Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Josephine Garis Cochran—often spelled Cochrane—patented a dishwashing machine in 1886. She did not invent the first attempt at mechanical dishwashing; her achievement was a practical design that held dishes securely while a motor-driven system washed them with hot, soapy water. That rack-and-water approach helped establish the lineage of the modern dishwasher, though her machine was not the electric, plumbed household appliance familiar today.
What did Josephine Cochrane invent in 1886?
Cochran filed for a patent in 1885 under the name “J.G. Cochran.” U.S. Patent No. 355,139, for a dishwashing machine, was granted on December 28, 1886. The patent record uses “Cochran”; historical sources also commonly render her surname as “Cochrane.” The National Women’s History Museum’s patent record identifies the invention and patent date.
The careful claim is that Cochran developed the first practical or commercially successful dishwasher design—not that no machine for washing dishes had been proposed before her. Earlier devices and patents existed, but institutional histories distinguish her design by its utility and commercial path. Lemelson-MIT notes a hand-cranked dishwashing machine patented in 1850; the National Inventors Hall of Fame and Smithsonian Magazine describe the significance of Cochran’s more workable design.
How did Cochran’s dishwasher work?
Rather than rely on scrubbers or require someone to pour boiling water over dishes, Cochran designed the machine around keeping each item in place as water did the cleaning. She measured plates, cups, and saucers, then devised wire compartments sized to hold them. Those racks sat in a horizontally positioned wheel inside a copper boiler. A motor turned the wheel as hot, soapy water was pumped or directed over the dishes. The Hall of Fame describes the machine as using water pressure instead of scrubbers.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- 6 Place Setting- A perfect size (H17.2″×W21.7″×D19.7″) for 2-3 people, COMFEE’ compact countertop dishwasher is suitable for dorms, RVs, and apartments. This counter top dishwasher can fit up to 70 pieces of tableware and plates up to 10 inches in diameter. Note: COMFEE dishwashers are rigorously factory tested before shipping. If your new dishwasher has some water inside, this is normal.
- Simple Installation- This COMFEE’ portable dishwasher can be connected to faucet directly (Suitable adaptor needed). Designed for maximum flexibility, this mini dishwasher can be conveniently placed on a countertop/table or seamlessly fitted into a cupboard to save precious kitchen space. Whether you need a plug-and-play solution for your apartment or a built-in look for your small kitchen, this compact dishwasher adapts perfectly to your layout needs, offering professional-grade cleaning with minimal setup effort.
- 8 Washing Cycles- Most of the cleaning cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass, and Speed, helped with extra-drying function, and deliver sparklingly cleaned and dried dishes. Three more cleaning options, including Speed, Mini-party, and Rinse, are designed for COMFEE' compact dishwasher, providing high flexibility for you to choose in different situations.
- Powerful Wash Performance- This counter dishwasher portable features a Heavy Program with 12 washing nozzles and a 360° spiral spray for full-angle coverage. Combining high water pressure with temperatures up to 154°F, it efficiently removes grease and stubborn stains from heavily soiled dishes. Compact yet powerful, it ensures every dish is cleaned thoroughly and evenly.
- Rapid Cleaning & Eco-Friendly- Save time and money with the high-efficiency Speed Program, which cleans dishes in just 45 minutes—perfect for parties and busy schedules. This Energy Star dishwasher is designed for maximum resource savings, using as little as 2.77 gallons of water per cycle. Enjoy a powerful, quick clean that significantly reduces utility costs without compromising performance, making it the ideal water-saving solution for eco-conscious households.
The key engineering idea was the combination: purpose-built compartments reduced shifting and breakage, while mechanized water circulation washed the secured dishes. It was an important step toward the modern dishwasher, but its boiler, motor, and commercial setting were not the same as a present-day domestic machine.
Why was her design different from earlier dishwashing machines?
Earlier inventors had tried to mechanize dishwashing, including a hand-cranked design patented in 1850. The distinction is not that Cochran was first to imagine a machine, but that her rack-based system offered a practical way to hold different dishes securely and wash them with directed water. Histories from Lemelson-MIT, the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and the Smithsonian support that distinction between earlier attempts and a commercially consequential design.
