Double-drawer dishwasher integrated into a standard 34 inch cabinet bay. Each drawer runs independently with its own pump, supply, and drain.
What a drawer dishwasher actually is
Conventional built-in dishwashers are 24 inches wide, 34 inches tall, and load by pulling a single hinged door down to reveal two or three pull-out racks. A drawer dishwasher replaces the hinged door with a fully self-contained drawer that pulls forward like a kitchen drawer. Each drawer is its own miniature dishwasher: independent water supply, drain, control board, and wash motor.
Two configurations exist: single drawer (one drawer, 17 inches tall, fits a half-height cabinet bay or pairs with a 17 inch storage drawer to fill a standard 34 inch bay) and double drawer (two drawers stacked, total 34 inches tall, drops into a standard built-in dishwasher bay). The double-drawer configuration is the dominant US-market drawer dishwasher.
Fisher and Paykel originated the design in New Zealand in 1997 and remains the only mainstream brand selling drawer dishwashers in the US, branded as DishDrawer. Model DD24S is the single drawer, DD24D is the double. KitchenAid sold a drawer dishwasher line until 2018; Asko and ATAG sell European drawer dishwashers through specialty importers but with limited US service support.
Drawer dishwasher install cost stack
| Scenario | Appliance MSRP | Install labor | Cabinet mods | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double-drawer, standard 34" bay (replacement) | $1,799-2,499 | $400-600 | $0-100 | $2,200-3,200 |
| Single-drawer, existing 17" bay (rare) | $1,399-1,799 | $300-500 | $0-100 | $1,700-2,400 |
| Single-drawer, retrofit into 34" bay + storage drawer | $1,399-1,799 | $300-500 | $400-1,200 | $2,100-3,500 |
| First-time install (no prior dishwasher) | $1,799-2,499 | $700-1,200 | $200-800 | $2,700-4,500 |
Why drawer install costs more than standard built-in
Three reasons drive the install premium versus a standard built-in dishwasher (which runs $150 to $300 in labor per our dishwasher installation labor cost breakdown).
Dual hookups on double drawers. Each drawer has its own water supply solenoid and its own drain pump. The installer connects two 3/8 inch supply lines (with a Y-fitting at the under-sink shutoff or two separate T-fittings) and two drain hose branches to the disposal or air-gap fitting. That doubles the plumbing connection time from 25 to 45 minutes. Total install time runs 2.5 to 4 hours on a double-drawer replacement versus 60 to 90 minutes on a standard built-in.
Frequency of installation. Drawer dishwashers represent less than 2% of US dishwasher sales per Energy Star registration data. An average appliance technician installs a drawer dishwasher once or twice per year, versus 20 to 40 standard built-ins per month. The unfamiliarity adds installer time and risk, both priced into the labour. Specialty installers (Fisher and Paykel authorised dealers) charge a fixed $399 to $599 for a drawer install and are faster than the general appliance tech.
Cabinet modification for single-drawer retrofit. A single drawer fits a 17 inch tall cavity, half the height of a standard 34 inch dishwasher bay. To retrofit a single drawer into an existing standard bay, either build down to 17 inches and add a 17 inch wood drawer above (popular for ADA-compliant kitchens), or order a Fisher and Paykel-branded panel kit that includes a matching upper trim. Cabinet shop work runs $300 to $1,200 depending on whether the panel-and-drawer comes ready-built or has to be custom-fabricated.
The double-drawer hookup choreography
A licensed plumber or experienced appliance tech installs a double-drawer as follows:
- Remove the existing dishwasher.
- Install a dual-outlet shutoff valve under the sink (replaces the single-outlet shutoff). Or install a brass Y-fitting downstream of the existing shutoff.
- Run two 3/8 inch braided supply lines from the dual-outlet shutoff through the cabinet bay to the rear of the DishDrawer cavity. Label each line for upper / lower drawer.
- Lift the DishDrawer into the bay. Two-person lift; the unit is 91 to 99 pounds.
- Connect upper drawer supply line to upper drawer solenoid. Connect lower drawer supply line to lower drawer solenoid. Hand-tight plus a quarter turn.
