Thread Number: 55685
POLL: Dishwasher Door - to latch or not?
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Post# 780707   9/1/2014 at 16:19 (3,495 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        

mrb627's profile picture
Tell me, when your dishwasher is in between cycles, do you latch the door closed or not?

Malcolm





Post# 780710 , Reply# 1   9/1/2014 at 16:33 (3,495 days old) by cehalstead (Charleston, WV)        

latched

Post# 780711 , Reply# 2   9/1/2014 at 16:41 (3,495 days old) by cornutt (Huntsville, AL USA)        

Clean dishes: leave door ajar

Dirty dishes: closed and latched


Post# 780713 , Reply# 3   9/1/2014 at 16:47 (3,495 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E)        
Latched, Absolutely!

danemodsandy's profile picture
The reason?

Because you really shouldn't pre-rinse dishes if you want the best dishwashing performance and you want to keep your dishes un-etched.

Which means you're going to have a bit of a smell. Latching the door keeps that odor inside the dishwasher.

Where it belongs.


Post# 780715 , Reply# 4   9/1/2014 at 16:51 (3,495 days old) by Dustin92 (Jackson, MI)        

Usually latched, because our Kenmore Ultra wash's latch is integrated with the door handle, and it usually latches when it's closed. Our last dishwasher, a low end GE, was left unlatched unless it was washing, then kept latched until it's unloaded.

Post# 780718 , Reply# 5   9/1/2014 at 17:03 (3,495 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Variously, both closed and slightly ajar.


Post# 780720 , Reply# 6   9/1/2014 at 17:07 (3,495 days old) by turquoisedude (.)        

turquoisedude's profile picture
I tend to not latch - I have an irrational fear of 'flattening' vintage gaskets.

Post# 780726 , Reply# 7   9/1/2014 at 17:52 (3,495 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)        
Unmatched...

mrb627's profile picture
Except during operation here.

Malcolm


Post# 780728 , Reply# 8   9/1/2014 at 17:57 (3,495 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)        
hmm

akronman's profile picture
On the KA, it's so obvious when the handle is up, so that is usually latched. On the 70's-80's GE/HP's I've had, where latching is a very small sliding knob, almost hidden, it's usually left unlatched. On my toplaoder Mobile Maid, sometimes open for hours as I cook/clean. Then when it's closed, it becomes a repository of mail, wallet, watch, phone, etc, too much crap.

Post# 780729 , Reply# 9   9/1/2014 at 18:04 (3,495 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)        
Unlatched.....

chachp's profile picture
Growing up I always remember that handle up between cycles and I tend to do the same. I find myself from time to time doing things the way my mom did growing up.

Post# 780730 , Reply# 10   9/1/2014 at 18:12 (3,495 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
the kitchen aid as mentioned looks best latched.....

the kenmore also as mentioned, latches automatically as it closes...


Post# 780733 , Reply# 11   9/1/2014 at 18:24 (3,495 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture

Always "latched" on my Kenmore Elite--clean or dirty, but especially dirty--I 2000% agree with Sandy.  With the GSD1200, usually unlatched unless odor developed in between runs, then latched.


Post# 780734 , Reply# 12   9/1/2014 at 18:30 (3,495 days old) by pulltostart (Mobile, AL)        
Unlatched

pulltostart's profile picture
Typically mine is only latched when running.

lawrence


Post# 780735 , Reply# 13   9/1/2014 at 18:36 (3,495 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)        

nmassman44's profile picture
I leave mine unlatched when I am accumulating dishes...lets the other half know that the dishes are dirty. After I run the dishwasher I leave it latched to tell him not to put dirty dishes in with clean ones...he does that, but I normally empty the dishwasher after its done so clean dishes rarely linger in the machine for the next day. That way I am on top of it and it makes my kitchen run like a well oiled machine.

Post# 780762 , Reply# 14   9/1/2014 at 20:13 (3,495 days old) by verizonbear (Glen Burnie )        
Always Latched

verizonbear's profile picture
Un rinsed dishes can draw bugs

Post# 780765 , Reply# 15   9/1/2014 at 20:43 (3,495 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
Never thought about it before. Door is always closed and has to be latched to run. Usually I just close it with my foot after adding dirty dishes. Sometimes it latches, sometimes it does not. Never any bug problems around it. Emptying the DW and putting them away is one of my least favorite things to do.

