Jean MeriamDishwashers: They Can Get the Dishes Clean!
September 1st 2009 15:08
The dishwasher, it can be your greatest ally in keeping the cupboards stocked with gleaming glassware and cutlery, or a complete waste of kitchen space. It all depends on how you use it. After five years of owning and fighting with my built-in I decided it was time we sought professional help. I lamented to my appliance person that the dishwasher was letting me down. Each night I stacked the dishes carefully inside the machine, ran it through its cycles and removed the dishes, full of water spots and caked on food. I then placed the dishes in the sink and washed them by hand.
Rather than advise me that I had a bought a dud, or that a lengthy repair bill would fix my woes, Russ explained that it was all in the way I was using the dishwasher. Despite following the manufacturers directions, I was not using the dishwasher properly. The tips I received below have ended my days of rewashing cups and forks and helped the dishwasher regain its place as an esteemed member of the kitchen.
Water
Run the kitchen faucet until the water flows hot. This ensures that the first cycle of water used by the dishwasher is hot enough to dissolve the detergent and clean the dishes properly. I have noticed a definite difference after following this tip. There has been less food residue on the dishes and a major decrease in water spots.
If you do not have a water softener and suspect you live in an area with hard water, fill both detergent dispensers before running your dishwasher. Jet-dry also works well for cleaner more spot free dishes, but I have yet to find a no-name brand that can do the job.
Rinse the dishes
Although most modern dishwasher manufactures claim this is unnecessary, your dishes will come out cleaner. Keep in mind, too, that the plastic pipes your dishwasher drains through to the kitchen pipe are very tiny, and an expensive plumbing bill is not worth the few extra seconds and small amount of water it takes to give the dishes a quick rinse.
If your dishwasher has a quick rinse cycle, take advantage of it for especially dirty dishes.
Detergent
Unless you are running a restaurant, don't buy bulk dishwasher detergent. According to experts dishwasher detergent has a shelf life of a few weeks to a couple of months. The one year supply in the bulk container purchased at your local wholesaler will quickly lose its efficiency and its cost effectiveness. Powdered detergent is reported to be superior to gel as the gel may gum up the inside of the pipes, and gel with bleach added can eat away at rubber rings and seals.
Cleaning
Once a month remove and clean filters. If you notice a lot of calcium and lime build up in the filters soak them in vinegar or a plastic safe calcium and lime remover. Thoroughly clean around the seals and check the bottom of the dishwasher for jar labels, stray utensils or undrained food particles. Once you have put the filters back into the dishwasher, pour a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the machine and run it through with no dishes inside.
So there it is, advice from an appliance expert, completely for free.
Rather than advise me that I had a bought a dud, or that a lengthy repair bill would fix my woes, Russ explained that it was all in the way I was using the dishwasher. Despite following the manufacturers directions, I was not using the dishwasher properly. The tips I received below have ended my days of rewashing cups and forks and helped the dishwasher regain its place as an esteemed member of the kitchen.
Water
Run the kitchen faucet until the water flows hot. This ensures that the first cycle of water used by the dishwasher is hot enough to dissolve the detergent and clean the dishes properly. I have noticed a definite difference after following this tip. There has been less food residue on the dishes and a major decrease in water spots.
If you do not have a water softener and suspect you live in an area with hard water, fill both detergent dispensers before running your dishwasher. Jet-dry also works well for cleaner more spot free dishes, but I have yet to find a no-name brand that can do the job.
Rinse the dishes
Although most modern dishwasher manufactures claim this is unnecessary, your dishes will come out cleaner. Keep in mind, too, that the plastic pipes your dishwasher drains through to the kitchen pipe are very tiny, and an expensive plumbing bill is not worth the few extra seconds and small amount of water it takes to give the dishes a quick rinse.
If your dishwasher has a quick rinse cycle, take advantage of it for especially dirty dishes.
Detergent
Unless you are running a restaurant, don't buy bulk dishwasher detergent. According to experts dishwasher detergent has a shelf life of a few weeks to a couple of months. The one year supply in the bulk container purchased at your local wholesaler will quickly lose its efficiency and its cost effectiveness. Powdered detergent is reported to be superior to gel as the gel may gum up the inside of the pipes, and gel with bleach added can eat away at rubber rings and seals.
Cleaning
Once a month remove and clean filters. If you notice a lot of calcium and lime build up in the filters soak them in vinegar or a plastic safe calcium and lime remover. Thoroughly clean around the seals and check the bottom of the dishwasher for jar labels, stray utensils or undrained food particles. Once you have put the filters back into the dishwasher, pour a cup of white vinegar into the bottom of the machine and run it through with no dishes inside.
So there it is, advice from an appliance expert, completely for free.
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Comment by Helen Randell
Rough Cooking
Cheers for the info.
Comment by Jean Meriam
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