What is the Floor Beam feature and why is it needed in a dishwasher?

What is a "floor beam"?

First of all, this is an indicator that projects a so-called “beam” onto the floor.

1. The first generation of this option was a regular dot of red, blue or green, which was lit while the PMM was working, the backlight turned off at the end of the cycle.

1. In the second generation, the beam began to change its color. So, for example, while the machine is working, the beam glows red, at the end of the cycle it glows green (colors may be different).
2. The latest generation has become more innovative, and the time remaining until the end of the program began to be projected on the floor. Cars with such an indicator are usually the most high-tech and equipped with other interesting options.

How is a laser indicator useful?

Few people are impressed by the "beam" function. This happens for one simple reason - users do not always know why a laser pointer is needed and what its practical use is. Let's consider the main advantages of the technology:

1. Conventional PMM models are built into the set in such a way that the control panel is hidden behind the furniture facade, so it is not clear how long the cycle will last. There are no such difficulties with floor indicators.
2. Most of the latest dishwashers have an audible alarm feature. But for people with poor hearing, such a development may not be of benefit, which cannot be said about the light beam.

Attention! A time indicator projected onto the floor is found not only in fully built-in models, but also in PMMs with the possibility of partial embedding. It all depends on the manufacturer of the equipment.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's start with the pros of the floor beam feature in dishwashers:

• The PMM light indicator helps to visually assess the progress of the washing or drying program without going close to the device - just look at the floor. Convenient if, for example, you washed the floor.
• The laser pointer is convenient for users with hearing impairment, and many machines are equipped with an audible alert, which the average user cannot always hear.
• If the model is built-in and its user panel is hidden behind the facade of the furniture set, you need to open the door to see the progress of the program on the display. A mini-projector will allow you to avoid unnecessary manipulations and monitor the progress of the wash remotely.

Are there any disadvantages to this invention? They may seem somewhat subjective to you, but the disadvantages are worth mentioning:

• Expensive. The more innovative solutions a dishwasher has, the higher its cost. Think before you overpay - perhaps the function will remain unclaimed.
• Not suitable for every kitchen. Don’t be surprised - the color of the floor (especially colored linoleum) does not always allow you to see the symbols displayed by the beam.

• If a light bulb fails and there is no other way of notification, you may be left misinformed about the end time of the program.
• Built-in models are most often equipped with this option, and if you have your eye on a free-standing modification, you will have to work hard to find an option with similar functionality.

As you can see, the pros are comparable to the cons, and the purchasing decision should be made taking into account the above facts and your own needs.

Main types and functions of built-in dishwashers

A dishwasher is an electromechanical device designed for automated washing of dishes. Widely used in everyday life and industry.

Household dishwashers are divided into two types according to installation method:

• free-standing - devices with their own body and table top;
• built-in – appliances that are selected during the design of the kitchen unit and are subsequently built into the kitchen furniture.

Directly built-in household appliances are either fully built-in or partially built-in.

Fully built-in machines are installed in a niche of a kitchen unit, the top of the machine is covered by a tabletop, and its door and control panel are covered by a furniture façade. This way the technology becomes invisible.

Partially built-in units are distinguished by the fact that the control panel is located on top of the decorative facade. This provides quick access to it and allows you to neatly fit the equipment into the interior of the kitchen, but at the same time leave the door visible.

Reference. The operation of any type of dishwasher consists of several stages: soaking, washing, rinsing, drying. At the same time, the wash has up to 20 modes, differing in the time and temperature for processing dishes (standard, economical, intensive, delicate, fast, etc.).

Built-in devices are equipped with a list of functions and programs that facilitate their use and maintenance. The main ones:

1. Automated fault detection – the built-in diagnostic system detects and reports errors and malfunctions.
2. Half load is a program characterized by incomplete loading of the machine.
3. Water hardness sensor - the system automatically adjusts the water hardness level and maintains its optimal values.
4. Delayed start function – the user sets the start time of a given program.
5. Leak protection – controls the water level in the machine. If a leak is detected, the system shuts off the water supply and turns on the drain pump.
6. Pulsating change of water – control of the strength of the flow of incoming water.
7. Automatic door closing function - the mechanism itself tightens the door, closing it tightly.
8. Indicators – notify about the end of the device operation.

The more expensive and complex the equipment to produce, the greater the number of programs included in it.

