As a reviewer of a selection of table top dishwashers, we often receive emails from visitors to our site asking how they can install (or get installed) a table top dishwasher that sits on their countertop?
It’s true that homeowners who don’t have space under their counter for a full-sized dishwasher might choose to get a countertop version.
A compact dishwasher is also useful for people who rent a flat or house and don’t want to buy and get a full-size model installed.
Full-size dishwashers are not portable and the plumbing is a pain to get done, making a countertop or table top dishwasher a better option.
But how are they installed on the table top? This is what this article is all about. We hope you find it useful.
Table of Contents
Not Every Model is Installed the Same Way
There are some consistencies in how a table top dishwasher is installed but also some exceptions or variations too.
For instance, some dishwashers for a counter will come with the inlet hose and drain hose complete with fittings to attach them the sink’s tap or nozzle. With some brands, it’ll be necessary to purchase some of those ¾-inch fittings separately.
The good news though is by being methodical and prepared, virtually anyone can install a table top dishwasher on their own.
That’s even truer if they only wish to set it up temporarily because they know they’ll be relocating to a new rental at a later date and don’t wish it to be semi-permanently plumbed in.
Installation Positions for a Table Top Dishwasher
As the name suggests, smaller dishwashers for the countertop or table top are expected to be installed on the kitchen counter. However, there are more options than just that.
Bear in mind that you want the dishwasher to be easily accessible. So it can be at or near foot level like with a full-sized model.
That way, you can open its door and slide out the tray or trays easily to access them. Being at or near waist height makes that process much easier on the waist and back though!
From the requirements perspective, a table top dishwasher must be accessible to a power supply, a freshwater supply to deliver H2O as needed through the inlet hose and have a place to feed the waste hose out to.
To run the machine, freshwater comes in and periodically some of it is expelled, so the setup must be suitable for this ongoing requirement for several hours (depending on the washer cycle time).
Can a Table Top Dishwasher Be Installed Inside a Kitchen Cabinet?
The short answer is yes.
Now, remember, you’ll still need a way to access the power socket and to feed water to the dishwasher through the inlet hose and to funnel dirty water out through the waste hose too.
Therefore, any installation inside a kitchen cabinet must factor in how the electrical cable and both hoses will enter/exit the cabinet itself.
Will the kitchen cabinet’s door be left permanently open (or removed) to facilitate access? Could you drill several holes into the side of the cabinet to let the hoses feed through?
Also, consider at what height the dishwasher’s door will open and the tray gets pulled out? If it’s installed in a cabinet that’s too high to be practical, then the kitchen cabinet installation might not be desirable!
In which case, simply placing the dishwasher on the countertop or table top as it was designed to do is going to be best.
Semi-permanent Plumbing vs. Temporary Installation Setup?
Regardless of whether you choose to purchase a countertop dishwasher or a freestanding one to sit next to the washer/dryer, there’s the question of how to plumb in a dishwasher
Should it be semi-permanent or a temporary setup?
Semi-permanent plumbing Steps
When we refer to semi-permanent plumbing, it’s helpful to talk about a washer/dryer as a comparison.
With a washer/dryer, this needs water coming in and exiting as wastewater.
Given that the unit is usually fixed in one place, semi-permanent plumbing is set up to provide a fixed water feed specifically to that unit in the home. And, also, somewhere for the wastewater to exit the washer/dryer and be transferred outside the property, eventually reaching to the drainage system.
A similar setup can be plumbed in to install a table top dishwasher too. This would mean not using a sink’s tap as a water supply area or using one side of a sink as a place for the waste hose to go either.
For homeowners wanting the convenience of a dishwasher but not feeling the need for a larger model, there’s still a good argument for getting one fully plumbed in.
It means there’s no need to access the sink area at all (which temporary installations almost always do). They can just turn the machine on, set the cycle, add a detergent tablet inside and then leave it to do its thing.
With a temporary installation, it’s quite different. We cover this next…
Temporary plumbing installation Steps
A temporary plumbing installation varies a little depending on the equipment.
Using the example of a popular model, the Klarstein Amazonia 6 Dishwasher, the safety supply hose is stored at the rear of the unit. This is removed and then one end is used via a ¾-inch connection to the sink’s tap.
Sometimes, it’s necessary to remove the tap’s aerator (the bit at the end where the water comes out) and replace it with a compatible one that matches the ¾-inch connection.
If you don’t have something suitable already, taking the inlet hose down to a local DIY shop, they can help to select an aerator to replace the current one.
Then the inlet hose can fit onto the sink’s tap whenever you like and disconnected just as quickly too.
Should water leaks occur, you can use a suitably sized rubber O-ring to seal everything up securely.
Once the water inlet hose can be connected/disconnected to the sink’s tap, then the other end is connected at the back of the dishwasher.
For the waste hose with temporary installations, this is usually positioned over the left sink (on a double or dual sink) let to let wastewater flow into the sink during operations.
