What Is a Fisher and Paykel DishDrawer and Should You Get One?

Fisher & Paykel's DishDrawer is one of the most distinctive dishwasher designs on the market. Instead of a traditional front-opening door, the DishDrawer opens like a drawer from the top. Here's how it works, its advantages and whether it's worth considering for your kitchen.

How Does a DishDrawer Work?

DishDrawers come in single drawer and double drawer configurations. Each drawer operates independently as a fully functional dishwasher. The double drawer stacks two units, one above the other, in the same space as a standard freestanding dishwasher.

How Do You Load It?

Instead of bending down to load a standard dishwasher door, you pull the drawer out horizontally and load dishes from above. The drawer extends at bench height (single drawer) or in two accessible zones (double drawer), eliminating bending.

Benefits

Ergonomic Loading

No bending required. This is a significant benefit for people with back issues or mobility limitations. The drawer is at a comfortable working height.

Run Two Small Loads Independently

With a double drawer, you can run the top and bottom drawers on different cycles — for example, a quick cycle for lightly soiled cups upstairs and a heavy cycle for pots and pans below. This is ideal for households that don't generate enough dishes to fill a full-size machine at once.

Space Flexibility

DishDrawers can be installed under a bench, in a kitchen island, in a bathroom, or in a wet bar — almost anywhere there's a water connection. Single drawers fit into half the vertical height of a standard dishwasher.

Disadvantages

• Lower total capacity than a full-size door dishwasher
• Higher price than comparable conventional dishwashers
• Drawer mechanism adds complexity (more moving parts than a hinged door)

Who Is It For?

DishDrawers are ideal for households that want ergonomic convenience, flexible loading or the ability to run small loads efficiently. They're also popular in renovation projects where the drawer form factor suits the kitchen design better than a traditional dishwasher door.

Shop Fisher & Paykel DishDrawers at Oceania Appliances

We stock Fisher & Paykel single and double DishDrawers. Visit our Wetherill Park showroom to see them in person, or shop online with free delivery across Sydney.