Tired of the same old white or silver appliances? Imagine a kitchen that looks sleek, modern, and totally on-trend. Black stainless steel is the rising star in kitchen design, offering a sophisticated upgrade from traditional stainless steel. It has that cool, dark look everyone is talking about.
But choosing the right black stainless dishwasher can feel tricky. Do they all look the same? Will the finish scratch easily? You worry about matching it with your other appliances and if it’s worth the extra cost. These are real concerns when you are investing in your kitchen!
This post cuts through the confusion. We will explore what makes black stainless special, how to care for it, and the best models available right now. You will learn exactly what to look for so you can buy with confidence.
Ready to ditch the dull and embrace the dark side of kitchen design? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about finding the perfect black stainless dishwasher for your home.
Top Black Stainless Dishwasher Recommendations
- Spacious Capacity: Our built in dishwasher offers a 12-place setting capacity with a tall tub design, ideal for accommodating larger loads. Ensures efficient washing for all your dishware with ease
- Versatile Interior: Customize your interior with an adjustable top rack that accommodates larger dishes and serveware. Adjusts up to 2" to provide more clearance when it’s needed
- Fold-Down Rack Tines: The fold-down tines in both the upper and lower rack make it easier to load extra-large or hard-to-fit items such as serving bowls, casseroles and roasters
- Advanced Wash Programs: Equipped with 6 wash programs and a Smart Sensor system, our dishwashers provide versatility for all your cleaning needs. Choose from Heavy, Normal, Light, Eco, Glass and Rinse
- Energy Star Certified: With soil sensors, cylinder filtration, efficient spray arms, and more, our built-in dishwashers help reduce energy and water consumption while improving performance
- Spacious Capacity: Our built in dishwasher offers a 12-place setting capacity with a tall tub design, ideal for accommodating larger loads. Ensures efficient washing for all your dishware with ease
- Versatile Interior: Customize your interior with an adjustable top rack that accommodates larger dishes and serveware. Adjusts up to 2" to provide more clearance when its needed
- Adjustable Lower Rack Tines: The fold-down tines in the lower rack make it easier to load extra-large or hard-to-fit items such as serving bowls, casseroles and roasters
- Advanced Wash Programs: Equipped with 5 wash programs and a Smart Wash system, our dishwashers provide versatility for all your cleaning needs. Choose from Heavy, Normal, Delicate, Quick and Rinse
- Energy Star Certified: With soil sensors, 3-layer filtration, efficient spray arms, and more, our built-in dishwashers help reduce energy and water consumption while improving performance
- UltraWash: Uses 2 pressurized spray arms to blast off stuck-on foods so you don't have to soak, scrub or scrape. Dishes are cleaned via filtered clean water, with the 3-stage UltraWash Filter which captures particles as small as a grain of fine sand and drains them away - for a sparkling clean every time. The filter removes easily for monthly cleaning
- SmartWash Adjusts to the Mess: Sensor technology detects soil levels and automatically adjusts the water temperature, pressure, and cycle time. A dishwasher that gives the best clean for every load
- Spacious Interior with Flexible Rack Design: Easily fit up to 12 place settings with a roomy interior built for convenience. The MoreSpace Adjustable Upper Rack offers two height levels and can be lifted, lowered, or removed entirely to make room for large or awkwardly shaped items - giving you the flexibility to customize your wash space
- Sani Rinse and Heated Dry Options: This ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher has a UL-certified Sani Rinse option for seriously clean dishes. The Heated Dry Option provides quick water evaporation for sparkling dry dishes
- Conversation Level Quiet: With a 54 dBA sound level, this dishwasher will fade into the background so you can sing along to your favorite song without interruption
- 3 Stage Ultra Wash Filter: The 3-stage UltraWash Filter captures particles as small as a grain of fine sand and drains them away, so they can’t redeposit on dishes - for a sparkling clean every time. The filter removes easily for monthly cleaning
- SmartWash Adjusts to the Mess: Sensor technology detects soil levels and automatically adjusts the water temperature, pressure, and cycle time. Leak detection prevents damage before it starts
- SmartDry Technology: SmartDry drying selects the best drying cycle and adjusts for optimized drying performance. Hot water forces condensation onto the stainless tub, and down the drain
- Roomy Interior & Adjustable, Removable Rack: Fit up to 14 place settings or just a few items using the Half Load option. The MoreSpace Adjustable Upper Rack raises, lowers, or removes entirely to make room for pots, tall items, or delicate stemware
- Sani Rinse Option: This ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher has a UL-certified Sani Rinse option for seriously clean dishes
- Slimline Design with Large Capacity : The Midea built-in dishwasher boasts a slim body that takes up minimal space and is easy to fit. It features a digital control panel with an LED display and has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate larger plates, pots, and pans up to 11 inches in height.
