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Appliance Tip of the Week...
A dishwasher quick tip that often helps...
Example: Maytag D/W with poor cleaning. I have never used the "four cups in the corner" test and for some reason it came to mind ( seeing four cups on the counter ). Turned the cups upside down and run the d/w with water in it for approx 30 seconds. It was amazing. Three of the cups filled up immediately and the right front cup wouldn't fill at all. I saw some plastic bits in the wash arm holes and removed them. Then all the cups filled. Since the customer was watching, they where able to "see" the improvement.
Dishwasher Washing Problems
Quick tips: Dishes not cleaned properly....
My dishes are not as clean as they used to be:
Some common things to check : Water temperature - Use a thermometer inside the dishwasher to measure the water temp. it should as close to 140 degree F as possible, try using the temp boost feature if your d/w is equipped with this cycle feature to see if this will help your washability problems. Powder soap - Make sure you store your soap in a dry environment and that it is not stale and clumping together. Proper filling - Most dishwashers will fill with water up to and around the heating element, if water is way below the heating element you may have low water pressure or a problem with the fill valve. For low water pressure, try to clean the screen at the entrance of the fill valve, sometimes the fill valve can fail and not allow the proper water into the dishwasher and may need to be replaced.
Low water fills are a very common trouble maker with today's dishwasher!! Dishwashers use so little water compared to ones 10-20 years ago that just a little less water from the fill cycle can/will effect it's ability to wash the dishes properly.
Dishwasher fill valves also have a screen built into the valve entrance, this can also get all clogged up and need to be cleaned. Mechanical problems
Make sure the spray arm(s) are turning freely, with water inside the d/w you can make a mental note where they are and turn on the d/w for a couple of seconds to see if they are actually moving properly. Things that can effect the operation of the spray arms...plugged holes in the spray arm...worn holes in the bottom of the spray arm...split or melted spray arm...the supports, gaskets and washers that hold the spray arms can wear out and leak water around the spray arm rather than allow the water inside the spray arm. The supports can also bind and slow down the spray arm enough to effect the washing of the d/w. Some sample supports...1one, 2two, 3three, 4four - Some sample gaskets...1one, 2two, 3three...
Dishwasher Repair and Maintenance Parts
Related Links
A dishwasher quick tip that often helps...
Example: Maytag D/W with poor cleaning. I have never used the "four cups in the corner" test and for some reason it came to mind ( seeing four cups on the counter ). Turned the cups upside down and run the d/w with water in it for approx 30 seconds. It was amazing. Three of the cups filled up immediately and the right front cup wouldn't fill at all. I saw some plastic bits in the wash arm holes and removed them. Then all the cups filled. Since the customer was watching, they where able to "see" the improvement.
Dishwasher Washing Problems
Quick tips: Dishes not cleaned properly....
- Check the water temperature. Should be 125 to 140 F.
- Check pump re-circulation., Listen, see if it sounds like it is spraying the water around with enough pressure.
- Check water level when the fill cycle has completed. Should be just under the heating element. If not, possibly need to replace the water inlet valve.
- Check the spray arm and pump cover for splits or leaks.
- Check to make sure dishwasher is draining after each cycle. There should only be a little water in the bottom of the tub.
- Make sure the dishes are loaded properly, or dishwasher is not overloaded.
- Possibly try a different detergent. Some liquid-gels will bubble and a pump cannot pump bubbles.
My dishes are not as clean as they used to be:
Some common things to check : Water temperature - Use a thermometer inside the dishwasher to measure the water temp. it should as close to 140 degree F as possible, try using the temp boost feature if your d/w is equipped with this cycle feature to see if this will help your washability problems. Powder soap - Make sure you store your soap in a dry environment and that it is not stale and clumping together. Proper filling - Most dishwashers will fill with water up to and around the heating element, if water is way below the heating element you may have low water pressure or a problem with the fill valve. For low water pressure, try to clean the screen at the entrance of the fill valve, sometimes the fill valve can fail and not allow the proper water into the dishwasher and may need to be replaced.
Low water fills are a very common trouble maker with today's dishwasher!! Dishwashers use so little water compared to ones 10-20 years ago that just a little less water from the fill cycle can/will effect it's ability to wash the dishes properly.
Dishwasher fill valves also have a screen built into the valve entrance, this can also get all clogged up and need to be cleaned. Mechanical problems
Make sure the spray arm(s) are turning freely, with water inside the d/w you can make a mental note where they are and turn on the d/w for a couple of seconds to see if they are actually moving properly. Things that can effect the operation of the spray arms...plugged holes in the spray arm...worn holes in the bottom of the spray arm...split or melted spray arm...the supports, gaskets and washers that hold the spray arms can wear out and leak water around the spray arm rather than allow the water inside the spray arm. The supports can also bind and slow down the spray arm enough to effect the washing of the d/w. Some sample supports...1one, 2two, 3three, 4four - Some sample gaskets...1one, 2two, 3three...
Dishwasher Repair and Maintenance Parts
Related Links
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