Does anyone have a Hotpoint Diswasher FDW20?

cuffie

I have e-mailed Hotpoint and asked the question, but don't imagine I will get an answer very quickly! Have also checked the "instruction manuals" links on this website, but my computer tells me that they do not recommend I go any further through the links to Hotpoint as this is not a trusted website (and I am bit of a scaredy cat like that!!).

My problem - have inherited this dishwasher after just moving house. Have done a normal cycle tonight (would normally have done it overnight so would therefore empty in the morning). The machine finished its cycle and I opened it up to find that the water hadn't drained away. Plates were still hot, but I'm sure the cycle had finished. I emptied the rest of the water with a cup and checked the filter (all clear). Should I have waited longer, or do you think there is a problem? (don't really want to do another wash incase happens again!).

There are no instructions left or anything, and also need to know how to fill up the salt and rinse aid coz I don't know where they go! I can see where the salt goes, but is it to the top? There a lot of salt then - the hole is huge!

Thanks for your help!

Bossyboots

I've gone through to that for you but your machine is not listed on there. It actually says the security certificate cant be validated but that doesn't mean you can't go through. You will need to go on there and click onto manual not listed which opens up a page for you to request the manual you need.

The sitting water could be due to the programme not completing or your hose not being sited correctly and preventing the water from getting out. Try moving the machine and making sure there is no kink in the hose.

After that, try running another cycle and see if clears this time.

Yes, you fill the salt to the top and yes, it takes a lot of salt. The rinse aid usually goes in the door. Where you put the powder/tablet, there should be a little bit that turns and comes off. You put the rinse aid in that. Next to the bit you undo there should be a little round round see through bit (I am rubbish at explaining things). You pur the rinse aid down into the bit you have opened until the bit you can see through turns black.

Loobysaver

Are you absolutely sure it had finished it's cycle? Mine's a hotpoint FDW60 and when's it on the drying cycle the light stays on but it is soooo quiet you would think it's finished. It then emptys the water out and then the light flashes rather than staying on.

I would try and run a quick wash and see if the water drains away.

cuffie

running quick wash now...I reckon thats what it is - that I haven't let it drain properly. How long do you think the salt will last - do you fill it to the brim? It seems like an awful lot to me, and there is a bit of water still in the salt pot I pour it in to so I am adding salt and its dissolving! Salt refill light is flashing so I know that needs doing. How do you know rinse aid needs refilling? Sorry to be thick...I've never had a dishwasher before, and to have one without an instruction booklet.......!!!!

Bossyboots

cuffie wrote:

running quick wash now...I reckon thats what it is - that I haven't let it drain properly. How long do you think the salt will last - do you fill it to the brim? It seems like an awful lot to me, and there is a bit of water still in the salt pot I pour it in to so I am adding salt and its dissolving! Salt refill light is flashing so I know that needs doing. How do you know rinse aid needs refilling? Sorry to be thick...I've never had a dishwasher before, and to have one without an instruction booklet.......!!!!

You will know the rinse aid needs filling because the little window bit you look in next to where you fill it will be clear, rather than dark. Also, your plates willl feel "smeary". You will learn over time what the signs are in your particular machine so don't worry.

As for the salt, the initial fill does take a lot of salt but will then last for ages. Just keep putting it in until it is full.

withabix

Sounds like the OP is using cooking salt from the grocery shelf. Buy dishwasher salt instead (next to the dishwasher tablets) - about 70p for 2kg. Buy the own brand stuff not the expensive brands - salt is salt!!

Most dishwashers salt containers take 2kg. That bit is full of water because it works by dissolving the salt and drawing a little bit off each time you run the dishwasher.

Loobysaver

It does take a lot of salt and yes you fill it to right up. You may find that when it is full the salt re-fill light may flash for a few more washes but that's ok.

The salt usually lasts for at least a month when I fill it up.

It might be worth also buying some dishwasher cleaner and running a cycle through if you don't know when it was last cleaned.

cuffie

withabix wrote:

Sounds like the OP is using cooking salt from the grocery .

No...I am a bit daft sometimes, but I did realise that you had to use Dishwasher Salt!!:D Thanks tho for all your comments. You have all been really helpful. Dishwasher seems to be working tickety-boo at the mo!!!
xx

cuffie

OK folks....not tickety boo at the moment!!!!!! Has been brill for 3 weeks or so now until lights started flashing at me!
What does it mean when the prewash and rinse lights are flashing? Machine not cleaning properly - just wondered if those light flashing was an error...if you have this machine, would you mind looking it up for me please? Thanks guys.