Selecting a dishwasher can be an incredibly daunting task, whether it's for your home or business use. Fortunately, the Whirlpool Gold WDT720PADM dishwasher makes that decision a lot easier for you.
Are you looking for a dishwasher that will clean your dishes the first time around? One that will handle silverware without leaving pieces of last night's dinner all over it? One that will fit into your small kitchen?
This Whirlpool is a relatively inexpensive dishwasher that stands up to many higher-end machines. Owners of the WDT720PADM love that it runs relatively quietly and does an excellent job for the money.
They either hate or mildly dislike its drying feature. Yet mostly they enjoy that their dishwasher does what it's supposed to: clean dishes with minimal hassle.
This Whirlpool model doesn't seek to impress with an extensive list of features, but the essentials are there. It's also remarkably cheap for what it is -- a sleek-looking machine that will do a tedious and mundane chore for you.
Looking for other options from the Whirlpool dishwasher line? Then check out review of the best Whirlpool dishwashers.
Design and Features of the Whirlpool WDT720PADM
Whirlpool WDT720PADM | PRICE: $$ |
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Key Features:
- Cycle Memory
- Soil Sensor
- In-Door Silverware Basket
- No One Has Fewer Repairs 20 Years in a Row
The WDT720PADM's interior is entirely plastic. It features an adjustable upper rack and tines. These make your job of jigsawing all your dirty dishes inside much more manageable.
The unit measures 24 inches wide, and 33 inches tall, as well as 25-inches deep. The exterior of this built-in dishwasher is stainless steel, which makes it easy to keep clean.
Pros
Cons
Who doesn't hate dealing with silverware?
Convenience is key
The Performance of the WDT720PADM Dishwasher
While the WDT720PADM does a decent job of cleaning caked-on food from silverware, it doesn't exactly handle dishes as well as one would hope based on customer reviews.
Many customers report issues with redeposit (another term for when washed-off pieces of food appear on otherwise clean dishes). This issue occurs most often on the normal cycle. Yet redeposit still occurs on heavy cycle.
Also, some food stains may be left behind after some washes. You might find yourself rinsing part of your load in the sink or scraping dishes and pans before you load them into the WDT720PADM.
The 1-Hour Wash feature allows you to give your dishes a quick rinse, but performance is noticeably worse than Normal.
This mode is best for cleaning up right after lunch rather than for anything that has been sitting out.
Image from Whirlpool website
It's not the quietest machine, but it also doesn't sound like a construction site just popped up in your kitchen either.
At 51 decibels, it makes you aware that it is doing its job. It's louder than average, but it's not going to ruin family movie night.
Benefits and Drawbacks of WDT720PADM
The cost is hard to argue. From what we have gathered, you can pick one up from Sears Outlet for an affordable price.
Elsewhere, you can find it for a premium price. This Whirlpool dishwasher will do a fantastic job for the price. As previously mentioned, the versatile cutlery tray and silverware spray are huge perks.
The WDT720PADM is an excellent midrange machine. While it doesn't have a lot of "extras," it does what it does exactly as well as you would expect it to for the price tag.
It's also designed, engineered, and assembled in the USA.
As was mentioned, the cutlery tray is very accommodating as it allows dealing with your forks, knives, sporks, and spoons with minimal hassle.
The sprayer dedicated to your silverware is also nice because rewashing all of it after the dishwasher has already run is a massive pain.
Image from Whirlpool website
Just like some of the models from the Frigidaire dishwasher line, one of the most significant drawbacks of the WDT720PADM is the manual filter. Did we mention it has a manual filter? One that you have to clean regularly?
Many newer dishwashers have removed that unpleasant task from our lives, but this Whirlpool makes sure that you remember the good old days.
The warranty is also disappointing. Whirlpool covers labor, parts, racks, electronics, tub and door liner -- but only for up to one year. After that, you're spending money on parts and repairs.
As was previously mentioned, the drying feature does not work quite as well as you probably would want. In fact, based on reviews, you can reasonably expect it to stop drying dishes at all at some point.
The Verdict
If you don't mind the obvious flaws and are realistic about what to expect for the price, you'll be thrilled with the WDT720PADM.
It isn't feature-packed, it isn't flashy. It sometimes leaves bits of food behind and isn't the best at drying dishes.
But at the same time, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and it does a decent job at everything it does. It isn't overly loud and cleans a good number of dishes at once. It does a great job on your silverware and doesn't suck up your electricity budget.
The drawbacks are not viewed as too big a negative by customers on Whirlpool's website, where almost 90 percent of ratings are four or five stars out of five.
If you don't mind dealing with a little leftover food now and again, lightly scrubbing your dishes before you load the machine, and cleaning a filter occasionally, the WDT720PADM is well worth its weight in gold.
This Whirlpool dishwasher isn't the best. But it's not remotely close to the worst. If you're aware of its quirks, it's a product that will do its job for you and look good doing it. You just might need to help out with the dishes a bit from time to time.
