Dishwashers
- D. M. Wright
- Feb 21
- 3 min read
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BEFORE LOADING A DISHWASHER
Scrape off any chunks of food into the bin before loading dishes into the dishwasher.
Big chunks clog the filters, which then stop the dishwasher from cleaning everything properly.
LOAD PROPERLY
Load all your dishes dirty-side down.
The water fans spray upwards.
Don't make it hard for the dishwasher to clean everything.
Leave space for the water to spray everything.
Don't fill every gap in the trays just because there's space. The jets need a good aim at the dishes. Don't block their aim by cramming your entire kitchen into the machine.
It generally is best to fill every second prong.
Before closing the dishwasher door, make sure there is nothing blocking the wash arms.
TOP AND BOTTOM RACKS
Most dishwashers internal racks are very similar in what type of crockery each rack is designed for, so consider these points as guidelines, not instructions. Refer to the machine's own instructions for a definitive answer.
TOP RACK
Load items like bowls, cups, mugs and wine glasses in the top rack.
Position small bowls and plates between prongs.
Place plastic containers and lids on the top rack only to avoid warping.
Always check the instructions usually imprinted on the bottom of your plasticware to make sure it’s dishwasher safe.
BOTTOM RACK
Place large kitchenware like dinner plates, serving platters, dishwasher-safe baking dishes, stainless steel pots and other heavily soiled dishes on the bottom rack.
Position pots and pans along the sides or toward the back.
Add utensils to the dishwasher’s utensil basket, making sure to face sharp objects like knives downward to help avoid injury.
LOAD THE DISHWASHER DETERGENT
DO NOT USE DISHWASHING DETERGENT.
While it may vary by model, most detergent dispensers are on the inside of the dishwasher door.
To load detergent into the dishwasher correctly:
Place detergent in the detergent dispenser.
Add rinse aid to the rinse aid dispenser up to the line that says “Full” (available on some models).
If your dishwasher doesn’t have a designated rinse aid dispenser, you can purchase a rinse aid basket, or use detergent tablets or packs that already include rinse aid.
Close the lid and press firmly until it clicks shut.
After the dishwasher completes an initial pre-wash cycle, the detergent dispenser lid will open to mix the detergent with water.
RINSE AID
If you want all your crockery and cutlery to be tainted with a layer of detergent that you can see and/or taste, then go ahead, don't bother using rinse aid. Yum!
DISHWASHING LIQUID
Using the correct dishwashing machine detergent is important for the performance of your dishwasher. Only use detergent that’s specifically formulated for automatic dishwashers.
Don’t use dishwashing liquid in the dishwasher, even just a little.
Why?
Suds
Dish soap creates suds and bubbles to clean dishes, but these can overflow from the dishwasher and damage your floors. The suds can also get into the dishwasher's internal workings, clogging filters and pipes, and damaging the spray arms.
Electrical issues
If the suds damage the dishwasher's electrical components, it can cause short circuits or a fire hazard.
Control panel damage
The excess water from the suds can damage the dishwasher's control panel, causing malfunctions.
Reduced drying
If you add dish soap to the rinse aid dispenser, it can reduce the dishwasher's drying performance.
OOPS! I USED DISHWASHING LIQUID
If you accidentally or intentionally put dish soap in your dishwasher, you can try these steps to clean it:
- Stop the wash cycle
- Remove dishes and utensils
- Drain and clean the dishwasher
- Add cooking oil to the bottom of the dishwasher
- Run a quick wash cycle on an empty dishwasher
- Repeat the wash cycle
REFERENCES
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