Today, almost every home has modern dishwashers. It’s much easier than washing dishes by hand. The wash cycle can last from 30 minutes to more than two hours. Let’s take a look at how does a dishwasher work.
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How does a dishwasher work?
The whole process, from start to finish, is controlled by an electronic board. Thanks to built-in sensors that monitor the level and temperature of water and air and the degree of cleanliness of dishes. The machine performs the entire process accurately and with very high quality. When you select a specific program using the control buttons, the water supply valve opens, and the desired volume is collected.
After that, the water becomes softer, passing through the resin container, and with the help of a heating element, it is heated to the desired temperature. The circulation pump creates pressure and sprays water onto the plates. Drainage is carried out using a drainage pump.
Of course, in models from different manufacturers, the device itself may differ slightly, but basically, the principle of operation of dishwashers is the same for everyone. You can also find out more information about how a dishwasher work.
The algorithm for work dishwashers is very simple
- After all dirty dishes are placed in a special compartment, detergent is poured in, and a program is selected, the process starts.
- The required volume of water is collected through the hose and the solenoid valve
- The water is heated using a heating element to the desired temperature.
- The right amount of detergent is collected at different times during the wash cycle. After that, soapy water is sprayed from above and below onto the plates. Thanks to the operation of the pump, a strong jet is created, which simply knocks all the dirt off the plates and cutlery.
- Dirty water drains With the help of a drainage pump, water is pumped out and, through a hose, enters the sewer.
- The washing and draining process is repeated.
- Cold water is pumped in and the already washed dishes are rinsed, the water is sprayed in a large jet in different directions.
- Dishes are dried with hot air using a fan or by condensation drying, when water evaporates from the surface of the dishes and flows down the walls of the machine into the drain.
How long is a dishwasher cycle?
Many people wonder how long the machine will cope with washing dishes. Washing time directly depends on the selected program. In most cases, a normal wash cycle takes about an hour.
Dishwashers Work Cycle
Consider, using the example of a Bosch machine, the dishwasher cycle time
- at 35-45 degrees the cycle takes 90 minutes;
- at 45-65 degrees – 165 minutes;
- at 65-75 degrees – 145 minutes;
- quick wash 45 degrees – 35 minutes;
- the pre-rinse will take 15 minutes.
For washing greasy or heavily soiled dishes, only a full wash cycle at a temperature of at least 60 degrees is suitable. If you choose the wrong mode, you will get not completely washed dishes, and as a result, wasted time.
For the time allotted by the selected program, the machine performs the entire washing process from water collection to drying clean dishes.
There are three main wash cycle programs in any dishwasher. This depends on the degree of soiling of the dishes: pre-rinse, economical wash, and intensive wash for heavily dirty dishes.
How to load the dishwasher correctly
A good wash depends largely on loading all your plates, cups, cutlery, and pots and pans into the dishwasher correctly. If you ignore a few recommendations when it comes to placing your dishes in the dishwasher, you may not be happy with the results.
Tips for using the dishwasher correctly
- Make sure you remove any large pieces of food, stones, napkins, etc. from the dishes before you load them into the machine. This will prevent the filter from clogging during the cycle.
- To reduce energy consumption and increase the quality of the final result, use hot tap water to wash particularly dirty and greasy dishes in advance. The hot water jet will remove the heaviest soiling and thereby help the machine to perform its task better and quicker. This is an especially good tip for dishwashers without a pre-soak option.
- Load large items into the lower basket first, then small items into the upper basket.
- Plates, saucers, and soup bowls should be placed on the inner side towards the center. Large plates should be placed in the peripheral parts of the basket, and small plates closer to the center. Ensure that there is a small gap between the plates when you put them in the racks: Placed too close together, they may not rinse properly.
- Cups and glasses should be placed on the special holders with their bottoms facing upwards so that no water can accumulate in them. Delicate glasses made of crystal or thin glass should not touch each other and their “neighbors” in the basket – otherwise, there is a big chance that after washing, your house will be more happy, and less glasses.
