I have always washed my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.  Why you ask?  Because I've never had a dishwasher that fully cleaned my dishes.  I decided to put this dishwasher to the test.  I've put dishes in with dried on food and they come out completely clean!!!  No left on, dried on food!!!!  What a difference it has made in the time I spend doing dishes.  As a mom and family of 5, I am beyond thrilled with our purchase!