1. Every Day:
Recent commercials tell you to wash a load of dishes EVERY day even if it’s not a full load. Why? Because even without a full load, you’re saving water.
A newer dishwasher uses 2-2.5 gallons of water per CYCLE versus your faucet which flows at 2.2 gallons per MINUTE! Plus, there’s less of a chance of dried-on gunk and nasty smells.
2. Scrape, Don’t Rinse:
The commercials also tell you to scrape, but don’t rinse. Larger food particles MIGHT be ground up inside the unit, but they also MIGHT clog the filter.
Rinsing dishes wastes water. It’s a hard habit to break, but it’s worth it for your dishwasher AND the environment. Trust your dishwasher to do its job. Scrape off food particles and leave the rest to the dishwasher.
3. Check The Filter:
Every dishwasher has a filter to keep larger particles from clogging the pump and spray arms. Even though you’re diligently scraping your plates to prevent this, the detergent is designed to encapsulate (surround) greasy and protein-based residue on your dishes.
Your manufacturer has information about how to do this. Basically, you need to remove the filter, run it through some hot water until it’s clean, then reinstall.
Here is a Before and After:
BONUS:
Does your dishwasher have a respectful and well-maintained home in your kitchen?
Our technicians have found that working on dishwashers can be among the most complicated service issues they face. They are forced to diagnose and assess installations that are not friendly for servicing the appliance itself.
For example, can the dishwasher be pulled forward for service?
Was the floor installed AFTER the dishwasher? Now the dishwasher is blocked in from the bottom.
Does the countertop rest ON TOP OF the dishwasher or are there cabinetry panels supporting the countertop on both sides of the unit? If not, the dishwasher is hemmed in from the top.
Is there access to the water lines?
Is there access to the water lines that supply the dishwasher underneath the sink or some other access point?
Is there a shut-off to the dishwasher?
How will you stop water flowing into the dishwasher if there’s a problem?
More information to know…
Minor leaks involving a dishwasher may never be seen until there’s a BIG problem, like a flood in your kitchen or a waterfall in your basement.
Plumbers and cabinet installers have limited focus when it comes to dishwashers. The concept of SERVICING a dishwasher isn’t really on their minds.
Give us a call.
Appliance Master can help you assess the health of your dishwasher’s “home” and provide you with suggestions on preventing common problems.
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