HamSkoolie
Senior Member
I just don't see how a regular dishwasher can use less water (and I don't trust them to get things clean anyway, I REALLY inspect) than hand washing if you hand wash with the idea of conservation.
A small tub with soapy water, placed in the sink. biggest pot washed first and subsequent washed items go into that pot and are then rinsed with the rinse water going into the pot. When finished the pot just needs a quick rinse and you've used MAYBE 3 gallons of water for a days dishes even if you eat three meals a day and use plates that have to be washed. We use paper plates because.... we hate doing dishes, water is always at a premium, and they can be burned to reduce trash volume.
So how much does a dishwasher use? The legal requirement is 5 gallons (or less) and online sources say some use as little as 3..... don't forget all the electricity. On the other hand, as mentioned, they are a handy place to securely store your dishes.
We may install one but if we are going for max duration boondocking we'll be using paper plates and wooden disposable utensils (all to be burned in the wood stove or the camp fire).
Now if testing of the real world conditions water reclamation system shows reclaimed water to be potable..... A dishwasher would be awesome.
A small tub with soapy water, placed in the sink. biggest pot washed first and subsequent washed items go into that pot and are then rinsed with the rinse water going into the pot. When finished the pot just needs a quick rinse and you've used MAYBE 3 gallons of water for a days dishes even if you eat three meals a day and use plates that have to be washed. We use paper plates because.... we hate doing dishes, water is always at a premium, and they can be burned to reduce trash volume.
So how much does a dishwasher use? The legal requirement is 5 gallons (or less) and online sources say some use as little as 3..... don't forget all the electricity. On the other hand, as mentioned, they are a handy place to securely store your dishes.
We may install one but if we are going for max duration boondocking we'll be using paper plates and wooden disposable utensils (all to be burned in the wood stove or the camp fire).
Now if testing of the real world conditions water reclamation system shows reclaimed water to be potable..... A dishwasher would be awesome.