Thread Number: 77542  /  Tag: Modern Dishwashers
Cascade Complete Actionpacs horrible!!
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Post# 1015236   11/20/2018 at 23:25 (1,954 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        

mark_wpduet's profile picture
Ran out of finish Powerball and all Costco had in stock other than Kirkland was Cascade complete fresh scent. It's literally been over 3 years since I've had to buy dishwasher detergent so I figured the phosphate free must have improved enough so I went ahead and bought the Cascade actionpacs. They clean fine, the pod dissolved but when the dishwasher was done, everything inside smelled like someone spilled a bottle of perfume or whatever the fresh scent smell was. I couldn't believe how strong it was. Inside of glasses were covered in the smell of the actionpac. There was no residue on the dishes.....It was a winner as far as cleaning but the smell does not dissipate. It remains in the dishes days later even though they look clean. I went over the Amazon to see if any reviewers had the same problem and there were a lot that said it leaves dishes tasting like soap and it freaking does! I'm taking this back to Costco and hopefully they have Powerball.

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Post# 1015240 , Reply# 1   11/20/2018 at 23:43 (1,954 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)        

I've been alternating between Finish Max and Cascade Platinum.  Had a decent supply of both, was running low and opted for the Cascade, it just seems to have a better result for me.  I've not noticed and lingering smell of any kind.  Glad Costco has a great return policy, hope you get something that does not have a lingering smell.


Post# 1015246 , Reply# 2   11/21/2018 at 00:38 (1,954 days old) by mrsalvo (New Braunfels Texas)        

Know exactly what you are talking about!! I can't stand that smell either. I'm using Cascade Platinum, it really does do the best job in my dishwasher, Whirlpool built KA. Been hand washing more dishes lately, as I get impatient with how long it takes the dishwasher to run through the cycle, plus I don't have to go back and put them up. I'll use it if I have a lot.
What I can't stand either is the Cascade Dishwasher Cleaner, smells awful, like a strong under arm deodorant. I use plain vinegar about once a month to dissipate nasty odors and leave the door cracked.
I miss my old dishwasher!!!!

Barry


Post# 1015251 , Reply# 3   11/21/2018 at 01:42 (1,954 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        
I've heard platinum is great

mark_wpduet's profile picture
and I told myself if ever I'm disappointed by Finish Powerball, I'll switch to platinum - but I've never been disappointed with Powerball. I can't believe Cascade gives them such a strong scent. I used to LOVE Cascade back in the day. None of their products were bad. These actionpacs would have been perfect if ONLY it weren't for the lingering smell that makes you feel like you're eating part of the actionpac when you're using a dish.

Post# 1015257 , Reply# 4   11/21/2018 at 03:46 (1,954 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture
10 lbs. of Cascade Complete Powder at BJs for $11 bucks and change.

Use it in the Kenwhirl, Reverse Rack, and the KitchenAid.

Always Clean Dishes... Always No Scent. Plus you can use it in your washer for White Laundry Too.

Have wondered once the plastic dissolves... does it cling to the Glasses, Dishes and Flatware ?

Where does it go ? Powder in, Dissolves, Powder Out and down the drain. Rinse Rinse and done. ; )


Post# 1015258 , Reply# 5   11/21/2018 at 03:50 (1,954 days old) by arbilab (Ft Worth TX (Ridglea))        

arbilab's profile picture

Lingering scent in a dishwasher detergent??  What were they thinking?  Oh/ugh, channeling P&G marketing:

 

First thing, fill the shelves.  Fill the whole aisle.  Phil Spector had a Wall of Sound, P&G has a Wall of Soap.  Next, the lingering-scent experiment worked so now let's make FLAVORS.  Drat, missed Turkey and Pumpkin Pie; next year. 

 

WHOA!  I got it! For xmas, Manger Scene!  Smells like hay and donkey.


