How to use a dishwasher

A dishwasher is a complex household appliance that is not so easy to turn on if you know nothing about it, and you see it for the first time. An instruction comes to the rescue in this case, but it is not always written in a language accessible to a simple layman. In addition, the instructions do not have many nuances of operation. Therefore, we decided to highlight the question of how to use the dishwasher, in detail.

How to turn on the machine and configure the program

After the technician installs the dishwasher in its designated place and connects the water supply and drain, you are faced with the task of how to turn on the machine. Do not rush in this case, load the dishwasher with the dishes, because for a start it must be washed by running an empty sink without dishes. To do this, you will need salt and powder for dishwashers. You can use dishwasher starter kitif you purchased one with the machine.

You must do the following:

• open the door of the machine and pull out the lower basket, under which you will see a lid covering the salt tank;
• unscrew the lid and pour water into the tank (this is done only once, before the first start);
• then pour salt into the water using a funnel;
• wipe the spilled water in the chamber;
• close the lid of the salt container;
• adjust the salt flow on the control panel (for Bosch dishwashers) in accordance with water hardness, which must first be measured.

Subsequently, salt is added as needed, when the salt is finished, the salt indicator on the control panel lights up. After the salt is added, it is necessary to pour detergent powder. The powder receiver in almost all brands of dishwashers is located on the inside of the door. Using a measuring spoon, powder (about 15-20 g) is poured into the compartment and closed with a lid.

Now the machine needs to be started for washing. To do this, make sure that the tap for supplying water to the dishwasher is open and the machine is plugged in. Next, on the control panel we find the power button of the machine, indicated by a circle with a vertical stick, as in the photo (on / off).

Note! In the fully integrated technology, the control panel is located at the end of the door in the upper part, in freestanding models it is placed on the facade.

Then you need to select the washing mode at high temperature, for example, intensive washing. All modes have symbols, which we described in detail in the article Designations on the dishwasher. The choice on different models of dishwashers Bosch, Electrolux, Ariston is made in different ways. In dishwashers with mechanical control, you need to turn the knob to the appropriate program, there are few such machines. In machines with electronic and touch controls, the selection is made by pressing the buttons. Each program and function can be assigned a separate button, which is often found in Bosch dishwashers.

And it’s also possible when there is one button for sorting through all the programs, for example, in the touch models of Electrolux dishwashers. Having selected the program in the machine, you need to press the Start button, which will start the washing cycle. Thus, the idle wash will be started.

Further start-up of the machine is carried out similarly. Only in addition to the powder will it be necessary to pour a rinse aid, the compartment for which is located next to the powder compartment. As well as for salt, it is necessary to set the rinse aid consumption. For starters, you can set the average value, and then, as you operate, change the value to a greater or lesser value, depending on the result of the wash. If stains and drops remain, then increase the flow rate, if a rainbow film appears or the rinse aid does not wash off well, then reduce its consumption.

Loading dishes

Having understood how dishwashing programs are configured and turned on, you need to figure out how to arrange dishes in baskets. This can be done in different ways, but the result from this may not be joyful, the dishes will not wash well, and you will be disappointed in the “assistant”. In the instructions for the car Electrolux, Ariston or another, you will surely find a guide to placement, and even with pictures.

In the presence of standard dishes, which manufacturers are guided by, is more or less clear. But more often than not, most users do not meet the standard tableware.

Do not forget! Before loading into the machine, clean the dishes from the remnants of food, rinse it is not necessary, but brush off pieces of food, napkins, bones, etc. do not be lazy.

We list the basic rules for loading a dishwasher:

• first load the lower basket with large objects (large plates, pots, pans), then the upper;
• set the plates in the holders, leaving a small gap between the plates, otherwise they will not be washed, especially deep tureens;
  
  
• the dishes are placed with the inner side to the center, large plates should be placed in the outer compartments of the basket, and small ones in the center;
• pans and trays are set sideways so as not to block the water supply to the upper basket, and it is better to wash the pots by turning them upside down;
  
• it is best to wash pans and pans separately from plates and glasses;
• Do not overload the dishwasher with dishes, because nothing will be washed;
• glasses, wine glasses, cups, plastic containers and other small items are placed in the upper basket upside down;
  
• for cutlery a separate basket or a pull-out tray at the top of the dishwasher, ladles, skimmers, spatulas are laid horizontally in the upper basket;
• the dishes should not interfere with the free rotation of the sprinklers and the opening of the powder receptacle on the door.

