Safe to use my dishwasher?

Queenie_Girl

Hi,

Hoping someone can help me as googling gave me no results. I have just moved into a flat which has a dishwasher, however the salt cap is missing. I know the dishwasher has been used without the salt cap but not sure for how long.

My landlord is replacing the salt cap, but is it safe to use? My concern is that bits of food etc are now lodging in the salt tank and I have no idea how to check / clean.

My landlord is unlikely to pay for a service since it had one not long ago (I suspect at the time the salt cap was there).

Any advice would be great. I would consider paying for servicing it myself if that is the most sensible option.

Thanks for any help in advance.

diable

Have you checked to see if the salt cap hasn't fallen under the units?

Queenie_Girl

It is intergrated into a cupboard. I don't think there is anywhere for it to fall into. Do you mean under the filter system? I don't think there are space there either.

tlh858

Safe - yes.

However as you say, food etc. will fall in there and possibly cause problems with blockages etc. Not to mention all of the salt will be washed away on the 1st wash and therefore won't do anything.

Queenie_Girl

Good to know it is safe, but how can I make sure there is no food in there? How can I wash it out?

DaftyDuck

Hose from a nearby tap would do it. But, running it a couple of times when empty, without the cap on will probably do just as well, and is a damn sight easier. Clean the filters out first and either run it empty, or only put glasses & mugs in.
It will be completely safe. Also, any foodstuff that might possibly remain in the salt tank (and I don't believe there will be any) will be sterile. All that salt....

Avoriaz

If the salt reservoir has become contaminated by food debris, grease etc then the built in water softener may have also become contaminated and be less efficient or even defective.

How hard is the water in your area? Check here.

A dishwasher running on hard water will work less efficiently or need more detergent and you may also find whitish deposits left on your crockery and cutlery. These are calcium and magnesium salts deposited from hard water. Harmless to humans but may stain and corrode metal and not pleasant to look at.

Hopefully you will be ok once the salt reservoir is thoroughly cleaned, salt is added, the cap replaced and a few empty cleaning cycles run. If you do have problems as above there are dishwasher detergents and tablets available that have added softening agents that might help.

PasturesNew

Why would it not be safe? I'd have used it .... because I've never used a dishwasher and wouldn't even know about a salt cap (never heard of one) .....

greyteam1959

Get a piece of plastic ( strong carrier bag ) cut out a circle slightly bigger than the salt container. Place it over the top of the salt container & secure with a strong elastic band.
Cheep..........

Queenie_Girl

Thank you for all the helpful responses. I'll take the advice, clean the filter, run the dishwasher empty with salt cap off, then refill on salt and then run salt cap on