Post# 1015262 , Reply# 6   11/21/2018 at 06:26 (1,954 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)        
Cascade Powdered DW Detergent

combo52's profile picture

Reply #5, Hi Eddie, Cascade powder works great if you have soft water, here in the DC area with water hardness in the 6-10 gain level it leaves a lot of mineral build-up on dishes and inside the machine and ends up damaging the DW.

 

The few people in our area with a water softener can use it with very good results.

 

This same problem with naturally soft water throws off CRs tests of washers, DWs and detergents for both because they test all of the above in fairly soft water in New York. It is one of the reasons that CRs thinks you can get clean laundry with 70F water.

 

Whenever anyone posts results about different detergents, DW performance etc it would be very helpful to everyone to mention your local water conditions, Thanks

 

John L.


Post# 1015265 , Reply# 7   11/21/2018 at 07:09 (1,954 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Fragrance clinging to dishes

I noticed it too with P&G's 'Fairy' pacs. Glassware, crockery, and plastics in particular retain the smell/taste of the detergent.

Even the Fairy rinse-aid smells quite strong.

About a fortnight ago, I had allowed the rinse-aid dispenser (Fairy) to run down to virtually empty. I refilled it with bog-standard Finish rinse-aid. I was actually surprised at the lack of perfume issuing forth from the machine. And mugs smell and taste neutral, so that clearly says something.

Dishware shouldn't have perfumes attached.


Post# 1015266 , Reply# 8   11/21/2018 at 07:15 (1,954 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@Rolls_rapide

ozzie908's profile picture
I have used Fairy complete for some time and have yet to find anything that smelt of the detergent, I don't however use Fairy rinse aid I tend to buy it from Aldi or Lidl have used Finish rinse aid but no better than the others. The DW smells pleasant enough when its finished I have Finish powerball tabs as well for oven racks etc and everything comes out spot on !

Austin


Post# 1015267 , Reply# 9   11/21/2018 at 07:17 (1,954 days old) by toploader55 (Massachusetts Sand Bar, Cape Cod)        

toploader55's profile picture
Hi John.

We have fairly Hard Water here on the Cape yet the powder yields stellar results. I, like you do not use any drying agent. Then again, I have 140-150 degree water out of the tap so perhaps that might fall into the equation.

I will look into exactly what the water hardness is to be more specific.

Best wishes, Eddie


Post# 1015268 , Reply# 10   11/21/2018 at 07:18 (1,954 days old) by Kate1 (PNW)        

I used the Cascade Platinum action pacs at my last house, it had a water softener and through experimenting those gave me the best results. In my current house we have hard water and they were completely ineffectual here. I have to use Finish Poweball max 3-in-1s here and the dishwasher is so terrible even those barely work. I never noticed a lingering scent on my dishes but the smell in the container was overpowering with cascade.

Post# 1015269 , Reply# 11   11/21/2018 at 07:29 (1,954 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)        

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I use Walmart Powder and add a tablespoon of STPP into the main wash.  Everything comes out sparkling clean in spite of our very hard water!  I also has a very mild scent. 


Post# 1015273 , Reply# 12   11/21/2018 at 07:57 (1,954 days old) by washman (o)        
i've had good results with the 16x version

No lingering scent however I do a hefty dose of 5% vinegar in the rinse.  Frigidaire recommends the Finish powerball but I have not had as good cleaning results and they tend to foam up a lot in my DW

 

I am not precisely sure of the hardness of my water but it is somewhat hard.


Post# 1015275 , Reply# 13   11/21/2018 at 08:03 (1,954 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
water conditions is probably more at the cause than the product itself...


dishwasher detergent, as well as laundry....many will complain of the scent left behind by these products....I wish I could get it to linger, as some claim, for weeks on end...

on city water with 3-4 grains of hardness.....I can't get one scent to stay in my laundry....most times if I hang laundry out there may be the slightest amount, but if it goes through the dryer, nothing is left....

unfortunately some people have to find a product that works for their conditions...