Post# 780788 , Reply# 16   9/1/2014 at 23:28 (3,495 days old) by murando531 (Augusta, Georgia - US)        

murando531's profile picture
When I had the Maytag installed, it was usually latched, but because the normal shut position was the latch position as well. If open enough for the latch to be disengaged, it was just at an awkward angle.

The PowerClean stays mainly unlatched but closed, since it needs that slight nudge for the latch to actually catch. When being gradually loaded I usually just pull it to and let it come to rest where it will. The seal is in good shape so it cushions the door rim and holds in any smells. I've made a strict rule with the household, including the roommate, that I won't tolerate my appliance's doors or lids being slammed or kicked shut, so mainly unlatched we stay, regarding the dishwasher at least.


Post# 780792 , Reply# 17   9/2/2014 at 00:09 (3,495 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)        

philr's profile picture

I keep mine unlatched at all times, even for washing!

 

That's because there's no latch on it! 


Post# 780800 , Reply# 18   9/2/2014 at 01:08 (3,495 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

I am a guilty prerinser, while accumulating over 2 or 3 days especially in this heat. What goes in on "run" nights does not get rinsed. Builders Tappan/Frigidaire here. Handle and Latch are intergrated. If my hands are full no doubt it is locked!

Post# 780803 , Reply# 19   9/2/2014 at 01:32 (3,495 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

Can't imagine keeping it latched.  In close to 50 years of having a DW I can say it's only latched when running.  If it's latched it makes it too hard to toss a spoon or something in it quickly.  if it was latched odds are I'd just set it on the counter above the DW and not in it until stuff piled up enough to bother me.


Post# 780815 , Reply# 20   9/2/2014 at 03:43 (3,495 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        
Unlatched

toploader55's profile picture
The doors on older porcelain lined KitcheAids are pretty heavy so when they are closed, they really are closed where the gasket and the door meet.

I never pre-rinse and never had a odor until I open the door.

And a good point that Paul mentioned, flattening the gaskets. Never thought about that.

Extra Credit Paul !!!


Post# 780830 , Reply# 21   9/2/2014 at 06:36 (3,495 days old) by logixx (Germany)        
Unlatched

logixx's profile picture

I installed the DW ever so slightly tilted back so that it is flush with the adjacent cabinets when unlatched


Post# 780843 , Reply# 22   9/2/2014 at 09:09 (3,494 days old) by DaveAMKrayoGuy (Oak Park, MI)        

daveamkrayoguy's profile picture
I think I like the dishwasher door CLOSED enough all the time, that ours is always Latched...

Mind you, this is a new one (Maytag) so you really pull on the door to open it, & when you push it closed it latches, unlike the old dishwashers that had the old lever, on which when we lived in our apartment which had an old '80's GE, the lever would only be latched when we washed the dishes in it...


-- Dave


Post# 780846 , Reply# 23   9/2/2014 at 10:15 (3,494 days old) by vintagekitchen ()        
always latched.

Clean or dirty or empty, the dishwasher is always latched here because my 1 year old nephew comes over and heads right for it every time to see if he can get it open so he can play with the rolling racks.

Post# 780876 , Reply# 24   9/2/2014 at 13:08 (3,494 days old) by washdaddy (Baltimore)        
LATCHED

On the dishwasher I have in my apartment now the door latches shut when you close it. Since I'm by myself I do tend to prefer that since I don't run the DW on a daily basis. It does help to keep down on any odors that should happen since I normally don't prerinse before loading. I just make sure i scrape everything into the disposal before it goes into the DW.
In the past though when I did have a DW that had a slide latch on the door I normally didn't latch the door until I was going to run it.


Post# 781038 , Reply# 25   9/3/2014 at 01:05 (3,494 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ)        
+1 Phil!

roto204's profile picture
I loved that about my Dishmobile spin-tube. Why did no one else use the oven-door (spring-held, non-latching) concept on a dishwasher? That was so brilliant and worked so well. What were the drawbacks?

