Dishwasher FAQs

NOTE: When experiencing problems with any appliance, the first thing the customer should do is check to see that there is power going to the unit by checking the breaker box.

Which detergent type is better: liquid gel or powder?

We recommend the powdered/granular detergents--like Cascade--because sometimes the gels don't perform as well. We've also found that prominent brands are better than some of the generics.

Do I need to clean the inside of my dishwasher?

It depends. If you use the dishwasher at least twice a week, you don't need to clean the inside. Otherwise, if it begins to get moldy inside--or if the residual water at the bottom of the dishwasher smells bad--put detergent in the soap dish and run the dishwasher empty, through a complete cycle.

Do I have to rinse my dishes before washing them?

Not usually. Most dishwashers handle the normal food residue left on dishes after eating, if you first scrape the dishes to remove any larger bits of food. But if anything is burned, melted, or stuck to the dishes, rinse and scrape them well, before you put them into the dishwasher. Leaving some residue is actually best, because the protein in the food reacts with the soap for more effective cleaning.

My dishwasher takes too long. What's wrong?

It may be a model that pre-heats the water. If so, and if the water entering the dishwasher is cool, the heater may take up to half an hour to heat the water. To avoid the wait, increase the incoming water temperature before turning on the dishwasher. Do that by running the kitchen sink faucet until the water runs hot. Or increase the temperature of the hot water to the entire house at the hot water heater. Warning! To lessen the risk of scalding, don't set the hot water heater temperature higher than 120 degrees fahrenheit.

Should there be water in the bottom of my dishwasher?

Yes. All dishwashers leave a small amount of water in the bottom, to keep the seals and pump wet. If the seals dry out, they can become brittle and begin to leak water.

My cups and glasses are coming out spotty and filmy. What's wrong?

For spotting only, try using the heated drying cycle. If that doesn't help, try one of the rinse-aid products you can find at your supermarket. Film can be caused by a couple of things:

· It could be from a lack of water flow within the dishwasher.

· It also could be from hard water. If you can remove the film with vinegar, it's probably caused by hard water deposits.

Etching--a corrosion of the glass--can be caused by using too much detergent. A rainbow hue on the glasses is the first sign of etching. Try cutting in half the amount of detergent you use.

Do I really have to run the water in the sink before starting a cycle?

Yes. Dishwashers work best with very hot water. Letting the water at the sink run for a few moments (until it's hot) before turning on the dishwasher brings hot water to the dishwasher faster.