- 8 Place Settings Dishwasher : With dimensions of 22.6D x 17.6W x 32.4H with adjustable legs, this under sink dishwasher provides a spacious and flexible interior for maximum dishware loading.
- 6 programs+3 functions : The 18-inch dishwasher offers six programs, including Heavy, Normal, ECO, Delicate, Quick, and Rinse washing programs. It also features Heated Dry, Hi-Temp, and Sanitize functions that meet all your daily needs. Note: ONLY use detergent specially for dishwasher because regular liquid dish soap will cause dishwasher problems.
- Heated Dry : Smart dishwasher ensures the best drying performance. The extra drying function offers a thorough drying performance (except for the Rapid and Self-clean cycle) with no additional towel drying required.
- HI TEMP : The HYGIENE wash cycle maintains the water temperature at 136°F (58°C) max , which can tackle even the heaviest soiled dishes. It is also suitable for cleaning baby bottles and children's dinner sets.
- 3 Stage Ultra Wash Filter: The 3-stage UltraWash Filter captures particles as small as a grain of fine sand and drains them away, so they can’t redeposit on dishes - for a sparkling clean every time. The filter removes easily for monthly cleaning
- SmartWash Adjusts to the Mess: Sensor technology detects soil levels and automatically adjusts the water temperature, pressure, and cycle time. Leak detection prevents damage before it starts
- Express Cycle & SmartDry Plus: The Express Cycle in this dish washer model gets a full load of dishes clean in just 50 minutes. SmartDry Plus Drying uses hot water to force condensation down the drain for optimized drying
- Roomy Interior & Adjustable, Removable Rack: Fit up to 14 place settings or just a few items using the Half Load option. The MoreSpace Adjustable Upper Rack raises, lowers, or removes entirely to make room for pots, tall items, or delicate stemware
- Sani Rinse Option: This ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher has a UL-certified Sani Rinse option for seriously clean dishes
- 14 Wash Cycles with Flexible Modes: Offers 8 wash cycles, including Auto, Heavy, Eco, Normal, Express, Rinse, Lightning, and Delicate modes, providing flexibility for everything from heavily soiled pots to delicate glassware.
- Three-Tiered Spray Arms: Equipped with top, upper, and lower spray arms, this dishwasher delivers comprehensive coverage, thoroughly cleaning every dish from all angles.
- Wine Glass Bracket: Designed to securely hold delicate glassware, ensuring wine glasses and other fragile items are spotless and intact after each wash.
- Third Rack: Provides additional space for organizing smaller utensils and kitchen tools, keeping them separate and secure during the wash cycle.
- Interior LED Lighting: Automatically illuminates the tub’s interior when opened, providing clear visibility and added convenience for loading and unloading.
- STAYS IN PLACE: the Gorilla Grip Dishwasher Magnet Clean Dirty Sign is designed to stay firmly in place on all dishwashers; it features a strong magnet that grips magnetic appliances; will not budge as the dishwasher is opened or closed; also includes two adhesive dots that adhere to non magnetic appliances; dots peel off easily
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: disher magnet clean dirty sign is commercial grade and designed to last; rust and scratch resistant so it will stay looking great; also features a plastic casing that makes it water resistant so water cannot permeate through; will not scratch dishwashers
- EASY TO READ: featuring bold large letters that pop, the dishwasher magnet clean dirty sign can be easily read across the kitchen for quick visibility; dishwasher magnet measures 7 by 2 inches, large enough to stand out but small enough to not distract from your kitchen’s beautiful design
- SEAMLESS SLIDE: dishwasher magnet includes an easy to slide finger notch which makes switching from CLEAN to DIRTY easy; will not get stuck or caught in the middle; notch is sturdy enough that it will not move on its own
- NOT JUST FOR THE DISHWASHER: the dishwasher magnet clean dirty sign is a great option for other appliances in your home; great for use on your washing machine so you know if a load of laundry has been switched; beautiful design can be used anywhere
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing Your Black Stainless Steel Dishwasher
Black stainless steel is a sleek, modern finish for kitchen appliances. It looks great and hides fingerprints better than traditional stainless steel. Ready to upgrade your kitchen? Here is what you need to know before buying a black stainless dishwasher.
Key Features to Look For
A good dishwasher does more than just clean dishes. Look for these important features:
1. Cleaning Power and Spray Arms
- Multiple Spray Arms: More spray arms mean water reaches every corner of the tub. Look for three arms (top, middle, bottom) for the best clean.
