I've used Cascade Platinum Action Pacs since their debut (about $.30 per pac) but was impressed by the way Member's Mark (Sam's Club) pacs leapt over nearly all offerings by big-name brands like Cascade and Finish in Consumer Reports' recent ratings---and at only $.10 per pac.

They received an overall performance score of 83, bested only by Cascade Complete Action Pacs with an 84. They are rated Excellent for cleaning dishes, pots/pans, resistance to water spots, and resistance to etching, but only Fair for resisting redepositing of particles. If not for that ding, they would have undoubtedly taken the top spot.

I picked up a 105-count container while at Sam's last weekend just to give them a try. Two thumbs up for cleaning performance. I haven't had a problem with redepositing, but the water here is softened, so that may make a difference. Baked on cheese, starch rings on saucepans, etc., have all been vanquished with ease.

For those without a Sam's Club membership: They are available through Amazon, though the price is doubled ($21 per container). Add shipping to that and the cost savings are negated, making them only a few cents cheaper than Cascade Platinum/Complete pacs. Amazon Prime members, who don't pay for shipping, will still see substantial savings.

At any rate, I'm going to keep using these for a couple of weeks to see if any weaknesses crop up, but so far it looks like I have a new, bargain-priced daily driver.

Anyone else using these and are you as impressed as I am?




This post was last edited 01/25/2015 at 09:09

 

My sister has a 2001 Ultra Wash and she doesn't like these as much as Finish Powerballs. We have soft water so I don't know what her issue is. I just ordered a case of Cascade Fryer Boil Out so I said I would give her a box to test it out.

 

that the fryer boil out is the same as the discontinued Cascade institutional?

Too bad they won't give samples of these to try before you buy a huge container of them.

 

There was a post on here and another blog I follow that had the comparison of the ingredients. Identical so I figure I'll give it a shot

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Well, this is a bit off topic but the Member's Mark laundry pods are worthless IMO. I took mine back and was glad to get the $15.00 back. I told the lady at the counter that they were nothing more than a dab of liquid laundry detergent sandwiched in between two pieces of film and it took three pod to even get poor results with good laundering habits and soft water. Plus they stink! Don't buy these.

 

 

 

Two weeks in and I'm ready to declare Member's Mark Ultimate Clean Pacs the new, very inexpensive daily driver. Impressed with cleaning, and no problem with redeposited particles.

Beware: Sam's Club also sells another, even cheaper dishwasher pac which does not get good user reviews. If you decide to try these, make sure you get the 'Ultimate Clean' version.

 

Has anyone tried the Ultimate Clean liquid (not pacs) detergent? I bought some but haven't tried it yet.

 

I got a sample of Member's Mark pacs a little while back, but I can't remember what version they were. I feel like it said "Ultimate Clean" on the front, but then again I see the boxes at Sam's so often that my mind is probably just placing things together. What I DO remember is that when I used it in the PowerClean, the tub seal started squealing horribly when the motor would slow to a stop. The seal was needing to be replaced anyway, but I was afraid to use the second pac once I replaced it and the machine was running smoothly and quietly.

I wonder if there is some difference in the formula of the two versions of the pacs that would cause any damage to seals or gaskets over time? I did note that the wash water wasn't as "slick" as with other detergents when I opened the door to see why I could hear chirping from the motor while running.

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Andrew--- I forgot to mention you should avoid their 'Ultimate Dishwasher Destroying' version, as well, LOL.

 

Haha, thanks Frig, I'll keep note of that!

 

Stephanie-- Jumped over to Consumer Reports online to see if the gel-style Member's Mark dishwasher detergent was on latest test list. Sadly, no. User reviews at Amazon complain of film left on glassware and plastics.

 

 

Stopped at Sam's Club while in Mankato yesterday. Having used Member's Mark Ultimate Clean pacs for nearly a month, here's my "a picture is worth a thousand words" review.

 

 

 

 

The Shower Pod: That's actually a good idea, Ben! Convenient, easy to use, no muss/no fuss. Wonder if Dial or some other brand has given this idea any thought...

 

 

 

Running my first load with Cascade Boil Out on dishes that have sat in the dishwasher since Monday. We'll see

 

Dustin & Doug-- Are either of you experiencing problems with particles being redeposited on dishes by the end of the cycle? Consumer Reports tests detergents in hard water and that was the one area in which Member's Mark Ultimate Clean Pacs received a rating of only 'Fair'. No problems, so far, with redepositing in soft water.

