This post was sponsored by The Home Depot.
Ever since I started blogging, the biggest question I get about my house, is asking how in the world I have a dishwasher under my sink. I have been meaning to write this post for years so I had something to refer them to. Now that my cabinets are painted and my kitchen is done, I will share all the details about my under sink dishwasher.
When we moved into our house it was easy to see that there was not a spot for a dishwasher. It is such a tiny space to begin with, but then the only available spot that would have worked, has a large, low window. The previous owners had added upper cabinets below the window since they are shorter than bottom cabinets. We call it the kid counter since it is the perfect height for my kids when they help me cook. They also sometimes sit there and visit with me when I am in the kitchen.
Shortly after buying the house, I started searching online for other options. I quickly found that there were not many. I finally found one that would work. All I had to do was remove the cabinet below the sink! Let's be real, that under the sink cabinet is really just a waste of space anyway.
This dishwasher actually a brand new one! The old one was off white so it would match the cabinets.
Part of me was annoyed that it didn't match the other appliances but I think it did a good job of blending in. We had the off white one for almost 10 years. I was not good about monitoring what my kids put in there and after several watercolor brushes got washed and fell in the slots at the bottom of the dishwasher and broke off. It always had a clicking noise after that. They also washed peanut butter jars without removing the labels (they do make great bug jars!) and it kept getting clogged. I was not too surprised, given the age and the wear and tear we put it through, when it finally gave up the ghost.
Here are the questions I get asked all the time about my dishwasher.
Q: So how does it fit under the sink?
Well, there are a couple of things that make it work. The profile of the dishwasher is slightly different than a regular one. It dips down lower in the back to fit under the sink. This makes the back half of the top rack lower than the front half. The bottom rack is the same as a regular dishwasher.
The other reason it fits is it requires a 6 inch (or less) deep sink. In all the places we rented, we always had a 6 inch sink so it didn't phase me. It was all I was use to. We can still hand wash dishes with no problem.
Q: Do you still have the same amount of space inside?
It is the same width and depth so the only different is that the back half of the top rack. So almost :)
I put things like the blender lid, measuring cups, small bowls, and large utensils on the back (lower) half of the top rack.
My kitchen is narrow and it was hard to get a side shot but in this photo you can see how the top rack dips down in the back.
Q: What brand is it and where can I buy it?
There is only one brand who makes a dishwasher like this and that is GE. You can buy it at Home Depot and can opt to have it installed when it gets delivered. They will even take away your old dishwasher for you.
So as someone who has had one of these for over 10 years, I am super happy with this dishwasher. If you have a small or odd shaped kitchen, this is a great use of space. I even had a reader tell me she ended up getting one even though she has a large kitchen because she thought it just made sense since the under sink area is wasted space otherwise.
If you have any other questions about my dishwasher that I didn't cover, feel free to ask in the comments below!
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This post was sponsored by The Home Depot. They provided product but the thoughts and opinions are all my own.
Wow, I've never even heard of one of those! But its such a great idea!! With Tiny Houses being such a popular thing now, this is so practical. Thanks so much for the share :-)
You just made my day! I never would have thought about putting a dishwasher under the sink. My kitchen has four doors (back porch/laundry, 1/2 bath, dining room, and living room) and very little cabinet space. This is a great idea. I have added this to my "Kitchen Redo" Pinterest board. Thank you for the information!!
Can you use an under mount sink?
I'm not 100% sure. I just know it has to be 6.5" deep or less. I have a 6" sink.
Don’t you have to have an off set drain too on the sink?
I love this but I'm not completely sure it'd work for me. So where are the drain pipes for the sink located?
I have had a GE under sink dishwasher in my New York City apartment and now one in my house on Cape Cod. When I renovated the Cape Cod kitchen I did want an under mount sink and had one custom made by Elkay. It was expensive, but it was worth it. I was able get a heavier gage stainless steel too to provide a more solid and a less tinny sound. In the long term the extra money for the sink is worth it, especially if you have a composite or stone/quartz counter top.
Do you also have a disposal? I need one!
I do not but you can have one with this type of dishwasher. Ours came with instructions on how to install a disposal. We just chose to not have one.
I’m having trouble finding this model. Any links and or similar under sink models would be greatly appreciated
https://www.geappliances.com/appliance/GE-Spacemaker-Under-the-Sink-Dishwasher-GSM2260VSS
This is AWESOME!!!
I have always wondered what exactly was under your sink. I thought it kind of looked like a garbage compactor. I never thought it would be a dishwasher! That blew my mind! I need one of these in my life!!!
Wow.would have loved this review in Nov.before we replaced the dishwasher. Before moving into our new to us house!admire your resourcefulness in always finding a truly attractive way to overcome obstacles.THANK YOU for sharing them.
I have never seen anything like this what a space saver.
Gosh - add me to the list of people who didn't know that these existed! A great option for those with no other suitable spaces - I suppose that the other route would be to use dishwasher drawers and have them as one or two singles in different spots...
