Dishwasher help please!

mikey72

They usually come from the factory full of water, it can't be emptied after the factory test, (short of mopping out). The water just spills into the machine when you put salt in, then just run a rinse cycle to wash it away.
If the machine is stuck on a wash cycle, if you can't reset it, if there is no water in it, fill the salt container by hand with clean water, put the top back on, and fill the machine with a pan or jug manually, and let it run to the end.
What is the make/model if that doesn't work?

pimento

I thought that the Three (or Four) in One dishwasher tablets didn't need salt or rinse aid. The light will come on anyway to warn you they're low, but you can just ignore them.


I think.

kaya

the salt container in your dishwasher will be full of water when the salt runs out
the purpose of adding salt is to help regenerate the water softner resin which you cant see, with no salt the resin will not regenerate and soften the water, you will eventually get white cloudy marks on your glasswear
you dont need to use the powder/tablet dispenser, just throw the tab in the bottom of the machine( the first thing your dw does is drain, then it opens the door for the tablet, you will hear it open if you listen )
if your dishwasher is running continually you probably didnt replace the salt cellar lid tightly or got some salt stuck on the rim so it hasnt made a water tight seal
the combination tablets that contain salt are nothing more than a sales gimmick, there is absolutley no point in adding salt to the inside of your dishwasher as it cannot get to the resin crystals and recharge them
the purpose of rinse aid is to ensure that your stuff is dry when it is washed, adding rinse aid via a tablet to the main wash cycle is another pointless idea , it will dissolve in the main wash water and will be drained out before the rinse cycle even starts(rinse cycle uses clean water only , its at this point you need rinse aid, not in the main wash)
i spent 20 years repairing commercial and domestic dishwashers so i think i can call myself an expert anorak on the subject

wallbash

Good to hear from an expert .
So , to sum up forget the fancy draw for the tabs.
Dont buy the combination tablets.

Whats your view on filling the salt , if you live in a soft area?

pimento

A masterclass Kaya, thank you! I've never really understood how my dishwasher works.

Is it a bit belt and braces to buy a three in one tablet then? Would the supermarket own brand be just as good?

kaya

three in one tabs are just a gimmick to get you to part with your money, although the quality of the detergent may or may not be better than the cheap ones, trial and error realy( we always but whatever is on special offer in the supermarket at the time), but whatever area you live in you should use salt in the salt chamber, if you dont the resin will break down eventually and you will get a gritty substance in your wash, if you want to save money only use the quick wash which does not waste electricity drying and negates the need for rinse aid, then open the door after the cycle ends and the residual heat will dry the contents for you if you are patient

donnaessex

Thanks so much for everyones input (especially Kayas). I consider myself educated now!

WestonDave

Thanks kaya for confirming what I long suspected - namely that the manufacturers make the salt bit and the rinse aid system for a reason! Justifies my long term use of 3 seperate doses - although it has to be said that I tend to use cheapo stuff - Tesco do a 3kg detergent in a fake discount brand (i.e. its their own brand but they call it something else!) which we have used for a couple of years now, along with the matching rinse aid.

donnaessex

I just wanted to post a quick update for you all. I got home on Friday and put the dishwasher on, with a healthy dose of water in the salt compartment and it kept on going and going and going like it was doing that morning. After 90 minutes of "troubleshooting" and getting flustered, I ended up booting it.

It works now. :T

Debt_Free_Dreamer

kaya wrote: »

three in one tabs are just a gimmick to get you to part with your money, although the quality of the detergent may or may not be better than the cheap ones, trial and error realy( we always but whatever is on special offer in the supermarket at the time), but whatever area you live in you should use salt in the salt chamber, if you dont the resin will break down eventually and you will get a gritty substance in your wash, if you want to save money only use the quick wash which does not waste electricity drying and negates the need for rinse aid, then open the door after the cycle ends and the residual heat will dry the contents for you if you are patient

You need to be careful if you have laminate worktops, opening the door and letting the steam out. The steam can get under the laminate (between the laminate and the chipboard) and you can get bubbles. :eek: I always wipe the underside of the laminate if I have to open the door mid cycle or very soon after finishing.