Freestanding Dishwasher Installation (Can A Freestanding Dishwasher Go Under A Bench?)

Are you considering installing a freestanding dishwasher under a bench in your kitchen? Discover the critical information you need to know.

Learn the potential challenges and considerations when installing a freestanding dishwasher under a bench.

Yes, a freestanding dishwasher can be installed under a bench, but certain factors must be considered.

Read further to understand the requirements, potential limitations, and tips for a successful freestanding dishwasher installation under a bench.

How Do You Install an Under-Bench Dishwasher?

When you want to buy a new dishwasher and know nothing about dishwashers, with the many available dishwashers on the market, you might buy the wrong dishwasher for your home.

For starters, different dishwashers need different installations. For example, some dishwashers are freestanding. Others are integrated, while others are under the bench.

Each dishwasher has unique features that differentiate them. For example, installing a freestanding dishwasher under the bench is more complicated. Due to that reason, some manufacturers have designed amazing dishwashers ideal for under the bench. 

You will first need to know the size of your dishwasher and measure if the space under the bench is ideal for installation.

• Switch off the water supply line and electricity for installation. 
• A dishwasher comes with a connected supply hose and a drain hose. You will also find the power cord cables in the box on the front. 
• Connect the electrical cord to the junction box at the back of the dishwasher. If you are hardwiring the dishwasher, you can connect at that point.
• Under the kitchen sink, you will find a pump where you can connect the drain hose. Ensure you follow the correct procedure to install the drain hose to your sink drain. 
• Connect the supply line to the water supply line under the sink. 
• Check if all the connections are secure. You can use Teflon tape to secure the joints. 
• Push the dishwasher to the wall to hide the connections. 
• Level the dishwasher and test if the dishwasher is working efficiently.

Although installing an under-bench dishwasher is not complicated, you might be forced to make some adjustments in your kitchen that are too complicated for you. 

For example, National Electrical Codes (NEC) require appliances with over 15 Amps to be connected to GFCI and AFCI devices. Since dishwashers are high-voltage appliances, there is an increased risk of home fires. 

Installing this circuit breaker device is quite complicated. One misstep during installation might cause enormous problems for you. Therefore, ensure your electrician follows NEC guidelines when adding a new outlet to your home circuit. 

Remember, an under-bench dishwasher is not the same as an integrated dishwasher. 

Can You Integrate a Freestanding Dishwasher?

You can integrate a freestanding dishwasher into your kitchen. However, you might be required to remove the kitchen top and the cabinet door. 

A freestanding dishwasher comes with its door and complete sides. However, integrate a freestanding dishwasher below the kitchen cabinet since freestanding dishwashers are larger. 

Can a Freestanding Dishwasher Be Installed Under the Bench?

Yes. You can install a freestanding dishwasher under a bar, provided you are willing to get rid of the working space of the kitchen. 

A freestanding dishwasher has a door that might pose a problem. The space under the bench might not accommodate the cabinet and dishwasher’s doors. 

If your kitchen space is tiny, a freestanding dishwasher might consume too much space, causing your kitchen congestion. In addition, the protruding door might cause accidents. 

However, if your dishwasher is the same size as most bench dishwashers, it would perfectly fit under the bench. 

Consider an under-bench dishwasher instead of a freestanding dishwasher to reduce the struggles of fitting a freestanding dishwasher under the bench.

Freestanding Dishwasher Installation

Installing a freestanding dishwasher is straightforward.

• Find a suitable space to place your dishwasher. Freestanding dishwashers are ideally placed next to a sink. 
• A Freestanding dishwasher comes with a connected supply and drains hose. 
• Connect the drain hose to your sink drain and the supply hose to the water supply. 
• You can then plug in the electrical cord to the power source outlet. Also, make sure to have the recommended height for the outlet.
• If you want to hardwire your dishwasher, you might be forced to hire a qualified electrician.

A dishwasher needs several circuit interrupters to prevent fire outbreaks. First, you should install GFCI and AFCI devices on your power outlet. This device protects your dishwasher from ground and arc faults, which might cause a fire.

• Push the dishwasher to the wall and open the water supply line to feed the dishwasher. 
• Test if the dishwasher is working effectively and note any issues.

Ensure the power outlet has a GFCI and AFCI protector. These are devices that protect your dishwasher and your home.

Can a Built-in Dishwasher Be Freestanding?

Built–in dishwashers are also known as integrated dishwashers. Integrated dishwashers do not have a top, side and door. Instead, they are installed between the cabinets, making them look like part of the kitchen. 

On the other hand, Freestanding dishwashers have both sides and the top. When installing a freestanding dishwasher below the cabinets, you must cut the top and remove the cabinet door. Since the doors are huge, the dishwasher door might protrude from under the cabinets. 

A freestanding dishwasher can also be installed anywhere there is space in the kitchen. On the other hand, an integrated dishwasher can only be installed between the cabinets. 

An integrated dishwasher makes your kitchen look complete and tidy compared to a freestanding dishwasher. However, unless you connect all the hoses and cables in a freestanding dishwasher, all the connections are visible, which increases the chances of accidents.

What is the Difference Between Freestanding and Under Bench Dishwashers?

An under-bench dishwasher does not differ too much from a freestanding dishwasher. However, one is designed to be placed below the bench, while the other can be installed anywhere in your kitchen. 

An under-the-bench dishwasher has all the parts that a freestanding dishwasher has. However, they are tiny enough to fit under the bench. Installation is also similar. 

On the other hand, a freestanding dishwasher cannot fit from under the bench. You might be forced to remove the top part of the kitchen cabinet. This might not be possible for rental apartments. 

Even if the under-the-bench dishwasher has a door, a cabinet door can also be installed. A freestanding dishwasher will inhibit the use of another door. The dishwasher is bulk on its own.

Can Bosch Freestanding Dishwasher be Installed Under the Bench?

Yes. Following the correct procedure, you can install Bosch freestanding dishwasher under the bench. Although the dishwasher can fit between the bench, height might be problematic. 

Bosch freestanding dishwasher is large enough to inhibit it from fitting from below the bench. As a result, you might be required to remove the kitchen top to hold the dishwasher. 

Installing dishwashers in proximity to the sink will be beneficial to your dishwasher. It would help if you connected the water supply, the drain hose, and a power outlet, usually located below the bench. 

If the only space available is below the bench, you might be forced to cut the top part out to fit the dishwasher. Do not make adjustments in someone’s kitchen if you live in rental apartments. 

Conclusion

Knowing the dishwasher type that fits in your kitchen will reduce installation struggles. 

A freestanding dishwasher can be installed anywhere in the kitchen, near the kitchen sink. However, due to its height, this dishwasher cannot fit under the bench or the sink. If you install a freestanding under the bench, you might be forced to remove the kitchen top. 

Integrated dishwashers are installed between the cabinets, making it look like part of the kitchen. In addition, an integrated dishwasher door is connected to the cabinets. The control panel is placed on top of the door. 

The under-bench dishwasher has all the same parts as a freestanding dishwasher but is not too tall. These dishwashers are designed to fit under the kitchen cabinets. 

James Miller

James is an organic fertilizer professional who owns a successful organic fertilizer company in new jersey. He is an expert in waste management in both houses and community cases. In his free time, he loves to write about his experiences in the field.