Has anyone ever had a countertop portable dishwasher?

[Denninmi]

I'm considering buying one for my mother for her birthday in 3 weeks. She's going to be 86, but is still very active. I would like her to take it a little easier at times. She has never had a dishwasher, and her kitchen was built in 1948 and is very small, so there is just no room for a full sized or even a portable, roll around on wheels type, unless I ripped out half of her lower level cabinets AND did some replumbing, and trust me, I'm no Bob Villa, I'm more like Tim Tailor when it comes to those things.

As I was browsing the local paper today, an advert from a local appliance chain caught my eye. They are selling a Danby countertop portable dishwasher for $97. I did a lot of googling -- it's a really great price for what it is, about half the cost anywhere else. This thing is about the size of a microwave, sits on the counter, and hooks up to the faucet with a quick connect system.

It got mixed reviews online. People seem to like it, overall thought it worked fairly well, but some have had issues with it holding up (gee, made in China, I know, I know), and also issues with poor customer service.

The thing is, for $97, I'd be wiling to give it a try. And, I can buy an extended warranty to add a couple of extra years on to it for another $10 -- again, I'd be willing to risk it for that.

She has told me many times that doing the dishes is one thing she really, really hates anymore. Frankly, I don't have any other ideas at this time anyway.

Any thoughts on this. Here is what it is:

http://www.danby.com/product/DDW497W/11

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I had no idea they came so small. I have a regular portable one that

I wouldn't do without, although it can be a pain at times.

[Denninmi]

2. I didn't either, frankly, until I saw it today in the ABC Warehouse Applicance ad.

That was my lightbulb moment. I knew about the portable-on-wheels kind that are about 3 feet tall, but didn't know they had countertop versions about microwave sized.

[hippywife]

3. I bought one of the Haier portable roll around ones

and if these cheap counter top models are as good as it is, don't waste your money. I never use it because it's just not all that good at getting the dishes clean. I stopped even trying to use it anymore.

And as far as hooking these things up to the kitchen faucet is concerned, I have a hard time getting it off sometimes so I can just imagine how difficult this might be for 86 year old hands.

[Lucinda]

4. Amazon has customer reviews of Danby countertop washers

I linked to one here so you can look at them....its more expensive but you may be able to search for the model you are looking at. I ♥ Amazon reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/Danby-Countertop-Dishwasher-2d-DDW496W/dp/B000FFS0V6

[Denninmi]

5. Thanks, all.

It was a no-go in real life. The capacity looks reasonable in the on-line ads -- they must use underside dishes (or Photoshop) to make it look like it holds more than it really would.

And, the salesman was rude and pushy. Bye bye.

Checking out other options -- a full sized portable.

[Lucinda]

6. Is she physically capable of pulling a portable around? Also

Can she bend easily? It could be difficult loading and unloading the bottom rack of a normal portable...Also Amazon shows other brands that may hold more...