KitchenAid KUDS30FXSS 24-in. Built-In Stainless Steel Dishwasher Review

Washing Speed

The Normal and Heavy cycles seemed to take their time, but not to the point of frustrating us. The 1 Hour Wash lived up to its name by clocking in at 59 minutes, while the Normal and Heavy Duty cycles lasted 155 and 149 minutes, respectively.

Washing Performance

The KUDS30FXSS makes use of a unique spray system to clean dishes—not to mention an absurd amount of hot water and an electric food disposer in lieu of the filters found on other models, such as the KitchenAid KUDE60FX. We concluded that these three factors contributed mostly to the suspiciously strong performance, but the machine still seems to have this mysterious quality, as if some kind of dishwasher gnome were living inside it (yes, dishwasher gnomes are a thing now).

Quick Wash Cycle

Each of the wash cycles showed strong performance, even the quick cycle, which is usually significantly weaker than the other main washes. For example, it scored perfectly on our dried oatmeal test and near-perfect on our meat, tea, egg, and spinach tests. For a quick cycle, that’s saying something. Keep in mind, though, that the 1 Hour Wash is barely more efficient than the Normal and Heavy cycles.

Normal Wash Cycle

So here are the stain tests on which the KUDS30FXSS scored perfectly: dried milk, dried tea, baked-on meat, baked-on egg, dried oatmeal, and margarine. There are only two others stains (lipstick and baked-on spinach) that we test on the Normal wash, and they are traditionally the most difficult to remove. Also, let us point out that “perfection,” in this sense, means 100 percent clean across two separate passes!

Normal Cycle

Heavy/Pots & Pans Wash Cycle

The Heavy Duty wash was equally impressive, although it scored slightly lower because it involves three additional stain tests (burnt sugar, burnt cheese, and baked-on lasagna). Still, the Heavy Duty was spot on; it scored perfectly on dried milk, dried tea, baked-on meat, dried oatmeal, baked-on spinach (a first), burnt sugar, and baked-on lasagna (also a first). Excuse us if we’re more excited than you, but we make these stains and know how hard it is to remove them, so we’re just amazed. Amazed!

Pots & Pans Cycle