Learn more about dishwashers - for more efficient dishwashing, appliance life and lower electric bills. Be mindful of safety. Dishwashers have electrical voltage and current levels dangerous to human life. Do not attempt repairs unless you have the training to do so safely. Failure to heed the safety warnings could result in severe injury or death from electrocution.
FIRST DISHWASHER - Invented by a wealthy socialite named Josephine Cochrane in Shelbyville IL in 1886 to prevent the servants from chipping the china. Her company later became KitchenAid.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
- Dishwashers' control dials and buttons make it look complex. But except the control panel, dishwashers are much the same appliance as they were 20 years ago.
- Dishwashers run on 110 VAC power with water directly from the water heater. Waste water drains into the kitchen sink's drain pipe. The dishwasher is not connected to the cold-water supply.
- For best results, set water heater temperature to at least 140 degrees Farenheit. If water is colder, the dishes won't get clean.
BASIC DISH WASHER FUNCTIONS
- Fills itself with water and heats it, then opens the soap dispenser
- Sprays the hot water with soap through the jets to clean the dishes
- Drains the dirty water
- Sprays rinse water on the dishes
- Heats air to dry dishes
- Also, it monitors the time, temperature and water level of each cycle
FREQUENTLY ASKED BASICS
- Timer inside the door (control panel) controls the cycle, detergent dispenser, wash spray, drain and door latch.
- Only a small water basin is filled with water. House water pressure fills the basin. A pump driven by a motor sprays the water around.
- The pump switches between pumping spray water and draining the machine.
- The water pressure from the pump also spins the sprayer arms.
- A heating element at the bottom heats the air to dry dishes.
BEST PRACTICES
- Don't use dishwashing soap, as the suds will overflow the machine.
- Avoid overloading which prevents water jets from spraying the dishes.
- Face dirty parts of dishes towards spray jets (usually in the center).
- Keep bowls, dishes with similar shapes apart.
- No plastics at the bottom, as the heat could melt it.
- Run an empty load with some vinegar in the dispenser once in a while.
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