Dishwasher drying time??

larmy16

I wondered if anyone can help on this?

I have heard people saying they skip the drying cycle on their dw to save money and energy. My dw has four programmes and a light comes on when it has reached the drying section of the prog.

Is it ok to switch machine off at this point, to leave dishes to air dry, or would it b***er up the programmer?

I have a fairly cheap basic model so it may not be possible to do it on these kinds of machines.

blue-kat

are sure you don't have a quick wash cycle? it's pretty standard to have 4 programmes, rinse, extra hot/long wash, 'normal' wash, and quick wash.

the dishes are spotless on quick wash, especially if you use the rinse cycle as you load up the machine. can't see the point of the longer - more expensive - programmes.

I only use the rinse (A) and quick wash cycle (D) on the DW now. the quick wash programmes usually don't dry. Just open the door and pull the trays out to air/drip dry, it doesn't take long as DWs wash so hot.

Bossyboots

blue-kat wrote:

are sure you don't have a quick wash cycle? it's pretty standard to have 4 programmes, rinse, extra hot/long wash, 'normal' wash, and quick wash.

the dishes are spotless on quick wash, especially if you use the rinse cycle as you load up the machine. can't see the point of the longer - more expensive - programmes.

I only use the rinse (A) and quick wash cycle (D) on the DW now. the quick wash programmes usually don't dry. Just open the door and pull the trays out to air/drip dry, it doesn't take long as DWs wash so hot.

This is what I do. I am struggling to convince my other half that the quick wash is good enough for general things and that we only need to use a longer wash for really greasy/dirty items. We also have a power wash so I use that with the quick wash for better results. I then just leave the washer open to dry everything off although I do take glasses out and dry them by hand.

larmy16

Blue-kat thanks for reply. I am confused though to your reference to using the rinse cycle while loading up the machine. Can you explain this please???

Yes I do have a quick wash cycle. I shall have to study my manual again.

squeaky

Most machines have a pre wash setting that justs blasts things with cold water for a couple of minutes to rinse them.

On the subject of energy saving - the main power use is to heat the water up to temperature. The longer wash programs simply run the wash pump for longer which doesn't cost a great deal in comparison to the heating.

Stopping at the end of the wash cycle and not doing the rinses saves a heating - but I've no idea how much detergent is still on the plates...

..on mine there's a final short heat up session after all the last rinse water is gone to heat the air and help drying.

Personally - if I'm paying to use the dishawasher I'd rather pay whatever extra it is per wash to let the machine do its cycle properly.

larmy16

I think you are right Squeaky. I would be worried that I might mess up the programmer (knowing the jinx effect I have on electricals). No I just was curious as it sounded like you were rinsing dishes as you were loading the dishwasher, which sounded a bit strange. Of course I am sure this was not what it really meant!!

So I shall just use the same programme. Mine has Time for you? Eco, Rapid and dry, and soak. It seems the programmes all include drying except maybe soak, which I presume is like a prewash?

blue-kat

Hi larmy16
by the rinse cycle, I mean programme 1 or A ( it's usually the first one) which is quick blast of cold water, useful for getting rid of the debris on plates before it dries on.

added advantage of using the quick wash prog is that it's quick ! LOL !:p
-

blue-kat

what brand is your DW Larmy?

squeaky

larmy16 wrote:

So I shall just use the same programme. Mine has Time for you? Eco, Rapid and dry, and soak. It seems the programmes all include drying except maybe soak, which I presume is like a prewash?

Soak? Dunno for sure, but at a guess I'd say it pauses the main wash program, maybe gives things a spray every few minutes to keep them wet, until such time as you decide to move the timer round one more click. Your book should tell you

Turning_into_scrooge

My dw works similar to Squeaky's and i know for a fact that if i stopped it at the drying light stage then water would be left in the maching which would due to a bad design end up getting into the motor and blow it up :eek: How do I know?:think: i've done it, i'm on my 3rd exchange:shhh: lol. I seriously wouldn't recommend doing it

larmy16

blue-kat wrote:

what brand is your DW Larmy?

It is an Indesit Blue-kat. I would have bought a Bosch, but as I had to pay to have a cupboard pulled out, cut up and remodelled (there had never been a space for dw), I had to scrimp a little on the model. Hopefully I wont have to for a long time, but when I do replace it, I will prob. buy a more expensive make. Its a slimline one by the way. I have no complaints about its capabilities so far!!