Are dishwashers really necessary?

[akmom]

Our home came with a dishwasher and I love it. I average two loads a day, and it does save a lot of time.

It's funny, because when we go camping, of course we don't bring a dishwasher or washing machine or even a toilet. And yet no one complains! I don't know what it is about camping, but suddenly all those things that are "chores" are fun and don't seem like work. The worst accommodations become the best.

 

[peckaboo]

I've never had a dishwasher - don't even know how to operate one! But the houses are smaller in England and most people keep the (clothes) washing machine in the kitchen, so there's often no space for a dishwasher in there too.
Washing dishes was always the kids' job when I was growing up and I ended up really valuing that daily time to chat with my siblings, especially once we were teenagers. Many a heartbreak was talked/prayed out over that sink, and many a prank hatched to play on the parentals

 

[~Anastasia~]

Our home came with a dishwasher and I love it. I average two loads a day, and it does save a lot of time.

It's funny, because when we go camping, of course we don't bring a dishwasher or washing machine or even a toilet. And yet no one complains! I don't know what it is about camping, but suddenly all those things that are "chores" are fun and don't seem like work. The worst accommodations become the best.

Hm, maybe if you have enough help.

The thing I found about camping is it was one long drudge. Don't get me wrong, I actually LOVE camping, but by the time breakfast is cleaned up, it's time to start making lunch. I remember having precious little time to "relax" and I usually fall into the sleeping bag or whatever and sleep soundly even in lack of comfort because I'm so tired.

I think I need simpler food next time I go camping. Weiners on a stick over an open fire, maybe, lol.

 

[Willie T]

Hm, maybe if you have enough help.

The thing I found about camping is it was one long drudge. Don't get me wrong, I actually LOVE camping, but by the time breakfast is cleaned up, it's time to start making lunch. I remember having precious little time to "relax" and I usually fall into the sleeping bag or whatever and sleep soundly even in lack of comfort because I'm so tired.

I think I need simpler food next time I go camping. Weiners on a stick over an open fire, maybe, lol.

My wife and I camp at the Holiday Inn.

My sister and her husband think camping is pulling their RV onto a concrete slab in a row of 200 other RV's.

 

[akmom]

The thing I found about camping is it was one long drudge. Don't get me wrong, I actually LOVE camping, but by the time breakfast is cleaned up, it's time to start making lunch.

Oh man, you're doing it wrong. I can't even imagine what you must have eaten! We boil water over the fire, and then it goes into our hot cocoa mix and instant oatmeal. It's cleaned up quicker than it's eaten. The hardest part of camping is getting marshmallow goo out of the girls' hair.

My in-laws gave me the stink-eye over bringing cloth diapers for our three-day hike-in camping trip. What would you rather haul in, five diapers or 30? And I was sure glad not to be packing out three days' worth of used disposables (they don't biodegrade). But I'd pitch a fit if anyone asked me to use a washboard at home...

 

[~Anastasia~]

LOL we normally did tent camping (water spigot and an electrical hookup nearby tho), food cooked over a fire pit. And they wanted real food - eggs, bacon, toast, etc. for breakfast. Grilled meat, baked potatoes, or things like fish broiled in foil packets with lemon, butter. It was a LOT of work. I think ... I'm not going to do that anymore, LOL.

My husband and I have never been camping.

We were on a trip the other day and saw a little pull-behind solar camper on the road. We talked about maybe someday going on the road with a camper like that or a pop-up, and spending a few months maybe exploring. That would be awesome.

 

[Niffer]

I love camping - Remi and I haven't been since having the baby, but we're thinking this year she should be old enough to go.
We go to one of the big national parks and canoe/portage until we get to the island we like.
It's a lot of work, carrying everything in and out that far, but it's also really fun!

~ Niffer

 

[akmom]

We camp a lot, would probably live in the woods if we could! A lot of people told us that we wouldn't be able to do it when we had young kids, but we did. It does limit us, but it can still be done. Keeping them warm is the biggest challenge. Any time there is a break from routine, babies get fussy, but we are still able to have a good time.

RVs aren't really camping, but they would be a great way to travel. I think it would be a blast. No need for hotels, and you can stop and sleep practically anywhere!

 

[ProudMomxmany]

Camping? My idea of "roughing it" is no room service!

 

[CounselorForChrist]

My wife whos coming to america doesn't understand stand the point of dishwashers. SHe says "So you clean off dishes and put in sink. Then you clean again so cleaner for dishwasher. Then you put in dishwasher to was more. Then take out to dry off?!?". lol. SHes got a point. For some they end up washing the dishes before washing the dishes in the dishwasher.

I'm a germphobe though so I need a dishwasher. As mentioned in another toic when I see someone without a dishwasher I often freak out and don't eat there. Or if their dishwasher has more yuck in it then a toilet. >.< And yet I don't mind camping with just a tent and a hole to do my "business" in. I'm just weird like that. lol

 

[~Anastasia~]

My wife whos coming to america doesn't understand stand the point of dishwashers. SHe says "So you clean off dishes and put in sink. Then you clean again so cleaner for dishwasher. Then you put in dishwasher to was more. Then take out to dry off?!?". lol. SHes got a point. For some they end up washing the dishes before washing the dishes in the dishwasher.

I'm a germphobe though so I need a dishwasher. As mentioned in another toic when I see someone without a dishwasher I often freak out and don't eat there. Or if their dishwasher has more yuck in it then a toilet. >.< And yet I don't mind camping with just a tent and a hole to do my "business" in. I'm just weird like that. lol

She does have a point.

I was doing dishes IN THE DISHWASHER last night, lol, and thinking that myself. My daughter used it while I was out the other day, didn't rinse well, so now I know that if you don't, the dishes come out dirty on this one.

(The idea of a dishwashing having more yuck that a toilet is pretty bad!)

At least you can enjoy camping.

 

[akmom]

My dishwasher dries the dishes also. Does yours not, Freakazoid?

This is where a garbage disposal and dishwasher make a great team. You soak all the dishes in hot water in the sink, and then all the caked on food pretty much falls off by itself. Then you load the dishwasher, and run the garbage disposal while draining the sink. So simple! I only scrape the dishes by hand if there's only a few. Otherwise I pile them into a full sink and come back when the dissolving power of water has worked its wonders. Your wife will end up appreciating the dishwasher, I am sure. Have you gotten word on when she can come back to the states?

 

[Wandering Cat Lady]

Not necessary of course. But definitely ok to have one. It does cut down on the time it takes to get work done. There are plenty of other chores a child can do such as dusting, laundry, vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, cleaning their room/cleaning up living areas, cleaning the bathroom, taking out the trash, and tidying the kitchen. They should learn how to do it for the heck of it, but I don't think that it's a good reason to not have a dishwasher. I'd give her the dishwasher if I could. Happy wife, happy life! lol

 

[favoritetoyisjoy]

I guess it would depend on who you ask, but in my house, doing the dishes is one of my chores, I've done it various ways, and I say (definitely) "yes". You know, "Happy Dad, happy pad!"

 

[Hetta]

Yes, they're necessary. Unless you live in a cave.