Post# 1015279 , Reply# 14   11/21/2018 at 08:58 (1,954 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA)        

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I recently bought a small carton these 12X because there was a good deal on them at my local store.  I usually buy the Platinum 15X or 16X.

 

I think the 12X ones cleaned just as well and didn't notice any difference in scent.  Our water is moderately hard here, 6 to 8 grains per gallon.  I always use the "pots and pans" cycle which does two rinses.  I don't use rinse aid of any kind.

 

I usually notice lingering scents and do not care for them.  I suppose P&G research shows that if people notice a strong scent while the dishwasher is running or right after the door is opened it contributes to the perception that the detergent is "working" and the dishes are clean.


Post# 1015295 , Reply# 15   11/21/2018 at 12:33 (1,954 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)        
Dishwasher detergent scent

I never cared for it either. I never understood why people like the Cascade with Gain either. Yuck. The new Finish Quantum reeks in comparison to the old ones. It is very strong and sharp smelling. The older ones were perfect. The fresh scent Cascade isn’t too bad, but is still strong. We have only used these pacs in the Bosch and there is no residue whatsoever. I do use STPP to prevent buildup and increase cleaning.

Post# 1015298 , Reply# 16   11/21/2018 at 13:42 (1,953 days old) by leononmaui (New Egypt, New Jersey)        

I have soft water. I have only used Cascade for years. I have gone thru the powders,then gels, now packs. I loved the Platinum packs. One day at Costco I bought the Kirkland brand of dishwasher packs. After only 1 wash the interior of the machine was caked in white powder. Took them back. Costco does have a great return policy. I needed to buy a new dishwasher. I bought the top of the line Bosch 800 series. It's the best dishwasher I ever had. They recommended Finish.
I was sceptical, but used the samples that came with the machine. I was amazed at how much cleaner and shinier everything was. I do not prewash any dish or glass or pan, yet they all came out perfect with only one Finish Quantum pod. I will never go back to Cascade again. Oh, I get no smell in the machine or what was washed. Love the new machines without a heating element. You can put plastic on the bottom rack now without worry of warping.


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Post# 1015299 , Reply# 17   11/21/2018 at 13:49 (1,953 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)        

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Have used Cascade Complete powder, mixed with 15-18% STPP in a plastic jug for many years. I recently bought a box of Costco KS packets and have been surprised at the results. I have mechanically softened water which gives them a huge head-start, but they perform great.

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Post# 1015333 , Reply# 18   11/21/2018 at 18:17 (1,953 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        
Costco

mark_wpduet's profile picture
took back the actionpacs - no problem. I now have a huge container of finish powerball! I'm happy

My water conditions are moderately hard and I don't have a water softener. I've always had great success with finish powerball and finish rinse aid. I always add a splash of liquid bleach to the door at the start of the wash, which is mostly washed away before the powerball pops out for main wash. Keeps the machine cleaner and smelling better.

Again , I had zero problems with the cleaning of the actionpac. There was no white film or anything that resembled residue on anything...plastics, glasses, dishes, etc. But it was that overpowering smell left on everything. It would make sense if the pac did not dissolve all the way... but it was completely gone...no where to be found. If only they would get rid of that smell I could totally use the pacs. The Fresh scent isn't horrible smelling it's just not a smell you want on left on your clean dishes.


Post# 1015337 , Reply# 19   11/21/2018 at 18:52 (1,953 days old) by liamy1 (-)        
Have

A strong feeling that we have these in the U.K. under the Fairy Brand from P&G - scent name "Cool Blue"

I currently am using these and you're right they remind me more of a laundry detergent than dish. Luckily my dishwasher does a decent job of rinsing so am surviving with them and thankfully it's not tainting the taste.

img.tesco.com/Groceries/pi/072/8...


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Post# 1015338 , Reply# 20   11/21/2018 at 18:58 (1,953 days old) by liamy1 (-)        
These

However are my sworn by trusty favourites - used them for years ever since they launched. Always have them in my cupboard.

img.tesco.com/Groceries/pi/293/5...


