Appliance IQ: Kitchen

A guide to tall tub dishwashers

A tall tub dishwasher is a popular kitchen appliance thanks to its large capacity and ability to handle more dishes and cookware than standard models. Most standard-sized dishwashers are designed to fit about 12 place settings, a large capacity tall tub model, though, can accommodate around 12 to 15 place settings. 

The addition of a larger tub helps provide greater convenience, letting you load more dishes and run fewer cycles without giving up valuable exterior kitchen space.

What is a tall tub dishwasher?

An opened Whirlpool Dishwasher with the racks pulled out. The racks are full of pots, plates, cups, mugs, bowls, and more. An opened Whirlpool Dishwasher with the racks pulled out. The racks are full of pots, plates, cups, mugs, bowls, and more.

A tall tub dishwasher refers to models that offer more interior space than standard ones while the exterior size remains the same. This gives owners more capacity to handle oversized cookware and is ideal for large families and those who like to host dinner parties and big family gatherings. 

Keep in mind that the exterior size of a tall tub dishwasher is consistent with standard model dimensions (24 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 35 inches tall). This means that you will enjoy the benefits of increased capacity without having to renovate your kitchen space to install your new appliance. 

Learn how to maximize capacity when loading a dishwasher.

Someone loads a blender jar onto the middle rack of a Whirlpool Dishwasher. Also on the rack are glasses, bowls and plates. Someone loads a blender jar onto the middle rack of a Whirlpool Dishwasher. Also on the rack are glasses, bowls and plates.

Comparing a tall tub and a regular dishwasher

A tall tub dishwasher typically offers a greater amount of dish loading space due to how the washing arm is configured, the inclusion of a different motor, wider tines and removing the kick plate. These features work together to provide more room on the bottom rack so you can load large items like casserole pans and baking sheets and wash them during the same cycle.

Tall tub models are made with a flatter motor configuration and a top-placed washing arm. This differs from standard-sized dishwashers, which usually have a larger motor and a washing arm on the bottom of the interior tub in addition to a kick plate. If you want even more space, you can go with a tall tub dishwasher with an adjustable upper rack like the Whirlpool® dishwasher with fan dry.

Also, the Whirlpool® fingerprint resistant dishwasher with 3rd rack & large capacity creates space for tall reusable water bottles on a second rack or mugs and bowls on a third rack. Learn all about the various types of dishwashers to find the one that will benefit your household the most.

A tall tub dishwasher or a standard dishwasher, which is taller?

A tall tub dishwasher maintains the same exterior height as a standard dishwasher (about 35 inches tall). This should alleviate any concerns when it comes to placement or installation with your countertops.  The term tall tub refers only to the interior space.

Dimensions of a standard tall tub dishwasher 

A tall tub dishwasher is approximately 24 inches wide, 35 inches tall and 24 inches deep, without handles, like with this Whirlpool® large capacity dishwasher.

A closed Whirlpool Dishwasher with a towel bar. It's surrounded by cabinets. The dishwasher shows the dimensions of 35" (height) x 24" (length) x 24" (depth). A closed Whirlpool Dishwasher with a towel bar. It's surrounded by cabinets. The dishwasher shows the dimensions of 35" (height) x 24" (length) x 24" (depth).

These dishwashers are configured with a greater amount of interior space but their overall size is not larger. If you’re looking for a wider appliance, certain large-capacity dishwashers come oversized with widths that range between 30 and 42 inches.

Does a tall tub dishwasher need more space or higher countertops?

Since a tall tub dishwasher has dimensions that are similar to standard models, additional exterior space or higher countertops are unnecessary for installation. Learn more about dishwasher sizes and dimensions to make sure you know what will fit in your kitchen.

The benefits of a tall tub dishwasher

Tall tub dishwashers are versatile kitchen appliances that provide more interior capacity and simplify post-meal cleanup, so you can spend more time focusing on what matters.

Someone loading a tall pot on the upper rack of a Whirlpool Dishwasher. Someone loading a tall pot on the upper rack of a Whirlpool Dishwasher.
Someone pulling out the middle rack of a Whirlpool Dishwasher. The rack is full of kids' plates, bowls, plates and more. Someone pulling out the middle rack of a Whirlpool Dishwasher. The rack is full of kids' plates, bowls, plates and more.

Take advantage of everything a tall tub dishwasher offers:

  • Some models come with a stainless steel finish

  • Certain models have an adjustable third rack that makes loading mugs, bowls and other items that are typically hard to fit much easier

  • You can run fewer cycles with larger loads

  • A large capacity bottom rack is great for casserole dishes and baking sheets

  • An adjustable second rack is ideal for tall items like blender jars and reusable water bottles

  • They have standard-sized exterior dimensions 

Discover the stainless steel Whirlpool® tall tub dishwasher with adjustable second and third racks.

Does a tall tub dishwasher fit your life?

A tall tub dishwasher might not make sense for everyone. However, many could benefit from being able to load cookware right onto the lower racks and utensils and awkwardly-shaped items on the adjustable second and third racks.

The inside of a Whirlpool Dishwasher that's mid-wash cycle. On the rack are a baking tray, plates, pots, and cutlery in a cutlery tray. The inside of a Whirlpool Dishwasher that's mid-wash cycle. On the rack are a baking tray, plates, pots, and cutlery in a cutlery tray.

These models are adept at handling dishes and cookware of different sizes and make cleaning up after a family holiday dinner less of a chore. If you hate staring at a counter full of dirty dishes and don’t want to run multiple cycles a day, a tall tub dishwasher might be the right choice for you. 

Browse the complete collection of Whirlpool® dishwashers for your home.

Find the ideal dishwasher for your home with Whirlpool

Whirlpool offers an extensive collection of dishwashers designed to let you enjoy meals and spend more time with your family without stressing about cleaning up after dessert.

Whether you want a large capacity model or one that’s more compact with a hidden control panel, Whirlpool can help you find the perfect dishwasher with the features you desire.