- Soil Sensors: Smart sensors check how dirty your dishes are. The dishwasher then uses less water and energy for lightly soiled loads.
- High-Temperature Wash Options: These settings sanitize your dishes, killing more germs.
2. Drying Performance
No one likes wet dishes. Look for:
- Heat Dry or Turbo Dry: These systems actively heat the air to dry dishes quickly.
- Condensation Drying: This uses the heat retained by the dishes to evaporate water. It saves energy but might take longer.
3. Noise Level (Decibels – dBA)
Dishwashers run while you are in the kitchen. You want a quiet one.
- Quiet Operation: Anything under 45 dBA is very quiet. 50 dBA is standard. If your kitchen is near your living room, aim for the lower numbers.
4. Tub Material and Racks
The inside matters for longevity and performance.
- Adjustable Racks: Being able to move the middle rack up or down lets you fit tall pots or wine glasses easily.
- Durable Tines: Look for racks with plastic-coated tines that protect your glassware.
Important Materials in Black Stainless Steel
Black stainless steel isn’t just paint. It’s a special coating over real stainless steel.
The Finish Matters
The quality of the black finish determines how long it lasts.
- PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition): This is a very strong coating process. It bonds the black color to the metal at a molecular level. PVD finishes resist scratches and fingerprints better.
- Standard Coated Steel: Some cheaper models use a simpler coating. This type might scratch or chip more easily over time, showing the silver steel underneath.
Tub Material
The inside tub should be stainless steel. Plastic tubs are cheaper, but stainless steel tubs dry dishes better and resist odors.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
These details tell you if the dishwasher is built to last.
Quality Boosters
- Third Rack: An extra shallow rack at the very top is perfect for silverware and small utensils. It frees up space below.
- Soft-Close Door: This feature prevents the door from slamming shut. It adds a touch of luxury and protects the latch mechanism.
- WiFi Connectivity: Some models let you start a cycle or get alerts on your phone.
Quality Reducers (Things to Avoid)
- Exposed Heating Elements: If you can see the metal heating element at the bottom, plastics might melt, and it can sometimes scorch plastic dishes placed too close.
- Vague Noise Ratings: If a manufacturer does not list the dBA rating, they might be hiding a loud machine.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how your family uses the dishwasher.
For Busy Families
If you run the dishwasher daily, prioritize speed and capacity. Look for a “Quick Wash” cycle that cleans in under an hour. A large third rack helps you load silverware fast.
For Open Concept Living
If your kitchen opens into your dining or living area, quietness is your top priority. Choose a model marked “Whisper Quiet” (under 44 dBA).
Maintenance
Black stainless steel generally cleans up easily with just a microfiber cloth and water. Avoid harsh abrasive cleaners, as these can damage the special finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Black Stainless Dishwashers
Q: Does black stainless steel show fingerprints more than regular stainless steel?
A: No. The main reason people buy black stainless steel is that it resists fingerprints and smudges much better than traditional shiny stainless steel.
Q: How do I clean my black stainless steel dishwasher?
A: Use a soft, damp cloth and mild dish soap or a specialized stainless steel cleaner. Always wipe in the direction of the grain of the finish.
Q: Is black stainless steel more expensive than regular stainless steel?
A: Usually, yes. The special finishing process adds a bit to the price, but prices are becoming very close now.
Q: Will the black finish chip off if I scrub it hard?
A: A high-quality finish (like PVD) is very durable. However, using steel wool or very harsh scrubbing pads can damage any appliance finish over time.
Q: Are black stainless dishwashers energy efficient?
A: Energy efficiency depends on the model’s Energy Star rating, not the color. Look for the Energy Star label for the best efficiency.
Q: What is the best drying method to choose?
A: If you use plastics often, choose a model with a dedicated heating element (Heat Dry). If you mostly wash glass and ceramic, condensation drying is fine and saves energy.
Q: Can I mix black stainless steel with regular stainless steel appliances?
A: Yes, you can. Many brands make appliances in both finishes. Black stainless often acts as a neutral, modern color that pairs well with other finishes.
Q: What is the standard size for a dishwasher?
A: Most dishwashers are 24 inches wide. Make sure you measure your cabinet opening before you buy!
Q: Are the interior racks also black?
A: Usually, the interior racks are gray or black plastic coating, regardless of the exterior finish.
Q: How long should a good dishwasher last?
A: A well-maintained, good-quality dishwasher should last between 10 and 15 years.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!