Post# 781039 , Reply# 26   9/3/2014 at 01:06 (3,494 days old) by roto204 (Tucson, AZ)        
Oh, and...

roto204's profile picture
...unlatched when flash-drying (door ajar) or when accumulating dirty dishes (door closed). If it develops an odor--rare with all the cooking we do at home--I run the heat boost option to engage the heating delay and be sure to use chlorinated gel to give the cooties a good butt-kicking.

Post# 781058 , Reply# 27   9/3/2014 at 03:24 (3,494 days old) by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie)        

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Dirty dishes are rarely left all day thanks to the Half-Load cycle.

 

The door is left open after unloading so interior dries/cools.  Latched after that.


Post# 781182 , Reply# 28   9/3/2014 at 17:56 (3,493 days old) by bwoods ()        
unlatched

Always leave it unlatched except when operating for season stated above..easy to throw objects as i dirty them. Seals enough on it's own that I don't notice odors utill door is pulled down.

The 1966 Tappan Reversa-Jet (newer models with the spring loaded reversing washarm) had a self-latching oven-like door.


Post# 781191 , Reply# 29   9/3/2014 at 19:24 (3,493 days old) by super32 (Blackstone Massachusetts)        
always unlatched

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Every now and then the door will latch itself when i raise it. No biggie. Tho it seems when people come to visit i constantly have to re-open the door. They will either latch it or lean against it and cause it to latch......UUUHHGGGG! I have to growl hiss and scratch. people that have been here more than once dont even go near, they gave up a long time ago.....lol

Post# 781197 , Reply# 30   9/3/2014 at 20:12 (3,493 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

gansky1's profile picture
Unlatched generally, especially on the older machines to keep from "flattening" door gaskets as mentioned. Rubber door gaskets that have some age on them will dry out and lose their springiness so the less compression the better. I'll let you know in a couple of decades if this made any difference at all :-)

All dishwashers have some ventilation to the environment or they would explode when filling with water so latching the door does little to keep anything "sealed" in or out. If it smells, run it and enjoy the fun.


Post# 781205 , Reply# 31   9/3/2014 at 21:06 (3,493 days old) by jakeseacrest (Massachusetts)        

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I have a galley kitchen and the dishwasher is out of the way so I keep the door open all the time. It's only latched when it's running or finished and I haven't emptied it.

Post# 781320 , Reply# 32   9/4/2014 at 09:18 (3,492 days old) by firedome (Binghamton NY & Lake Champlain VT)        
Not...

firedome's profile picture
BOL DD GE 3 yr old.

Post# 781349 , Reply# 33   9/4/2014 at 12:36 (3,492 days old) by whirlcool (Just North Of Houston, Texas)        
Funny this thread should pop up...

We usually leave the door cracked while accumulating dishes and when we turn it on leave it latched until unloading time. Then we leave the empty DW open about 4 inches of so for the next two hours to completely dry out. Then we just close the door and leave it unlatched.

Yesterday I went to turn it on and when I opened the door to the machine there was a huge wood roach sitting on the inside of the door! That damn thing must have been 2" long! Down here they live outside and occasionally one comes in. The DW is at the end of the cabinets right next to the back door. And we were in and out that door most of the day yesterday so that's how it must have entered the house.

The scary part is that I went to get a broom to sweep it back outside and when I returned with the broom, no roach in sight! I completely checked the inside of the DW and didn't find it. I definitely didn't want roach yibbles in the DW. When I opened the DW after the cycle completed I didn't find anything unusual. Now I am wondering where he went. This is a first time experience for me.


Post# 781357 , Reply# 34   9/4/2014 at 13:21 (3,492 days old) by Unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)        

unimatic1140's profile picture
I like all doors latched, especially the KD-12 KitchenAid as the handle looks just so wrong when it's left unlocked. I solved that by attaching an interor light and related wiring circuit to the handle so whenever the handle is unlocked the interior light is on and shining through the window in the door. That way unless we feel like wasting electricity the handle must be in it's correct positon unless the door is down and open of course.

