Costco Members: Bosch 800 Series Stainless Steel Top Control Dishwasher w/ Towel Bar Expired

I'm a little late to the discussion, but I have a lot to say about the Bosch 800 and the Bosch haters out there. But first, regarding Costco:
Costco appliance purchases come with free installation and haul-away, which makes Costco pretty much always the best deal on the appliances they carry. My experience has been excellent. ADVICE: Don't pay for anything extra, just take basic free installation. When they arrive, they will do whatever is needed to set it up, but make sure to watch and ask questions. Costco installed a dryer for me last year. They were polite and efficient and showed me that it was working and stable, then said they were done. I asked "did you hook up the steam?" They said, "oh, you want that feature?", and when I said yes they went out to the truck and got a steam kit (which other dealers charge extra for) and installed it. Then they showed me again that it was working. I asked, "I don't think I saw you level the machine. Aren't you supposed to do that?", and then they got a bubble level and readjusted the legs. Great quality installation and haul-away for free, but you must pay attention.The standard settings for Bosch dishwashers are to optimize for energy efficiency. ADVICE: If you want your Bosch dishwasher to dry like an old American dishwasher, then you can adjust those settings and turn on "Intensive Drying" (and other features, see below).
You can customize a lot of things about your Bosch dishwasher, but don't lose that owner's manual, because it's hopeless otherwise. Here, for example, are the instructions for turning on "Intensive Drying" on my older 800 series: 1) Press the button. 2) Hold down the "A" button (on mine that's the "Normal" button ). Press until the display indicates "d:00". 3) Release both buttons. 4) Press the Normal button again until the display shows "d:00". 5) Press the "C" button (on mine that's the "Rinse" button) to turn intensive drying on or off: "d:01" = ON and "d:00" = OFF. 6) Press to save setting. To be fair, you should only have to customize these things once.ADVICE: I always advise dishwasher shoppers not to buy ANY dishwasher without bringing a set of your own plates and cups to an appliance dealer to see how well they fit. The Bosch was perfect for us, but if you have thick stoneware, for example, you might find that an American dishwasher is the only thing that fits your dishes.It's been 8 years since I bought my Bosch 800 series, but I did figure out at the time that this is how you read Bosch model numbers:


First 3 letters: SHX=bar handle, SHP=Pocket handle, SHE=Recessed handle, SHS=Scoop handle

Next 3 letters: 63T=300 series, 65T=500 series, 68T=800 series, 7PT/8PT/9PT=Benchmark series, N=Exclusive model sold through distributors.

The next 3 letters were a lot more confusing, but the biggest differences are around which cycles are offered. Bosch has a confusing array of cycles and options, ranging from 4 cycles/4 options on the 300 series, up to 6 cycles/6 options on the some 800 series models, but more remarkably the names and types of cycles varied, representing a variety of different combinations from 10 different possible cycles and 8 different possible options (my six cycles aren't the same as your six cycles!).

For the 800 series, the differences were mostly whether the model has a built in water softener, or whether it had the Eco Cycle, or the Extra Shine or SpeedPerfect options. ADVICE: If you don't need the water softener, you could look for a cheaper version, but it could still be hard to beat the Costco price.

Further Explanations:

ECO CYCLE saves energy by running at a lower temperature. Works fine for lightly soiled loads. Doesn't dry as well.

EXTRA SHINE OPTION makes the final rinse hotter and extends the drying cycle. This helps make up for the lack of an American-style exposed heating element, but it extends load time and uses more energy.

SPEEDPERFECT speeds things up by heating the water more and using more water. It also uses more energy.
ADVICE: If you keep the SpeedPerfect, ExtraShine, and Sanitize options on, and turn on intensive drying, you'll basically turbocharge your Bosch, but energy efficiency will be out the window.To each his own. Before I had this Bosch, I had TWO top-of-the-line $1,000+ KitchenAids, because I'd been taught that American dishwashers dried better, and that KitchenAid was the best. Neither lasted terribly long, and worse still: The racks literally melted and fell apart over time. Before that, I had a GE that lasted maybe 6 years. I went through 3 dishwashers but at least 4 or 5 sets of racks before switching to Bosch. My Bosch 800 is now 8 years old and every component is like new. I have minor usability beefs about it, but it's honestly the only dishwasher I've ever loved.

PS at the time I purchased mine, I concluded that the guts of the 500 and 800 series were identical. I went with the 800 series mainly because the mechanical buttons on the 500 series looked like they would be more fragile, and more prone to fading and looking like crap after a number of years. But unless things have changed, the 500 is the value sweet spot.

I have the 800. Without the rinse solution, it essentially doesn't dry a damn thing.

I know I'll get a lot of hate for this, but I despise my Bosch 800. I wish I never bought it.

It doesn't dry unless you spend additional money on other products, which is absurd.
The dish drawers have everything spaced waaaay to close together. So it's really freaking hard to fit things in it. Like, if your plates anything other than super flat, you're going to have issues. Deep bowls do not fit in this dishwasher at all. Period.
I have to dry all my dishes when it's done washing, because I refuse to buy additional products for a premium product, and the auto air does nothing.
Since all the plates are together so close, it doesn't wash them well. I consistently have to rewash dishes as soon as they come out of the wash (yes, I pre rinse them).

And is it quiet? Not really. It's is definitely quieter than the 20 year old unit it replaced. But I never thought that old unit was loud or distracting to begin with...so the loudness isn't really something to care about. I have old pipes, so I still hear the Bosch taking in water and flushing it around.

All in all, I despise it. If anybody in NJ wants to buy mine from me, please get in touch. I genuinely miss my 2004 KitchenAid that this replaced.

EDIT: forgot to mention that the upper rack, that is meant for cups, has issues holding cups. If it's anything taller than a whisky glass, it will not fit and rub against the top utensil rack.
Basically, any cup over 5 inches or so will not fit and have to be placed on the bottom rack...taking away space from all your plates and bowls (and the bowls won't fit, as mentioned before).

I'm going to disagree with the Crystal Dry downvotes. I own a three year old 800 series with Crystal Dry and it dries better than any Kitchenaid, GE, Whirlpool or Electrolux (DON'T BUY THIS) d/w I've ever owned. I use Cascade Platinum packs and refill the JetDry whenever the light comes on. I also run the hot water at my sink for about twenty seconds before starting the d/w.

Also, I've been selling appliances for 13+ years. You will not go wrong if you purchase the 800 series and do what I do. I've also had nobody complain about the AutoAir on the 500 series. Both are great dishwashers.

Also ALSO, ALL dishwashers will take 2+ hours per cycle on the Auto cycle. If you use the one hour cycle, there is no drying and they will be loud.

These are both at really good prices. If you've been tempted and are a Costco member, pull the trigger.