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Post# 1015358 , Reply# 21   11/21/2018 at 21:19 (1,953 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        
Rinsing

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My dishwasher will do two rinses if I use the longest cycle. I mean, you would think the soil sensor would pick up any soap residue in the water and automatically rinse until it's gone......but I guess soil sensors don't work on soap, only soil. I wonder if using sani-rinse would have helped...but I'm thinking those particular packs are just too strong....I don't pre-rinse anything. That Fairy looks identical to action pacs. It has to be made by P&G

Post# 1015359 , Reply# 22   11/21/2018 at 21:23 (1,953 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        
Oh I forgot to add

mark_wpduet's profile picture
I received a sample a while ago for Finish Quantum.......The thing I did not like about the quantum was the amount of foam in the dishwasher while running made the dishwasher sound like it was struggling..and this is with hard water! This didn't happen with the actionpac or the regular Finish powerball. But the quantum, even with the excess foaming, rinsed clean and dishes were sparkling and no smells at the end....just clean.. but I felt like it was damaging the dishwasher using them.

Post# 1015362 , Reply# 23   11/21/2018 at 23:01 (1,953 days old) by thomasortega (El Pueblo de Nuestra Seńora de Los Angeles de Porciúncula)        

AS Stu Mundell would say.... Whooooooaaaaaaaa

So that's not only me that used Finish my whole life and then tried the Finish Quantum and had suds issues.


Post# 1015368 , Reply# 24   11/21/2018 at 23:42 (1,953 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

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Same here...sticking with chlorinated powder.  It doesn't foam.


Post# 1015401 , Reply# 25   11/22/2018 at 07:39 (1,953 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
Finish Powder Discontinued?

The powder variant seems to have disappeared off the Finish website. Only the bio-gels and tablet detergents are available.

Mind you, the last time I used the powder, it coated the machine and the load in a fine, white powder. Maybe that's the idea - make a decent product awful, then folk'll not buy it...


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Rolls_rapide's LINK


Post# 1015446 , Reply# 26   11/22/2018 at 18:02 (1,952 days old) by liamy1 (-)        
That Fairy looks identical to action pacs. It has to be made

"That Fairy looks identical to action pacs. It has to be made by P&G"

They certainly are. P&G's dish offering over here are all under the Fairy Brand - there is also a laundry detergent range and a fabric softener range AND a stain remover range under the Fairy brand (there also used to be a bath soap bar and household soap bar range too - but they're long gone) P&G seem to like this brand lol.

Anyway keeping on point, our Fairy dish products look identical to Dawn/Cascade products.

You'd think a soap sensor on machines to determine rinsing would be standard, but apparently no. My washing machine has it, they refer to it as a "turbidity sensor" manual says it assesses the clarity of the water from soap and will adjust rinses accordingly.


Post# 1015447 , Reply# 27   11/22/2018 at 18:08 (1,952 days old) by liamy1 (-)        
@Rolls

Yes the finish powder has gone (at least here in U.K.) I think (but could be wrong) you can still get the 10kg professional boxes of finish powder from Costco and Makro etc.

But saying that, the new Gel in the squeezy bottles that replaced the liquid is actually very good - have used a bottle or 2 and it's not really thick and gelatinous like the laundry gels.


Post# 1015509 , Reply# 28   11/23/2018 at 14:40 (1,951 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
@ liamy1:

When I tried that blue-green bio-gel previously (when it was supplied in the yellow traditional bottle), it removed most of the soil, but it didn't shift tea stains from cups. A complaint was issued to Reckitt-Benkiser, and I was told to use the tablets.

I still have a small amount of the old discontinued, white chlorine-based gel. It whisks the stains away in one blast.


