If you’ve owned a dishwasher sometime in the last two decades or so, you’ve probably had to deal with rusty patches developing all over the interior. Luckily, modern dishwasher models come with stainless stack racks that are resistant to rust.
Some of the top-rated dishwashers with stainless-steel racks include those sporting the Bosch, Maytag, KitchenAid, Thermador, and Miele logos, so you know you’re getting a high-quality, rust-resistant machine that leaves your dishes spotless.
Below, I’ll go into greater detail about what these dishwashers have to offer, as well as explain the benefits of using dishwasher racks that don’t rust as easily.
Top 10 Best Dishwashers with Stainless-Steel Racks
Best Overall—Miele G5006 SCU
Miele is a high-end brand from Germany that produces some of the best household appliances, but the G5006 SCU is on another level. Not only does this dishwasher offer unparalleled cleaning capabilities with its triple spray arms, but it comes at an affordable (by Miele standards) price tag to boot.
Whether you want to clean your plates efficiently or want to deep-clean your dishes and leave them dry to the touch afterward, this dishwasher can do it all. The drying system is arguably the dishwasher’s best feature, as cool spots inside the stainless-steel tub draw in hot steam, causing it to dissipate more quickly.
Runner-Up—Bosch SHPM88Z75N
The Bosch SHPM88Z75N is one of the very few dishwasher models that actually leaves dishwashers dry to the touch after a deep-cleaning cycle. It comes with dual wash arms, as well as an overhead sprinkler to help rinse debris off silverware on the top rack. Speaking of the top rack, it can also accommodate up to six cereal bowls, so it can clean a lot more than its competitors per wash cycle.
The second stainless-steel dishrack is adjustable to accommodate large cookware, including casserole dishes and even Dutch ovens. But what sets this dishwasher apart from many others is the PrecisionWash system, which scans and checks the cleaning process to adjust water temperature and pressure when needed.
Best Budget-Friendly—Maytag MDB7959SKZ
The Maytag MD7959SKZ is the least costly dishwasher with stainless-steel racks you can get in our list. However, don’t be fooled by its affordable price; this dishwasher offers a wide range of features that puts it on par with many leading dishwasher models, such as dual filtration and dual spray arms.
The top rack can accommodate large items, including blender bowls. The PowerBlast cycle delivers high-pressure jets of stream in two directions to blast food remnants away from your dishes’ surface in less time. Also, multiple sensors are in place to alert users when there are leaks, which, according to users, is incredibly rare.
Best Premium—Miele G 7366
The Miele G 7366 costs nearly twice as much as other dishwashers, but if you’re looking for premium features, it’s worth every penny. First, it features three spray arms for triple-level wash quality, including a downward-facing arm to clean every nook and cranny of your silverware.
One unique feature found in this model is the AutoOpen drying system, which pops the door open immediately after a completed wash cycle to release steam. The third rack comes with individual compartments for your flatware, so they don’t rub up against each other during intense wash cycles.
Most Quiet—KitchenAid KDTE204KPS
What sets the KDTE204KPS apart from most dishwashers is its low noise output. It generates just 39 decibels of noise when running at its highest cycle, which is a lot quieter than nearly all of its competitors. It’s a top-control model, but the buttons are concealed on the top-most edge of the dishwasher door to conceal all of the buttons from curious children and pets.
The entire interior of the dishwasher, including its first and second racks, is made of high-quality stainless steel to resist rust and corrosion. Plus, it has a nice-looking stainless-steel finish that matches the rest of your KitchenAid appliances.
Bosch SHEM63W55N
This dishwasher is part of the entry-level 300 series, which consists of affordable models but with a range of features that you’d typically find in mid-range to high-end machines. It comes with a third rack that is almost exactly like that of the Miele G 7366 but at a much lower price point.
The first rack comes with adjustable tines that keep thin plates and platters in place. But the filter assembly is the star feature. It uses Bosch’s proprietary filter meshes that offer maximum surface area to capture more particles, reducing the risk of clogging and standing water.
