Kenmore 13969 Review

Kenmore
13969
Elite Series
Place Settings: 14
Width: 24"
Discontinued

Jets
Sanitize

Cycles

9

& Options

Energy

290

kWh Per Yr

Water

903

Gal Per Yr

Sound

46

dbA

Cost

$1179

MSRP

Ratings Guide

Best

Better

Good

Fair

Poor

Dishwasher Pros and Cons Summary
Cleaning	BEST - Employs two major features to help get your dishes clean - jets and a sanitizing option. High pressure spray jets blast away food particles and stubborn deposits. A sanitizing rinse option then eliminates most bacteria.	✔
Cycles	GOOD - Cycles and options is about average for a new dishwasher. The more cycles and options you have to choose from, the better the chance of getting your particular dishes clean, and making your life a little more convenient.
Energy	GOOD - Estimated annual electricity use is about average for a new dishwasher and is rated GOOD for power consumption. This Kenmore dishwasher is projected to use 290 kWh of electricity per year.
Water	FAIR - Estimated annual water use is 20% higher than average and ranks in the bottom 35% of new dishwashers for FAIR water consumption. It uses about 147 gallons more water annually than the average new dishwasher.
Sound	BETTER - Ranks in the top 10% of new dishwashers for BETTER noise suppression with sound levels that are 10% lower than average. It is 5 dbA quieter than average (a 3 dbA difference is like doubling the distance from the dishwasher).	✔
Cost	FAIR - Ranks in the bottom 15% of new higher-cost dishwashers for FAIR affordability. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $1179 is 41% higher than average. The Kenmore 13969 is priced about $337 more than average.

Cleaning Ratings
Spray Jets	Silverware and Dish Jets - The 13969 model includes high-pressure spray jets that can scrub heavily soiled dishes and silverware. Jets are positioned to help loosen and remove dried-on food deposits.	✔
High Temp	High-Temp Option - Includes the option to choose a high-temperature wash cycle. Really hot water is one of the most important ingredients for dissolving hardened food and producing clean dishes.	✔
Steam	No Steam Option - Like most new dishwashers, this model does not have the capability to generate steam. High-temperature water vapor can be an effective means of loosening baked-on or dried food deposits.
Wash Levels	5 Wash Levels - Standard number of wash levels that allow streams of water to saturate dishes from many different angles and directions. More wash levels promotes more thorough cleaning.	✔
Sensor Washing	Sensor Washing - Uses one or more sensors to measure soil content, load level, and/or water temperature. The Kenmore 13969 sensors automatically make adjustments to ensure optimum cleaning.	✔
Sanitize Cycle	Sanitize Cycle - Includes a sanitary cycle that is NSF certified to remove 99.9% of germs and bacteria. Water temperatures reach approximately 150-degrees to help disinfect your dishes.	✔
Cycles & Options	9 Cycles & Options - Cycles and options is about average for a new dishwasher. The more cycles and options you have to choose from, the better the chance of getting your particular dishes clean, and making your life a little more convenient.
Food Disposer	No Food Disposer - Does not include an integrated food disposer that can help keep the wash water clean and free of debris. About 50% of new dishwashers are designed with a hard or soft food disposer.
Water Softener	No Water Softener - Does not have a built-in water softener that can condition the water and remove minerals and impurities. Integrated softeners are only found on about 10% of new dishwashers.

Drying Ratings
Heated Dry	Heated Dry - Includes an option to dry the dishes faster with an internal heating element. Heated drying can also help to reduce spotting on dishes and especially glassware. Available on most new dishwashers.	✔
Tub Material	Stainless Steel Tub - Stainless steel interior dries dishes faster and more efficiently through natural processes. Stainless steel retains heat and condenses water; properties not found with plastic tubs.	✔
Concealed Element	No Concealed Element - Like most new dishwashers available today, this model does not have a heating element that is concealed or recessed to help prevent contact with plastic dishes and accidental melting.

