Does anyones dishwasher REALLY work?

OrangeProse

I had the same problem when we moved into our rented flat. The built-in dishwasher was not cleaning or drying things properly. However, a new filter (the last one was all torn and was letting all sorts of undesirables through into the system!) and a blast with vinegar sorted it out, and it works perfectly now. I also found a good poke with a pin helps to keep the holes in the rotating spray arms clear, if you can't get them apart (some are sealed). I sometimes remove the spray arms and soak them in a vinegar/water solution to dissolve any gunk.

If it comes to it, spare parts for pretty much any make are easily available on ebay. I've had new filters, spray arms and even the little wheels the the baskets roll in and out on (the original ones sometimes crack due to exposure to hot water - good design feature!) and the parts aren't expensive, or difficult to fit.

I wouldn't be without mine.

lovethymini

Couldn't live without my dishwasher!

Bought a Bosch through preloved.com for £40, it was okay at first but after a while, everything had a greasy film on it, and pebbledash (yum), then the lower rack wasn't cleaning at all from underneath - checked the spray arms, ran a clean wash, filters were fine... etc etc. Ended up using it as a glorified crockery dryer. Spoke to a Bosch engineer who suggested checking the salt setting, very helpful :rolleyes:

Gave up in the end (probably the thought of the inlaws staying for the week) and bought a new Beaumatic (integrated, 2 year warranty, 5 year parts warranty and only £280!)
It's great - we use economy or rapid cycle most times and I gave it a big test the other day by putting a casserole dish in it without rinsing through - oh bliss, it came out lovely and clean - one of those Happy Housewife moments, I do believe I danced around the kitchen :rotfl:

OrangeProse

lovethymini wrote: »

checking the salt setting, very helpful :rolleyes:

Oooh yes completely forgot about that one... on most dishwashers you can adjust the dosages for salt and rinse aid, according to how hard your water is. It can be surprising how a minute footle in the wrong direction on either of these can ruin the finish. I was finding white streaks on glassware, thought it was a 'design feature' until someone told me to turn the rinse aid up!

Check your manual, OP - it should tell you in there how to adjust these settings. Have a play and see if it makes any difference!

beatrice23

i think hotpoint are generally pretty good, the main thing is to keep the nozzles clean & also take care not to over fill it.

adandem

Our Bosch is excellent. The only time I've had a problem was with Wilko's and Asda's own tablets.

busiscoming2

Had a Candy and when that caught fire! I got an Indesit, both work well. I use a cleaner (aldi) every few weeks to keep it yuk free. I don't use rinse aid and use Tesco stripey tablets.

TrulyMadly

Thanks to all of you for your advice. As we speak the arms are off and in the sink soaking. Filters have all been cleaned (again)
Fingers crossed for next load.

lynseydee

The last couple of days our dishwasher seems to be leaving a film on all the dishes. I have cleaned out the filter, run it empty on a hot wash and tried washing the items on various settings but it seems to be hit and miss whether the items come out clean or not. I don't have any dishwasher cleaner or vinegar at home so was wondering whether I might have anything else at home I could use (or it might mean a trip to the supermarket on my way home from work tonight).

We have a water softener installed and have never had a problem with the dishwasher until now.

Any ideas?

richardw

I find tesco basic tablets very good. I don't bother with those all in one tablets.
Dishwashers need maintaining and kept clean for best results.

usignuolo

I am on my third Bosch (for last 9 months). The previous one was fine so long as food bits didn't get stuck in the washing arms. Then you got a patchy wash.

I did have a problem with wash quality with the new one initially - but it turned out it does not do a hot rinse (none of the newer models do - for ecological reasons apparently). And I was using all in one tablets which worked fine with the last model but apparently on the new cold rinse models, you also have to keep the rinse aid dispenser filled, regardless of tablet type used, as this is used to sluice down the contents on the final rinse. Since then it has been fine.