- Load the cutlery so that it runs off better, by putting the handles downward.
- Dirty dishes (pots, pans, trays) should preferably be washed separately from the relatively clean plates and glasses. Try to place the oven trays sideways in the dishwasher so that they do not obstruct the water flow to the dishes on top. Pots and pans on the other hand should be turned upside down.
- Do not overload the dishwasher! You need to have free access to the surface of each pan, each plate, and each glass – otherwise you’d end up with dirty dishes again. Always make sure that the dishes in the dishwasher do not interfere with the free movement of the beater arms which are turning around their axis to spray water during the process.
FAQ
How does the soap get on the dishes in a dishwasher?
Cuvette: a compartment for detergent. It contains a powder, regular dish soap, or a special washing tablet. The cuvette most often has a folding or retractable design and is located on the inside of the dishwasher lid.
You can also use dishwashers’ work gel. Use the pre-wash detergent dispenser to measure out the correct amount of detergent. But you also need to read the composition of the gels.
When choosing a detergent, please note that the use of conventional gels used for washing dishes is unacceptable. It is better to buy special products that contain enzymes.
Dishwasher tablets are ideal for dishes sparkling clean. And for safety dishwashers work. These are “three-in-one” products; they contain salt, rinse aid, and the actual detergent. Such a tablet should be completely consumed in one wash cycle. The pre-wash detergent dispenser is not very convenient to use for the washing cycle, so it is better to use special tablets.
Do dishwashers fill up with water?
Many people think that the dishwasher is filled to the top with fresh water. And dirty dishes float in it like in a pool. Actually, it is not. The principle of operation of the dishwasher is in spray arms. Spray arms and wash dirty dishes with hot water or cold water. It all depends on the selected dishwashing cycle.
Almost any modern dishwasher is equipped with a stainless steel washing chamber that houses baskets for dishes and special spray arms that ensure uniform dirt and food particles removal.
Since the same hot water is involved in the work for quite a long time, it must be supplied under high pressure. For these purposes, a circulation pump forces is used, which can be either separated or combined with dishwasher heats. The soapy water is transferred through the spray arms and onto the dishes. To achieve a high-quality wash cycle, the water in spray arms jets must change their direction.
If the spray arms are made of bad plastic or their shape has an irregular structure, then they will quickly clog. The dishwasher will gradually reduce the quality of the wash.
Do dishwashers use hot water or heat their own?
Modern dishwashers have to heat the water for dishes and feed it through spray arms. But if your dishwasher stops heating water and your dishes remain dirty, or your dishes dry. Then there may be a problem with your dishwasher.
Ways to fix the breakdown
First, check if everything is in order with the software settings, and turn on the desired temperature. Make sure that the machine is connected correctly and that the water is not constantly draining.
The third step is checking the filter. A clogged filter must be cleaned. But if all these measures do not bring the desired result, and the water still does not heat up, call the Neva-Service Service Center. The master will diagnose and determine what needs to be replaced or repaired, and then repair the dishwasher in St. Petersburg.
If the heating element is burned out, it will need to be replaced. The heating elements, unfortunately, are not repaired. But the good news is that such problems are fixed quickly—in a maximum of an hour, the equipment will work again.
In the event of a breakdown, the thermostat must also be replaced. The installation cost of this part is relatively low, and you can repair the dishwasher without delay.
When the water does not heat up due to malfunctions of the control module, two options are possible: “flashing” or replacing the element. What exactly is required, the specialist can say only after the diagnosis is completed. You can also learn how to properly clean a dishwasher.
Conclusion
A dishwasher is a modern appliance that allows you to without washing dishes by hand. Dishes sparkling clean is achieved through the effective removal of dirt and a large selection of programs.
Inside the dishwasher, the dishes clean are additionally disinfected, which cannot be achieved by conventional washing in hot water. In the dishwashing cycle, the high-temperature treatment removes all harmful microorganisms that may appear on the surface.
To start the process, it is enough to load the dishes in special containers, select one of the available programs, and wait for its completion.