Bosch SHP865ZD5N
The SHP865ZD5N was one of the top-selling dishwashers in 2020. It belongs to the mid- to upper-level models, which comes with a large interior and stainless-steel trays. It comes with a pocket handle to prevent bumping into the machine while you’re walking around the kitchen. On the inside, all of which are adjustable to accommodate larger and more items per cycle.
It uses the standard dual-spray system with a mini sprinkler on top to thoroughly clean your dishes without running multiple cycles. The filter assembly is easy to remove, disassemble, and clean, and it sits in a large cylinder that allows for maximum water flow, even when the bottom is completely filled.
Miele G7106 SCU
The G7106 SCU provides many of the same features and specs as the previous Mile models on this list. However, this unit offers the Quick Intense Wash Cycle, which runs for 58 minutes to thoroughly blast away caked-on food remnants, leaving them absolutely spotless after the cycle is completed.
This dishwasher is driven by its multiple sensors, so it is always on top of how much water it uses, what the temperature is, and how long it will take to thoroughly dry your dishes. And the sooner it dries your dishes, the less risk there is of the stainless-steel racks becoming corroded over time.
Bosch SHX88PZ65N
The 500 series is one of Bosch’s most popular lineups. It offers the standard set of wash cycles, including heavy and 60-minute wash, and it operates at just 44 decibels, leaving it virtually inaudible from adjacent rooms.
This 24-inch dishwasher comes with the MyWay Rack, which is the largest third rack you’ll find today. Plus, it has a built-in water softener that lowers the risk of calcified buildup inside and along the drain lines, improving the machine’s longevity.
Thermador DWHD770WPR
Thermador is owned by Bosch, so you won’t have to worry about a lack of quality in its machines. In fact, Thermador dishwashers are premium-grade machines that offer unrivaled cleaning performance, quick-drying, and a wide range of customizable options and wash cycles.
The triple stainless-steel racks of this dishwasher can hold up to 16 place settings at once while also cleaning pots, pans, or casserole dishes in a single cycle. However, it’s not particularly resource-efficient, so you might notice a spike in energy and water costs over time.
Benefits of Stainless-Steel Dishracks
You’re probably wondering whether or not investing more in a dishwasher with stainless-steel racks is worth the added cost. The simple answer to this question is, yes, it is, especially if you don’t want to constantly search your dishwasher for rust spots.
Stainless steel comes with a chromium oxide coating, which is resistant to extreme temperatures, pressure, and rusting. This means that you can run your dishwasher at a hotter wash and rinse cycle to thoroughly sanitize the surface of your dishes without having to worry about the rack deteriorating.
In addition, calcified buildup and stains don’t adhere to stainless steel as well as it does other dishrack materials. So, in the end, you can run your dishwasher worry-free for longer than you would a dishwasher with nylon-coated racks.
Can Stainless Steel Rust?
Unfortunately, stainless steel is not 100% impervious to rust. It’s highly resistant, but that’s only as long as the chromium oxide coating is intact. When you expose the coating to harsh chemicals, high levels of salt, and even other metals, it might begin to deteriorate, exposing the inner steel, which is prone to rust and corrosion.
What you can do to prevent the stainless-steel dishracks from corroding is to load the dishracks in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. This means placing metal objects on the plastic racks and separating platers from pots and other large cookware.
In addition, you should spray the stainless-steel racks with a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and cold water every month or so. That way, any debris clinging onto the racks will be rinsed away easily in a subsequent wash cycle.
Can I Use a Dishwasher with Rusty Dishracks?
The first sign of rust is the beginning of the end for a dishrack. This is because there is no way to reliably eliminate the rust without having to take the entire rack apart, which just isn’t worth the trouble.
If your dishwasher’s racks begin to rust, remove them from the machine and dispose of them properly. Then, look for dishwasher racks that fit your model.
Don’t for a second think that a tiny rust spot isn’t a cause for concern. Tiny rust patches will eventually develop, and the longer it does, the more brittle the rack will become. One sign that your dishracks are rusted is tiny bumps along the surface.
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