So yeah, I totally hit that wall last month when I reached for my fancy silverware set. Just looked at that pile of forks and spoons and thought "Nope, can't do another scrubbing session". My knuckles were cracked from hot water and my back ached from leaning over the sink. Something had to change.

The Quest for Silverware Freedom

Started digging around online - typed "help me stop washing forks by hand" like some desperate prayer. Realized countertop dishwashers existed! Who knew? Measured that precious gap between my coffee maker and microwave - exactly 15 inches to work with.

• Saw compact models with fork-only baskets (pointless since I needed spoon rescue too)
• Some needed fancy plumbing hooks (hell no)
• Others cost more than my monthly groceries (double hell no)

Finally found this boxy little fella called "CleanJet Go" at HomePro. Demo unit had coffee stains inside but manager swore it worked. Took the $79 gamble cause at that point I'd have traded my left shoe for fork-cleaning freedom.

Operation Silver Bullet

Unboxed the beast on laundry day - 10 pieces of tape later, fought it out of Styrofoam prison. Plugged straight into regular outlet (thank god). Filled reservoir with measuring cup cause my sink's across the kitchen. Shoved 6 forks/spoons into those plastic prongs praying they wouldn't get bent.

Punched the "Express Clean" button feeling like a mad scientist. Machine made this angry humming noise while blinking red lights like mini police sirens. Steam started puffing out the vents - genuinely thought it might explode. After 8 terrifying minutes...

BEEP BEEP

Opened that steamy door expecting mutant silverware. But holy crap - forks were piping hot and spotless. Spoons had zero dried yogurt gunk. Threw in my fancy grapefruit spoons next cycle - those weird serrated edges came out cleaner than when I bought 'em.

Life After Manual Labor

Been running this noisy little box thrice weekly now. Discovered you can't cram 12 steak knives in there like I tried Tuesday (made sounds like dying lawnmower). Perfect spot for those 4-person family dinners though. Still handwash big pots but my silverware PTSD is gone. Even caught myself admiring fork reflections yesterday - never thought I'd see the day.