Michael-- Looking forward to your review of Cascade Boil Out. Other members have raved about it, but I've never tried it.



CLICK HERE TO GO TO Frigilux's LINK

 

 

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Have a piece of delicious, colorful candy, Ben!

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Not bad overall but it wasn't really a tough load. I will say that my Corning Ware white baking dish and the few glasses that were in the load do look a bit shinier. This load was mainly coffee mugs, a few plates and some bowls. I only ran the dishwasher because I was out of spoons. This weekend I'm going to be cooking so I'll have a better challenge

 

I need to make a stop at Sam's this weekend and as luck would have it, I'm about out of Cascade powder.  I will get a box of these and give them a try.

 

I had been using some Finish tabs I got from a friend's place during an out of town move and liked them well enough.  Everything was clean and shiny with no lingering scents.  We have softened water and usually have had pretty good luck with most products.  The Cascade institutional was a big exception though.  Despite being phosphated, that stuff couldn't hold a candle to the results from enzyme based detergents - phosphated or not.

 

I had the same experience with Cascade Institutional as you. Though it is phosphated, I actually felt the dishes were more "sparkley" with Cascade Platinum. I thought it was probably due to the longer wash time on the low water machine, though I thought it did very good in the older shorter wash time machine. The institutional did a good job, but not great in my Kitchenaid.

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Load number 2 contained a cookie sheet that roasted bacon, a pie plate with the same mess, a stainless steel dutch oven that had cooked on pasta and parmesan, and a few wine glasses. Every trace of food and baked on soil is gone. The last time I made bacon in the oven I used a Finish Powerball with the same cookie sheet and I had to wipe off some leftover bacon traces. Fryer Boil Out is a keeper for me

 

Like others here, I'm still working through the last of my hoarded Cascade Complete All-in-1 gel paks. When those are gone, I have an even larger hoard of phosphated Cascade Complete powder. Which has hardened in the boxes. I plan on opening a few and dumping them in the detergent mixer (a small cement mixer) and see if that breaks them down to a manageable grit size for use in the dishwasher. I'll use the empty action pak tub to hold the powder for use in the kitchen. 

 

If all that fails, I'll be making a trip to the nearest Sam's Club to try their Ultiimate Clean stuff. As well as maybe some modern Cascade paks from Costco. I do prefer the gel paks to powder... much easier to toss one into the dishwasher detergent compartment than to pour powder from a clumpy box. But I suppose if I use the tub for newly liberated powder, and a small scoop, that will work well enough.

 

 

But, don't want to buy a 3/4 month long supply, try Target.

Target introduced a line of "Advanced" dishwasher pacs, which contain the exact same formula being marketed at Sams Club.

16 Pacs for $3.29. Although, I've seen them for $2.99 at some stores.

www.target.com/p/up-up-dishwasher...

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Also - Cascade Fryer Boil Out. Is the exact same formula, as Cascade Professional. This has been confirmed to me, through P&G Professional sales, however, they will not.. tell you it can be used in a dishwasher, despite having the same formula due to environmental laws (regarding Business Use of Phosphate) passed in NY and MD.

The Formula is the 1992 Finalized Sheeting Action Formula, with plenty of Chlorine & STPP. This stuff is strong stuff, and was packed and sold to Home Users until 2000/2001 (some areas switched over more slowly) in lieu of Enzymes & Oxygen Bleach Combination.

Quite frankly, the Sheeting Action Formula is my favorite formula ever. Clean Clean Clean, everything looks and screams to me. That, and the Powder itself, just has a (Clean-ish) smell to it.

I hear having shiny glasses makes you the star of Dinner Parties, in areas with Hard Water. ;)

 

I was going to go for the members mark packs but they didn't have that magical multicolored juice the platinums had , so I chickened out and spent a few extra dollars on the cascade. I haven't had the excellent outcome with any other brand so, I'm still a platinum man!

 

'Tis true, Brady, 'tis true. Cascade's Platinum pac takes the checkered flag in the looks department compared to the plain Jane Member's Mark; but don't underestimate her awesome cleaning power and off-the-rack price!

 

 

 

Have only run one load with the MM Ultimate clean pacs and was pretty impressed.  Another load will run  tonight with a 6 qt. slo-cooker pot and daily dishes since Sunday.  So far, so good.  Thanks for the tip, Frig!

 

After a month of use I really like Fryer Boil Out. There is a noticeable difference in my glasses, stainless steel pots, and silverware. Also none of my Tupperware has that powdery feel to it. It's a keeper for me.