Product review (5 stars):  DOES THE JOB
Whisper quiet, sparkling dishes, VERY energy efficient--what else could you want?

(As a cynical geezer, I usually equate "energy efficient" with "crappy performance", just as "diet", "low calorie", "low fat" and "organic" are just empty words to convince naive buyers to pay more for lower quality foods.  But that doesn't apply in this case.  The Bosch is both energy efficient and works very well).

HOW WELL DOES IT WORK?
> Can it clean fine china and crystal without damage?  Absolutely.
> Even though I usually load the Bosch to it's maximum capacity, I use the "normal" cycle, without "sanitize" (hotter water), with the normal Powertabs (not the super detergent tablets), and without a rinse agent---the next-to-lightest wash combination available, and my dishes are always perfectly clean and sparkling.  But, I don't load the dishwater with filthy dishes.  I let dishes with baked-on or dried-on food soak a while in the sink before loading in the dishwasher.  If soaking hasn't sufficiently loosened baked-on or dried-on food, I often give dishes or pots a "quick-and-dirty" "wipe" with a copper scrub-pad, and let the dishwasher finish the job.
> With the heavy duty cycle, very hot water (the "santitize" option on the Bosch), and harsh detergents ANY dishwasher can clean ANYTHING.  But there's a good chance that this strategy (with any dishwasher) will etch and dull your glassware and china.

HOW QUIET IS IT?
Barely noticeable over normal ambient house sounds, even standing next to the dishwasher.  A red light, projected onto the floor on the right side of the dishwasher is often the only way you know that the dishwasher is operating.

SIZE AND CAPACITY
> Fits in standard 24" wide x 34" tall x 24" deep opening (with perhaps 2" unused depth, which can matter if you have an electrical box or pipe on the back wall).
> Although this is the standard size (the same size inside as my old Kenmore), a Kitchenaide model I saw was cavernous in comparion (but will take up every inch of the standard 2' depth, and the handle will stick out by 3" more).  If you have a big family (and a full 24" deep hole), look at the Kitchenaide.
> For our family of just two adults, the Bosch is perfect.

DESIGN
> Controls (and the limited display) are on the top edged of the door, so you can't see where the washer is in its cycle when its working.  I liked the dial on my old Kenmore (Whirlpool), in part because I knew what the dishwaster was doing.
> While you can add a delay to any of the cycles, this is an extra step (compared to the dial on my old Kenmore).
> The buttons are buttons (as opposed the the membrane "buttons" on some other brands).  While the membrane buttons on my Kitchenaide stove work well, I have more confidence in physical buttons.
> The flush handle makes a significant difference of 3" more space in my tiny galley-type kitchen.
> The door just pushes closed and pulls open---there is no locking latch, but you do feel it catch in the "fully closed" position.  While that works fine, I'd hesitate to install the dishwaster in an RV.
> Has easy-to-clean screens, but as of 6 months, I've never needed to clean a screen.

BASKETS
> As a generalization, the baskets on my old Kenmore were "generic"---basically just a grid of vertical tines---which you could load almost at random.  In contrast, the Bosch baskets are "complex" with rows of tines of different spacings and heights, and the bottom even has "waves" or "ridges" (which turn out to be useful).  It takes perhaps 2 weeks of practice to learn how to best load the Bosch with your dishes--but once you learn, you will be astonished at how well the baskets are designed.  Both the old Kenmore and the Bosch have 1 "fold-down" row of tines in each basket, hypothetically for pots or big bowls.  However, my experience with the Kenmore is that the pots rarely fitted well, even with the folded-down rows.  With the Bosch (unlike my old Kenmore) you can securely place pots and large bowls face-down on the short sections of tines (with or without folding down a row).
> Bottom Basket, back row:  The Bosch has a back row for large plates and platters, which is really the only place they fit--but that also takes up the only good location for large rectangular casserole dishes.  Fortunately, if you put the casserole in first, you can still load the row with dishes.
> Bottom Basket, front rows:  There are two additional rows (perpendicular with the back row) with shorter tines for small plates and saucers, but oddly, I find this section to be perfect for cereal bowls, large round casserole dishes; even pots up to several inches deep can be loaded on their sides.
> The silverware basket is completely closable with two doors, but that means that your choice is all open, half-open, or all closed. I have found no reason to close them. The "weave" of the silverware baskets of the Bosch is tighter than those of my Kenmore, so spoons and forks with narrow handles don't stick through the bottom.  Various compartments are of various depths.
> Top Basket.  The height is easily adjustable.  There are three basic patterns of tine spacing and height.

