How Big an Opening to Leave for a GE Dishwasher?

Size of the Opening

• To accommodate most GE dishwashers, the opening in your cabinets needs to be at least 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep. There also needs to be at least 35 inches of space between the underside of the counter and the kitchen floor. The dishwasher must be fully enclosed by the cabinets and counter top -– the counter or cabinets cannot rest against the appliance.

Cabinets

• The cabinets need to be properly fitted to accommodate the dishwasher. Make sure the sides of the cabinet bordering the dishwasher are completely straight -– at a 90 degree angle to the floor -– without any warping or major deviations. There must be at least 2 inches clearance from the adjacent cabinet if the dishwasher is being installed in a corner to allow the door to open correctly.

Water and Electricity

• The water and electrical supplies must enter the dishwasher opening within 6 inches of the floor to properly connect the with appliance. To avoid damaging other kitchen electronics there must be no pipes or wires on the back wall more than 6 inches off the ground. The drain cannot be more than 10 feet from the site of the dishwasher.

Other Considerations

• Make sure the cabinets opposite the dishwasher are at least 29 inches away; the dishwasher door opens outward and lies flat when dishes are being added or removed. You may have to drill into the back wall or surrounding cabinets to route the drain hose to the necessary location. Dishwashers usually connect to the drain pipe of the kitchen sink.