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Third rack dishwashers: How to choose
Having to run multiple loads to get all your dirty dishes clean can be a pain. A third rack can make loading easier by giving utensils, flatware, mugs and other smaller items their own space, all while freeing the racks below for larger dishes and cookware.
In this guide, you’ll learn how third racks work, discover their pros and cons, find out what to look for when shopping and get help deciding whether a third rack dishwasher makes sense for your kitchen.
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What is a third rack dishwasher?
A third rack dishwasher has a third level of loading space at the very top of the tub. Often shallower than the other racks in your dishwasher, these racks vary by model, but often add room for flatware, serving utensils and other small items. Deeper designs may also hold mugs and small bowls—like the third rack on this Whirlpool® Dishwasher—but this capability can vary by model.
Difference between third rack and regular dishwashers
A standard dishwasher typically has two racks, while a third rack dishwasher adds another loading level at the top. That extra level creates dedicated space for utensils and smaller items, helping free room in the racks below for more loading flexibility.
Third rack dishwasher pros and cons
A third rack can make a noticeable difference in how you load the dishwasher, but the benefits depend on the rack’s design and the way you most often use your dishwasher. Read more about some of the benefits and potential drawbacks of third rack dishwashers below.
Third rack dishwasher pros
Some of the benefits of a third rack dishwasher may include:
- Intuitive storage space for hard-to-fit utensils: Depending on the model, third racks can hold items such as spatulas, tongs, serving utensils, measuring spoons and other long or awkwardly shaped pieces, keeping them from taking up too much room on racks below.
- Space for cups and bowls: Third rack designs vary, but some deeper versions can provide room for coffee cups, mugs and small bowls rather than limiting the top level to flat utensils.
- Larger loads: Some third rack dishwashers are designed to fit more dishes and help you run larger—and therefore fewer—loads. They may also feature an adjustable second rack for items like tall water bottles, baking pans and blender jars.
- Targeted cleaning: You may come across third rack dishwashers that use specialized wash action, zones or jets to clean the items at the very top level.
Dishwashers with 3rd Rack
Load more and run less with the 3rd Rack*
*Compared to Whirlpool® Dishwashers without a 3rd level rack.
Third rack dishwasher cons
Some potential drawbacks of a third rack dishwasher may include:
Space tradeoffs: Third rack dishwashers may not always come in a larger footprint than their two-rack counterparts, which may mean space trade-offs from other sections of the dishwasher.
Variation in capabilities: Not all third rack dishwashers can hold the same types of items. Some house slim utensils only, while deeper models accommodate small mugs or bowls. Understanding which third rack design may best benefit your routines can require digging into product specifications.
Increased need for adjustable racks below: Because third racks take up additional space in the dishwasher, you may find that a third rack gets in the way of washing tall items like cookware, pitchers or blender jars if other racks don’t adjust to compensate for the needs of each unique load.
Variation in cleaning performance: A third rack may or may not include specialized wash zones, adjustable components or additional jets, so rack count alone does not tell you how the dishwasher will perform.
What to consider when buying a third rack dishwasher
Once you've decided that a third rack fits your routine, you can start looking beyond rack count to consider additional dishwasher features like capacity, rack flexibility, cleaning cycles, noise, drying, filtration and overall design. Explore each in more detail below.
1. Loading capacity
Consider how you cook and what you typically need to wash when dinner wraps up. Select Whirlpool® Dishwashers come with the MaxTub, which is the largest capacity dishwasher tub on the market based on usable volume. However, keep in mind that two dishwashers of the same size can have different usable capacities because of their racks, tines and interior configurations.
2. Adjustable racks and tines
Look for racks and tines that can adapt to the dishes you're washing that day. Adjustable middle racks can create more room for tall items, while fold-down tines can make space for dishes in different shapes and sizes. The Adjustable 2nd Rack on select Whirlpool® 3rd Rack Dishwashers makes room for taller items like water bottles with easy-to-find adjusters that smoothly raise or lower the 2nd rack.
3. Wash cycles, options and jets
Compare the cycles and cleaning features rather than assuming every third rack dishwasher cleans the same way. Depending on the model, options can include normal, heavy and quick cycles, sanitizing or high-temperature cycles and soil-sensing technology.
4. Noise level
Dishwasher noise is measured in dBA, with a higher number indicating a louder dishwasher. The average dishwasher sits at about 50 dBA, but you can find third rack dishwashers with lower decibel ratings. For instance, this Whirlpool® 3rd Rack Dishwasher features 44 dBA so you can get a quiet clean that won’t interrupt mealtime.
5. Drying options
Consider how you want dishes to come out at the end of a cycle. Depending on the model, drying options can include heated or extended-heat drying. You may even find features like air drying or automatic door-open drying on some models, including Auto Open Air Dry on some Whirlpool® Dishwashers that gives you a better,2 energy efficient dry by automatically opening the door at the end of the dry cycle to let fresh air in and moisture out.
6. Filtration system
Your dishwasher’s filtration system captures food debris during the wash cycle. Dishwashers often require routine filter maintenance, but some third rack models, including some options from Whirlpool brand, offer a Micro-Fine Filtration System that continuously filters water throughout the cycle to clean dishes and help limit food soils transferring from one dish to another.
7. Fit and finish
Measure your available space before you choose any specific model. Dimensions can vary model to model. Plus, consider the dishwasher's exterior finish and how it may integrate with the rest of your kitchen’s aesthetic. You can likely find models in black, black stainless, stainless steel and white finishes.
Third rack dishwasher FAQs
A third rack can be a practical addition to a busy kitchen, but when it comes to narrowing down your options, the details matter. If you’re still not sure if this configuration is right for your kitchen, get answers to common questions below.
A third rack can often hold silverware, serving utensils, spatulas, tongs and other small or hard-to-fit items. Depending on the design, it may also accommodate coffee cups, mugs or small bowls.
Some brands offer models that come with built-in rails that support an optional third rack, sold separately as a kit. However, in most cases, you are usually not able to add a third rack to an existing two-rack model. Most third rack dishwashers are uniquely manufactured to accommodate three racks right off the line, with the third rack already built in.
No, third rack dishwashers don’t uniquely require different detergents than standard dishwashers. If you’re not sure which detergent your dishwasher requires, reference its use and care guide for more information.
Each dishwasher model is unique, so it’s best to follow the care and/or removal instructions for your specific dishwasher’s third rack, which is usually found in your owner’s manual. For instance, on select Whirlpool® Dishwashers, you can remove the third rack by simply pushing the plastic track stop on the third rack rail sideways to open it, then pulling the rack out.
A third rack can be a smart upgrade for busy kitchens, giving utensils, flatware, mugs and bowls their own space while freeing room below for larger dishes. For bigger or more varied loads, find a third rack dishwasher that adds flexible rack configurations for tall cookware. The best fit comes down to what you wash most and the features that support your routine.
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1. Based on usable volume.
2. Compared to Heat Dry without Auto Open Air Dry.
