The Somat salt we used in a one month period was 2.6 lbs, not 1 lbs.

Live in FL?

Chicago area.

Mrtimewise, if I got a price like you got, I would have went with your dishwasher since I loved it when I saw it in the store and I wash a lot of plastic so I really wanted a concealed element. But I only had high quotes so I went with the KitchenAid KUDE70 model which I love but I wish the silverware basket would be like the Bosch one since when I remove it, the big space is only good for pans and I would prefer more room for dishes. I wish it did not melt plastic lids that drop to the bottom. I also liked how the Bosch matched better. But I do love my culinary top tray rack and how well the KitchenAid washes my dishes and how quiet it is.

Thank you for the great review. Enjoy your beautiful dishwasher.

I miss the time remaining and cycle indicator of my old Maytag, but that's the ONLY thing I miss. Glad you're happy with your new dw :)
Monica

FYI...here's the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on the Morton System Saver II salt pellets. The pellets are all very even in size and they slide perfectly into the salt holder through the funnel provided with the dishwasher.

The salt in the Somat box is supposed to be 100% pure sodium chloride...at least according to the box label. Morton System Saver II salt pellets have some impurities. Apparently, the two listed impurities are used to clean the water softener resin of accumulated impurities from the salt itself as well as from the water (e.g., iron oxide, magnesium salts, etc.) Personally, I think this is a better system that just using 100% pure sodium chloride.

Thanks for sharing your comments on this Dishwasher, I was betweem this one and a Miele, I think i'm leaning towards the Bosch based on the features in this bad boy and the 40Db running sound.

I was set on a hidden control unit, but I believe the front control unit is even cheaper, I read somewhere that the display looks kind of cheap, meaning the plastic around the front controls looks cheap.

Do you find this to be the case?

There really isn't any plastic on the front of the SHE68E15UC, nor are there any buttons at all. The control panel is hidden...just the display is visible.

The SHE68E05UC has buttons on the front which are on either side of the display. I haven't seen that model in person.

I'm surprised that the SHE68E15UC and SHE68E05UC would have a different panel configuration, considering they are both 800 Plus series, I think the only real difference between these two models is that the SHE68E15UC is 40Db where as the SHE68E05UC is 42Db.

does having the water softener mean that you don't need to add rinse agent like you're supposed to on most other dishwasher models? I'm concerned that the chemicals used in rinse agent may not be good for my health.

also, seems like you could save some money on salt according to Wikipedia

"it is possible to use salt granules or tablets sold for whole house softening units and save a significant amount of money in the process. Softener salt in 25 kg bags will work out about one third of the cost and is easily available."

Here is a link that might be useful: Wikipedia--dishwasher

No. Water softener is used to modify your water when your water is too hard for proper cleaning. Rinse agent is to help dry the dishes (needed for European style drying - convection drying).

I ended up buying this exact model and I am so happy with it. My dishes have never been so clean, I'm absolutely loving the third cuttelery rack and there is a real level of satisfaction having the top of the line model offered, and the quietest and most energy efficient dishwasher on the market for much less than the top of the line Miele.

One example of what blew me away, during the holidays I made a ham with a orange/maple glaze (Cook's Illustrated) and the saucepan I used to make the glaze had that burnt hard coated sugary stuff on it, you know the kind of thing that you soak for days or scrub with a steelwool.

Anyhow I had zero expectations for this to get clean in the dishwasher, in fact the only reason I put it in the dishwasher was so that I wouldn't have to deal with it right away, I was essentially hiding it.

Anyhow, my first load of using this dishwasher finishes and myself and everyone of our guests was blown away when this thing came out spotless, I knew I made the right decision then and there.