Rank #2
- 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Measuring 16.83 x 16.73 x 18.03 inches, this countertop dishwasher can load and clean over 30+ dishes at once—making it a great choice for busy families and people who value convenience. The spacious rack accommodates plates up to 10.25 inches in diameter, ensuring versatility for all your dishwashing needs and ideal for apartment, home, kitchen, boat, and RV. * For a better fit, we kindly recommend reserving sufficient countertop space and leaving more than 𝟏𝟗 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 of vertical clearance between the countertop and upper cabinets before use
- 𝐍𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝: Use the built-in 5L tank or connect to a compatible faucet. Simply fill the 5-liter built-in reservoir when in tank mode, and the automatic water level indicator will notify you when the ideal level is reached, making setup simple and quick. Attach the provided hose to your faucet to provide a direct water supply for ongoing cleaning. This portable countertop dishwasher's multiple water input options allow it to easily fit into any kitchen setting, guaranteeing maximum convenience and ease of use
- 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬: Normal, Fast, Glass, Baby Care/Heavy Duty, and Fruit are the five different cleaning modes that the EUHOMY countertop dishwasher offers to meet all of your needs. The Fast cycle can finish a full wash in just 29 minutes. The Baby Care/Heavy Duty mode boils water to 167°F, providing a thorough and sanitary clean for greasy cookware, baby bottles, and filthy dishes. Even for pet accessories like bowls, collars, and leashes, the dual spray arm system guarantees thorough cleaning power
- 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Equipped with an advanced drying mode, the EUHOMY portable dishwasher provides 60 minutes of hot air drying followed by 73 hours of automatic ventilation. This tabletop dishwasher can ensure your dishes stay clean, dry, and free from unpleasant odors. For added flexibility and hygiene, the drying function can be activated alongside any washing cycle—except the fruit mode—or used independently as needed
- 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧: EUHOMY mini dishwasher's 1.32 gallon of water in the water tank can handle multiple cleaning operations, uses only 5L / 1.32 gal to help reduce water use for small daily loads. ETL and DOE certified for safety and quality, the Euhomy countertop dishwasher also delivers energy-efficient performance. Plus, we offer a 1-year warranty for added peace of mind. Please note: this dishwasher is not compatible with liquid detergent; please use dishwashing powder or tablets instead. If you have any questions, our team is always here to help!
How did Cochran bring the dishwasher to market?
Cochran worked with mechanic George Butters and went on to manufacture, sell, install, and improve the machines. Businesses were more receptive than households: hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and colleges had large volumes of dishes and a strong interest in sanitation.
At the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, nine similar Garis-Cochran machines served restaurants. The USPTO recounts that an exhibit demonstration put more than 200 dirty dishes into a machine and showed them coming out clean in two minutes; that is the agency’s account of the demonstration, not a standardized performance test. The invention received the exposition’s highest prize for “best mechanical construction, durability, and adaptation to its line of work.” The USPTO’s historical account also says Cochran opened a factory around 1898 and sold machines to businesses beyond Illinois.
Rank #3
- Please make sure the distance between your countertop and wall cupboard is more than 19.6" No installation needed: Adding water manually with the water filling guide included in the 1.32Gal built-in water tank, you can put the dishwasher in any suitable place without connecting to tap water. Or it can be hooked to the kitchen faucet directly with the included water hose (Adapter included).Water pressure : 0.04 - 1.0MPa.
- Ultra-compact Design: The ultra-compact design allows the dishwasher to wash 30+ items（Max to 9.5-inch plates) at a time while occupying a small area, which is ideal for small houses, apartments, dorms, boats, and campers/RVs.
- 6 Program Options: NORMAL, RAPID, HYGIENE, FRUIT, GLASS washing programs, and AIR REFRESH extra drying mode meet all your daily needs. Note: Use the standard dishwasher powders or detergents because regular liquid dish soap will cause dishwasher problems. (No detergent is needed for the FRUIT program, and RAPID just needs half of the standard quantity. )
- High-Temp Hygiene: The Hygiene cycle heats the water up to 162℉, making it great for really dirty dishes and even safe for cleaning your little one's dinnerware.
- Extra Drying & Freshness: The Air Refresh mode circulates air to keep both your dishes and the machine dry and fresh. It helps remove moisture and odors, and if you don't need it, you can turn it off anytime.
