At a Glance:
What is a Panel Ready Dishwasher?
Are Panel Ready Dishwashers Interchangeable?
Before You Buy a Panel-Ready Dishwasher
Our Top Panel Ready Dishwashers
If you are looking for a seamless, beautifully designed kitchen, then you may have considered a panel ready dishwasher, but do you know what they are? Panel ready dishwashers are popular in custom kitchens because they give homeowners the power to complelety conceal the appliance and create a fully integrated look for a harmonious kitchen presentation that's less about the appliances and more about personl style. These custom dishwashing machines are a great addition to kitchen remodels, but before you select one for your kitchen revamp, take a moment to consider a few major factors, which we outline in this guide.
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Pick a style—any style! With panel ready dishwashers from Friedmans, you can create the look you want for your kitchen.
Shop NowWhat is a Panel Ready Dishwasher?
Panel ready dishwashers are built-in dishwashers that are made with a blank stainless steel dishwasher door, which is ready and able to be fitted to custom paneling, making it look like any other cabinet in your kitchen. If you are looking for a truly seamless design, then this is a great option for many homeowners and builders alike
You can customize everything from finish, material, and even handle type on panel-ready dishwashers, and generally, the fronts are made for panels that are ½” or ¾”. The great thing about panel ready dishwashers is that you do not lose the functionality of the appliance itself, with wide varieties of panel ready dishwashing machines coming equipped with powerful performance and top-notch features.
Panel Ready Dishwashers vs Standard
This may come as an obvious difference, but it's still worth noting. Traditional dishwashers are not compatible with custom-made panels for dishwashers. The dishwasher must have the capability to have the panel attached to it for it to be considered “panel ready”. With that said, some have wondered “Can any dishwasher be panel ready?” and found ways to attach a panel to a non-panel-ready dishwasher, but in the end, it costs more time and effort, and the results aren’t as professional as the presentation of a panel ready dishwasher.
Related: Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher: What You Should Know
Pros
✅ Seamless and integrated look in your kitchen
✅ It is easy to do a dishwasher panel replacement if necessary
✅ Personalized panels allow for unique kitchen designs
✅ Panel-ready dishwashers outlast trends and fads in the appliance world
✅ You don’t compromise on performance with panel-ready dishwashers
Cons
✖ The price is significantly more than standard dishwashers
✖ Special installation is recommended
✖ Panels are a separate cost from the dishwasher unit
Are Panel Ready Dishwashers Interchangeable?
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If you already have a panel ready dishwasher but are looking to update your current cabinetry or even need to replace the dishwasher unit itself, you might be wondering “Can you change the front panel of a dishwasher?” In short, the answer is yes and no.
Yes, you can take the panel off a panel ready dishwasher and place it onto a new panel ready model, as long as it is the same size and has the same mounting holes. But, if you try to place the panel on a dishwasher replacement that is not equipped with the panel-ready attachments and mounting holes, the fit won’t work. If you are looking for a dishwasher front panel replacement, we recommend sticking to the same brand and model.
Can Different Brands Be Used in Custom-Fitted Dishwasher Cutouts?
If you are trying to match a current brand dishwasher cutout, for example, a custom Miele dishwasher to a new Bosch dishwasher, the fit may not be the same. If you cannot get the new panel to fit, you may need to find a custom panel from the current dishwasher brand you are trying to install. Panels vary in size, so sometimes changing out dishwasher panels between brands doesn’t work, but other times, if the measurements are the same, you may be able to achieve switching between brands.
Related: Bosch vs KitchenAid Dishwasher: How Do They Compare?
Before You Buy a Panel Ready Dishwasher
Before we look at some of our favorite panel ready dishwashers, there are just a few things to keep in mind.
Price
One thing to keep in mind if you plan on investing in a custom panel dishwasher is that you should expect to spend around 2-3 times more on one of these models compared to a standard dishwasher—especially if you go with luxury brands that offer a lot of features. Why? Well, any time customization is a part of the formula, then you can count on the price to be more expensive. When choosing your own customized dishwasher door cover, you can make it unique to your current cabinets, designs, and materials, which many homeowners find priceless attributes.
Installation
While you may be confident in your ability to install the dishwasher itself, it is recommended you allow a professional to do the full installation, especially a custom dishwasher panel piece, simply because it needs to be installed properly for it to function properly.
Related: JennAir Dishwashers: Pros & Cons
Our Top Panel Ready Dishwashers
There you have it—what you should know before purchasing a panel ready dishwasher, from price to special installation notes. As you might've noticed, custom dishwashers aren't your ordinary dishwashing machine, but if personal style and quality materials matter to you, they're worth the few considerations that they come with. Now, let’s take a look at some of our favorite panel ready dishwashers on the market today!
Miele 24" Panel Ready Built-In Dishwasher
Shop This Miele Panel Ready Dishwasher
Check out this Miele panel ready dishwasher that boasts over 10 different wash cycles and five different rinse cycles, along with features that allow for easy and more convenient cleaning. Featuring FlexLine Baskets, which are designed to accommodate a wide range of utensils and dishware, this high-end dishwasher lets you load even the largest cycles to the brim with great results a la QuickIntenseWash technology—a powerful innovation that takes less than an hour to clean a full wash.
