Product review (2 stars): Missing my old Kenmore
I bought the new Bosch Ascenta because it was highly rated by Consumer Reports for performance and reliability, but the lay out of the machine makes me wish I'd bought another model. The control panel is needlessly complicated compared to my old model. One needs to reselect the setting each load. And the rack layout is very frustrating. If I have a casserole dish to wash, it can only go in a place that blocks off the racks for the plates. The owners manual shows various ways of loading (only dishes) that are models of Teutonic order, but where are the casserole dishes? Kids's cereal bowls? Who lives like that? Also, should you have to open the door while it is cycling, you will get a face full of water from the upper jet. Also, the soap dispenser won't lock shut if you get even a small bit of dishwashing powder outside the tray. The springless door is not very user friendly, and the lower dish rack goes clanging off the tracks if you open it more than 3/4 of the way. Bosch designers need to buy a Kenmore and take notes.