CENTRAILIA asks,
I'm shopping for a new dishwasher and am curious: What's the benefit of a stainless steel dishwasher interior over a plastic interior?
Stainless Steel vs. Plastic Dishwasher Interior – Which is Better?
Our Answer
Stainless steel dishwasher interiors are generally preferred over plastic interiors for a few reasons: They're quieter than plastic, are more energy efficient, and can endure higher temperatures – which means your dishes get a deeper clean. They have their drawbacks, though. You pay more for stainless steel's durability, but there is the risk of rusting over time. And the hard water stains and calcium buildup on stainless steel is enough to drive some people batty! If streaks and buildup are the only things keeping you from stainless, consider a great product that cuts down on dishwasher buildup to help take the edge off.
I have been in my house for 36 years. My first dishwasher lasted only 6 years it was a stainless steel inside, before in rusted out and started leaking. Replaced it with a Kitchen Aid plastic inside it is now 30 years old still running good the inside is a little stained but no leaks. It is getting time to replace, maybe. Will probably go with a plastic.
The main benefits are noise reduction, durability and the ability of the stainless steel to withstand higher temperatures. Plastic tub dishwashers can only withstand water that reaches 140 degrees, whereas a stainless tub can handle water up to 160 degrees. The other benefit is that because the stainless steel can hold the heat, it will cut down the energy used in the drying cycle, making them a little more energy efficient. Hope this helps!