Loading Ratings
No. of Racks	2 Racks - The Kenmore 13969 has a standard 2-rack design with both upper and lower loading racks. Only about 10% of new dishwashers have an additional 3rd rack that can be used for cups and smaller items.	✔
Spray Arms	Towerless - Uses a superior spray arm design instead of a central tower located in the middle of the bottom rack. Spray arms provide more wash levels and don't waste rack space or limit loading flexibility.	✔
Adjustable Racks	Adjustable - One or more of the racks can be adjusted to move up, down, and/or tilt. Adjustable racks allow you to create additional room for larger items. Provides flexibility for family gatherings.	✔
Removable Racks	Removable - One or more of the loading racks can be completely removed from the dishwasher. Very convenient for special occasions when you need additional space to load extra-large pots or serving plates.	✔
Fold-Down Tines	Fold-Down Tines - Divider tines positioned vertically in the rack can be folded down to help secure loose dishes or create additional horizontal space for larger items. Provides greater loading flexibility.	✔
Cup Shelf	Cup / Stemware Shelf - Includes an additional shelf for stacking coffee mugs or to secure delicate stemware. Nice feature that allows you to load lots of glasses to help with your after-party clean-up.	✔
Silverware Basket	Premium Silverware Basket - The silverware basket has extra features such as being movable, dividable, or fitted with covered slots. A flexible silverware basket makes loading or unloading the Kenmore 13969 a little easier.	✔
Utility Container	No Utility Container - Does not have an extra utility basket or tray like 70% of other new dishwashers. These extra baskets and trays can store larger items that don't fit in the standard basket.
Detergent Dispenser	No Detergent Reservoir - Uses a standard detergent dispenser that you fill each time you run a cycle. Less than 5% of new dishwashers have reservoirs that can hold multiple cycles of detergent.

Capacity Ratings
Place Settings	14 Settings - Number of place settings is 2% higher than average and ranks in the top 20% of new dishwashers for BETTER loading capacity. Convenient for larger families or if you simply like to run the dishwasher less often.	✔
Tub Size	Tall Tub - Super-capacity tall-tub design with about 20% more interior room than standard-size tubs. The Kenmore 13969 additional tub height allows you to load more place settings as well as taller items in the racks.	✔

Noise Ratings
Sound Level	46 dbA - Ranks in the top 10% of new dishwashers for BETTER noise suppression with sound levels that are 10% lower than average. It is 5 dbA quieter than average (a 3 dbA difference is like doubling the distance from the dishwasher).	✔

Efficiency Ratings
Energy Star	Energy Star - The Kenmore 13969 is Energy Star qualified according to the latest criteria. Over 80% of new dishwashers are Energy Star rated so it's important to look at the energy and water ratings.	✔
Energy Rating	290 kWh - Estimated annual electricity use is about average for a new dishwasher and is rated GOOD for power consumption. This Kenmore dishwasher is projected to use 290 kWh of electricity per year.
Water Rating	903 Gal - Estimated annual water use is 20% higher than average and ranks in the bottom 35% of new dishwashers for FAIR water consumption. It uses about 147 gallons more water annually than the average new dishwasher.
Energy Saver	Energy-Saver Cycle - The Kenmore 13969 allows you to select a quick-wash or energy-save cycle that uses lower temperatures, less water, and/or a shorter time for lightly-soiled dishes. Helps save water and energy.	✔
Half Load	No Half-Load Option - No option to save water and energy by washing just a half-load in either the upper or lower rack. You can still be eco-friendly by waiting for a full load before running a cycle.
Delay Start	Delay Start Option - Includes an energy-saving option to run the dishwasher overnight or during off-peak energy hours when electric utility rates are often substantially less. Or simply run while you're gone.	✔
CEE Tier 1	CEE Tier 1 - Super-efficient dishwasher that is qualified Tier 1 by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency. This model exceeds the federal Energy Star criteria with an Energy Factor rating of 0.78.	✔

Style Ratings
Exterior	Black - Standard black front seems to never go out of style. It's easy to color-coordinate with the rest of your kitchen appliances, and it's more economical than stainless steel or panel-ready doors.
Interior	Stainless Steel - The Kenmore 13969 stainless steel tub and door lining is stain-resistant, rust-resistant, durable, and less likely to absorb odors. Steel's natural condensation property also helps to dry dishes faster.	✔
Controls	All-Digital Integrated Controls - Touch-pad, all-digital control console is fully integrated (hidden) on the top door edge for a clean, seamless look from the front. Currently the most popular door style.	✔
Display	Digital Display - The Kenmore 13969 control console includes a digital display that shows cycle time remaining or other pertinent operating information that helps you monitor the wash.	✔

Cost Ratings
MSRP	$1179 - Ranks in the bottom 15% of new higher-cost dishwashers for FAIR affordability. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $1179 is 41% higher than average. The Kenmore 13969 is priced about $337 more than average.

Kenmore 13969 Review

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Discontinued