Dishwasher kickplate advice

7 months ago

Hello community! I would love some advice as to what to do for a kickplate under our newly installed under-bench dishwasher (previously was a free-standing). What materials should I use? Should I hide the existing stainless steel strip underneath or only build under it? Is it important that it sits a certain distance back from the door or can it sit flush with the door?
Ideas and inspiration welcome!
Thanks in advance!

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Comments (7)

Kate
7 months ago
It looks like the dishwasher is mounted too high. The kick plate should sit in line with your cabinet kicker. Check the washing machine manual for the gap required at top of machine
dreamer
7 months ago
I completely agree with Kate. The machine appears to be too high. The feet should be sitting on the floor, not on added pieces of wood. The bottom of dishwasher should be flush with your cabinet base. Then kick board can be installed flush against the stainless steel kickboard of dishwasher, or even no kickboard at all. The machine does not need to be right up high against bench top. Check the installation for correct height from floor stands to front of dishwasher, example attached.
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dreamer
7 months ago
Take the wood out, wind down the leg stands, it all should line up with cabinets no kickboard required
bigreader
7 months ago
I would do a panel that matches your existing kickers. I’d cover the dishwashers own stainless one but take care you can still open the door.
dreamer
7 months ago
If you install an additional panel kick board to match cabinets, (in front of dishwasher kick plate) then the additional kick plate will have to be removable for when required to pull dishwasher out.
Sandra van der Jagt
Original Author
7 months ago
Thank you everyone for your input! Super helpful.
PRO
Compass Kitchens
7 months ago
Hello Sandra, In situations like this retro-fit, when the Dishwasher Door Height is shorter than the Kitchen Door Height, we would wind down the Dishwasher Legs so the bottom of the Dishwasher Door is in line this the bottom of the Kitchen Doors. We would then make a matching filler piece in polished Timber to fill the space at the top which is screwed (or glued) up to the underside of the Benchtop. (see image)

For the Kicker plate, most Dishwasher Manufacturers make their kickers in two layers that slid behind each other so they are height adjustable as well as being adjustable in and out so the Kicker can slide forward to line up with the Kitchen Kicker. If your particular Dishwasher does not have these features then I suggest making a Black kicker to fit this space and install it level with the existing kitchen Kicker.

I also suspect that the Installer has placed the Dishwasher on blocks because the feet were not long enough to wind your Dishwasher all the way up to the benchtop.

I hope this helps, Malcolm.

Dishwasher kickplate advice

Comments (7)

Kate

dreamer

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Dishwasher kickplate advice

Comments (7)

Kate

dreamer

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bigreader

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Sandra van der JagtOriginal Author

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Original Author