Product review (3 stars): You get what you pay for
We purchased this dishwasher almost two months ago. It worked pretty good and even cleaned the non-stick skillets, something our 20yr-old dishwasher did not do. But then recently Cascade changed the detergent formula, and now the non-stick surfaces do not come clean any more - until I switched to 'Finish'. Just as well though, as I think it was ruining the aluminum. The soak cycle is really handy for extremely dry baked-on foods, I use it with detergent, too bad there's no timer to stop it; another soap dish and the option to continue to the full pots cycle would be nice, but hey this is not an upscale washer, you get what you pay for. I really like the new in-the-door utensil tray, we kept our old tray to use in the rack just in case, but never did that. Using the utensil slots in the hinging plastic overlay means you can put more utensils in less space and they still come clean. Be aware long utensils like knives and large spoons will block the soap dish hinged-cover, so don't put those there! If you need more utensil space then you probably have run out of utensils to use, and have more than the average family. The wash cycle is 2 hrs so don't put wood things or wood handled utensils in there. Wash them by hand.

We have had a couple of times when (some of) the dishes didn't get clean, but that was when I really jammed them in there (overloaded). Also, even though the top rack has that little dinky sprayer above, when you put large items on the top rack horizontally the top is left with food particles on it, so don't do that. This dishwasher does not clean baking pans well in the corners of the pans (for baked-on tough spots), even if you leave several inches clear in the front of said pans. Expect to wash these, and your NON-no-stick skillets, by hand. The noise is average in my opinion, and if you buy a stainless steel model it would be worse. I like the controls, easy to use and smart - you can open in the middle of cycle without a hitch. I do wish it did not default to heated dry, but that just means I push one more button every time I start the cycle, and if I forget I can change it mid-cycle. Also I wish it had a heated-rinse option in the "light" cycle. You get what you pay for, and this is a budget model. If I were better off, I would've bought a Bosch or Miele. IMO all Sears/Whirlpool/Kenmore/Frigidare are the same, GE is no better, just cheap appliances, but I can't afford better. Average value.

REVISIT 11/2012: We have had generally a good experience with this dishwasher. 6 months ago we started having problems W/dishes not clean. So I searched YouTube, found exactly one video on disassembling the wash chamber water return area, and found a single twist-tie (normal size) in the water intake vents; the food screen was clean. You wouldn't think that would do it, but it did. It wasn't even across, just lengthwise to the water flow. Well that really underscores how closely engineered this is, just any little thing will reduce it's capability to unsatisfactory. Again, I recommend going with the more expensive brands listed above if you can.

REVISIT 12/4/13: I have been having to put more detergent in the wash cycle after last year. A full heavily-loaded load requires me to fill the reservoir almost completely, or the dishes do not all come clean. We don't have hard water, but don't have a softener either. It takes years for rust stain to build up (it has happened to a slight but now noticeable degree in the washer) and our calcium/lime buildup is minimal too. The manual warns about possible glass 'etching' if too much detergent is used, but I have to fill up the reservoir between the soft water line and the top in order to get all the dishes clean, even W/a less-than-full load (~75%). I tried cleaning the residue using the Clorox then white vinegar method in vain (wash cycle) - no improvement. But otherwise it is still running great.

I forgot to mention, if you hang the silverware basket on the rack*, it is easy to set it there wrong, and it often falls off and dumps the silverware all over the floor. But once you get used to doing it properly, it is not a problem. *The alternative is to either put the silverware basket in the dishes rack - where it takes up precious space - or 'hang' it on the door where the silverware basket is laid down horizontal when the door is open (I don't do that). It was really maddening for the first month or two, now I am fine W/it. It's been cleaning our non-stick skillets great too.