Post# 1015677 , Reply# 29   11/24/2018 at 18:16 (1,950 days old) by jerrod6 (Southeastern Pennsylvania)        
Must be the water

If I use regular Finish Red ball my dishwasher will rinse three times due to the suds it creates. Instead, I was using Finish Quantum tabs which worked great. Two months ago when I needed Dw detergent I bought the new version of Finish Quantum sold in the black package. In this new version, the shape and size of the tabs are different; now they are flatter and longer. Two weeks ago, while nearing the end of the package I noticed that the DW was extending the time of the first rinse. It is usually 7 minutes long, but for every run with this Quantum, it was extending the rinse to 13 to minutes.

After running out of detergent I found an old box of Cascade powder and began using it. No more 14 minute first rinses. It is back to 7 minutes. I hope I can find a box of Finish powder because I like it a bit better than Cascade.

I can't figure this out because usually if there is excess suds in the first rinse, a second rinse will be added giving 3 rinses, but this time it is extending the rinse as if there is more dirt, instead of changing the water and rinsing 3 times.


Post# 1015680 , Reply# 30   11/24/2018 at 18:47 (1,950 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        
Finish tablets

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Going back to when they were first introduced as "Electrasol Power Ball" always had an issue with froth.

Would split tablet in half using one part per main wash and nothing in pre-wash, yet still could hear the dw struggling for all the froth.

Finally began taking out the red power ball and saving it for rinse cycles and turning off/down the built in rinse aid dispenser.

Once completed that stash moved onto Cascade Complete and never looked back.

That is until got a stash of Finish "powertabs" or whatever for free. They sit unused as have a good enough stash of Cascade Complete am working through.


Post# 1015687 , Reply# 31   11/24/2018 at 20:10 (1,950 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        
Well

mark_wpduet's profile picture
Just used Powerball and no overwhelming smell while the dishwasher was running and when opened, nothing but the smell of clean dishes......no perfume.

I guess it is different water conditions for people. I should specify the type of Powerball I'm using is Powerball Max in 1. Each tablet is wrapped and on the packaging, it says "no need to unwrap"

How weird quantum doesn't foam for you and Powerball does - and for me it's the opposite.


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Post# 1015704 , Reply# 32   11/25/2018 at 05:44 (1,950 days old) by retro-man (- boston,ma)        

I just came across a stash of the Finish dishwasher tabs in my MIL house and brought them home. No original container. These appear to be wrapped in a silver foil. I have been unwrapping them prior to use in the dishwasher. Do you not need to unwrap these? It seems a pain to be opening these. I also found some other ones with 3 colors in a plastic type covering. Those I have used as they are in the dispenser and it is gone upon the cycle completing. Neither so far seem to be making a lot of foam in either of my dishwashers.

Jon


Post# 1015705 , Reply# 33   11/25/2018 at 06:54 (1,950 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        

If the foil is opaque you probably have to unwrap them.
Easy test is to just toss one in a glass of water without unwrapping.

Different detergents have different make ups that can produce wildly varying results even in the same water and machine.
Some use more enzymes, some more chlorine bleach, some more tensides.
Some are designed to get rinsed away less easy so that more of their shining and drying agents make it to the final rinse.

We always just used a cheap one purpose detergent based on mostly oxygen bleach and a rinse aid and - as we are EU here - our water softener in the machine was always well fed.

We barely washed any dried burnt on starchy stuff, so the lack of enzymes didn't make a difference to us. However, all the coffee cups stayed white no matter how long they were left to dry.
We also had all white porcelain, so no fadeibg of decor.


Post# 1015715 , Reply# 34   11/25/2018 at 07:53 (1,950 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        
YES~!

mark_wpduet's profile picture
Unwrap them if they are wrapped in foil then put tab in dishwasher. A few years ago they changed to the clear plastic wrapped tablet where you don't have to unwrap it.

Post# 1015762 , Reply# 35   11/25/2018 at 19:03 (1,949 days old) by jamiel (Detroit, Michigan and Palm Springs, CA)        

jamiel's profile picture
I bought some cheap private label powderpacks and am not finding them to be very good.


