9 Simple Steps to tune-up a Dishwasher

Have you ever had your dishwasher fail during a holiday? It isn’t fun. Trying to get a service person during a holiday is almost impossible. If you do the price of the repair can exceed the cost of a new appliance. To avoid this happening here are a few simple suggestions to keep the dishwasher working at peak efficiency.  

 1... Clean the filter 
If it is removable (check your manual) clean it in the kitchen sink using a light detergent and a soft brush. Most are not removable and will have to be cleaned while in the machine. Any major debris such as toothpicks, pieces of plastic, or straws should first be removed by hand. Do not allow them to escape  - they could end up in the pump where further damage would result.

3... Check spray nozzle 
The bottom spray arm may have a nozzle sticking out of its centre. A spray nozzle will have holes at its tip. Treat the same as the spray arms in step #2. Remove debris from the holes. If nozzle parts appear cracked or worn call for service.

4... Heating element 
The element can be used for both heating the wash water and drying the dishes at end of cycle. Gently run your hand along its length. If it feels gritty the element is probably covered with a calcium buildup. Clean it using a light detergent and a wet rag. Do this carefully to avoid the element becoming bent or dislodged from its supports.
 
5... Clean detergent dispenser 
Open the dispenser door and clean out using a wet rag. Also remove any detergent buildup in or around the dispenser body.

6...Clean door gasket 
Gently clean the gasket surface using a wet rag. Gasket should be soft and pliable. At same time close dishwasher door a couple of times to ensure door latch is closing smoothly. It should be snug yet easy to close. If door latch is difficult to close either the latch or the gasket may need replacement.

7... Check rack wheels 
They should roll smoothly. If loose, wobbling, or binding the wheels are probably coated with detergent or a mineral buildup from the water. Remove rack to kitchen sink and clean wheels and shafts using a soft brush. Gently move wheels back and forth until they turn freely. Do not lubricate.

8... Check water temperature 
Many problems with dishwashers are due to low water temperature. Allow the dishwasher to fill with water and begin to wash. Open the door. The water should produce a steaming effect. If not your water temperature is probably too low. Most require 125 to 140 Degrees Fahrenheit to clean the dishes.

9... Check your detergent 
Many dishwasher problems are because of stale detergent. Dishwasher detergent is one of the few detergents with a shelf life. If the box appears swollen, hard, or the detergent clumps, replace with a fresh box. Stale detergent can lead to many problems including leaking or flooding.

Conclude by doing a test run with a few dirty plates or pots in the lower rack and a few drinking glasses in the top rack. Operate the dishwasher through a full cycle using the normal amount of detergent, a full container of rinse additive, and the heat-dry setting activated. If everything appears to be functioning properly give yourself a pat on the back.  

Lastly, these simple steps should be done well before any holiday period. Allow at least a couple of weeks prior to its need to test out these suggestions. In this way if you need help from a service company they will have enough time to respond. But if you find yourself with a non-functioning dishwasher the same day you have 20 guests arriving for dinner try the following.  Take a deep breath, smile a lot, and keep repeating , 'At least there will be lots of people to help wash and dry the dishes'.

  By Donald Grummett 

Copyright © 2005 Donald Grummett. All rights reserved

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