Dishwasher

[Nolena]

I'm fixin' to buy a new dishwasher.  The old one died.
Anyone have a recommendation?

[Hillbillies]

Include a water softner with your purchase.  It will add several years to the life of your dishwasher.  We bought a GE Triton XL a year and a half ago at Sears.  Nice and quiet machine.  Cleans good too.

[TableMtn]

I bought a Kenmore from Sears a couple of years ago.  I don't know the specific model.  But the features I do like are:

1.  Timer--can put the dinner dishes in and program it to start 4 hours later when I'm asleep.  Yet I wake up to plenty of hot water in the morning. 

2.  Heat booster.  I set my thermostat on the hot water heater for 120 degrees to avoid getting scalded.  The dishwasher has a separate heater that boost the water up to 170 degrees.  Great for cleaning and for getting rid of germs.

3.  Sensor--put it on the sensor cycle and it will sense how dirty the dishes are and run accordingly.  Since I usually wipe/rinse my dishes before I put them in the dishwasher, this is an energy saving function. 

[Nolena]

Thanks to all who have replied thus far.  Very informative.
Anybody got any other input?

[Wrightwood]

Has Nolena Jr had on the job training yet?

[Nolena]

Has Nolena Jr had on the job training yet?

Yeeup!

[Chesslike]

CR did a report on them in March of this year and here is some of their quick picks in performance order:

Kenmore 1603  $520
Amana ADB1200AW  $350
Maytag MDB7600AW  $480
Whirlpool DU1100XTP  $435
Whirlpoo DU1050XTP  $350

[Domingo]

We had a problem with our Bosch dishwasher recently: we got an E15 error code and after looking on YouTube, it turns out that that means that water at the bottom of it wasn't draining properly. The Sears repairman came out this morning and said he couldn't work on it because the identifying tag on the side of it wasn't there and therefore he couldn't even start to work on it without knowing for sure what make and model it was.  I had the original booklet that came with it, which identified the make and model but he said that wasn't enough: it had to have that tag on it for him to be able to work on it. I asked him what are my options and he said my only option is to buy a new dishwasher, that no repairman would work on it without that identifying tag. So now I'm sitting in a pool of frustration wondering what to do. This dishwasher is fixable, the drain is just clogged with hard water deposits or food or labels or something. I don't need a new dishwasher and I'm frustrated at the hard-line, inflexible stance the Sears repairman took with me.
I'm trying to consider my options here.  One would be for me to fix it myself, but to tell you the truth, I'm not that handy and it would be a stretch for me. Can anyone think of any other options I have here?   A local repairman or handyman who would be willing to help fix my drainage problem?  One thing I've learned in the 18 years we've lived here in WW is that mountain people help mountain people. Any help I can get will be more appreciated that you can imagine.

[Wrightwood]

I'd try Campbell's Appliance 760 249-6231

[lwt42]

I'm trying to consider my options here.  One would be for me to fix it myself, but to tell you the truth, I'm not that handy and it would be a stretch for me. Can anyone think of any other options I have here?   A local repairman or handyman who would be willing to help fix my drainage problem?  One thing I've learned in the 18 years we've lived here in WW is that mountain people help mountain people. Any help I can get will be more appreciated that you can imagine.

Shame on the repair guy.  I'm bothered by the statement that "no repair guy will work on it without the tag."

You've got an idea that this is a clog.

There are only a few hoses, and a couple of pumps.  You could take the hoses off one at a time, and run a small dowel or piece of rod through to clear them.  Sometimes the hose clamps are crimp on and hard to get off, but you can replace them with hose clamps from the hardware store.

If you're nervous about taking the pump apart to see if there is a clog inside, there are web sites that sell every part.  Replacing a pump yourself (again, just a couple of hoses and maybe a bracket) can be pretty easy.

Big hint: take lots of pictures when you take things apart, they're your reference when you put them back together.

I'd expect any idiot who calls himself a repair man to be able to do this kind of basic troubleshooting without guidance from a repair manual.

I don't know Campbell's Appliance but it sounds like a safe bet if you don't want to get in their yourself.

[YoMama]

The first place to check is the air gap on the sink ( cap covering removable snap in part ) sometimes food matter can't get through and it will block the drainage. If there isn't a 3" inch looking chrome or colored device on the sink, Call Campbell's Appliance 760 662 1110. Ps ............Bosch dishwashers are not easy to work on , Good Luck

[Wrightwood]

Domingo any luck on the repair?

[Domingo]

I want to thank Wrightwood, lwt42 and YoMama for responding to me.  I got sick and am waiting another day or two before I pull the unit out from under the counter and look at the hose connections in the back.  After looking at another YouTube video on the subject, I now know how to proceed and what the check, I just need to get over my cold to be able to do it right. All of your ideas are very much appreciated and when I finally get the darn thing fixed, I'll report back to you all.

[lwt42]

Digital Cameras are your friend when you're digging into something like this, something you don't do every day.

Take lots of pictures as you take off hoses, etc.

My dishwasher had a pump that was making a gawdawful amount of noise.  I ordered a new one, but it was backordered for three weeks.  Decided I had very little to lose, and opened it up, removed a pistachio shell (how did that get there?) and put it back together.

[SpeedRacer]

We've had a Bosch for +20 years. Zero issues and zero pre-rinse. Bosch is also top rated on Consumer Reports.

[Domingo]

Speedracer, I agree that Bosch is a great brand that lasts.  And lwt42, I appreciate your suggestion to take lots of photos of each step when I start taking it apart. If I can ever get over my cold, maybe I'll actually be able to get going on it ;-).  One question:  Do any of you put vinegar in your dishwasher to cut down on the hard water deposits? How often do you do it? How much do you put in it (one cup?)?

[Nolena]

Well, my dishwasher has turned out to be my own 2 hands, but I often soak dishes and animal water bowls in vinegar and water before I wash them. It really helps get rid of the hard water residue. And I always put it in the washer with each load. It makes things smell better, and seems to get them cleaner.

[lwt42]

How often do you do it? How much do you put in it (one cup?)?

The grocery stores sell a product called Lemi-Shine that works very well.  It's citric acid and purfume.

You can also buy food-grade citric acid on Amazon.  This is a one-year supply: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GNBHPAS

I add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Citric Acid.

I've not tried vinegar in the dishwasher, but a full cup seems like a lot

[Bob C]

My dishwasher is stainless steel on the inside. Can be VERY hard to keep clean with our water up  here. I used to use Cascade gel, with either vinegar or Lemi Shine. It was better, but not perfect. Still had water stains on the machine and sometimes streaks on the glassware. And sometimes, the gel would clog up in the soap dispenser, and cause it not to open properly.

And then I made one change... I now use Cascade Platinum dishwasher pods. Absolutely zero stains, or streaks on glassware. The inside of my dishwasher looks like new. I no longer need Lemi Shine or vinegar. And the cleaning power is great, too.

https://cascadeclean.com/en-us/products/by-line/platinum/

[ForestGal]

Thanks for this info, Bob.  I use Cascade gel, and I have had the soap dispenser not open once, which I discovered about halfway through putting dishes I thought were clean into the cupboard.  I had to reload them and run another wash cycle.  I just hand wash my stemware because I can't stand the residue left on the bottom.  I'll have to try this new product.