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Thread Number: 95162
/ Tag: Modern Dishwashers
Which dishwasher gel to use? |
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Post# 1198107 , Reply# 1 1/28/2024 at 00:07 by marky_mark  (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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 Cascade Complete gel is enzyme based (dark green bottle). Cascade gel is chlorine based (light green bottle).
As to what type of deterrent is less like to etch, I don't really know. But what I can say is that fine china manufacturers always recommended chlorine-based gel detergents rather than powders. But that is somewhat out-of-date now.
What dishwasher do you have and what cycles are you using?
Mark | ||
| Post# 1198177 , Reply# 3 1/28/2024 at 19:22 by whatsername (Denver, CO) | ||
I buy Finish powder on Amazon as it's the only detergent that my DishDrawers seem to like.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO whatsername's LINK | ||
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Post# 1198193 , Reply# 4 1/28/2024 at 22:56 by marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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I had a Maytag very similar to yours. The PowerBlast cycle always did 4 rinses whereas Auto varied between 3 rinses and sometimes just a purge and a rinse, depending on the sensed soil level and options selected. Thorough rinsing is thought to help prevent etching.
Are you loading the machine with dirty dishes? Are you pre-rinsing the items before loading? The PowerBlast cycle could be too aggressive on glasses with extremely soft water and very little food soil in the load. Do not pre-rinse anything before loading. At least it sounds like you are not overdosing the detergent.
By selecting PowerBlast, it seemed to do a main wash for about 1 hour, heated to 63 ºC / 145 ºF. The Auto cycle would sometimes do the exact same main wash if it sensed soil, otherwise it was sometimes only 30 minutes and only heated to 48 ºC / 118 ºF. A less aggressive wash can help protect glasses.
Are you sure the glasses are permanently "etched" i.e. damaged? Have you tried cleaning the glasses by hand with vinegar? If vinegar removes the etching from the glasses, then they are not actually etched and it will be a different problem that we need to solve. Etching cannot be reversed. I would be surprised if Cascade Platinum could etch glassware in just one wash!
If it is etching, it's usually a combination of unpredictable bad fortune regarding the type of glasses (some are far more prone to etching while others are fairly immune), very hot water, very soft water, insufficient food residue on the load, long wash times, too much detergent for the conditions.
Mark | ||
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Post# 1198210 , Reply# 7 1/29/2024 at 07:05 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA) |
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rinse aid What rinse aid are you using? | ||
| Post# 1198219 , Reply# 9 1/29/2024 at 08:39 by Helicaldrive (St. Louis) | ||
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But we’ll see Before I get too negative and disgusted, gonna try some gels. Who knows? Might find one that’s better than anything before and wish I had tried that years ago! We shall see. | ||
| Post# 1198220 , Reply# 10 1/29/2024 at 08:44 by whatsername (Denver, CO) | ||
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When I have run out of Finish in the past, I have had good results using Cascade or Target store brand powder in the main compartment + LemiShine booster in the prewash compartment. Have you tried it before? I get it at the grocery store but included the amazon link below as an example.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO whatsername's LINK | ||
| Post# 1198239 , Reply# 11 1/29/2024 at 14:10 by Helicaldrive (St. Louis) | ||
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I’ll give it a try Thanks! | ||
| Post# 1198373 , Reply# 13 2/1/2024 at 08:21 by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
staying on topic (kind of)
I also have a Maytag (2014) model. this post just made me think of something. A few weeks ago I started using Finish Quantum (pods). Prior to that, I had been using the Costco pods.. I was so glad when I finally used up the costco pods, right? I mean, they were fine I just figured I better stay with name brand detergent...Well..Wrong. Would you believe that the costco pods actually did a better job than the finish quantum? I was shocked too. I have to use STPP with the finish quantum. I didn't with the costco packs. Shocking! I too wondered how well the chlorine gel would work but I haven't tried it in ages. I didn't even think about trying the Finish powder. | ||
| Post# 1198376 , Reply# 14 2/1/2024 at 10:40 by Cam2s (Nebraska) | ||
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Off brand Detergent/Pods. To mirror the sentiment above, I find that Great Value advanced pods work better in my Ultra Wash then Cascade and Finish pods do. | ||
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Post# 1198379 , Reply# 15 2/1/2024 at 12:18 by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md) |
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Brand-name products compared to store brands | ||
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Post# 1198387 , Reply# 16 2/1/2024 at 16:08 by Frigilux (The Minnesota Prairie) |
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Post# 1198395 , Reply# 17 2/1/2024 at 17:23 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA) |
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finish ultimate I recommend Finish Ultimate and just put it in. Don't cut it. I'd also recommend Finish jet dry in the rinse dispenser for spotless dishes. | ||
| Post# 1198415 , Reply# 18 2/1/2024 at 20:05 by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
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Finish quantum vs powerball. Quantum is supposed to be their TOL product, isn't it? I always had the BEST LUCK with the individually wrapped powerball tablet...but I can't find them at my Costco. It's only finish Quantum or Cascade or store brand.. Back when Finish Quantum was introduced years ago as their best dishwasher detergent... I got a sample. I used it and could hear the dishwasher struggling from foam... I remember thinking, wow, so glad I only have a sample. I'll never buy this stuff... Fast forward >>, I gambled and got the Quantum again and it no longer foams like what I experienced years ago.
