This v.s. That

[PneumaticJawz78]

I have a couple questions that are similar to each other, so to avoid reduncancy I thought I'd combine them in this one thread. :)

When it comes to using too much water, which is generally better- hand-washing dishes or the dishwasher?

The way I usually handwash dishes is letting the water run on hot at a very low pressure, with little time in between not washing dishes. Also, our dishwasher is said to be fairly energy-effecient compared to older ones, so I'm not sure which way uses more water. I suppose that towel-drying uses a lot less energy...

The next one- stovetop V.S. microwave? Like, say you had a bad of frozen corn to thaw- would it be better to microwave them?

Thanks in advance to anybody who can help me with these issues!! ;)

[eggplant]

Re. the handwashing vs. dishwasher question, unless you're running the water the entire time you're handwashing, I would think that handwashing uses less water. I give the dishes in the sink a quick rinse, then turn off the water and soap everything up. then I rinse with hot water. I highly doubt I'm using more water than a dishwasher, even an energy efficient one.

[nogardsram]

I agree with eggplant on the topic of water use (but let's not also forget the extra energy use in a dishwasher and the embodied energy and environmental impact of a dishwasher).

As for stovetop vs microwave, a microwave should generally use far less energy than a stove top for reheating. That's not to say the taste or heating consistency is anywhere equivalent.

[jenni-anti-fur]

I agree with eggplant on the topic of water use (but let's not also forget the extra energy use in a dishwasher and the embodied energy and environmental impact of a dishwasher).

As for stovetop vs microwave, a microwave should generally use far less energy than a stove top for reheating. That's not to say the taste or heating consistency is anywhere equivalent.

I agree with you guys about the water and have seen energy saver dishwashers.

[nogardsram]

I have read that dishwashers are far more efficient regarding water usage.

I think it really depends on the dishwasher and the person hand washing the dishes. I don't think there's really any way to say one is far more efficient than the other, unless there is some kind of data to back it up.

[DMZdogs]

I'm reading a book called: Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life (http://www.amazon.com/Living-Like-Ed-Guide-Eco-Friendly/dp/0307396436/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208462894&sr=8-1). The author, apparently some famous guy, Ed Jr. Begley, reported that his energy-efficient dishwasher uses less water than he did when he washed by hand. He's been "green" for a little over 3 decades, according to the book, so I guess he knows what he's talking about. However, I wonder how much water it took to make the machine? And does the dishwasher use more electricity than I do when I wash by hand? Does the dishwasher use up more valuable space in the kitchen than I do? Especially considering that I don't sit in the kitchen 24/7? Is the dishwasher faster than I am? Is it quieter than I am? Is letting dirty dishes slowly pile up in a machine, attracting cockroaches, really better in the long run than washing them by hand as they are used? How often does the dishwasher break down vs. my hands breaking down? Can the dishwasher run during power outtages? I can. And finally, which is more expensive? An energy-efficient dishwasher or me? Not that I'm cheap, mind you. :P

[nogardsram]

Hand-washing can be very efficient if you use a bowl and watch how much you use. But daily handwashing typically uses about 63 litres and if dishes are rinsed off under a running tap the total water used can be 150 litres. A modern dishwasher can use as little as 10 litres of water per cycle.


I find this funny in a not so funny way. What are they comparing then? Averages in handwashing to minimums in dishwashers.

Those kind of comments really peeve me, since it misleads people and when people remember that stuff they often don't recall the "typically" vs "as little as" parts and just remember that handwashing uses more water.

[PneumaticJawz78]

I wondered whether the machine was more water-effecient, but I also considered the eletricity thing. Hmm.

Any studies on stove v.s. microwave??

[LucidAnne]

i cannot find the study re: stove vs. microwave, but the microwave was said to be far more efficient.

in the same study, they also recommended using an electric water kettle rather than turning on the whole stove to heat water. i went out and got one, and it certainly heats up much more quickly than my stove!

with the dishwasher, i have also seen those articles...i think they are probably rating the average person, who isnt concerned necessarily about how much water they are using when handwashing.
however, the dishwasher, assuming it is used when truely full, is also using high powered strong streams of water to help clean as well. i have also seen it recommended that you can shut the machine off once it is rinsed, and dry with the door open.