The hose can be removed from the sink once the dishwashing cycle has completed.
In terms of portability, there’s no special plumbing required to fit and use a table top dishwasher. Yes, the aerator on the sink’s tap may need to be changed to make it compatible with the usual ¾-inch connector to hook up the inlet hose to the water supply.
However, these are easy to purchase online or at a local shop should that be needed. The dishwasher isn’t that heavy and both the inlet and waste hoses pack away when relocating.
There’s no need for a plumber to be called or to make the dishwasher a semi-permanent installation if you don’t wish. That’s the beauty of owning a table top dishwasher in the first place.
Keep your installation manual close
Table top dishwashers come in different shapes, sizes, and heights, and their installation methods can vary as well.
Some models have hoses that are detached from the dishwasher, while others offer different options for connecting the water inlet to the tap.
If you find that general installation instructions are not sufficient for your specific model, you may need to do some additional research in the form of your specific manual to ensure that you install your countertop dishwasher correctly.
Table top Dishwashers that don’t need plumbing
here are two examples of table top dishwashers that don’t require plumbing in:
#1 – Cookology Mini Table Top Dishwasher
This dishwasher has a compact design that makes it perfect for small kitchens or apartments. It has a 6 place setting capacity, which is ideal for couples or small families.
The dishwasher features 6 wash programs, including a rapid wash program that cleans dishes in just 30 minutes. It also has an energy efficiency rating of A+, which means it’s cost-effective to run.
The dishwasher is easy to use, with simple controls and a clear LED display. It also has a delay start function, which allows you to set the dishwasher to start at a time that’s convenient for you.
#2 – The Karlxtom Table Top Dishwasher
The Karlxtom Table Top Dishwasher is a compact and efficient dishwasher that’s perfect for small families or couples. It has a 6 place setting capacity, which is ideal for those who don’t have a lot of dishes to wash.
The dishwasher features 6 wash programs, including a baby care program that’s designed to clean and sanitize baby bottles and pacifiers. It also has a fruit and vegetable wash program that’s perfect for cleaning produce.
One of the standout features of this dishwasher is its touch control panel, which makes it easy to select the wash program and adjust the settings.
The dishwasher also has an auto-drying function, which means you don’t have to dry your dishes manually after the wash cycle is complete.
Additionally, the dishwasher has a low noise level of 49 decibels, which means it won’t disrupt your daily routine.
How do you load a table top dishwasher
When it comes to loading a table top dishwasher, the process is similar to loading a full-size dishwasher.
First, make sure to scrape off any excess food from your dishes and rinse them before placing them in the dishwasher. Then, load the larger items, such as plates and bowls, into the bottom rack of the dishwasher.
Make sure that the items are facing towards the center of the dishwasher, and avoid overcrowding the rack to ensure that water can circulate freely.
Are there items that don’t go in table top dishwashers
Yes, there are certain items that should not be put in a table top dishwasher:
- Large pots and pans: Table top dishwashers have limited space and are not designed to accommodate large pots and pans. These items should be washed by hand.
- Cast iron cookware: Table top dishwashers use high temperatures and harsh detergents that can strip the seasoning from cast iron cookware. It’s best to wash these items by hand.
- Delicate glassware: Some delicate glassware, such as crystal, may not be dishwasher safe. Check the manufacturer’s instructions before placing these items in the dishwasher.
Founder of homeappliancegeek.com, avid cook, and lover of Asian food.
Signature dishes include Thai Red Curry, Chicken Saag, Bibimbap and Sushi.
Massive clean freak; a habit baked-in after spending 9 years in the catering industry.
The one appliance he couldn’t live without? Easily the dishwasher (total relationship saver!).
This article is the closest thing I’ve found on the internet to help me with my problem. I have a countertop dishwasher and I currently have a dedicated hot water line to it so I don’t need to hook up my faucet each time. The problem is, the line doesn’t look nice, I’m running it through the sink using one of those kitchen sprayer fixtures.
I am looking for some type of sink hole cover that I can run both my hot water line and my waste line through to get to my disposal. Does such a cover exist? If not, are there any ideas how to run these two lines under my sink? Thank you!
I am wondering the same thing, I am hoping I can run both the waste pip and water pipe down so I can use the y pipe under the sink but can 2 waste pipes fit in the same place?
I have a space for a slimline dishwasher but I may not be able to use it. I have just had an air source heat pump installed and the pipes run behind this space, so that the dishwasher will stick out. However I know that some models, Indesit for example, have a cut away section at the back which may help. I apparently need around 14ish cm to clear the ASHP pipes, and the Indesit cutaway is 12.1 cm but this can possibly be adjusted with the feet. Failing that, I will need to get a table top but I want to put it into the space for the slimline and sit it on a shelf. But I want to have it plumbed in as the slimline would have been.