It does get the dishes clean but what I notice is that the interior of the stainless dishwasher has a slight coating of white (mostly on the bottom)... Not horrible..but I didn't notice this with the costco brand pods OR the Finish powerball that I used it in the past. As for rinse aid... I can't use it. My dispenser leaks so I stopped using it... Even when NOT using rinse aid, the interior was much cleaner with Costo pods vs quantum... so it's NOT the fact that I'm not using rinse aid. | ||
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Post# 1198423 , Reply# 19 2/1/2024 at 23:51 by marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Helicaldrive, it's good to hear that you've now found a new detergent that works well for you. I haven't tried Aldi Radiance gel yet but I'll give it whirl just for fun.
I have found that Cascade Platinum pacs are excellent performers and they clean really well. They are the best I've tried on scrambled egg cooked in stainless steel pans. They are also the only phosphate-free detergent I've used that will remove the rainbow iridescence pattern left on stainless steel pans after cooking certain things (adding STPP to any detergent also removes these stains). Unfortunately they produce a lot of suds, which can be a problem in some machines.
I've found that Finish Quantum/Ultimate is not a great performer and is the worst on scrambled egg. It is also utterly hopeless at removing those rainbow stains from stainless steel unless you add STPP. The good thing is that they are not sudsy at all.
Mark | ||
| Post# 1198463 , Reply# 20 2/2/2024 at 21:38 by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
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I don't worry with eggs because I don't prerinse except for TWO things... Any egg residue (raw or cooked) and raw meat juices...Some people on here will know EXACTLY what I'm talking about... It doesn't matter the detergent, how hot the water is, how many rinses... everything can come out spotless but if you have egg residue on any dishes...even though the glasses are clean..when you go to grab one and put something in it to drink...there's almost a hint of a wet dog smell...and some people notice it while other's totally don't. The meat juices aren't as bad but I just can't bring myself to put a plate swimming with raw meat juice in the dishwasher.
and it is DEFINITELY the egg residue...I'm not 100% sure if it's just from raw egg residue, cooked, both..but it's definitely a thing and I've noticed it on/off for years if I made the mistake of not rinsing egg residue.. Honestly, I think that for some people... it's there but they can't smell it... If the egg gets rinsed... no issues at all CLICK HERE TO GO TO mark_wpduet's LINK | ||
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Post# 1198652 , Reply# 21 2/6/2024 at 07:32 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA) |
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finish ultimate I have found in my dishwasher that Finish Ultimate works even better than Cascade Platinum Plus ever did. | ||
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Post# 1198653 , Reply# 22 2/6/2024 at 07:35 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA) |
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finish ultimate TOL I thought Finish Ultimate wash supposed to be their TOL product. | ||
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Post# 1198656 , Reply# 23 2/6/2024 at 08:45 by jons1077 (Vancouver, Washington, USA) |
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Cascade Complete powder | ||
| Post# 1198663 , Reply# 24 2/6/2024 at 10:56 by mark_wpduet (Lexington KY) | ||
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sorry it probably is Finish Ultimate is their TOL... where it used to be Quantum...sorry I'm out of the loop
back when I paid more attention... Powerball was entry... and Quantum was TOL.... I guess now it's ultimate. Quantum does work really well with STPP added... without STPP added it still does fine... just leaves the dishwasher looking like crap inside. Weird. You would think if there was a film on the stainless interior there would also be one on the dishes but there's not... Anyway - when I get through this Quantum I'm going back to the costco packs | ||
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Post# 1198722 , Reply# 27 2/7/2024 at 04:30 by marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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To follow on from my previous post: Finish Quantum/Ultimate is rated highly by consumer testing groups. And I have tried it many times in the past and found it to work really well on my scrambled egg pan challenge. But I tried it again a couple of weeks ago several times and it couldn't shift the egg nearly as well as Cascade Platinum for some reason.
And whenever I've used Finish Quantum/Ultimate, it has always left stainless steel pans with the iridescent stains that can appear after cooking certain foods. Whereas Cascade/Fairy Platinum tends to mostly or completely remove the stains in just one wash. Adding STPP to any detergent will also do this.
