew up with a dishwasher from about the age of 6. Every morning I had to empty it and then every night after tea, I had to load it. I hated it. Perhaps this is why dishes really don't bother me, perhaps the novelty of playing in water is still there. I suppose I am also wise to the fact that dishwashers still require some work. The way people talk about them sometimes, it's as if they come into the dining room, ask if you enjoyed your meal, clear the dishes away, wash them, dry them, put them away, wipe down the benches and then make you a nice hot cuppa. Dishwashers have created a generation of 'princesses' who screw their noses up at 'all the gross food stuff that floats around in the water' when they're doing dishes. Hello! You just ate that food!

Dishwashers aren't all bad, sure. When you're entertaining a mob, it saves a fair bit of time in the kitchen. Apparently the new ones are supposed to be really water efficient. That's all I have to say on the positives of dishwashers.

Washing up by hand, now that is loaded with positives! So much so, I am going to dot point them!

• On a cold night, there is nothing nicer than immersing your hands in a sink full of steaming hot water
• Washing up is a social occasion. One washes, one dries and you have a chat about your day while your doing it!
• Once the dishes are done, dried and put away, the task is complete. No unpacking the dishwasher in a few hours time!
• When you wash by hand, you know what you need for the next meal will be washed and put away - "Where's the colander? Oh, it's in the dishwasher and it's mid-cycle..."
• I don't know how many times I have unloaded a dishwasher, only to reload it with half the stuff that I just took out....with food still stuck to it. Washing up by hand, you have quality control!
• There's only 2 of us! We really don't make that many dishes!!!

I know I am an island here. Everyone thinks dishwashers are the be all and end all, but I am sticking to my guns! Give me a sponge and scourer any day!!!

Oh, and by the way, no, I won't come round and do your dishes for you!