CYCLES AND OPTIONS
> Operation is simple, you have only the choice of four cycles "Normal", "Auto", "Heavy", and "Half-Load".
> "Half-load" would be better labeled "Light", and is suitable even if the dishwasher is loaded to capacity with relatively clean dishes--such as glasses--which just need a light wash and rinse.
> "Auto" monitors the rinse water and keeps washing until it decides that the dishes are clean. I've seen no difference between "normal" and "auto"---in both cases the washed dishes are spotless.
> The installer warned me "It works better with dirty dishes".  I'm still trying to figure that out, but I suspect that he meant that the "auto-detect" cycle cuts out too early if it never detects dirty water.  So, if you ordinarily load the dishwasher with fairly-clean dishes, mostly to clean them of finger prints, oils, and very thin films of food, then perhaps the "normal" or "half-load" cycles are preferable to the "auto" cycle.
> You can also add "delayed start" and/or the "sanitize" option to any of the 4 cycles.
> "Sanitize" heats the incoming water to a higher temperature. If any member of your family has a cold (or any other infectious disease), the sanitize option is probably a good ides.

OPERATION
> The washer must be "on" in order to choose a wash cycle or other options. There are two distinct closed door positions "closed" and "fully closed"---the door isn't "fully closed" unless you push it (and you will feel it catch). Visually, it is hard to see any difference.  With the washer "on" the cycle starts when you "fully close" the door.  A red light is projected onto the when the dishwasher is operating.
> When you unload the dishwasher (or otherwise open the door the first time after a wash), you have to press the "on/off" button to "off", OR you simply have to remember not to push the door into the "fully closed" position---otherwise a new wash cycle will begin if you "fully close" the door.  I'm a forgetful old geezer, but never accidentally "fully closed" the door.

THE BEEP
A beep will sound when the cycle is complete, and keep sounding at intervals until you turn the washer off.  However you can disable (or adjust the loudness of) the "beep".  It is easy but the instructions are awful.  With the power off, press and hold the "normal" button, then press and hold the "on/off" button, then press the "normal" button one to several times until it no longer beeps (the display will read "0"), or the beep is the loudness you want.  Release the "normal" button, then release the "on/off" button.

DRYING
> The Bosch does not have heater coils for drying the dishes, it depends on the heat held by the dishes to dry them.  It takes longer, but saves much electricity, and works great for glass and porcelain dishes, and metal pots and tableware.  However, my plastic storage containers are wet at the end of the cycle.
> If you want your plastic to be dry you have three options 1) use the "sanitize" option to heat the dishes higher.  2) Use a drying agent in the rinse.  3) Let the wet items air dry, either on your counter top, or by leaving the dishwasher door open after the cycle has finished.
> Note that there is actually a benefit for not "baking" (force-drying) plastic items.  In my old Kenmore, small storage containers or their lids were often flipped over in the wash cycle, and therefore not fully rinsed---with the result that the "bake" cycle "cooked" detergent residue into the plastic.  That won't happen with the Bosch.  I also suspect that it was the "bake" cycle of the Kenmore which made the soft-plastics lids of many of my glass storage containers brittle.

