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  • About the KitchenAid KDTE234GPS

  • What we like

  • What we don’t like

  • Warranty

  • What owners say

  • Should you buy it?

  • Related content
  • About the KitchenAid KDTE234GPS
  • What we like
  • What we don’t like
  • Warranty
  • What owners say
  • Should you buy it?
The top-mounted controls of a KitchenAid KDTE234GPS dishwasher.
Credit: Reviewed / Mark Brezinski

When the dishwasher is installed, these controls will be hidden by your countertop, creating a nice, uniform-looking exterior.

If you’re just looking for a model that’s attractive and moderately-priced, the KDTE234GPS could seem like a good choice. But if you’re looking for a budget option that still performs, though maybe without the same aesthetic flair, there are better options out there.

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About the KitchenAid KDTE234GPS

A KitchenAid KDTE234GPS dishwasher with third rack.
Credit: Reviewed / Mark Brezinski

The top and third rack don't really lock in place when they're pulled out, which can make loading awkward at times.

  • Four finish options: Available in fingerprint-resistant stainless steel (KDTE234GPS), black (KDTE234GBL), white (KDTE234GWH), and fingerprint-resistant black stainless steel (KDTE234GBS, costs $100 more).
  • Five cycles: Normal, Tough, Quick, Power Wash, and a separate Rinse cycle.
  • Sanitize mode: Increases the first and final rinse temperatures, which the manufacturer claims can loosen up food soil and kill bacteria.
  • Embedded heating rod: A recessed heating element and fans help dry dishes quickly.
  • Cycle speed: The Quick Wash cycle takes 61 minutes, the Normal cycle lasts 3 hours and 35 minutes, and the Heavy cycle takes 4 hours and 11 minutes.
  • Capacity: The brand claims the dishwasher can hold up to 14 place settings, but the user guide shows how to accommodate only 12 place settings.
Loading dishes into a KitchenAid KDTE234GPS dishwasher.
Credit: KitchenAid KDTE234GPS manual

The KitchenAid KDTE234GPS manual shows how users should load 12 place settings.

What we like

  • Design: From the stainless steel finish to the designs of the display and handle, this is a handsome dishwasher.
  • Quiet: At 46 dBA, this dishwasher won’t disturb or distract.
  • Efficient: This dishwasher uses an estimated 479 gallons of water per year, while the average dishwasher uses about 980 gallons per year.
KitchenAid KDTE234GPS knurled handle
Credit: Reviewed / Mark Brezinski

The knurled handle is one of this dishwasher's best features: it looks stunning and feels solid.

What we don’t like

  • Stains left on most dishes: In our tests, we found that many dishes came out of their cleaning cycle with some food left on them. Even on the Heavy cycle, which got dishes the cleanest overall, we found food stains on 21 out of 22 test dishes.
  • Slow Normal wash cycle: We clocked the Normal cycle at three hours and 35 minutes, significantly longer than the average Normal cycle that takes about two hours.
  • Rickety third rack: Because it doesn’t feel secure and its flat design doesn't accommodate deeper utensils, we don’t think the third rack offers much functionality.
Third rack of a KitchenAid KDTE234GPS dishwasher.
Credit: Reviewed / Mark Brezinski

While the KitchenAid KDTE234GPS does come with a third rack, we didn't find it to be particularly sturdy or effective.

Warranty

KitchenAid offers a lifetime limited warranty. The first year covers both parts and labor. From years two through five, the warranty only applies to parts, and after the fifth year, just the stainless steel tub and inner door liner are covered.

What owners say

Overall, owners really like the KitchenAid KDTE234GPS—it has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on major sites. The most common features users praise are the dishwasher’s design and how quiet it is. The most common complaints are about dishes not drying well and the third rack's poor design.

A KitchenAid KDTE234GPS dishwasher with exposed heating rod.
Credit: Reviewed / Mark Brezinski

The heating rod certainly gets dishes dry on the Normal cycle, but there were some damp dishes remaining after the Quick wash cycle.

Should you buy it?

Probably not. While the KitchenAid KDTE234GPS would look beautiful in any stainless steel kitchen, it doesn’t perform well enough to make this a practical purchase. There are plenty of gorgeous stainless steel dishwashers available at a similar price point that won’t leave you with so many stained dishes. We’d recommend checking out the LG LDT7808ST. If you buy that model, you’ll have to give up the KitchenAid's knurled handle, but you’ll get significantly cleaner dishes, faster.

Meet the testers

Mark Brezinski

Mark Brezinski

Senior Writer

@markbrezinski

Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.

See all of Mark Brezinski's reviews
Kyle Hamilton

Kyle Hamilton

Product Tester

Kyle Hamilton is a product tester at Reviewed, specializing in home appliances and technology.

See all of Kyle Hamilton's reviews

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