Post# 1015824 , Reply# 36   11/26/2018 at 00:43 (1,949 days old) by superocd (PNW)        

I have made it a policy to never buy any dishwasher or laundry detergent pacs. I've heard that it is bad news for the pump of the machine. It's also usually cheaper just to buy the powder or liquid (I use powder Cascade). I'd love to get my hands on institutional-grade detergent just to see if I could throw some dishes in my ca. 2014 Whirlpool Gold DW without having to scrape and rinse.

I've always scraped and rinsed anyway and would do it even if I had a Hobart KitchenAid or a true commercial DW with lots of hot water, a forceful spray and steam hot enough to cause a 3rd degree burn, lol, but I just find it funny that people are encouraged to let the machine's turbidity sensors do the work because I've tried that once as an experiment and was not impressed at all, even though I used my usual Cascade powder (which is supposedly the best for consumer detergents) and started that load with a clean filter (which I rotate, I ordered an extra cartridge for my machine -- one is always washed while the clean one is installed in place).

Even just a small speck here and there is unacceptable to me, so I scrape and rinse to avoid disappointment (and handwash any wares with stubborn messes, like baked on cheese of a casserole dish, before they go in). I wonder if an institutional/commercial grade detergent would improve the wash performance of a load that was never scraped or rinsed.


Post# 1015825 , Reply# 37   11/26/2018 at 01:11 (1,949 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
"I wonder if an institutional/commercial grade detergent would improve the wash performance of a load that was never scraped or rinsed."

Well it wouldn't would it? I mean commercial/institutional dishwashers largely see dishware that is already well scrapped and or rinsed before going into machine. Dishwashers basically act to sanitize while getting rid of trace foods, greases and so forth.

Some of the newer flight dishwashers have a pre-rinse section that does away with doing all that scrapping and rinsing by hand.

Unlike automatic dishwasher detergents for residential use enzymes are largely absent from institutional/commercial versions. What you do find there are high amounts of chlorine bleach and strong base substances (washing soda, sodium metasilicate, maybe phosphates (TSP or STPP), and surfactants among other chemicals. Idea is to emulsify fat/oils via saponification and destroy protein substances.

Commercial dishwashing is much like commercial laundries; cycles are short so there isn't much time for mucking about with enzymes. Instead both largely rely upon what they always have; chemical action, pH and high to very temperatures.


Post# 1015836 , Reply# 38   11/26/2018 at 08:17 (1,949 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        
superocd

mark_wpduet's profile picture
I understand scraping...That I do. But rinsing all dishes before putting them in? No way. It needs food particles for the enzyme detergent to work and actually makes the dishwasher work better. The ONLY thing I rinse off is EGG.... There's just something about egg that the dishwasher or detergent (no matter how hot or long of a wash), there's just this weird smell left EVERYWHERE with anything EGG. That's why I rinse egg off.

I've used the institutional Cascade and I really liked it. You can still get it I believe but it's called Fryer boil out. It's just like the dishwasher detergent of the 80s and 90s with phosphates (unless something's changed). I haven't looked it up in a while.


Post# 1015839 , Reply# 39   11/26/2018 at 09:19 (1,949 days old) by liamy1 (-)        
Rinsing

advice here is not to rinse at all, as Mark says, scrape yes, rinse never - negates any efficiency saving of having a dishwasher.

Out of interest superocd - can you not get spotless results with any mass market available (not commercial/professional) detergent at all?

Have never rinsed and always get spotless results with either Fairy (Cascade) or Finish.


Post# 1015844 , Reply# 40   11/26/2018 at 11:26 (1,949 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        
Scraping and Rinsing

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I scrape to a reasonable extent but *never* rinse before loading ... and I have one of those F&P Dishdrawers that are often disparaged as a "toy" dishwasher.

I use the Cascade Fryer Boil Out powder.

This is the condition of a typical oatmeal bowl going into the machine, and it may sit for 2 to 3 days until the load is run.  Always comes out pristine.


