Both KitchenAid and Asko have changed quite a bit in recent years.
KitchenAid was redesigned in late 2014. Asko has finally had stable ownership after being flipped between Swedish, Italian and now Slovenian ownership.
We will look at both brands and compare the dishwashers. First lets look at the industry:
American and European dishwahers have been different since the 1990s. Traditional American dishwashers had a larger usable capacity, heated drying system, hard food disposal and an exposed heating element at the bottom. The American dishwashers also typically protruded from the cabinetry, which can be an aesthetic issue with panels.
European brands typically had solid bases for better sound proofing and another barrier for preventing leaks. In addition, they were the most energy efficient. They use more of a condensation dry type system with no fan assist.
European dishwashers also feature two pumps instead of a grinder doing all the work. In addition, the Europeans have a soft food filter for quietness, and will have an internal water heater rather than an exposed coil element. Plastics will not warp if they fall from a rack.
Fast forward a few years, and now most of the industry has transitioned to the European filter design, but there are still differences between the two types.
Let’s compare KitchenAid, a classic American dishwasher, to an Asko European dshwasher.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid is an American company, part of the Whirlpool Corporation. They are consistently rated well and have been in the dishwasher business for a long time.
I would say the advantage of choosing an American Dishwasher over a European Brand is the loading capabilities tend to be easier. The tines tend to be farther apart, appealing to customers with more dishes, or thicker plates. European dishwashers load differently.
Bottom Rack Comparison
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KitchenAid bottom rack |
Asko bottom rack |
Kitchenaid offers a good amount of loading flexibility like an adjustable upper rack, folding tines, a stainless interior, as well as a 16 plate setting capacity, while being super quiet as well. The new Kitchen Aid models have also built the racking system better than their past dishwashers. The racks are set on ball bearings for smoother gliding of the baskets.
Kitchen Aid has been around for a long time and what is great about them is they still offer several different styles of control panels as well as cycle options and have colors like black and white as an option, not just stainless.
KitchenAid KDTE334DSS - $999
- Third Level Utensil Rack: Makes it easy to clean hard-to-place items such as spatulas and serving utensils, as well as creating space for extra silverware.
- Pro Scrub Option: Helps eliminate soaking or pre-scrubbing with 40 targeted spray jets that help remove stubborn messes like seared or baked-on foods.
- Heat Dry Option: Delivers the best drying by activating a recessed heating element at the end of the cycle.
- Pro Wash Cycle: Determines the appropriate cycle for washing dishes and makes real-time adjustments for the best cleaning performance.
- Concealed Controls: Are located on top of the dishwasher door, giving the front of the dishwasher clean, uninterrupted lines that helps you match other stainless steel appliances.
- Satin Glide Max Upper Rack: Creates a smooth, premium feeling when pulling out the upper rack, particularly with heavy loads. Adjusters make it easy to raise or lower the rack while the rails help keep the rack solidly on track.
Asko
Asko is originally a Swedish company. They pride themselves in the quality of their solidly built product. They have all stainless spray arms, as well as a round stainless internal water feed. KitchenAid uses plastic.
Asko will also install flush with the cabinets and offer several design options. Asko also dries like an American dishwasher with a heated dry option.
They have a solid base, whereas the KitchenAid does not. On the KitchenAid, the guts and motor are exposed underneath. Asko states that this will help with leak prevention (doubtful)and will have better sound deadening (probable).
In addition the Asko dishwashers will have an internal water heater, but it’s not an exposed element like the Kitchenaid.
Asko D5634XLHS/TH - $1,499
- AquaLevel Sensor: Our sensors work together intelligently to ensure an optimum water level in the machine.
- Turbo Drying: ASKO's fan-dry system gets the load completely dry. After the final rinse, the moist air in the dishwasher is mixed with dry air from outside, and the machines dries completely. ASKO's fully integrated machines also have this drying system, which is quite uncommon on the market.
- AquaSafe: To eliminate the risk of flooding AquaSafe, an advanced water safety system encompassing up to 16 different points, all of which help to ensure a leak-safe dishwasher.
- Steam Safe: Thanks to ASKO's condensation and cooling channel, which leads steam away through a concealed nozzle, no hot steam blows out from the panel which can otherwise cause scalding (or ruin the worktop). There is also an anti steam-puff shield, so the condensation will not hit your cabinets.
- Racking: The smart four level rack systems with the unique middle rack afford endless possibilities.
Asko vs. KitchenAid Dishwashers: Which do you buy?
This is interesting. KitchenAid now has the filter and the quietness of a European dishwasher. Asko has the heated drying of an American style dishwasher. It really depends on what you value.
If you are planning to use a custom panel to match your cabinetry, Asko will not protrude and sit flush. KitchenAid has better racking. Asko will not have an exposed heating element which may damage your plastics.
Reliability is interesting as well. Asko was highly serviced until last year. Their new owner has better manufacturing discipline and they have become very reliable after Miele and Bosch. KitchenAid is slightly better than average or 6% worse than Asko.
What do you think?
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