KoolMore KM-DW1852-PR Dishwasher Review

The front of the door is made to take a custom cabinet panel, so the dishwasher can match the cabinetry around it instead of standing out as an appliance. That is the reason to choose this model over a finished one.

At 32.5 inches tall, it is built for lower or accessible counter heights, and at 17.6 inches wide it slides into a space where a 24-inch unit will not go. The tub and interior are stainless steel rather than plastic, which holds up better over years of hot water and detergent.

The cycle options are Auto, Normal, Heavy, Delicate and Rinse.

Water use per cycle is low and the machine is ENERGY STAR certified and UL certified. The controls are low-profile push-button touch controls, which keep the front clean once the panel is on. Inside there are a bottom rack, a cutlery rack and a top rack, and the whole unit weighs 62 lb, light enough for two people to lift into place.

The cabinet panel is not in the box. The dishwasher arrives panel-ready, and the panel, the handle and the toe kick are yours to supply and fit.

Capacity is 8 place settings, which suits a small kitchen or a household that runs the machine often, not a large family. The noise rating is 52 dB.

Although some listings mention freestanding installation, this is a built-in machine designed to sit under a counter, not to stand alone. The warranty runs 1 year on parts and labor. There is no water softener. It is a residential dishwasher, not a commercial unit.

The 32.5-inch height is the ADA feature and also the fit question. Measure your opening and your counter height before ordering, and confirm the panel dimensions with the seller, since the panel is custom and cut to your kitchen.

Cycle options are Auto, Normal, Heavy, Delicate and Rinse, covering everyday loads, delicate stemware and a pre-wash for a load you are not ready to run.

At 52 dB, the machine sits at a normal background level for a compact dishwasher. You will hear it in an open kitchen, but it will not stop a conversation in the next room. Water use per cycle is low and the machine is ENERGY STAR certified.

Loading is two racks with fold-down tines and a removable cutlery basket. With 8 place settings, the machine will need a second run for larger dinners. The low-profile touch buttons keep the front clean once the cabinet panel is on.

Panel-ready means the front of the door is built to take a custom cabinet panel, so the dishwasher blends into the kitchen instead of reading as an appliance. You supply the cabinet panel, the handle and the toe kick, and none of them come with the machine.

The unit is built in. The unit weighs 62 lb. The electrical requirement is 120 V.