Kenmore Elite 22-14685 Built-In Dishwasher Review
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Last updated October 31, 2026
The Kenmore Elite 22-14685 is a good buy for a household that wants a quiet, high-capacity 24-inch built-in dishwasher with a stainless tub, a useful third rack, and a warranty that covers the tub for life. It is not the right pick if bone-dry plastics are your top priority or you want the widest possible service network.
It suits families loading up to 15 place settings, cooks who use the third rack for utensils and long tools, and anyone replacing an older 24-inch built-in in the same opening. The model numbers 22-14685, 2214685, and 14685 all point to the same stainless-steel machine.
Where the Kenmore Elite 22-14685 earns its keep
The Kenmore Elite 22-14685 earns its keep on loading flexibility and cleaning hardware.
Loading flexibility
It holds up to 15 place settings, and the TotalFlex third rack adds 35% more loading area for utensils and slides aside when you need room for taller items. The MoreSpace Plus upper rack adjusts, a wine glass holder keeps stemware secure, and a cutlery basket is included.
Cleaning hardware
UltraWash Plus uses three pressurized spray arms and filtered water, and SmartWash adjusts the wash to how dirty the load is. High Temp and Sani-style options are available, and leak detection is built in.
Quiet operation
The headline figure is 42 dBA, the manufacturer's rating. The Quiet Wash option trades water pressure for lower sound and a longer cycle, so you can choose quiet over speed when you need it.
Drying approach
TurboDry combines heat with a fan to pull moisture out of the tub, and an Extra Dry option is available.
Interior and visibility
The tub is stainless steel, LED lighting makes loading easier, and a green floor light shows when the cycle is running.
Warranty tier
Coverage is one year on the appliance, two years on parts, five years on the upper and lower racks against rust, and a lifetime on the stainless tub and inner door panel against rust-through. That is a strong package for the category.
Efficiency and fit
It is ENERGY STAR certified. The standard 24-inch built-in dimensions (23.55 inches wide, 24.61 inches deep, 33.88 inches high with adjustable height) let it drop into a typical 24-inch opening.
Its limits
Drying is the recurring weak point. The machine relies on heat plus a fan rather than a more powerful drying method, so rinse aid is effectively required.
Normal and SmartWash runs take roughly two to two and a half hours depending on soil level, and the 50-minute Express cycle skips drying.
The 42 dBA figure is the manufacturer's rating. Some owners report the machine is not as quiet as they expected relative to their previous dishwasher. That is owner experience, not a contradiction of the spec.
The machine needs a dedicated 15 A grounded circuit. There is no app or Wi-Fi control.
The product in this review
Kenmore Elite 2214685 dishwasher
See on AmazonWhat the Kenmore Elite 22-14685's specifications mean for your kitchen
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | 24-inch built-in, top controls, integrated stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant finish, reach-through bar handle |
| Dimensions | 23.55 in wide, 24.61 in deep, 33.88 in high (height adjustable) |
| Weight | 90.4 lb |
| Capacity | Up to 15 place settings |
| Cycles and options | 7 cycle options including Accela Wash, Delay Start, Extra Dry, Half Load, High Temp |
| Noise | 42 dBA |
| Cleaning | UltraWash Plus, three spray arms, filtered water, SmartWash soil sensing |
| Drying | TurboDry (heat plus fan) |
| Racks | TurboFlex third rack, MoreSpace Plus adjustable rack, wine glass holder, cutlery basket |
| Extras | LED interior lighting, green floor light, leak detection |
| Electrical | 115 V |
| Certification | ENERGY STAR |
| Warranty | 1 yr appliance, 2 yr parts, 5 yr racks, lifetime tub and inner door panel |
| Model numbers | 2214685 (also written 22-14685, 14685) |
The Kenmore Elite 22-14685 is a strong choice for quiet operation, high capacity, and flexible loading with a stainless tub and excellent warranty coverage, provided you accept fan-assisted drying and long cycles. Buy it if you want a quiet 15-place machine with a useful third rack and a lifetime tub warranty. Skip it if bone-dry plastics or a wide service network matter most.
Frequently asked questions
Rinse aid and cycle choice explain most of what surprises new owners of this dishwasher.
What else does a buyer need on hand to install the Kenmore Elite 22-14685?
For installation, you need a dedicated 15 A grounded circuit. The power cord and install parts are sold separately.
How well does the Kenmore Elite 22-14685 handle drying plastics and short wash cycles?
The Kenmore Elite 22-14685 uses TurboDry, which combines heat and a fan, and an Extra Dry setting is available.
What do buyers on Amazon say about the Kenmore Elite 22-14685's racks and noise?
Buyers on Amazon report that the Kenmore Elite 22-14685 can be less quiet than expected compared with a previous dishwasher, even though the machine is rated at 42 dBA.
Can the Kenmore Elite 22-14685 be controlled from a phone or connected to a smart home system?
The Kenmore Elite 22-14685 has no app or Wi-Fi control. The touch controls sit on top of the door and include an LED display.
Who is the Kenmore Elite 22-14685 best suited for, and who should look elsewhere?
The Kenmore Elite 22-14685 suits households that need up to 15 place settings, want a third rack for utensils, and value a stainless tub with lifetime rust-through coverage. Buyers who prioritize bone-dry plastics or a broad service network should look at another model.