At a Glance:
What is a Dishwasher Third Rack?
How to Use a Dishwasher’s Third Rack
Do I Need a Third Rack Dishwasher? | 5 Reasons Why
Top Picks | 3rd Rack Dishwashers Worth the Rave
Asking yourself, “Do I need a third rack dishwasher” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind before purchasing a dishwashing machine, but we’d argue it should be. If you are in the market for a new dishwasher, a dishwasher with three racks is the next level of dish care that’s easier, more convenient, and can even help save on energy and water consumption. To learn more about what to look for in a dishwasher, check out this guide where we review third-rack dishwashers and discuss when they’re the best choice and why.
Discover the Best 3rd Rack Dishwasher Deals
Albert Lee has the best selection of third rack dishwashers to make dish care easy, efficient, and effective.
Shop 3rd Rack DishwashersWhat is a Dishwasher Third Rack?
Third-rack dishwashers have two standard levels to load glasses, plates, and cookware along with a bonus rack on the top shelf. Dishwashers with 3 racks typically fall within the mid-end to luxury price range. The market also includes adjustable third rack dishwashers capable of moving up and down to create more space for awkward cooking utensils and even cups and bowls on certain models.
How to Use a Dishwasher’s Third Rack
Understanding how to use 3rd rack dishwashers can help you get the most out of this feature. How you use the rack will depend on the type of appliance you have. Essentially, you will have more flexibility with an adjustable third rack than a standard one. Here are a few common dinnerware pieces that can be placed on your third rack.
What is the third rack in a dishwasher for?
- Cups and Glasses: Large wine or pint glasses might be too big for your third rack, but smaller cups and shot glasses could fit.
- Small Bowls: Specific dishwasher models feature concave tray designs (often referred to as V-shaped), which offer more space to hold dinnerware like bowls and cups.
- Silverware: 3 tray dishwasher models allow users to completely remove the silverware tray below to make more room for bulkier items, placing silverware in the upper rack instead.
- Miscellaneous Cooking Utensils: Whisks, knives, and spatulas are all excellent items to use in a dishwasher third rack.
Do I Need a Third Rack Dishwasher? | 5 Reasons Why
While a dishwasher 3rd rack is a handy feature, not every household will get the most use out of it, and not every buyer will want to fork out the the price hike that comes with the upgrade. With that in mind, if you are still asking yourself, “Do I need a third rack dishwasher,” check out these five reasons why you will become obsessed with this addition.
- You use a variety of cooking tools. Measuring cups, tongs, whisks, and other cooking utensils are awkward to load in standard dishwashers. A third rack dedicates space for these items for maximum dishwasher loading flexibility.
- You need every inch of space in your dishwasher. Busy households run their dishwashers constantly—even several times per day. The extra rack gives you extra storage and helps fit more items in one load, helping to cut down on total washes that need to be done.
- Large cookware often fills the bottom racks. Large pots, pans, and mixing bowls are big-time space hogs in the dishwasher. Having a third rack frees up extra space to be able to handle mixed loads with ease.
- You need as much loading flexibility as possible. Have the ability to remove a silverware tray, switch up where items wash, and having an extra space for one more dish give third rack dishwashers an edge over standard dishwashers.
- You can free up bottom rack space. This leaves room for items that need powerful blasts of water or creates space for bottle jets.
Despite the ample benefits of these models, there are some drawbacks. When evaluating 3rd rack dishwasher pros and cons, here are a few reasons to avoid this option.
⛔ Third-rack dishwashers cost more than standard dishwashers.
⛔ Not all third racks are removable.
⛔ Poorly designed third racks can limit upper rack space.
Top Picks | 3rd Rack Dishwashers Worth the Rave
If the answer to, “Do I need a third rack dishwasher?” is yes, then you can move on to exploring different products in this dishwasher buying guide. Here are some of the top-rated dishwashers from our selection of best 3rd rack dishwasher models and brands.
KitchenAid® 24" PrintShield™ Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher
Shop This KitchenAid Dishwasher
The FreeFlex™ third rack on this dishwasher can hold more than utensils. It was built to hold coffee mugs, small glasses, and bowls. This maximizes your loading flexibility. The jets inside the dishwasher are also designed to pay close attention to the top rack, so your items come out just as clean as the lower-level cookware.
⭐Featured KitchenAid KDTM604KPS Review:
“The cleaning/drying is a major upgrade from our old model and we love the third rack. Our dishes never looked so good coming out of any dishwasher we've ever owned.”
Maytag® 24" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Built-in Dishwasher
You don’t have to buy an expensive dishwasher to enjoy a third rack. This model by Maytag is affordable and durable, two features that homeowners often seek out in kitchen appliances. It has a specialized wash zone for cups and bowls, so the upper racks are never neglected. This dishwasher also has a PowerBlast® option to remove stubborn food particles—a complete package that’s earned over 2,200 5-star reviews!
⭐Featured Maytag MDB8959SKZ Review:
“Utensils come clean! The extra top rack is a real bonus, with plenty of room for all the little things.”