Models with beam

Let's look at offers from different manufacturers and compare their characteristics. In addition to the display, you will be able to evaluate the rest of the functionality and make an informed choice.

Korting KDI 60165

This is the choice of buyers in 2021, which, according to the YandexMarket resource, scored 4.5 points out of 5.

Device parameters:

Users, in addition to the display, appreciated the following features of the machine:

• quiet operation;
• presence of lighting in the bunker;
• shelf for cutlery;
• capacity.

There were also some negative comments:

• “Terrible model. There was a defect - a through hole in the tank";
• “The sound insulation is tolerable, 4, so to speak”;
• “Does not dry out metal or plastic.”

By the way, some users considered the beam a useless addition. More details on the pages.

Korting KDI 45175

Main characteristics:

Advantages according to buyers:

• touch control;
• tank lighting;
• third basket;
• capacity;
• high-quality and quiet washing;
• acceptable cost.

Cons from reviews:

• dries poorly, whistles, insufficiently informative instructions, flimsy baskets;
• drying is not combined with rinsing;
• there is no indication of the remaining time until the end of the cycle, etc.

Read more here.

Bosch Serie 6 SPV66MX10R

Options:

As with the previous model, users have mixed reviews and note the poorly executed user manual. Buyers are also dissatisfied with the complexity of installation and the lack of illumination of the hopper, although they speak positively about the quality of the wash.

Electrolux ESL 94510 LO

PMM "Electrolux" from the middle price category also collected a lot of both enthusiastic and negative opinions. But first, about the parameters:

Among the advantages according to buyers:

• presence of a beam;
• quiet operation;
• narrow body;
• spacious hopper (can fit a baking sheet from the oven).

Users cited the following disadvantages:

• poor quality of washing;
• smell of plastic in the first days of use;
• bad instructions.

Read more here.

The review could go on for a very long time - there are plenty of similar models on the market. But only a few models actually display the time by projecting it onto the floor: Siemens SR65M081RU, Bosch SPV 69 T 50 EU, Bosch SPV 69 T 70 EU. These are mainly products of the German concern Bosch, but such functionality is not excluded in progressive Asian designs. True, such brands are not “promoted” enough and often have not yet managed to gain recognition in the Russian market.

In which PMM models can this function be found?

There are more and more models with a time indicator on the floor. If you decide that you need this option and are going to purchase a machine with a beam, it is worth choosing the best model from this line. Let's consider the most successful, in our opinion, solutions from well-known brands:

• Korting KDI. A fully built-in model that washes up to 10 sets of dishes in one cycle. In addition to the display, there is a display of the level of detergents and regenerating agents. There is protection against leaks.

• Whirlpool ADG. The narrow, built-in type machine is equipped with a functional screen and leakage protection. Like the previous one, it washes up to 10 sets of dishes. There is a 1/2 load option to save resources.

• De Dietrich DVH1120J. A full-size model with a convenient beam option from the Premium line. High-quality assembly and a set of advanced options are the main differences of this PMM.

• Kuppersbusch IGVE. Another premium full-size option. Holds up to 13 dish sets and is economical: up to 6 liters of water per 1 wash cycle. Other useful features include a floor beam.

Today, many worthy options can be found in brands such as Electrolux, Gorenye, Mile, etc. By choosing the right capacity and functionality, you will get a modern machine, and a convenient indicator will make it easier to use the equipment. Moreover, you already know what laser indication is and for what purposes it can be used.

Advantages of the device

Let us highlight the main advantages of using a dish cleaning machine:

• Financial savings. Household appliances help save water consumption. For example, washing dishes by hand may require about 100 liters of water, while the appliance can only use 30 liters of water. As a rule, savings occur with detergents. In addition, let's not forget that the dishwasher can be turned on at night, when the cost of electricity is minimal.
• Time savings. We have already mentioned above how much time you can save daily.
• Saving energy. The dishwasher can handle even the most difficult hand-washed items perfectly, which means the energy saved can be used for other purposes.
• Taking care of your health. This is especially true in those apartments where chlorinated water is used. Hand contact with such liquid negatively affects the condition of the skin; even the use of rubber gloves does not guarantee 100% protection.
• Final quality. Despite all efforts, hand washing of dishes is inferior in quality to machine washing. The device ensures hygiene and high efficiency.
• Lack of hot water. Even if there was a planned shutdown of hot water in the summer, equipment will help to cope with this. It can work even with ice-cold liquid, providing reliable results.

