Fisher & Paykel DD603(I) - Page 38

P
P
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A
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C
E
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S
S
E
E
T
T
T
T
I
I
N
N
G
G
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We have many questions as to why different countries have different place settings.
Our definition of place setting comes from the respective standards that we test to for the
specific country.
In New Zealand/Australia, we can fit 7/14 ps into DS603 and DD603 respectively, the
reason why the place settings are larger is because there are no serving pieces included in
the AS2007.1 standard ie platter and serving bowls.
In the UK and Europe, we can only fit 6/12 place settings because the EN50242 standard
includes a large platter and three serving bowls.
In the USA, when testing to the AHAM or DOE standard it only requires a 5/10 place
setting for their tests, any more is detrimental to the wash or energy results. No extra
marks are given if we use more place settings, so we have elected not to. In reality, the
DishDrawer could comfortably hold 6/12 place settings. The US standard also contains
serving bowls and a platter in their dish load.
TESTING HOUSES
Each country has its own consumer advocate magazine, which reports to its subscribers
about consumer issues.
Consumer and Choice
Fisher and Paykel have found these testing houses will use part of the dishwasher standard
but will not use it in its entirety. The latest example was the Consumer and Choice
magazine, where they followed the AS2007.1 but did not use the prescribed detergent,
instead they used commercial brand. Unfortunately in the lab we follow the standards
completely and any changes to any part of the standard leads to different results. The
AS2007.1 standard requires a caustic detergent and the type of detergent used was
enzymic, so some soils will be better removed compared to others. In our lab we found that
two different batches of the same commercial product gave two different results. It is
hard to maximise wash performance if these testing houses do not follow the standards
completely.
Consumer (NZ) use Choice (AS) as their testing facilities. Unfortunately for the very last
Choice/Consumer magazine they only bought a DS603 and assumed the rest of the results
for the double. This is very bad scientific practice.
Consumer Reports
In the US, there is a dishwasher standard but Consumer Reports choose not to use this
standard. It is quite difficult to tailor wash programs that suit the consumer as well these
test houses. In the USA, over 50% of the consumers scrape and pre rinse their dishes
before placing them into the dishwasher, rendering the dishes semi clean. The problem with
this test procedure is that the soils that are loaded into the dishwasher are unrealistic.