Thread Number: 88288
/ Tag: Modern Dishwashers
Opinions on Dishwasher High Temp Wash/Sanitize |
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Post# 1128533   9/13/2021 at 11:37 (927 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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My Whirlpool dishwasher has a filter that needs to be periodically cleaned. I was using the sensor cycle with the high temp option enabled up until recently. Everything was getting cleaned perfectly fine when I used the high temp option. I recently stopped using the high temp option and noticed the dishwasher does fewer purge cycles and the filter is much more gunky. I think it's dirtier because of the lower wash temps but what is everyones opinion on using the high temp or sanitize options? Do you find find your dishwasher remains cleaner and your filter needs less maintenance? I used the sanitize option yesterday and I really liked how hot and steamy it was when the cycle was complete. Wondering if I should just leave that on?
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Post# 1128535 , Reply# 1   9/13/2021 at 12:37 (927 days old) by eurekastar (Amarillo, Texas)   |   | |
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Post# 1128538 , Reply# 2   9/13/2021 at 13:00 (927 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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The formula chemicals x mechanical action x temperature x time not only applies to laundry but also doing dishes. If your filter isn't clean you should adjust one of the factors. Using the sanitize option is one, using more detergent is another. When your filter isn't clean, your dishes aren't either.
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Post# 1128542 , Reply# 3   9/13/2021 at 13:46 (927 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Post# 1128557 , Reply# 6   9/13/2021 at 14:58 (927 days old) by parunner58 (Davenport, FL)   |   | |
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We have a Bosch 800 series DW it's about 5 years old and I do not pre-rinse. I use only Finish Quantum Max pods and Jet Dry. Since we got it, I only use the Auto cycle and sanitize. We always have clean and dry dishes when it beeps. I usually check and rinse off the filter twice a year and there is nothing on it to clean off.
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Post# 1128563 , Reply# 8   9/13/2021 at 16:09 (927 days old) by Jerrod_Six (Eastern Pennsylvania, USA)   |   | |
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When you add this as an option to a cycle, what temp is used? |
Post# 1128568 , Reply# 9   9/13/2021 at 16:36 (927 days old) by Launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)   |   | |
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Post# 1128577 , Reply# 10   9/13/2021 at 18:15 (927 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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Thanks everyone for the replies so far!
Jerrod, the high temp wash option boosts the main wash temp to 135F. When you use the sanitize option, the main wash is also boosted to 135F and the final rinse to 156F. I wish WP would put the wash and rinse temps in the owner's manual like other manufacturers do. Anyone know what the standard temps are? I believe the final rinse is at least 130F without any options selected. Launderess, I use Seventh Generation powder and Lemi Shine rinse aid. This post was last edited 09/13/2021 at 23:58 |
Post# 1128590 , Reply# 11   9/13/2021 at 20:08 (927 days old) by mielerod69 (Australia)   |   | |
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I have the new Miele G 7000 series and have to say that the new filter design stays cleaner for longer. The machine will remind you to check and clean the filter after 50 cycles and there is hardly anything on there.
I normally use the Auto program with Express and Extra Clean option and everything comes out spotlessly clean, even baked-on casserole dishes. The dishwasher heats to about 60 degrees celcius,(140 F) in the main wash and the same in the final rinse. The machine is connected to a hot water supply and it takes 2 hours 20 minutes to complete, without the Express option it would take 2 hours 45 minutes. |
Post# 1128592 , Reply# 12   9/13/2021 at 20:24 (927 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))   |   | |
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I always use it on my 2001 Whirlpool Powerclean DW. This Guarantees a 140f(60c) wash and 155f(68c) final rinse on any cycle it is available on. If Heavy or Pots and Pans is selected the prewash is also 140f. While my machine does not have a manual filter (it has a self cleaning soil separator) Performance in the Low Energy cycle is much enhanced by this option which allows me to use it for most loads. I do not pre rinse.
WK78 |
Post# 1128612 , Reply# 13   9/14/2021 at 01:33 (927 days old) by mrboilwash (Munich,Germany)   |   | |
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About 25 years ago my brother called me to help him change a thermostat on their dishwasher because there was much less steam coming out at the end of a cycle and dishes were not as dry as usually anymore.
Problem has been going on for several weeks at least. I asked about a decline in cleaning performance and my in law said it cleans as good as always. What we found was not only a shot thermostat but also a filter and sump area covered in a thick coat of grey slime and black mold like you`d expect in a very dirty sewer line. The DW still had a mechanical timer and only two thermostats for 55 °C and 65 °C, the 65 one which also controlled the last rinse was damaged and this was their preferred temp setting. Don`t know exactly how hot the DW still got, but can tell for sure it was much warmer than tap cold. Otherwise there would have been no clean dishes and no steam at all at the end of a cycle. They used tabs which were full of phosphates back then and had TAED activated oxygen bleach which in theory gives off germ killing peracetic acid. Personally I use the 50 °C ECO cycle a lot but it still gives a very hot last rinse on my old Bosch and at least once a month I choose a hotter cycle to be on the save side. Wouldn`t want to rely on chemicals only after this kind of experience. |
Post# 1128616 , Reply# 14   9/14/2021 at 03:34 (927 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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As long as I can remember, I have always used the Sanitize option. I can't say I used it because I thought it cleaned better but I thought it was just one more thing I could do to help keep us well. Maybe its a false sense of security but my husband is a bit of a germaphobe so I think it also makes him feel a little better. I have never noticed any kind of slime or anything close to mold on any machine I've had. Never.
