WHAT IS A TALL TUB DISHWASHER?
A tall tub dishwasher offers a larger interior capacity than standard-sized models but has the same exterior dimensions. They typically hold at least 12 place settings.
After creating an amazing spread in the kitchen, you can use a tall tub dishwasher to load specialty cookware like woks, paella pans and casserole dishes to get everything clean and ready to use for your next meal. Explore this guide to tall tub dishwashers and discover whether a larger-capacity model is right for you.
TALL TUB VS. STANDARD DISHWASHER: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
One of the most obvious differences between tall tub and standard dishwashers is tub size, but that’s just the start. Tall tubs often hold more place settings and feature interior designs and options that can help you make the most of the extra space.
CAPACITY
While standard models hold around 12 place settings, tall tub designs can typically fit 12 to 15 so you can clean more dishes in fewer loads. A place setting usually means a large and small plate, bowl, coffee cup with a saucer, a glass, and utensils.
Despite their increased capacity, tall tub dishwashers are typically the same height as standard-sized models. Both tall tub and regular dishwashers are around 35 inches tall. Tall tub dishwashers can be installed in most kitchen configurations without having to open up additional space or adjust counter height.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Tall tub dishwashers typically have wider tines and flatter motor configurations than regular dishwashers, so you can easily load baking sheets and serving dishes for a wash cycle.
The flat motor and top-placed washing arms of a tall tub dishwasher help create more space in the bottom rack so you can clean cookware in a variety of shapes and sizes, like blender pitchers and stand mixer bowls.
Regular dishwashers typically use larger motors, and the spray arms are located beneath the bottom rack. KitchenAid® dishwashers have tall tub options with the 360° Max Jets™ Third Rack to add even more capacity to your appliance.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Tall tub dishwashers come in both top control and front control configurations and in a variety of finishes so you can enjoy additional space in a design that matches your kitchen’s aesthetic.
Unlike standard-sized dishwashers, tall tub models typically don’t have a kick plate at the bottom of the appliance to allow more usable space.
FEATURES
Tall tub dishwashers often pair their extra capacity with features designed to make every inch count. For instance, some KitchenAid® dishwashers feature Adjustable Rows in the Middle and Lower Racks with tines that easily fold down to make room for dishes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Others maximize performance with more wash jets—like the 50+ Total Wash Jets available on some KitchenAid® dishwashers—that help you tackle large loads in a dishwasher designed with more capacity.
Standard dishwashers still offer convenient cleaning features, but may offer less flexibility for fitting oversized or tall items. Some dishwashers help you clean more thoroughly with specialty cycles that let you tailor the wash to your load for optimal results.
TALL TUB DISHWASHER DIMENSIONS
Tall tub dishwashers are usually around 24 inches wide, 35 inches tall and 24 inches deep. Keep in mind that dishwasher dimensions generally exclude external handles, so you may need to consider a few extra inches in depth depending on the model you choose.
Models that include an additional rack, like this KitchenAid® dishwasher with the 360° Max Jets™ Third Rack, have similar dimensions as standard dishwashers.
DO ALL TALL TUB DISHWASHERS HAVE 3RD RACKS?
Not every tall tub dishwasher comes equipped with a third rack. In some models, that extra tier offers added loading flexibility, helping you fit more dishes with ease. Others skip the third rack entirely, instead using the additional tub height to make room for taller glasses up top or oversized cookware down below.
TALL TUB DISHWASHER BENEFITS
Tall tub dishwashers help to simplify kitchen cleanup with increased interior capacity so you can focus more on creating a delicious meal rather than cleaning it up. Tall tub dishwashers can help you keep up with the tools you use from prep to table with benefits that may include:
More room than standard models, typically handling up to 12 to 15 place settings per cycle
Increased capacity that allows you to wash more dishes in fewer cycles
Large capacity bottom rack to better fit baking sheets and serving dishes to help make cleaning easier after large gatherings
Typically feature wider tines on the bottom rack, providing more space for larger items
Adjustable second rack on some models designed to fit your cleaning needs, like washing party platters, pitchers, blender jars and more
A third rack on select models
Often designed with high-end features and quiet operation
Standard exterior dimensions for simple installation
Learn more about how to load a dishwasher to get the most out of your tall tub model.