- Connect upper drawer drain hose to the garbage disposal's dishwasher branch. Add a Y-fitting if connecting both drains to one disposal port (Fisher and Paykel supplies the part with the unit). Connect lower drawer drain hose to the same fitting.
- Plug the unit's single power cord into the existing 120V outlet, or wire into the existing junction box. Both drawers share one electrical connection.
- Level the unit (single set of levelling feet, not separate per drawer).
- Mount the unit to the cabinet sides using the supplied side-mount brackets (DishDrawer ships with side-mount as the default; top-mount is optional).
- Test each drawer independently. Run a 30-minute cycle on the upper drawer, then a 30-minute cycle on the lower drawer.
Total elapsed time: 2.5 to 4 hours.
Fisher and Paykel authorised installer pricing
Fisher and Paykel operates an authorised dealer install program in the US. Authorised dealers (typically specialty appliance shops, not the big-box retailers) charge a fixed $399 to $599 for a DishDrawer install on existing hookups. The bundle includes delivery, pre-install site survey, installation, training on the touch-panel controls, and a 30-day callback for adjustments.
Home Depot and Lowe's both stock the Fisher and Paykel DishDrawer DD24D but their standard appliance install bundle typically does not cover it, because the installer partner has not been trained on the dual-drawer hookup. Both retailers will quote a custom install at $499 to $749. For the standard retailer install bundle on conventional dishwashers see Home Depot dishwasher installation cost and Lowe's dishwasher installation cost.
ADA and accessibility considerations
The drawer-dishwasher design is genuinely useful for kitchens being built or retrofitted for accessibility. Loading happens at counter height rather than bending into a standard tub, which works for wheelchair users and for older homeowners with mobility limits. The single drawer at a 17 inch height (mounted at standard counter-base height of 36 inches) puts the loading level around 36 to 53 inches, well within ADA reach-range guidance.
Universal-design kitchen projects commonly spec a single DishDrawer at counter level plus a separate 17 inch food-prep storage drawer above, rather than a double-drawer DishDrawer. The accessibility benefit is in the loading height, not the drawer count. Cabinet shops experienced with universal design will spec this configuration cleanly.
Drawer dishwasher first-time install
A first-time install with no existing dishwasher hookups runs significantly higher than a replacement: $700 to $1,200 in labor. Standard scope adds licensed plumber for the dual supply lines and drain (~$300 to $500), licensed electrician for the dedicated 20-amp branch circuit (~$250 to $700 depending on wire path), plus the drawer install premium itself. Permit fees on top.
For the broader first-time picture see first-time dishwasher install cost.
FAQ
Are drawer dishwashers Energy Star rated?
Current Fisher and Paykel DishDrawer DD24D models are Energy Star rated. Per-cycle water consumption is comparable to a standard built-in (3.5 to 3.9 gallons), and per-cycle energy is comparable. The efficiency advantage emerges only when running one drawer at a time vs. a half-empty standard tub.
Can the two drawers run different cycles simultaneously?
Yes. Each drawer is fully independent: separate motor, separate water inlet, separate drain pump, separate control. You can run the upper drawer on a heavy cycle and the lower drawer on a quick wash at the same time. The trade-off is power and water draw both double during simultaneous operation.
Will my disposal handle two drain connections?
Yes, with a Y-fitting on the disposal's dishwasher branch (Fisher and Paykel supplies the fitting with the unit). Standard garbage disposals (InSinkErator, Waste King, Moen) all accept the Y-fitting without modification. If your disposal predates 2010 and lacks a dishwasher branch, the plumber will need to install a tee in the drain trap arm instead.
Can DIY work for a drawer install?
Possible for a very experienced DIYer with prior dishwasher install experience, but the dual hookup and the unfamiliarity raise the failure rate. Budget 5 to 7 hours your first attempt versus 2 to 3 hours for a pro. The Fisher and Paykel installation manual is comprehensive and worth reading before deciding.
What is the warranty if I use a non-authorised installer?
Fisher and Paykel's standard 2-year warranty applies regardless of who installed the unit, provided the installation followed published instructions. The brand does not require authorised-installer use. Authorised installers are simply faster and have done the install many times before.