DETERGENT
> Although you have your choice of any dishwasher detergent, even liquid detergents, Bosch recommends Finish tablets---in which case you have two choices&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Finish-Powerball-Tabs-Dishwasher-Detergent-Fresh-Scent-85-Count/dp/B004S0DZ46/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Finish Powerball Tabs Dishwasher Detergent, Fresh Scent, 85-Count</a>&nbsp;which are a fantastic bargain from Amazon at about 11 cents each or the more expensive&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Finish-Quantum-Dishwasher-Detergent-45-Count/dp/B004S0BV06/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent, 45-Count</a>.  I've used only the standard powerballs and my dishes have been spotless.  I suppose it may be worthwhile to have a small container of quantum tablets for really heavy-duty pot washing.  The drawback to either of these tablets is that you can't reduce the detergent used in a light load, or add extra detergent for a heavy load.
> I was at first a little skeptical of the tablets, considering going back to my liquid Cascade when the tablets ran out, but after a few weeks I find the tablets much more convenient.

RINSING AGENT
> There is a special built-in dispenser for liquid rinse agents---with a dial you can adjust the amount of rinse to use.
> Bosch recommends Finish rinsing agent.  Again there are two options, a simple rinsing agent (which works terrifically, even on the lowest setting)&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Finish-Jet-Dry-Rinse-Agent-Liquid-Original-16-Ounces/dp/B004OB3FP8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Finish Jet Dry Rinse Agent Liquid, Original, 16 Ounces</a>&nbsp;or a rinsing and drying agent&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Finish-Jet-Dry-Turbo-Dry-Drying-Agent-13-Ounces-Pack-of-2/dp/B002YD8FQM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Finish Jet Dry Turbo Dry Drying Agent, 13 Ounces (Pack of 2)</a>&nbsp;Note that although both have the word "dry" in the name (and although both promote drying by sheeting action), only the "turbo" is a drying agent.
> Finish Powerballs (both kinds) have a rinsing agent.  So, if you use Powerballs you probably don't need an additional rinse agent---unless you have very hard or otherwise problematic water.
> A little rinsing agent goes a long way---you should only have to fill the reservoir once-a-month to once-every-6-months (depending on the setting you dial into the dispenser).  At the lowest setting, my guess is that a 16 ounce bottle could last several years.

MAINTENANCE/REPAIR
> Other than being about as noisy as a garbage truck, my 20-year old Kenmore was actually working just fine--but the unreplaceable basket was falling apart.  Too late I discovered that an adhesive called "Goop" is great for sealing small rust spots, especially at the base of the tines.&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Amazing-Goop-All-Purpose-Household-Goop-3-7-Ounce-Tube-130012/dp/B0000A605I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Amazing Goop All-Purpose Household Goop, 3.7-Ounce Tube #130012</a>.  Let the Goop dry for at least 24 hrs; 48 hrs if you can.
> If there is wear to the tips of the tines, Goop will seal them and protect your dishes from scratches.  You may also consider installing cushiony plastic tips on the tines---in which case&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/100-Dishwasher-Rack-TINE-caps-WHITE/dp/B001321YA4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">100 Dishwasher Rack TINE caps - (WHITE)</a>.  The Bosch took about 120 tips (or caps).  The first several times you run the dishwasher, you'll find one or two loose caps on the filter screen.  Check to see if any are half-off, if so push them back down.  You can glue them in place (with Goop), or after about a week, they will tighten up on their own.

CAUTION: there is a product called "Uber GOOP" which is optionally sold in kits with rack-tines caps.  I've purchased it (but not used it), and as far as I can tell, it's just enamel paint in a small container.

SUGGESTIONS
> If in particular situations (such as dried-on egg) the dishwasher doesn't clean perfectly, don't blame the dishwasher, instead adjust the way you "pre-process" similarly dirty dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.
> If you must use the heavy duty cycle etc. for filthy pots etc., then wash your china and glassware separately using the "normal" or "auto" cycles.
> If the dishwasher will mostly be loaded by "untrainables" or individuals who "refuse to be bothered" (such as teenagers), then the "auto" cycle is probably the best choice, because that will force the washer to keep washing as long as it detects dirty rinsewater.

> Click on Stoney just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.