What a great idea! I have a question: How does the sink plumbing work? In my house, the plumbing dips way down in the cabinet space underneath (taking up way too much room to store much of anything down there). Is your sink plumbing different so there's room for the dishwasher there?
Hi Victoria!
Under our sink looks like al the other places we've lived. There are not an special pipes and we didn't move any pipes. We have the pea trap that hangs down and everything. I think if you have the standard pipes in the standard places you should be fine. Here is a link to the installation guide:
https://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/1f/1f7c59a9-fbb7-4c04-9e45-16b67d90ce13.pdf
What a neat idea, I've never seen this! Also, your kitchen make over is to die for! Great job!
Could you put one of these under a farmhouse sink or would it have to be an undermount or top mount one?
Sounds like you have to buy a special GE sink as well as the dishwasher. This is from the installation manual: "This Spacemaker® dishwasher is designed to be installed under a special shallow sink. Three types of sinks are available: GPF95, a single bowl sink with the drain hole on the right side of the sink; GPF96, a single bowl sink with the drain hole on the left side of the sink; and GPF97, a double bowl sink. Purchase these sinks from your authorized GE appliance dealer."
The sink I bought isn’t GE but it is shallow. Any sink that is 6” deep works!
My kitchen is super small and I am seriously considering one of these. Is there room for a garbage disposal too?
This is also my question. Can you still have a garbage disposal? My husband wants a dishwasher but I need to keep my disposal!
This is a great idea! How do you access the sink plumbing if you need to? Is it behind the dishwasher or beside it?
Hi Julie! The pipes are behind off to the right. Since our pullout garage is to the right of the dishwasher, we created a hinges access panel in the side of the garage cabinet. If you didn’t have a way to access it from the side, then you would have to slide it out.
why
So I assume that there is not a cabinet where the sink and dishwasher are installed just a cabinet top?
Can I ask the actual dimensions of your kitchen? I am considering a layout like this, and I want to compare my kitchen size to yours. Thanks!
Hi- thanks for the article. I am moving into an apt with a sink over the dishwasher - the dishwasher is the same as yours (from what I can from the photos). my question is your sink extends over to the right whereas my sink fits exactly on top of the dishwasher. I have not measured the depth of it yet, but worried about having such a shallow sink. do you know how you got your sink to extend over to the right on your countertop. Wondering if I have that choice.
thanks for your help!
Nicole
Do you know if you can put a drawer dishwasher under the siink? I'm in the process of building a tiny house. 187 sq ft.
I am one person , one dog.., I think I could live with one dw drawer - but I don't want to give up my deep sink.
Gorgeous kitchen! thanks.
Thanks! I am considering a house to buy that has a lovely kitchen, but no dishwasher! This really helped. Love your kitchen.
Should have added that you also need the GE sink made for this application. It has the drain holes in the back portion of the sink and not the center like most sinks. Also I've only ever found it in stainless steel.
If you're still taking questions, I'm curious how the loading is. Do you rinse all your dishes first and then load them all at once, or are you able to rinse as you go? (I have never seen a dishwasher that gets *everything* off on its own.) Do you have to lean over the open dishwasher to do anything in the sink as you're loading it? Do you mind that very much?
There is enough space on each side that is is not awkward to load it at all. I have always rinsed dishes off before loading to at least get most of the food off. Like you, I have yet to meet a dishwasher that gets everything off. I hope that helps!
I am so grateful that I found your post! I had been searching small space dishwasher ideas. My son recently bought a house that does not have a dishwasher. The my son recently bought a house that does not have a dishwasher. The sink cabinet is very small not much room to expand as the refrigerator is to the right and the stacked washer dryer to the left. Were your cabinets custom-made to accommodate the dishwasher? I have to determine what size sink cabinet to get. Also, with there be enough space for a garbage disposal under the remaining cabinet? Thanks so very much!
The garbage cabinet next to the dishwasher was custom. According to the manual that comes with the dishwasher, you can have a disposal.
Don’t you have to have an offset drain in order for this to work?
I currently have an offset drain. I'm not sure if it is required, I just prefer offset so that is what I chose.
Just found your article about the under the sink dishwasher. I live in a Condo. and my under the sink dishwasher has to be replaced, (leaking) and the only one available is the GE brand, but the reviews are very bad, how long have you had yours??
My repairman told me a couple of years ago, that if mine dies he could get me a new motor for it and install it for less than 200$. Will have to call him on Monday and see if the deal is still there. Kitty
I had the first one for 8 years. I didn't attempt to fix it but maybe I should have! Ours had problems because of what the kids would put in there to be washed. Things like paint brushes and plstic straws would get caught in the motor. My kids are older now and we have strict rules about what can and can't go in there.
Hi, thanks for this post! What do you do with the garbage disposal under the sink?
I do not have one but you CAN install one with this dishwasher. There are instrustios in the manual. :)
Stacy has a small cabinet beside the dishwasher on the right if you look at the picture. I have a 1/3 hp disposal in that cabinet that hooks up to the plumbing under the sink.