Why didn’t dishwashers become common in homes right away?
Cochran’s early machines were a better fit for institutions than for many domestic kitchens. They were large and expensive, and homes often lacked an adequate hot-water supply. Sources also report complaints about soapy residue, while some households preferred washing dishes by hand. The broader shift toward household use depended on improved hot-water access, better detergent, technological changes, and changing attitudes toward housework.
Home adoption was gradual after World War II. The Hall of Fame points to the 1950s as the beginning of popular adoption, while the USPTO describes dishwashers as common in homes by the 1960s; these accounts indicate a transition over time rather than one definitive year.
Rank #4
- 【APP Smart Control】Different from others, our dishwasher has an app connection function. No matter where you are, you can check the status of the dishwasher and set the dishwashing timer in real time through your phone, which can save you time, and also bring you a more convenient life
- 【Six Washing Programs】Our dishwasher designed with 6 washing programs, including Standard, Quick, Strong, ECO, Fruit, Drying, which fulfilling your daily requirements; Standard mode is suitable for most common dishware; Quick mode only needs 29 minutes to satisfy basic washing; ECO mode can save power and water; Fruit mode is designed for you who want to clean specific items.After cleaning, 167℉ high temperature fast drying function can ensure health and safety
- 【Dual Modes of Water Inlet】You can add water to the tank directly or attach the dishwasher to the tap,which means that no worries about modifying waterways and cabinets. Also it is ideal for small-sized houses, apartments, dorms, boats and campers/RVs
- 【Large Capacity】Our dishwasher can hold up home for 4-6 sets of tableware(20 dishes), and also equipped with bowl basket, knife& fork basket.There are also storage racks and cutlery baskets inside to make forks, spoons, etc. easier to clean
- 【3D 360° Spiral Spray Washing】360° Powerful Cleaning,Up&Down Double Spray Arms,High pressure washing and full-angle 3D spraying cover every corner and remove stains thoroughly and effectively,which gives you the perfect dishwashing experience
What is Cochran’s place in dishwasher history?
Cochran’s lasting contribution was a machine that treated dishware as something to secure in designed racks while circulating water performed the washing. Earlier mechanical attempts came first, and later domestic appliances required different technology and household infrastructure. Her 1886 patent marks a pivotal practical and commercial step in the dishwasher’s history, rather than the arrival of today’s household appliance in finished form.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【SMALL SIZE, LARGE CAPACITY】This portable dishwasher only measures 16.9 x 16.8 x 18.1 inches, but holds 4 full place settings and fits up to 12" dishes loaded at an angle, easily meeting daily needs for a family of 3-4; the double-layer design offers enough space for 4 x serving bowls, 4 x cups, 4 x small plates, 4 x dinner plates, 7 x spoons, 7 x forks and 7 x knives; perfect for small-sized houses, apartments, dorms, boats, and campers/RVs
- 【NO INSTALLATION NEEDED】This countertop dishwasher supports 2 water supply modes, including a faucet mode and water tank mode; a built-in 5 L water tank allows instant use when fully filled. The automatic water level indicator lets you know when the correct water level has been reached; to use the faucet mode, simply connect the water inlet hose to the machine and faucet
- 【BABY CARE MODE】This compact dishwasher offers 5 wash cycles - Normal, Speed, Soft, Baby Care/Heavy, and Fruit; the Baby Care/Heavy mode with 167 °F washing temperature is suitable for baby products and oily tableware, which rinses them thoroughly and gives glassware a sparkling clean finish
- 【3-IN-1 FUNCTION】Featuring a Dry mode, this machine is equipped with the features of a dishwasher, dryer, and cabinet, making taking care of your dishes and glassware a breeze; 60 minutes of hot air drying will automatically start after the wash cycle is finished, keeping your dishes dry and odorless; 72 hours of automatic ventilation stores your tableware in sanitary condition, providing clean dishes whenever you need them
- 【FULLY EQUIPPED】The storage rack and cutlery basket make it easy to clean ''top rack only'' dishwasher safe items such as knives, forks, and spoons, leaving more space for dishes and small pots; lower and upper spray arms give dishes a streak-free deep cleaning, and the included fruit basket stores fruits and vegetables neatly and cleans them
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