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Post# 1017525 , Reply# 41   12/9/2018 at 20:53 (1,935 days old) by pezzy669 (Atlanta, GA)        

I'm honestly surprised at the bad reviews of the Cascade action pacs. Have used the Platinum version for 2.5 years now and swear by them, one of the very few items I don't go generic on. I have never had any remaining scent issue with them even on the HE Whirlpool dishwasher in my last apartment or the crude GE Nautilus in my condo.

The Platinum Cascade pacs let me put some pretty nasty baking dishes in my 18 year old GE Nautilus and have them come out sparkling if I do the "Hot Start" and honestly I think the Cascade has actually cleaned the dishwasher interior beyond where I started with it last year. The fact I can put baked on crap in this 18 year old builder grade dishwasher and have it come out perfect is testament to either cheap 2001 GE Appliances or the dish detergent.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO pezzy669's LINK


Post# 1017540 , Reply# 42   12/9/2018 at 21:56 (1,935 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)        
complete action pacs - vs platinum

mark_wpduet's profile picture
completely different. not talking about platinum (Cascade's best), I'm talking about the complete action pacs.

Post# 1017541 , Reply# 43   12/9/2018 at 22:30 (1,935 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
I use the Platinum pacs in the main dispenser. I use Cascade Complete powder in the prewash dispenser. I had been using Complete get in the prewash, but I figured out the gel was putting a film in my dishwasher and the pump system and inhibiting the cleaning as time went on in between me running Lemi Shine dishwasher cleaner through it as a "cleaning" cycle.

Post# 1017551 , Reply# 44   12/10/2018 at 01:58 (1,935 days old) by rapunzel (Sydney)        

I detest pods and tablets - they are a complete waste of money and they don't dispense correctly during the various parts of a cycle. Not only that, but since I own F&P dishdrawers, the pre-measured dosages are far too high.

Now, what I do to get the best results, I use both Finish powder and dishwasher liquid. The liquid goes in the pre-wash dispenser and the powder in the main wash dispenser. A teaspoon of powder suffices and the same applies for the liquid. Both are slightly different formulations and they compliment each other.

I've noticed that if I only use the powder, the stainless steel filter plates go dull over time. When I only use the liquid my cups don't seem to clean all that well and they end up with coffee and tea stains.

Using both detergents yields excellent cleaning results and there is no heavy scent at the end of the cycle. Dishes just smell clean.


Post# 1017558 , Reply# 45   12/10/2018 at 08:46 (1,935 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@rapunzel

ozzie908's profile picture
I used to have F&P dish drawers loved them really superb machines and when you understand how they operate they are easy to repair too.
Like you I found the dosage of tabs and pacs too strong and found it more and more difficult to find powder so I had to sell my set and go to a standard DW I got a Miele and its a super machine but I do miss the drawer set as it was so easy to set one going with pots in and wait till the crocks one was full. I now have a Quartz work surface so would not have been able to screw the F&P set to it to stop them tipping over so maybe its as well I said goodbye?

Austin


Post# 1017564 , Reply# 46   12/10/2018 at 10:12 (1,935 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Austin, U.S. models (at least the older DD603) have anchor tabs at the sides of the cabinet at the lower drawer (two toward the front, two toward the back), not just at the top edge. Is that not the case for UK-offered units?  I have a granite countertop so can't anchor to the top but the side tabs anchor nicely into the side cabinetry.


Post# 1017700 , Reply# 47   12/11/2018 at 15:48 (1,933 days old) by gregingotham (New York)        
old fashioned

my favorite is still old fashioned cascade in the big box. Does a good job, cheaper than the pods and no annoying scent!

Post# 1017802 , Reply# 48   12/12/2018 at 17:42 (1,932 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
DADoES

ozzie908's profile picture
Now you say about it I do recall seeing those tabs and I could have kept them but I sold them a couple of years ago :(

Austin



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