Additional Features
- 3D MultiFlex Tray
- QuickIntenseWash
- AutoDos with PowerDisk
Bosch© 800 Series 24" Custom Panel Top Control Built-In Dishwasher
Shop This Bosch Panel Ready Dishwasher
This beautiful Bosch panel ready dishwasher is the quietest dishwasher brand in the United States, meaning you can enjoy after-dinner conversation without being interrupted by a noisy dishwashing cycle. Enjoy incredible features like ENERGY STAR® qualified, flush installation, and Wi-Fi connectivity for ultimate control and unrivaled cleaning and loading using CrystalDry technology and a flexible 3rd rack.
Additional Features
- PrecisionWash®
- Patented CrystalDry™
- AquaStop® Plus
Featured Bosch SHV78B73UC review: “Panel ready model of the 800 series. It works great and with the custom panel it blends right into our kitchen. Would definitely recommend this dishwasher to others. Having the third shelf for utensils is also great and even more useful than I had imagined. The app is also easy to use and helpful.”
KitchenAid® 24" Panel Ready Built-In Dishwasher
Shop This KitchenAid Panel Ready Dishwasher
This KitchenAid panel ready dishwasher offers homeowners quiet cleaning, a beautifully sophisticated design, and incredible features, all while not compromising on performance. Users will love the Fan-Enabled ProDry™ System that provides optimum drying performance, along with other features like a durable stainless-steel interior, Triple Filtration System, Express Wash Cycle, and more.
Additional Features
- Leak Detection System
- Extended ProDry™ Option
- Adjustable Middle Rack
Featured KitchenAid KDTE304LPA review: “Our old one finally died. Shopped around lot! Checked out reviews for all. This was the best and found it for a great price. It's quiet, drawers slide easily without the clunk when riding over the lowered door, gentle touch starts it and overall it has a heavy feel of quality. Every load ends squeaky clean! Tested a dirty dried on cheese bowl too, cleaned it! Solid quality made!”
Fisher & Paykel Series 5 24" Panel Ready Integrated Dishwasher
Shop This Fisher & Paykel Panel Ready Dishwashe
Luxury meets functionality with this Fisher Paykel panel ready dishwasher. Bring out your unique flair with custom panels that match your existing cabinetry, along with custom handles that complement any modern kitchen design. Enjoy powerful washing systems with six different wash cycles in this fully integrated dishwasher.
Additional Features
- Compatible with tall (American) or short (Euro/ADA) counter heights
- Flexible Stacking
- Quiet and Reliable
Featured Fisher Paykel DW24U2I1 review: “I love my new dishwasher. The different settings make washing a lot or a little very easy. It is practically silent while running. I have had to lean in and put my ear next to the appliance to know if it is running or not. Being able to match the handle and front to my other appliance was great.”
Thermador® Sapphire® 24" Custom Panel Ready Built-In Dishwasher
Shop This Thermador Panel Ready Dishawasher
This Sapphire collection Thermador panel ready dishwasher offers users complete control with the Home Connect™ App, allowing remote control cleaning from anywhere. Equipped with StarDry™ technology, this dishwasher offers Thermador’s exclusive drying system, which dries dishes without the use of chemicals—even stubborn plasticware.
Additional Features
- Sapphire Glow™
- Spacious Adjustable Chef’s Tool Drawer
- Time Remaining PowerBeam®
GE® 24" Custom Panel Built-In Dishwasher
Shop This GE Panel Ready Dishwasher
Not every custom panel dishwasher has to break the bank. Take this beautiful GE panel ready dishwasher, which comes with a large capacity of up to 12 place settings, Piranha™ Hard Food Disposer and, of course, a custom panel-ready design. It’s the perfect balance of looks and work made for busy kitchens that always want to keep their best presentation.
Additional Features
- Sanitize option (NSF Certified)
- Autosense Cycle
- dBA 51 Quiet Package
Featured GE GDT226SILII review: “The best thing about this dishwasher so far is how well it cleans. With my last dishwasher, I had to soak pans & scrub all of my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. I basically just used the dishwasher as a hot rinse. Now I can just put all my dishes in after dinner & start it up & everything comes out clean & grease-free.”
When purchasing a panel ready dishwasher, it’s important to keep in mind the budget that you want to stick with, the added installation needed, and the pros/cons we talked about in this guide. At Friedmans, we believe that panel ready dishwashers are a great way for homeowners to obtain a luxurious look in the kitchen. We have a wide array of custom pane ready dishwashers in stock, from brands like Miele, Cove, Dacor, and more. Shop and save with our various promotions in-store or online, today!
Why Trust Friedmans Appliance?
Established in 1922, Friedmans Appliance has been the most trusted name in the Bay Area for over 100 years. What started as a small appliance store in Oakland has expanded to include every appliance you need for your home. Our commitment to value, inspiration, and character has only grown, creating an unbeatable reputation for top-notch appliances. At Friedmans, we strive to give our customers the best of the best, including our selection of top appliance brands and our exceptional customer service. Speaking of which, we offer a 100-day price guarantee on all our products — the longest in the industry!
Our wide selection of appliances is just one of the reasons we’re the best Bay Area appliance store. We carry refrigerators in every style, every cooking appliance to show off your chef skills, and every dish care and laundry appliance you need for cleanup.
Shop Panel Ready Dishwashers at Friedmans
See for yourself why Friedmans is a trusted name in the Bay Area and shop dishwashers online. While we are located in Pleasant Hill, we deliver to all of Northern California — even Reno! If you have any questions, our team is always happy to help you select a beautiful panel ready dishwasher for your home, whether you call us at 925-808-2950, email us, or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by our appliance store in Pleasant Hill to experience the quality in person. Visit us today!
Learn More: 4 Best KitchenAid Dishwashers