We're an incredibly active family of five. It's not uncommon for my kids to make food and leave the remains to dry in their bowl. I have put some of the craziest things in there without any pre-wash at all and it comes out sparkling clean!!  we even celebrated Thanksgiving, and left a bunch of dishes to see if it would clean them the next day. It did like they were brand new.  Cleaning the filter is incredibly easy, move the lower washer spray, pull it up, clean it put it back so simple. Adding salt to create soft water, we live in Arizona, was beyond easy as well.  I have zero complaints out of the gate this thing has been nothing but a lifesaver.  Love it!