"I just purchased this machine, and I have been using it for almost a month now. I too am surprised by some of the negative reviews. So far, I do not have a single problem with this dishwasher. I neither work for home depot or LG, just a satisfied customer.
Some have complained about the cycle time. I have no problem with it, and it is actually a benefit. If the government ever completely bans phosphates from dishwashing detergent, you will be wishing you had a dishwasher with a long cycle time. If you are a person who likes to use "green" products, you will love this dishwasher because the long cycle time will work well with environmentally friendly detergent. It even has an extended cycle called Power Scrub that makes it run for 3 hours instead of 2. You also have the option to add an extra rinse cycle, which will add even more time to the whole cycle. This dishwasher is energy efficient so do not worry about the cycle time.
Noise level? This dishwasher is VERY quiet. I have an open floor plan, so I can run the dishwasher any time I please.
To those who purchase this dishwasher, you MUST use rinse-aid for the drying to work properly. I do three to four loads a week, and all of my glassware, metal, ceramics, and all of my bowls have come out completely dry. Plastics will dry only to a certain degree, I explain this better later in my review.
Also, let me clear up some confusion. Some have said this dishwasher has no heater. It DOES have a heater, but it is an internal water heater. It is not an external heating element sitting on the bottom of the dishwasher tub. This is a GOOD thing. If you choose to use the Sani-Rinse option, the water heater will raise the incoming hot water to the proper temperature during the rinse cycle to ensure that your dishes are sanitized. This heater is NOT activated during the drying process. This dishwasher uses a combination of condensation and a very quiet fan to draw the moisture off of your dishes. It is no gimmick, and it works. It has worked perfectly for me every time. My dishes come out sparkling clean, no streaks. The ONLY thing this dishwasher will not dry very well, are plastic cups. The insides of the plastic cups will be dry, but if the bottom of the cup has a depression, it will be filled with water. I simply recommend that if you purchase plastic cups for use in your household, look at the bottom of the cups and make sure it is FLAT. Do not buy one with a depression on the bottom. Also, the water heater in your home needs to heat the water to a minimum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, as per the directions. If the incoming water is not hot enough, you are only causing problems for yourself. The detergent will not do its job, you will cause the internal water heater to wear faster, and you will see overall diminished results. Don't try to save a buck by turning your water heater down too low. That goes for any dishwasher, not just this one.
The only reason I would not recommend this dishwasher, is if you DEMAND that your plastic wear comes out 100% dry. In that case, you will need to buy a dishwasher with a heating element in the bottom of the tub. You will be sacrificing energy efficiency though. Those heating elements are high-wattage, and it will have an effect on your electric bill, which will add up over the years of using a dishwasher with one.
A quick note, this dishwasher can be compared to BOSCH dishwashers. It has a stainless steel interior, and uses the same drying method. BOSCH happens to make some of the top-rated dishwashers in the world, and is deemed one of the most reliable brands. They are also VERY expensive. So you are getting the same features and benefits as a BOSCH for less money by going with this LG model. (Again, neither brand will dry plastics perfectly because of the drying method.)
A neat feature I have never seen on a dishwasher, is this makes a soft audible chime (it actually chimes out a short tune) at the end of the cycle. I find it useful because sometimes I like to unload the dishwasher when it's finished running. You must disable the chime each time, if you don't want it to play. There is no option to permanently disable it, but that does not bother me.
As far as reliability, LG is relatively new in the dishwasher field. I purchased the 4 year extended service plan just in case. I think Home Depot has great prices on their extended service plans. That said, I hope I never have to use it."