How a Dishwasher Works

While you don't need to know how a dishwasher works to appreciate the gleaming clean results that come out after a cycle, you might wonder to yourself how it can make everything seem far cleaner than hand washing when seemingly no hard work is involved. This article will explain to you all about how dishwashers work their magic.

First off you'll have to load the dishwasher. This might seem like a simple process, but the way the dishwasher is organised is designed to give the best results for what you're putting in, so if possible it's best to obey the subtle instructions of where to place different items given by its layout. Larger items need to be placed in the bottom, while the items that are hardy dirty such as most cups and glasses need to be placed at the top. Cutlery should be placed facing upwards except for sharp knives which to prevent harm on taking them out and the potential of scratching other items should be placed point down. If you're placing items with long arms in make sure they can't slip through as this will stop the rotating spray arms and you're dishes won't come out as clean. Remember though not everything can go in, cast iron should be hand washed as should any pans with wooden handles. Make sure any plastics or crystal glass are dishwasher safe. Hand painted items can have their paint washed off by the high temperatures so are best hand washed. Most other items are safe to go in though.

So after you've finished loading and turned the machine on, what happens next? The majority of dish washers will go through a pre-rinse cycle first. This involves spraying everything inside using the spray arms and also pumping water into the machine. This gets rid of most of the food attached to the plates still and loosens up everything else that needs cleaning off. Most washers will replace the water after this.

Then comes the main washing cycle, where the dishwasher will release the dispenser containing the dishwasher detergent powder or tablet, mixing this with the water inside it. The spray arms repump the water with the detergent in it through the dishwasher spraying everything inside. During this time the water is heated between 50 and 70 degrees centigrade / 120 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the cycle where the majority of the cleaning gets done, so obviously the water inside becomes far from clean so needs draining and replacing. Most dishwashers then will go through intermediate rinsing cycles where cold water removes the residues from the cleaning process.

The dishwasher then goes onto its final rise, where the rinse aid solution is added and the water gradually heated before being removed. The heat from the water inside generally is enough to dry the dishes inside as it's removed (apart from anything left on top of pans and cups). If you open the dishwasher as soon as it completes a lot of this warm arm will come out, meaning your dishes will be less dry than if they are left in slightly longer.