Do you have any pictures of this? I'm desperate for a visual as I'm wanting to install something similar, but I'm having a hard time believing it would work in a 36 inch cabinet without the sink being offset/custom sink?
Terrific post !!!!
I have been on my PC for days and finally found exactly what I needed to find. Thank you so much !
Love This! What Model is it?
Is there a cleanable filter?
Are they able to move the pipes out of the way to fit the under sink dishwasher where one has never been before
Our old house had pipes sticking out of the wall instead of pipes coming out of the floor (and they stick out pretty far) and were were able to make it work. This is designed specifically for under the sink so I am sure the people who install it will be able to make it work for your home too :)
We're considering the under the sink dishwasher. Would you be able to share with my what sink you installed? And, does the sink require special plumbing? Do you have a garbage disposal?
Thanks
Ann
The sink that is companion to this dishwasher CPF97 has been discontinued. Do you have any suggestions?
As long as the sink is only 6 inches deep you are fine. There are a lot of options out there that are shallow enought.
Great idea! One question, can you access the sink drain pipes if there is a clog or a leak that needs to be repaired? Also, am I correct in assuming there is no room for an "insinkerator"? Thanks!
We have a pullout garbage next to the sink so we cut out part of the side of the cabinet so we could access pipes without pulling anything out. You actually can have a garbage disposal. There are instructions on how to install. We do not have a disposal so I am not sure how hard or easy it would be to add.
Hi, I also have an under sink dishwasher and I’m now doing renovations and have to do this the same way. I was told by Pc Richards an elkay sink would work but from my understanding, those are 7 inches. Which sink did you get?
Thanks so much
I don't remember the brand but I got a 6 inch from Home Depot. six and a hald would work too but I don't think 7 would.
Hi, I am searching for a solution to my problem (where to put a dishwasher in an old kitchen where it doesn't go!) and ran across your blog. How cast in stone are these specs that they give in the documentation? I have a 6.5 inch sink bowl, and I might just make the height requirement at 34 inches (NOT 34 1/4 without cutting tile). My countertop seems to be 2 inches not 1.5 but I'm unclear how that matters if the DW is below the counter. Do you think it is doable with those specs? Any advice welcome, and thanks!
I just went and measured from the floor to the underside of my counter and it is exactly 34". I am not sure if the newer models are different though. Mine is several years old and they could have made changes. If it is a matter of 1/4" - 1/2", it might be easier to install a new sink that is 6" instead of 6.5" deep than to rip out the tile. Plus the tile is helping to waterproof the floor underneath it.
I hope that helps!
Elkay has a 6” deep sink, my concern is I want a double sink so I can also have a garbage disposal. And from the looks of it the double sink would need to have an offset drain to work with this dishwasher.
Where can you get the 6" deep sink?
I have an existing under sink dishwasher. a plumber came in to fix waste water connection leak (btw this is my mom’s apartment). After four months, I discovered water under her stove. The water was coming from the waste water under sink. I pulled the dish washer out and discovered a horrible plumbing job (which cost $500). The connection to the sink drain is lower than the height of the washer. They forced the washer in comprising the connections to the waste pipe causing leak. Not sure if it’s possible to make the sink drain not hang so low hitting the washer.
What sinks will fit above the under the counter dishwasher? Is there any chance for an under mount?
The sinks need to be 6" or 6.5" deep in order for the dishwasher to fit.
Elkay has a 6” deep sink, my concern is I want a double sink so I can also have a garbage disposal. And from the looks of it the double sink would need to have an offset drain to work with this dishwasher.
My husband is concerned that if the kitchen sink or drain developed a leak you wouldn't know about it. How easy is access to the pluming of the sink? Would you have to remove the dishwasher to replace the faucet?
We put a cabinet next to the dishwasher.It is a pull out garbage can. The we cut a panel out of the side of the cabinet with a hinge. That way we can pull the garbage can out and easily access the pipes. We also put one of those moisture alarms under the cabinet to go off in case there is a leak. I hope that helps!
I’m having trouble finding this model. Any links and or similar under sink models would be greatly appreciated
https://www.geappliances.com/appliance/GE-Spacemaker-Under-the-Sink-Dishwasher-GSM2260VSS
How wide is your sink space to start with? If mine is 90 cm wide (sink part only 46 cm). Where does the sink plumbing fit?
Thanks
My sink is a standard double sink size in width. The depth is 6". I had a 6.5" before and it worked too. The dishwasher top tray is shallower than a regular one. This allows for room for the pipes.
I don’t believe they make this model anymore. We bought our 2nd one in 2021 and are having some issues with parts breaking. GE says the product has been discontinued. Not sure what to do now since we have no other option for an under sink dishwasher.
Oh man! hope that isn't true! It still shows it on their website and GE has been answering questions below in the forum as soon as 22 days ago.
thank you for your post. it's very helpful. i am considering buying a similar dishwasher but it's not in stock on wayfair or other platforms. is GE model truly the only one available? thank you
The only one I know of unfortunately.