Enjoy New Convenience Washing action of dishwashers has greatly improved in recent years. So has the method for disposing of food particles. A number of manufacturers include a soft food disposer as part of the drain system. With soft food disposers, it is unnecessary to remove anything from the dishes except hard waste such as bones and large lettuce leaves. The soft food disposer very adequately removes the rest with no help from you.
Some models have a filter in the bottom.
If so, it should be self-cleaning. For a few extra dollars you can get a cutting board top for your dishwasher, giving you as much as four square feet of board. For more information on buying a new dishwasher, contact your local county Extension office.