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  • Design & Usability

  • Performance

  • A Tough Sell

  • Design & Usability
  • Performance
  • A Tough Sell

It features sturdy racks with adjustable tines, an intuitive user interface, relatively versatile feature set, and—like other Profile models—GE’s new Deep Clean silverware jets.

However, in terms of raw cleaning power, we were underwhelmed. Only the Heavy cycle managed to clean our tough stains.

Design & Usability

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The PDF820S is definitely a step up from GE’s baseline model. The recessed handle gives it a streamlined look, even with front-facing controls that look a bit cluttered. Available in white, black, or stainless, this model offers the following:

• A stainless steel tub with a noise rating of 45 dBA • Four cycles — Normal, Light, Heavy, and AutoSense • Cycle features — Delay (up to 12 hours), Steam, Temperature Select (Boost and Sanitize), and Heated Dry • An option to wash the upper or lower racks only • GE’s new Deep Clean silverware jets (which we love) • Hard food disposal with removable filter • Four bottle jets on the top rack, plus two rows of stemware holders • Two rows of adjustable tines each on the upper and lower racks • Adjustable height settings for the top rack • Standard 1-year limited parts and labor warranty

For this price, you get a pretty sizable set of perks. It’s a dishwasher that looks good and feels even better, even if it’s not as sleek as some other models.

Performance

This GE drops the ball a bit when it comes to actual cleaning power. We bake some pretty nasty and persistent stains on our dishes to see how well these machines can handle tough crud, and this machine comes up short.

The only cycle that handed our toughest stains was Heavy. That may seem obvious, but many Normal cycles are more than a match for our meat and milk stains, which proved problematic here.

The user interface is sensibly laid out and easy to use, even if you have to scroll through the cycles to pick the one you want.
Credit: GE

The user interface is sensibly laid out and easy to use, even if you have to scroll through the cycles to pick the one you want.

And without Heated Dry turned on, we found that most of our dishes came out at least a little damp. If you’re running it overnight, evaporation may take care of things, or you can turn on Heated Dry a the expense of some energy efficiency.

Cleaning power aside, we have to give GE some props for speedy cycles. Normal finished after an hour and a half—some machines can take twice as long, especially older models—which means if you’re typically dealing with less soiled dishes than we are, you could get a pretty speedy clean.

A Tough Sell

{{ amazon name="Finish Powerball Fresh 85 Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Tabs", asin="B00GLXKDPC", align="right" }} The GE Profile PDF820S series isn’t bad, but it doesn’t do much to stand out for anyone other than diehard GE fans. Things like the built-in food disposer and Deep Clean silverware jets will definitely appeal to some folks, but at $800 minimum it’s a tough sell.

If you can get it on sale or as part of a discounted kitchen package, and you like the look, then go for it. Otherwise, we’d suggest shopping around.

Meet the tester

Matthew Zahnzinger

Matthew Zahnzinger

Logistics Manager & Staff Writer

@ReviewedHome

Matthew is a native of Brockton, MA and a graduate of Northeastern, where he earned a degree in English and Theatre. He has also studied at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin and spends most of his free time pursuing a performance career in the greater Boston area.

See all of Matthew Zahnzinger's reviews

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