Modern kitchens are all about maximizing efficiency, flexibility, and sleek style, so it’s no surprise more homeowners are rethinking traditional appliances. Dishwasher drawers have emerged as one of the most talked-about innovations, promising a fresh take on daily cleanup that aligns with how real people cook and entertain today. Streamlined, ergonomic, and highly adaptable, these unique dishwashers are changing kitchen design from the inside out. Is it time to ditch your old built-in washer and make the switch? This guide walks you through what dishwasher drawers are, why they’re trending, and who might benefit most—plus an honest look at the best options available right now.
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Shop Dishwasher DrawersWhat is a Dishwasher Drawer?
Dishwasher drawers are a new spin on automatic dishwashers, designed for maximum convenience and customization. Unlike a traditional drop-down door and large, single-tub washer, a dishwasher with drawers works more like a filing cabinet—with individual drawers opening outward, often stacked vertically or placed side-by-side.
How does it work? Each drawer operates independently, letting you run a small load in the upper or lower compartment as needed—saving water and energy if you don’t want to wait for a full load. Most models are fully built-in, providing the same flush, streamlined look as standard dishwashers, but the dish drawers slide out for easy loading from above. This setup is easier on your back and provides direct access to plates and glasses, especially in tight, galley, or ADA-friendly kitchen layouts.
What types are available? The most popular formats are:
➥ Double dishwasher drawers (2 drawer dishwasher): Two independently controlled drawers within a single housing—wash one, both, or alternate as needed.
➥ Single drawer dishwasher (one drawer dishwasher): For ultra-small kitchens, islands, wet bars, or secondary prep areas.
➥ Panel ready dishwasher drawers: These models accept custom cabinetry panels for a seamless, built-in appearance.
The most recognized names in the category are the dishwasher drawers Fisher Paykel (the inventor and still the leader) makes, but brands like Café and others now offer stylish, specialized options to fit modern kitchens everywhere.
Why Are More Homes Switching to Drawer Dishwashers
Interest in dishwasher drawers has skyrocketed in recent years—so what’s driving the trend in modern homes? First, today’s families are moving away from mega-sized loads and batch cleaning, and using their kitchens more throughout the week. Dishwasher drawers offer the ultimate in everyday flexibility: you can run small, quick cycles as soon as you need, or wash delicate glassware separate from cookware.
Drawer dishwashers are also easier to reach—no more bending over or awkwardly balancing a door while loading. This is a game-changer for aging in place, accommodating wheelchair users, or just simplifying life for households of all ages. The split design keeps clean and dirty dishes separate, lets you multi-task with mixed loads (china up top, pots down below), and ensures you never run out of clean plates midway through a busy day.
Another key to popularity? Design. The dishwasher drawers panel ready options practically disappear into your cabinetry for a clean, modern look with no bulky handle or door. And because they’re built-in, you can tuck them under counters, in an island, or wherever works best for your workflow. They’re becoming a fixture in homes where design, efficiency, and versatility matter most.
→ Learn more: ADA Dishwasher Buying Guide: Which Features Matter Most for Accessibility?
Is a Drawer Dishwasher Right for You?
Not sure if you should upgrade to a drawer dishwasher? Start with your household routines:
✅If you entertain small or medium groups, cook often, or prefer not to wait for a mountain of dishes to run a cycle, a dishwasher with drawers lets you clean as you go.
✅Are you working with a smaller kitchen, open-plan apartment, or multi-level living? A one drawer dishwasher tucks in nearly anywhere—even in butler’s pantries, secondary prep spaces, or luxury outdoor kitchens.
✅Households with accessibility concerns, or those thinking ahead on aging-in-place, will especially love the ergonomic loading, with no deep bends or kneeling.
✅If design cohesion is top of mind, panel ready dishwasher drawers disappear into custom millwork, matching your chosen kitchen style right down to the last detail.
On the flip side, if you regularly run large, family-sized loads, or your kitchen design centers on a large single-unit dishwasher, a traditional built-in might make more sense (or consider supplementing with a drawer model). Cost is also a consideration; best dishwasher drawers often carry a higher price, so balance your investment with usage and style preferences. But for countless homes, nothing beats the adaptability, energy savings, and modern feel a drawer dishwasher brings.
→ Learn more: 8 Built-In Dishwashers That Outperform Their Price
5 Featured Drawer Dishwashers
Here’s an in-depth look at today’s top-rated dishwasher drawers, all available at Gerhard’s. Each unit offers its own blend of performance, style, and standout features:
Café™ 24" Stainless Steel Drawer Dishwasher
Shop this Café™ 24" Stainless Steel Drawer Dishwasher
This Café 24" Built In Drawer Dishwasher expertly blends stylish design with everyday utility. Its two independent drawers allow you to separate delicate glassware from pots and pans, and you can run a single drawer for added energy and water efficiency. The flexible timing features mean you can load one drawer after breakfast and another after dinner, simplifying batch cleaning for busy households.