Bosch® 800 Series 24" Custom Panel Top Control Built-In Dishwasher
Bosch is a premium brand that produces some of the best dishwashers with 3rd rack features. This panel-ready dishwasher is designed to blend in with the rest of your kitchen. It is also one of the quietest dishwasher brands without sacrificing power. This dishwasher has an adjustable third rack that can be lowered to accommodate larger items together with 15 place settings, offering plenty of space and flexibility to handle dish loads of all sizes.
⭐Featured Bosch SHV78B73UC Review:
“My dishes come out so much cleaner with no streaks like my other dishwasher and it runs so quietly. I love the adjustable racks. Will never not have a Bosch again.”
Cafe™ 24" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Top Control Built-In Dishwasher
GE Cafe is another high-end brand that can give you a luxury dishwashing experience. This might be both the largest 3rd rack dishwasher when it comes to interior space and the quietest. It runs at an impressive 39 dBA. This Cafe dishwasher features a CustomFit top rack that can be adjusted and organized based on your specific needs. This option is loaded with upgrades, including Smart Assist Wi-Fi compatibility, advanced dish drying, bottle jets and lid placement, and independent wash zones.
GE® 24" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher
This dishwasher is further proof you don’t need a luxury model to enjoy features like the third rack. Along with the adjustable utensil rack on the top, this dishwasher has bottle jets on the bottom. Whether you need to sanitize baby bottles or wash out your cups after the gym, these jets can get to the deepest crevices. The Dry Boost™ system also gets your items cleaner than you expect. When it comes to 3rd rack dishwasher reviews, this is one of the best picks more than 3,400 perfect ratings.
⭐Featured GE GDT630PYRFS:
“We love our GE dishwasher. Especially the top utensil shelf. It cleans our dishes well and dries them perfectly.”
Thermador® Sapphire® 24" Custom Panel Top Control Built In Dishwasher
Shop This Thermador Dishwasher
If you’re in the market for the premium dishwashing experience, this dishwasher by Thermador has the setup for the job. The adjustable third rack is dubbed the Chef’s Tool Drawer® because of all the oddly shaped utensils it can hold. The flexible folding tines allow you to make space for pots and pans without treating your dishwasher like a puzzle. This is also a Wi-Fi-enabled dishwasher that is managed through the Home Connect™ app, and it’s also the only brand on the market with StarDry Zeolite drying for dishes that are up to 60% drier.
GE Profile™ 24" Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Top Control Built In Dishwasher
Shop This GE Profile Dishwasher
With 16 place settings, a removable silverware caddy, a third rack with silverware placement, and bottle jets, this premium dishwasher from GE Profile was made for modern needs. Handle it all with the ultimate convenience of SmartHQ Wi-Fi management and Smart Assist, AI-powered technology that learns user habits for maximum washing optimization.
Frigidaire Professional® 24" Smudge-Proof™ Stainless Steel Top Control Built In Dishwasher
Shop This Frigidaire Professional Dishwasher
Rounding out the list of top dishwashers with third racks is this model by Frigidaire Professional. The Target Spray Zones are designed to hit hard-to-reach spots so you never have to reclean dishes. The second rack is adjustable so it completely meets your needs, while the third rack is intended for silverware and utensils. Enjoy these convenience, plus upgrades like MaxBoost Dry technology, all with ENERGY STAR certified performance that saves homeowners an average of 4,000 gallons of water a year.
⭐Featured Frigidaire Professional PDSH4816AF Dishwasher:
“Love this brand and the professional series. Owned the same one before this and it lasted 20 years. Very durable brand.”
Efficiency is worth its weight in gold when it comes to loading a dishwasher, and having as much space as possible to wash a single load in one go is at the top of many buyers’ lists of must-have features. Dishwasher third racks make it possible—it’s all a matter of choosing the right model for your cleaning needs. Want to learn more about these high-capacity dishwashers or see our top picks for yourself? Visit one of our Puget Sound appliance stores today to have an Albert Lee appliance expert help you learn more about our third rack dishwasher reviews, plus the details about other top models and brands!
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Since 1939, Albert Lee Appliance, a three-generation, family-owned business, continues to grow and serve the greater Pacific Northwest with quality products you can count on and service you can trust. We are proud to have served this community for so long and wouldn’t be here without our loyal customers. There is a reason why we are Washington’s largest independent appliance dealer, and it’s not a secret. Simply put: We have the experience. We have been the original appliance experts for over eight decades (and counting).
Shop Third Rack Dishwashers at Albert Lee
At Albert Lee Appliance, we provide quality name-brand appliances for great prices. Shop dishwashers online or visit us today at one of our six locations in the Pacific Northwest. In the meantime, browse our website to shop Albert Lee appliance sales and check out Albert Lee appliance reviews online to ensure every purchase is an informed one. More available than ever, our experts at Albert Lee Appliance are always happy to help you answer questions such as, “Do I need a third rack dishwasher,” whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Contact us today!
Learn More: Bosch vs KitchenAid Dishwashers | Reviews & Top Picks