Bosch is very, very good, and very quiet. You can put plastic in the bottom rack and it won’t melt. You do need to buy the expensive dishwasher tablets, though. The third rack is surprisingly useful.
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Oh, we’ve just been using whatever dishwasher soap.
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Yeah we just use the Costco jugs of cascade whatever liquid.
I had trouble with the sensors going off, and the repair guy said that Bosch is very finicky and it’s worth using the Finish, which is what Bosch recommends. We do have extremely hard water.
I’m sorry, what a week. My condolences on the loss of your mom.
I’m +1 on Bosch. I bought mine 2nd hand from craigslist (but basically new) in 2017ish and it has worked beautifully ever since. It does need proper installation to be as quiet as promised (not a big deal, but getting all the little flaps to make contact with the edges of the opening is important). You do need to pull out the little filter and rinse it off ever month-ish (depending on how often you run it). I have moderately hard water and use the costco brand dishwasher tablets, but am just one person and don’t cook things super hot or super oily. My friend who is harder on her dishwasher prefers the finish tablets. ymmv.
The Wirecutter says basically all the Bosch machines are about the same, so even the entry level ones will clean your dishes well. I have a slightly fancier one and like it. The 3rd rack does seem gimmicky but is actually great.
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Oh that’s a point- we never put our pots and pans in there, we hand wash those so there’s probably a lot less grease than some folks. And we don’t have much plastic. L
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ha! yeah, my bffs live a few doors down the street and I’m at their house/help out in the kitchen a lot and see more than most the effect of cooking style on dishwasher performance! It’s not that big a deal, but more oil definitely has an effect, and probably requires more/more expensive soap!
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Otoh Ikea had one for $200 in as is today. Which is also a great selling point
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So I found a Bosch 300 series open box for $250 off. It’s at a store 25 miles away, but I’ll make that drive for the savings. Thanks for the feedback and condolences, too.
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Any ideas on what to get my mom and MIL for their first Mother’s Day as grandparents?
What should I ask for???
I’m very bad at gifts lol.
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I got a “grandma brag board” this year. Past years have included photo books, “generations” necklaces, mugs with photos, and custom t shirts.
ETA LINKS
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My sis did a thing where baby’s feet got painted to make the v in LOVE painted on a plain canvas.
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I got a $7 “monthly mini” Chatbook and if I like it I’ll ask for a subscription. Printing photos is important to me!!
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We used these for footprints and put them in a frame side by side with a picture of baby. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01GZP89YC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
For my own mother’s day gift I’m asking for brunch foods and good coffee to appear on my patio Sunday morning and to have an afternoon nap 
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Oh yes that’s another thing- for Christmas every year my MIL gets copies of all our monthly Chatbooks. She asks for them 
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the shadowy one is getting more and more into birding. I am open to being reasonably splurgy.
Good binoculars?
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How much of a splurge? Binoculars can be super expensive!
I got these based on an online review (possibly Wirecutter?) and I am very happy with them.
I also considered options from this guide. It seems like a large number of others in my bird watching club use Vortex or Nikon brand but I’m not sure which models.
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I haven’t started to look into what good binoculars cost. I was thinking under 2k. The shadowy one has very few splurges.
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Oh, that could get a very nice pair, much nicer than what I have!
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I am also happy to do a smaller splurge 
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