This dishwasher also includes customizable handles and the ability to choose a panel-ready finish, making it a centerpiece in any contemporary kitchen or a subtle accent in more classic cabinetry. The interior layout is thoughtfully designed, with folding tines and adjustable racks to accommodate everything from champagne flutes to oversized cookware.
With its advanced wash technology, the Café drawer dishwasher ensures spotless results and is ideal for home chefs and entertainers who value both function and high-end aesthetics. Maintenance and cleaning functions are streamlined, making it simple to keep your dishwasher running at its best.
Featured Café™ Dishwasher Drawer Review:
"Lots of room and love the two drawers. Quiet and looks great in my kitchen." - Shan123
Fisher & Paykel Series 7 24" Stainless Steel Double DishDrawer™ Dishwasher
Shop this Fisher & Paykel Series 7 24" Stainless Steel Double DishDrawer™ Dishwasher
The Fisher Paykel Series 7 DishDrawer is an icon within the dishwasher drawer market and consistently earns rave reviews for its reliability and performance. Each drawer operates independently, so you can sanitize baby bottles in one while tackling pots and pans in the other. The SmartDrive motor ensures ultra-quiet operation, making it suitable even for open-concept homes where noise could be a concern.
With multiple cycle options such as Eco, Delicate, and Heavy, you have not just flexibility in load type, but also in water and energy consumption. The drawers glide smoothly and ergonomically, requiring less bending than traditional dishwashers, and their stainless finish resists fingerprints for easier upkeep. This Fisher Paykel unit also boasts a robust filtration system and a sturdy build, promising years of dependable use while elevating your kitchen’s visual appeal.
Featured Fisher & Paykel Series 7 DishDrawer Review:
"Love my new drawer dishwasher! It’s so quiet and cleans really well. I love having a second drawer to put dirty dishes in while the first drawer is washing! This is my second one I’ve owned. The first one lasted me over 10 years!" -Bookladycarrie.
Café™ 24'' Matte Black Drawer Dishwasher
Shop this Café™ 24'' Matte Black Drawer Dishwasher
The Café 24" Drawer Dishwasher is perfect for homeowners looking to make a bold visual statement without sacrificing advanced cleaning performance. The matte black finish, a standout feature, resists smudges and adds drama to any kitchen design. Both drawers are equipped with powerful wash jets, ensuring spotless dishes even on the toughest baked-on foods, while targeted spray zones focus on cutlery and heavily soiled items.
The unit supports a range of custom options, including decorative hardware and the ability to match cabinetry for a seamless, integrated look—an especially popular choice in upscale remodels. It delivers whisper-quiet cleaning, perfect for late-night runs or entertaining without disturbance. Its user-friendly control interface features intuitive cycles and delay start, making everyday use refreshingly simple.
→ Learn more: 8 Best Stainless Steel Dishwasher Models
Fisher & Paykel Series 9 24" DishDrawer™ Stainless Steel Double Drawer Dishwasher
Shop this Fisher & Paykel Series 9 24" DishDrawer™ Stainless Steel Double Drawer Dishwasher
The Fisher Paykel Series 9 DishDrawer is designed for luxury homes and those with demanding culinary needs. The advanced SmartDrive technology adapts wash action to the load, optimizing energy and water use for every cycle and ensuring a gentle touch on fragile stemware. It features a flexible racking system that can be reconfigured on the fly, making it easy to switch between large baking trays or stacks of plates.
Additional features like a Sanitise option (ideal for cutting boards or baby items) and Extra Dry Functions make this model exceptionally versatile. True to Fisher Paykel’s legacy, this dishwasher operates at whisper-quiet decibel levels, so you can run cycles at any time of day.
The robust stainless steel exterior holds up against daily family use, and LED indicators make it easy to monitor progress at a glance. This model’s durability and expansive set of wash customizations are often highlighted in user reviews, making it a top choice for active families or enthusiastic home cooks.