Mark | ||
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Post# 1198734 , Reply# 28 2/7/2024 at 12:19 by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands) |
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I’m using Finish Ultimate Plus but I add a small amount of Sun powder. Excellent results! I was never happy with just one tab per load. Just like with laundry I prefer to adjust the dosage to the load. That small amount of powder makes sure everything is spic and span including the dishwasher itself.
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Post# 1198735 , Reply# 29 2/7/2024 at 13:05 by appnut (TX) |
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Post# 1198738 , Reply# 30 2/7/2024 at 13:28 by marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Hi Bob. I know you have hard water, whereas I have softened water.
As long as I add sufficient STPP and select a cycle that is long enough and hot enough, those stains are completely removed and the stainless steel pans are left gleaming. Finish Ultimate/Quantum never removes those stains even in the Miele on Intensive 75 ºC or in the PowerClean or KDS-18 etc.
I do a lot of cooking in stainless steel pans! One of the detergents I like using is Cascade Complete powder mixed with STPP (two-thirds Cascade, one-third STPP by weight). Of course, Cascade Fryer Boil Out also removes those stains but it struggles to shift starch.
Mark | ||
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Post# 1198740 , Reply# 31 2/7/2024 at 14:00 by marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Post# 1198745 , Reply# 32 2/7/2024 at 15:50 by appnut (TX) |
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Mark, thank you. I used the Bosch Auto with Sanitize & Crystal Dry options. That combination has the motor running at highest pressure even over the Intensive/Pots cycle. The Intensive ends up having both spray arms operating during main wash and despite the higher wash temp, I think the more intense pressure on Auto yields better results. I have Cascade Complete gel in the dark green bottle that I squirt some on the door for the prewash. My grocery store didn't have Complete powder when I needed to buy some. Thus opting for the gel.
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Post# 1198748 , Reply# 33 2/7/2024 at 16:20 by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands) |
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| Post# 1198895 , Reply# 34 2/9/2024 at 15:04 by verizonbear (Glen Burnie ) | ||
Question to all the Maytag owners 
I have the exact same model of Maytag, I think it was TOL in 2016 or so. No filter, stainless wash arms that run in opposite directions. My question is, does the "PowerBlast" use a higher pressure water than the other cycles ? I think this model has a 1/3 horsepower motor. Lemishine rinse agent is key with my Maryland hard water.
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Post# 1198901 , Reply# 35 2/9/2024 at 16:12 by appnut (TX) |
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Phil, to my knowledge, no WP produced product has any type of variable speed motor, which would result in more intense water pressure if it did. My Bosch is the first dishwasher I've owned that offers variable speed circulation intensity. My previous two dishwashers were WP produced Kenmore Elites, bought in 2006 and 2015.
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Post# 1198904 , Reply# 36 2/9/2024 at 16:33 by marky_mark (From Liverpool. Now living in Palm Springs and Dublin) |
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Post# 1198921 , Reply# 37 2/9/2024 at 20:04 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA) |
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my dishwasher My dishwasher varies the speed of the pump therefore changes pressure. It runs at high pressure during the main wash, and sometimes even final rinse at times. | ||
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Post# 1199476 , Reply# 38 2/16/2024 at 23:01 by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN) |
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| Post# 1199859 , Reply# 39 2/21/2024 at 14:53 by maytaga806 (Howell, Michigan) | ||
Cascade Complete gel is the absolute best dishwashing gel on the market. No chlorine, just enzymes. Comes in two beautiful scents that make the kitchen smell glorious while running a wash. I really miss the Lemon Burst scent the complete gel used to be available in, now it’s just fresh and citrus scent which is more of an orange scent but it’s still really good smelling and doesn’t really leave any scent behind or quite as much as PACs do.
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| Post# 1199882 , Reply# 40 2/21/2024 at 19:23 by panasonicvac (Northern Utah) | ||
I have Cascade Complete Gel, it's been my most favorite dishwasher detergent I've ever used in my KitchenAid. I also like the original kind as well but sadly I recently found out on here that it's been discontinued. If gel has become a thing in the past, it wouldn't be the end of the world for me because I like using the Kirkland and Cascade Complete pods. I like Kirkland more because they seem to do a better job on smoker racks. I'm willing to give Finish another shot, from past experiences they were ok but not as good as Cascade. Maybe they've changed since then but I'd wait and see for myself. I'm also willing to give more experiences with powder detergent as well, my mom used to use powder before but she didn't liked it.
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Post# 1199888 , Reply# 41 2/21/2024 at 20:48 by GELaundry4ever (Nacogdoches, TX, USA) |
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cascade scent My favorite Cascade complete scent is the citrus breeze one. | ||
| Post# 1200303 , Reply# 42 2/27/2024 at 09:51 by maytaga806 (Howell, Michigan) | ||
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