Post# 781553 , Reply# 35   9/5/2014 at 01:49 (3,492 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

When my KA machine isn't in use keep the door unlocked-I have the roach thing,too-so I HAVE to rinse dishes before putting them into the machine-otherwise the roaches,ants will do a "prelick' cycle for me.The one time I ran it -was like the sci-fi Horror movie "creepshow" Had to run the machine twice that day to get rid of the roach remains.Figure they can get into the machine thru the dish dry fan opening.The roaches are outside here-wish they would stay there.When I find one walking across my floor--Kirby or NSS gets him!The roach is then a greasy spot on the disposable bag!Dark brown large wood ones,too!

Post# 781633 , Reply# 36   9/5/2014 at 11:46 (3,491 days old) by HooverWheelAway ()        

Yep, our DWs are always closed and latched.. It's easier to remember now that the light stays on... I've left the door unlatched before.

Post# 781650 , Reply# 37   9/5/2014 at 13:34 (3,491 days old) by bwoods ()        

Wow, Rex. I don't blame you for keeping your DW latched. I have used to have ant problem in the spring and an occassional roach, but they fortunataely never found their way into the DW.

I put some plastic ant baits out and also some of the plastic baits for large roaches. I don't like to spray because its not healthy for me and definately not for my cats. The cats play with the baits by patting them around the floor with their paws (kind of like kitty hockey) but they can't chew through the plastic to get to the poison inside. And they seem to work. My inital ant infestation was severe, and they were in mass under the carpet padding as I and the installer found out when I replaced the carpeting when I moved in. I do spray the outer foundation of the house and below the windows outside. Since I don't let the cats out, this seems to be safe. Although I don't like using pesticides when I don't have to.

I guess its just something you have to endure here in the south. If you can get access to your drying fan, maybe you can put some window screening over the opening and keep the roaches from getting access to the inside of your dishwasher.

You know what they say...

If its in your house it's a waterbug

 

If it's in your neighbor's house--
it's a  R O A C H!!


Post# 781754 , Reply# 38   9/5/2014 at 20:40 (3,491 days old) by iej (.... )        

Clean = unlatched.
Dirty = latched to avoid smells / attracting the cat (he's been known to open the dishwasher and lick the plates if there's any trace of fish or chicken on them.

I don't think the dishwasher's that expensive to run, so even if it's not completely full, it always goes on at the end of the day or more frequently if the house is busy.


Post# 781778 , Reply# 39   9/5/2014 at 22:58 (3,491 days old) by washer111 ()        
Closed, not "Latched"

With a DishDrawer, shutting the draw does seal its main air-circulation point into the kitchen - although stinky "fumes" can still circulate throughout the cabinet - as the lid does not shut when the drawer is shut. 

 

Typically, the drawer will remain ajar or in that shut position. Sometimes get one or two of those "German" roaches in there. We can't get rid of them, although we do put a dent in the population each time I get the Borax and Bait packs out!

 

If only one or two people are present, then sometimes I will enable the "Closed Drawer" option to seal the unit when it is shut (after 30secs). This keeps the odours at bay, if present but also keeps the soils moist - so you shouldn't need too much detergent or washing horsepower later on!

 

Machine runs anywhere between daily and every 2nd or 3rd day, depending on the cooking and number of people around at any given time. 


Post# 781789 , Reply# 40   9/6/2014 at 00:36 (3,491 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

I don't like sprays,either-tried the bait station things--NO GOOD AT ALL.The ants and roaches-waterbugs-whatever just turn their noses up at them.With the door locked-they still get in-esp the ants-these are small enough they could climb thru the screening-but an interesting idea.Since I have to rinse and scrape-no more roaches in the machine at least.Sometimes the ants.The creatures seem to like me-just wish they would stay outside.Buildings and houses are for people--The GREAT OUTDOORS is for creatures!The vacuums await for them,though!

Post# 781791 , Reply# 41   9/6/2014 at 00:46 (3,491 days old) by A440 ()        

I do not latch between cycles.
The seal when closed on the KitchenAid dishwashers is very good without the latch.
I never have any issue with smells and such between cycles.
Sometimes however when you open one of them....yikes what you smell!!!



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