Featured Fisher & Paykel Series 9 DishDrawer Review:
"Love these dishwasher drawers. This is my third purchase of F&P dishwasher drawers. When I decided to remodel my kitchen I knew I would replace my standard full dishwasher with the P&F drawers. It is so nice not to have to empty a dishwasher. Run the clean cycle on one and pull clean dishes out as you need them from the other drawer. And the run cycle is SO quiet. The design is sleek and simple. Great addition to any kitchen." -MaxSam
Fisher & Paykel Series 11 24" Stainless Steel DishDrawer™ Dishwasher
Shop this Fisher & Paykel Series 11 24" Stainless Steel DishDrawer™ Dishwasher
The Fisher Paykel Series 11 DishDrawer offers the pinnacle of single-drawer convenience, ideal for smaller kitchens, secondary prep zones, or in-law suites. The deeper drawer configuration accommodates tall pitchers, pots, or baking dishes that can be challenging for standard units. Thanks to smart technology, sensors adjust water temperature and pressure, ensuring everything from glasses to heavy pans emerges clean.
This model is ENERGYSTAR® certified with multiple cycle options, including a speedy quick wash for time-sensitive loads. The solid stainless construction, seamless controls, and ADA-focused ergonomics ensure it’s as practical as it is elegant—perfect for aging in place or adding luxury to an accessory dwelling unit. Its water and energy-saving efficiencies deliver value over the long term, and its attractive, minimalist look complements any premium kitchen aesthetic.
Users also note the ease of installation, as it integrates beautifully into spaces too tight for traditional machines.
→ Learn more: 7 Most Quiet Dishwasher Models on the Market
Is a Dishwasher Drawer Worth It?
Yes, for many homes, making the switch to dishwasher drawers is more than worth it. This innovative design adapts to the rhythms of modern life, letting you wash the way you really live: smaller, more frequent cycles, tailored wash settings, and versatile placements.
Drawers encourage efficiency, using less water and energy for partial loads, and open up new possibilities, whether you’re optimizing a small kitchen or creating a high-end, custom look. While the upfront investment can be higher than traditional models, the ergonomic benefits, flexibility, and long-term reliability often pay for themselves.
If you value both ultra-practical function and beautiful kitchen design, a drawer dishwasher can dramatically improve your daily cleanup routine and add a sophisticated touch that stands out for years to come.
Ready to experience the style, flexibility, and daily convenience dishwasher drawers bring? Visit Gerhard’s Appliances to find the perfect match for your kitchen and see how the best drawer dishwashers can transform your clean-up routine.
→ Learn more: What is a Panel Ready Dishwasher?
Drawer Dishwasher FAQs
Yes, dishwasher drawers are initially more expensive than traditional models due to advanced engineering, versatile installation, and efficient smaller load options. Over time, they can save on water, energy, and maintenance costs, with durable brands like Fisher Paykel and Café offering long-lasting value.
Both built-in and drawer dishwashers are permanently installed in kitchen cabinetry. Built-ins have a drop-down door with one large cavity, while drawer models slide open like filing drawers and may have one or two compartments. Drawer dishwashers are ergonomic, great for smaller loads, and ideal for accessible, modern kitchen designs.
High-quality dish drawers from brands like Fisher Paykel and Café can last 10 to 15 years, often matching or exceeding traditional dishwashers. Their modular design reduces mechanical wear, especially if you run one drawer at a time. Regular maintenance—cleaning filters, running cleaning cycles, and proper loading—helps maximize lifespan, while brand-certified repair services ensure long-term reliability.
Your go-to source for selecting and buying the latest dishwasher drawers is Gerhard’s Appliances, your local appliance authority. Explore hands-on displays from top brands like Fisher Paykel and Café, with customizable options. Our experts assist with installation, fit, and features, plus we offer warranties and service support you won’t find at big box stores or online.
Why Trust Gerhard’s Appliances
Gerhard's Appliances stands as the appliance store of choice in the greater Philadelphia area, boasting an extensive array of home appliances, stunning showrooms, BBB accreditation, Price Match Guarantee, and a steadfast dedication to customer satisfaction.
With over 75 years of being family-owned and operated, Gerhard's Appliances has built a solid reputation as a reliable and trustworthy appliance retailer. Our long-standing presence in the industry demonstrates our commitment to providing excellent products and customer service. Gerhard's Appliances offers a wide range of appliances including refrigerators, dishwashers, as well as cooking, outdoor, and laundry appliances. Whether customers are looking to upgrade their kitchen with a high-performance range or simply need a reliable washing machine, Gerhard's has over 80 top-quality brands to choose from. Shop with us today!
Shop Dishwasher Drawers at Gerhard’s
Discover a world of premium appliances and exceptional service at Gerhard's Appliances today! Visit our showrooms in Pennsylvania to explore the latest innovations from top brands. For nearly eight decades, our family-owned business has been unwaveringly committed to delivering top-notch appliances and exceptional service. Our friendly team of appliance professionals are always on hand to help you switch to a dishwasher drawer. Start your journey now by exploring our online catalog or calling our friendly team at 215-268-3779.
→ Learn more: Breakdown of Dishwasher and Installation Costs for First-Time Buyers