When arranging the dishes, it must be borne in mind that not all items can be washed in a dishwasher.

A complete list of what should not be loaded into the machine is in the article What dishes should not be washed in the dishwasher?

Choose a detergent

The choice of detergent is one of the difficult tasks for users, because with such an assortment in the market it is difficult to give preference to any one manufacturer. Here, it’s really very difficult to give advice on how to wash with gel, powder or tablets. Everything will depend on your financial capabilities. All these tools have their pros and cons.

So, for example, convenient to use combined pills are very expensive. The powder is cheaper, but it is inconvenient to fill it up. Our opinion, we do not impose it, it is better to use all means separately, it is a powder or gel, salt and rinse aid. Explain why:

• firstly, it will turn out cheaper, calculate for yourself;
• secondly, you will dose the funds yourself, regarding the contamination of the dishes and the amount in the dishwasher, over time you will automatically pour the right amount of powder, but the tablets have the same dosage, so sometimes you have to divide it in half (for compact dishwashers). The same applies to the dosage of rinse aid;
• third, powder and gel dissolve much faster, for this reason tablets are not recommended for use in short cycles;
• fourthly, your ion exchanger will not “suffer” from a lack of salt. There is a certain amount of salt in the tablet, which is not enough for very hard water, and therefore it will be necessary to pour salt separately, and this is an additional waste, you can’t pour salt, since the dishwasher may break at all.

Which brand to choose Finish, Amway, Somat, think for yourself, we will only advise you to read the review safe dishwashing detergents.

Choosing the right mode

Having laid the dishes and prepared the machine, we proceed to the selection of the program and its launch.This is also an important step in the efficient operation of the dishwasher. The dishwashing mode should be selected depending on the degree of contamination and on the material of manufacture of the dishes themselves. Consider the main modes that are equipped with most cars.

• Standard (main) program - suitable for washing different dishes of medium degree of contamination, carried out by heating water to 50-60⁰WITH.
• Economic program (Eco) - also takes place when heated to 50⁰C, but saves water and electricity. You can wash lightly soiled dishes of various types.
• An intensive program is designed to wash very dirty dishes, such as pans, pots, plates with dried food. The water heats up to 70⁰WITH.
• The delicate program is designed for washing crystal, glass, plastic and other fragile dishes.
  

  Note! As for the washing time, it can be different in different dishwashers. The washing time can vary from 45 minutes to 3.5 hours.

• An automatic program that selects the temperature and other washing parameters depending on the contamination of the dishes.

In addition to modes, do not forget about useful functions. A half load allows you to wash the dishes without accumulating them, and the pre-rinse function, on the contrary, will help to better clean the dishes that have been lying in the car for a long time, as well as with burnt food. The Hygiene + function is useful for disinfecting baby bottles, cans and chopping boards.

What to do after washing

After washing the dishes and drying them, it is necessary to take care of the dishwasher. Do not neglect this, especially since it will take no more than 10 minutes. Otherwise, everything can turn into a long repair.

Turning off the dishwasher and removing the dishes from the baskets, you need to pull out the baskets and remove the strainers from the bottom of the chamber. Then rinse them under the tap and replace them. Next, wipe the walls of the washing chamber with a dry cloth, if there are stuck pieces of food under the door or rubber, remove everything. For some time, the machine door can be left open for drying, so that an unpleasant odor does not appear from moisture.

Such simple manipulations will keep the dishwasher always clean. Once or twice every six months, you need to clean the dishwasher with a means of grease and scale. This will wash out not only the dishwasher chamber, but also hoses and nozzles from plaque and other contaminants.

Safety tips

In conclusion, I would like to give a few words to safety and dwell on precautionary measures:

• it is not recommended to touch the dishwasher with hands;
• you need to connect the machine to a ground outlet;
• to protect the machine from unexpected power surges, connect it to a power outlet through Voltage regulator;
• after the end of the washing cycle do not rush to get the dishes, it is very hot;
• when reloading dishes while the machine is operating, wait until the rocker arms stop;
  

  In the event of a breakdown, do not panic, unplug the equipment from the network and carefully inspect, do not engage in self-repair, if you are not confident in your abilities, contact the master.

• do not allow children to operate the dishwasher, do not let the buttons be pressed.

We hope that now you know how to use the dishwasher and it doesn’t matter what brand of Electrolux or Bosch it is. In addition, you can watch a video on how to handle the dishwasher correctly. Remember: constant observance of the operating rules will extend its service life, delighting you with clean dishes.