Dishwasher Condensation

chou-chou

We've just bought a new Hotpoint integrated dishwasher after the old one died and have only done a couple of cycles but am not sure it's working correctly. At the end of a cycle the dishes are mostly dry (as much as I would expect) but the inside walls of the machine itself are still covered in beaded water which just doesn't seem to go away. Not just a few drops but completely covered.

We use finish all in one tablets so no need to add salt or rinse aid.

The machine is left shut unless loading or unloading as it's integrated so it's not going to just evaporate and I'm sure we didn't have this problem with the old one. Is this normal??

prosaver

I just leave the door open a bit when finished and the heat dry the water

suki1964

Mine doesn't dry unless I use rinse aid

Have you read the manual?

Valli

Is it possible that the walls still have a plastic protective film from manufacture which should have been removed on installation?

I have an integrated dishwasher and I only ever fully close the door when it's in use, because water left in the machine will start to stagnate and make the machine smell.

As suki says, have you read the manual?

EssexExile

It's probably fine, they all have their own little ways. The moisture is supposed to condense into droplets on the tub & then run down to the drain. With mine if you open the door it'll never dry, I usually leave it closed for a few hours.
I'd use cheaper Finish tablets & put salt in.

chou-chou

Thanks for the replies.

Yes, have read the manual and the troubleshooting guide just mentions using rinse aid if the dishes aren't drying. Am loathe to go out and buy rinse aid as the tablets are supposed to be all in one and we never had to use them with the old one.

I tend to put it on overnight when we go to bed and would have expected it to be dry by the time I open it in the morning. Old one never smelled bad with the door shut and it looks odd if we leave it open as it just looks like one of the cupboards has been left ajar (may have a slight cupboard OCD tendancy there )

Will double check the protective film idea - will feel like a right wally if that's the case!

Jonesya

Try using rinse aid.

The manufacturer fitted a rinse aid system to deliver it exactly when needed at the right point in the wash cycle, in an adjustable quantity. Much better than an all in one tablet.

At the risk of being a rant, I don't get why people buy these expensive all-in-one tablets, your dishwasher's got these water softening and rinse aid systems built in to give precise control to match the wash cycle and adjustable for local water conditions. A tablet can't do any of that - it doesn't know your local water hardness, or if it's in a quick wash or a long intensive wash.

SuzieSue

chou-chou wrote: »

We use finish all in one tablets so no need to add salt or rinse aid.

If you're in a hard water area then you need to use salt even if you use an all in one tablet. I think I read that if you don't do this it could damage the machine.

You need to be careful using appliances like dishwashers and washing machines overnight. I used to do this until I read just how many fires are caused by these appliances.

suki1964

Well there you go, it needs rinse aid

Finish up your all in ones, then go buy bog standard cheepos from lidl's,aldi, tesco, wherever, add the salt and rinse aid and you won't be spending anymore

As jonseya says, your machine comes with settings to adjust for your area, the tablets don't. I live in a very soft water area, my machine will ask for salt around once a year and rinse aid about every 3 weeks. Bottle of rinse aid lasts a year and cost less then a quid, salt last for years and the tablets I break in half so a box will last 3 months ( I have a slimline machine and a full tablet leaves the dishes feeling like they are still soapy)

Valli

Wondering what, if anything, worked.

chou-chou

Thanks for the replies all. I think it was just a case of it bedding in as after a few days it was fine and not holding condensation any more. Happy days!!