Dishwashers... hmm...

I always wondered about dishwashers, never used them--actually I tried to use it in my last apt before I moved out, and when I turned it on it started to leak all over my kitchen.

According to some research I did, it seems the way I hand wash is one of the most ineffective means of washing dishes: Detergent on sponge, pre-wash with water, clean with sponge, rinse, all under running water (I know, such a waste of water and electricity/water heater) blame it on my mom, that's how she did it and that's how she still does it. The most efficient way of hand-washing according to readings I've done is to have one soapy hot sink where the washing is done and a cold sink where the rinsing is done without running water (I somehow can't imagine rinsing under still water... eww)

Anyhow, dishwasher seems to trump all that taking an avg of 5 gallons of water to wash compared to about 20-50 gallons on avg to wash a table setting for 4, and uses about 1/4 of the electricity of heating water to boot.

I got into this research because the house I'm moving into doesn't have a dishwasher (it has the empty spot for one) and I'm trying to figure out if I should buy a dishwasher or if there is something I can put into that empty spot instead of it. I was thinking maybe a trash compactor but that seems like a big space to fill for just a trash compactor.

Any ideas out there of what I can replace instead in the dishwasher's spot? Maybe I'll end up buying a dishwasher... need to buy a washer and dryer... and some patio furniture. Which brings me to another tandem question. A patio dining set? or a patio lounge set? or a patio bonfire set? woooo~~

If nothing else maybe I'll get an electronic vacuum sealed storage, so I can store my camera/camcorder equipment in there... yeah... that would be very nerdy of me, yet quite fitting probably.

PS: good time to buy appliances (dish washers, refrigerators, central air, heaters, etc) as there are up to $200 gov't rebate on Energy-Star compliant apps.