Glass floor

Assembly of load-bearing elements

Another option for decorating the flooring is installing a transparent section. This is a difficult task, but if you want it can be achieved!

Device diagram

We carry out the work in the following sequence:

• First we make the base. If this is a podium, then the level of the main floor needs to be raised by 10-15 cm, if it is a niche, then, accordingly, a recess should be made in the floor.
• We install a metal profile frame around the perimeter of the future transparent area. In the upper part we install fastenings for triplex sheets - specially shaped aluminum corners.

Note! Sealing the joints of glass sheets is a very difficult task, so try to select the dimensions of the niche in such a way that it can be glazed with one piece of triplex.

• We lay a covering on the floor around the perimeter of the niche. Most often, ceramic or clinker glossy tiles are used for this.
• Inside we finish all surfaces with decorative plaster, tiles or vinyl film with patterns. We provide separate places for lighting.
• We install the glass on the mounts and secure it with a metal plate.

Lighting effects

The simplest option with a matte glow

To highlight the beauty of the glass floor, the niche must be effectively illuminated from the inside.

For this:

• At the stage of preparing load-bearing structures, we make grooves in the floor into which we lay wires in the cable channels.
• If the installation is carried out on a rough wooden floor, then the wiring can be carried out under the joists. Naturally, it is worth using protective plastic casings for laying cables.
• We bring the wires inside the niche and leave them until finishing work is completed.
• After the finishing is completed, we connect the lamps to the wiring. As a rule, built-in models with an adjustable reflector are used for this purpose.
• We set up the system so that the light from the lamps falls on the glass covering from below at a slight angle.

Advice! Do not use powerful models as this will heat up the glass. In addition, when overheated, the lamps themselves fail faster.

• In addition to built-in models, LED strips and neon tubes are also popular. They are quite affordable and are relatively easy to install.

Of course, the labor intensity of this work is impressive, and the destruction will be such that it is worth taking up the matter only when carrying out a major overhaul. But the result will be unique!

Neon lamps create a special effect

Functional and stylish

Gorenje built-in machines are designed for installation in a kitchen with a modern interior, and thanks to the ability to hang any façade, they are suitable for any design. In production, the manufacturer uses high technology and takes into account the needs of users. The equipment can wash from 9 to 16 standard sets of dishes in one cycle; 5-6 programs are provided (depending on the model). Gorenye products are durable and protected from damage, since the developers use only high-quality parts.

Modes

Let us highlight the main modes used in dishwashers:

• Normal mode includes up to 8 washing programs;
• Water Sensor - allows you to determine the purity of the liquid after rinsing in order to understand what to do: continue washing or change the water;
• Half load. If there are not many dishes loaded, this mode allows you to save both electricity and water.
• Delayed start of washing. A convenient function to postpone the procedure for a certain time.
• The time indicator allows you to be aware of how much time is left until the end of the procedure.
• Water Sensor – helps to wash both fragile and dirty dishes.
• Easy-lock – closes the door if it is not pressed tightly.
• OptoSensor – indicator allows you to adjust the level of liquid hardness.

Some machines, for example, Bosch, allow you to record your washing program, which makes it possible to use it in the future. The models also have protection against power surges.

Many people are also interested in what this beam on the floor is. This function is quite simple. While washing dishes, a beam is projected onto the floor, which disappears when the cycle is completed.

The question arises, why is such a function needed? The fact is that modern dishwashers are absolutely silent, so it’s very difficult to figure out when it turned on or off. So that the housewife does not have to often check to see if the washing is finished, such a function was invented. It allows you to immediately visually assess whether the procedure is completed. You can see in the photo what it looks like.

As a rule, built-in models are equipped with a floor beam function. Of course, the end of the process is usually accompanied by a sound signal, but in the hustle and bustle of everyday life or when communicating it cannot always be heard. If the machine is not working, the beam on the floor disappears.

It is only important when installing the device to determine where the indication is coming from so that projection occurs correctly when the device is operating.

Korting kdi 60165

The German built-in dishwasher Korting KDI 60165 holds 14 sets of dishes. The full-size dishwasher has the following dimensions - 89.5x59.5x54 cm. The user is offered 8 working programs. In addition to the “Beam on the floor”, the device has an indicator for the amount of salt and dishwashing detergent. This model is characterized by a low level of energy consumption - A. Washing and drying class – A.

Owners of Korting KDI 60165 note the following advantages of the equipment:

Korting KDI 60165