Now as far as the filter is concerned. We bought our Bosch dishwasher in 2018. I was using the Cascade pods initially and they foamed way too much. So I switched to Finish tabs. Using both of these detergents I found I had to clean the filter at least every two weeks or so and it would be gross. And within no time at all the dishwasher would smell until I cleaned the filter. It was so bad I was considering changing the dishwasher. As a matter of fact I did a post some time ago on the filter and how it got so bad so quickly because we do not pretense.
A friend suggested I try the Miele tabs and that was a game changer. I check the filter maybe about once a month and there is practically nothing there to clean off. No other habits have changed, just the detergent. I generally cut the tabs in half because we have soft water and find I get great results with only half a tab. I stock up when Milele has a sale (they just had a 25% off sale) so I don't feel like I am spending a whole lot more on these tabs than the others.
So while the water temp will certainly affect all this, the detergent seems to be a factor too. |
Post# 1128627 , Reply# 15   9/14/2021 at 07:28 (927 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)   |   | |
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Post# 1128638 , Reply# 16   9/14/2021 at 09:42 (926 days old) by RE563 (Fort Worth, Texas)   |   | |
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I have a whirlpool WDF520P. When I just use Normal with heated dry, everything gets clean, but on my table knives, the will bet brown spots which wipe right off. But when I use Sani rinse, no spots. I would really love to replace this dishwasher with a Bosch. Never had any problems when I had one in Florida. I know the water chemistry is different here in Texas, but Have a friend who had a Kenmore whirlpool made with power wash module. She was having the same problem and then the machine died. She sent me to the store to buy her a new one and told me to get what I would get for myself. Got her a Bosch and she hasn't had a problem with those spots since.
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Post# 1128642 , Reply# 18   9/14/2021 at 11:28 (926 days old) by lakewebsterkid (Dayton, Ohio)   |   | |
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The machine is as clean as I can make it! Only thing I can imagine being bad is the drain check valve, which I have ordered. |
Post# 1128647 , Reply# 19   9/14/2021 at 12:52 (926 days old) by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY)   |   | |
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On my Maytag - there are two hi-temp options. One is Hi-temp wash......the other is "steam sanitize" There's also a "turbo scrub" option. I don't use steam sanitize but I do use hi-temp.
I think you absolutely should always use hi-temp at least. The reason I don't use steam sanitize jet scrub cycle is because it's super long and I think it uses over 12 gallons of water. |
Post# 1128793 , Reply# 20   9/15/2021 at 23:33 (925 days old) by jakeseacrest (Massachusetts)   |   | |
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Post# 1128821 , Reply# 21   9/16/2021 at 09:04 (924 days old) by littlegreeny (Milwaukee, WI)   |   | |
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The reason I stopped using the high temp wash was I noticed that changed the cycle programing by it adding additional prewashes which were unnecessary because my loads aren't usually that dirty. I think WP assumes when a user selects high temp wash the load must be dirtier than usual.
I plan to use the high temp wash and sanitize more often. |
Post# 1128842 , Reply# 23   9/16/2021 at 16:36 (924 days old) by jamiel (Detroit, Michigan and Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
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I just pulled the filter from my Bosch. One broken shard of crockery was in the sump (below the filter...don't know where THAT came from). I use Sani 100% of the time, and at most have some filmy red oil (when I cook a red curry or tomato dish) that resolves in a second wash. There's almost always a bit of finely-minced up peelings/food residue on the very bottom of the corrugated filter (more on the plastic rim) and a few coffee grounds trapped in the recess of the rectangular filter (my husband uses a french press/manually grinds coffee so there's nearly always a few stray grounds).
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Post# 1128850 , Reply# 24   9/16/2021 at 18:07 (924 days old) by whirlykenmore78 (Prior Lake MN (GMT-0500 CDT.))   |   | |
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Post# 1128910 , Reply# 25   9/17/2021 at 13:43 (923 days old) by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA)   |   | |
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When I use my dishwasher at home, I use the high temp wash 99% of the time. I would occasionally use sani rinse at the same time, but most times it's high temp wash and heated dry. |
Post# 1128942 , Reply# 26   9/17/2021 at 20:06 (923 days old) by Awooff (Peoria, Illinois)   |   | |
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100% of the time hi temp wash and 99% of the time sani rinse if equipped. Heated dry is never used by myself as the propped open door suffices.
My thinking is old "temperature sensor" ge's - the hi temp wash was never able to be turned off which is why such great results. Just as Bosch dw are hi temp wash always on with wash temps reflective of cycle chosen as was ge. |