Do I Need a New Dishwasher?

John Kimble on 09/02/2021 - 22:54

Wife wants a new Dishwasher, for two main reasons…the second one seems to be the tipping point recently.

1) every so often, many times items don't come out clean…I'm guessing ~20% of the time? Her expectations are that the dishwasher should clean everything pretty much 95% of the time? Is this expectation normal?

2) doesn't seem to clean or leaves residue on plastic items (eg bottles, takeaway/plastic containers, kids lunchboxes). When we eat food or drink water from them, you can notice a slight smell and taste of detergent.

For issue one I think sometimes it's a stacking issue. Other times it's baked on/hardened food.

Would a new Dishwasher resolve these issues? My wife seems to think so, but I'm not convinced.

Our current one is a Dishlex DX103, I'm guessing it's between 5 and 10 years old…

TIA for any advice, feedback or suggestions.

Poll Options

  • 1
    No, it's normal
  • 34
    No, it's Operator Error/something else
  • 6
    Yes
  • 0
    Yes, you need a <insert dishwasher model number here>
Home & Garden

Comments

  • SF3 on 09/02/2021 - 23:05
    +12

    Please add poll option.

    A new wife

  • avidd on 09/02/2021 - 23:10
    +4

    Try using a hotter water setting, stacking according to instructions (leaving adequate space between items) and most of all better quality dishwasher tablets. Made a huge difference for me switching between cheapo tabs and finish quantum bought on sale from amazon.

    Also make sure you've filled the rinse aid container.

    • John Kimble on 10/02/2021 - 03:54
      +1

      Thanks, we've tried lots of different tablets, usually use Finish Ultimate.

      Don't use rinse aid at all (will try this) and don't use the dispenser, because sometimes the lid doesn't open.

      • MS Paint on 10/02/2021 - 07:59
        +1

        Might not open if there is a stacked obstruction in front of the dispenser lid.

      • JIMB0 on 10/02/2021 - 09:08
        +2

        So you just chuck the tablet in with the dishes? This would use up the tablet in the pre wash cycle, unless you're using the quickwash cycle which doesn't do a pre wash.

        • John Kimble on 10/02/2021 - 11:42

          Yes 😳😔

          • JIMB0 on 10/02/2021 - 12:56
            +3

            @John Kimble: There's your problem. You're essentially trying to wash your dishes with hot water alone. You either need to use the dispenser or a choose a cycle with no pre wash.

            • John Kimble on 10/02/2021 - 13:19

              @JIMB0: But then why do the plastics taste like detergent if there is none left by the end?

              • JIMB0 on 10/02/2021 - 14:56
                +2

                @John Kimble: Plastics are good at absorbing detergent where they are scratched. They probably soaked it up from the pre wash.

        • lgacb08 on 11/02/2021 - 22:32

          nah, i chuck them in most of the time, my wife put them in dispenser properly but I notice no difference

  • rldowling03 on 09/02/2021 - 23:29
    +2

    I had your first issue with mine. One thing I learned and has helped with cleanliness of my dishes was from this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04).

    TLDW: there's usually a compartment apart from the main one you put your powder/tab that is used in the pre wash cycle which helps remove more from your dirty dishes.

    Once I switched back to power and started putting powder in that separate compartment (or you can just chuck some powder in the bottom of the tub, maybe a tablespoon worth) I started to notice my dishes came out clean everytime. Before I was pre rinsing everything, but now I've not had any issues even with very dirty pots.

    My partner says they can taste the extra powder on things but I can't, so it might not help with your second point if you're already having issues with residue/taste

  • Capo93 on 09/02/2021 - 23:53
    +2

    Are you using tablets?

    Are you using rinse aid in the dispenser(not talking about tablets that claim to have rinse aid in them)

    If both to yes, try using a cycle that reaches higher temperatures. If no to the rinse aid try that and advise.

    Plastic items will always not dry as good as they don’t retain heat from the wash cycle.

    What is the serial number of the machine, I can give you a rough age from the serial number?

    • John Kimble on 10/02/2021 - 04:09

      Yes tablets, no rinse aid, will try.

      Thanks, but I can't see the serial number anywhere, don't really want to try and pull it out from under the bench, last time I did that I damaged a pipe which caused leakages…

      • MS Paint on 10/02/2021 - 08:01
        +1

        Serial number should be on the model number / voltage sticker typically on the side of the door.

        • John Kimble on 10/02/2021 - 08:08

          Oh, didn't find it last night haha, dishwasher is hard up against a cupboard on the right side.

          It's 30723711

          • Capo93 on 11/02/2021 - 01:51
            +1

            @John Kimble: First digit is the year, next two digits is the week, so the unit was manufactured in 2013, week 7.

            I suggest using rinse aid for better drying results, you can change the dosage dispensed of the rinse aid.

            Tablets are fine if you are using a cycle that reaches higher temperatures.

    • 87percent on 10/02/2021 - 09:25
      +2

      i too recommend using rinse aid

  • myusername on 09/02/2021 - 23:59

    honestly if it's closer to 10 years probably a good time to upgrade.

    mine was 9 years old and decided to replace as was experiencing similar symptoms to yours.

    just before replacing it though, i replaced the hot water system in the house. an entirely separate issue .

    the hot water temp was increased slightly and noticed an improvement in the dishwasher

    • MS Paint on 10/02/2021 - 00:23
      +3

      Intake is cold water. Program choice sets the water temperature. Pfffffffftt

      • abb on 10/02/2021 - 09:43
        +1

        Placebo effect in action!

  • chasis on 10/02/2021 - 00:41
    +1

    I have a Dishlex which came with my apartment. Not sure of age but I would also guess between 5-10yr.

    I have also had both the problems you mention above. I believe 1 may be us stacking items too close together or at angles where they are not hit by the water the same as you deduced.

    With issue two we also had glasses tasting of mildly of soap. Tried washing without rinse aid and havent had the problem since. I read you can use vinegar or lemon juice as an alternative to rinse aid (used to break surface tension). As I didn't want vinegar smell on everything I now add a squirt of lemon juice to the rinse aid compartment and couldn't be happier. Lemon Juice at Coles is also cheaper than Rinse Aid.

    • John Kimble on 10/02/2021 - 04:06

      Thanks, might try the lemon juice before I try rinse aid

  • morse on 10/02/2021 - 07:07
    +1

    There’s significant variability in quality of dishwashers - I’ve seen this staying at various air bnbs and with workplace dishwashers. Some are awful and pretty useless.

    We had an older one (>10years) that we recently replaced as the electronics in it died. Both the new Bosch series 6 and our old Simpson one meet both criteria 1 and 2. We are not fussy stackers either. We don’t rinse, just scrape. But you do of course need to make sure there’s space for the water to get in ie some bowls need to be double spaced. We do a fair bit off plastic and it comes out clean but not very dry - we just transfer to drying rack next to the sink.

    All the decent/reliable dishwashers seems to be about $1k up in our most recent search. The brands we considered were Bosch, LG, AEG and Asko. Went with Bosch series 6 in the end. There’s the cheaper series 4 as well, but it has a plastic inner base/tray which I didn’t think would be as good for drying. Bosch series 4 is made in Turkey series 6 in Germany.

  • Youfah Mizzum on 10/02/2021 - 08:45
    +1

    I've got your exact dishwasher, the good ol' Dishlex DX103. Cheapest I could find when I bought it about 12 years ago but also rated high in Choice mag. It was the Choice rating that tipped me over, and the price was just a nice bonus.

    Hate to say, but issue 1. - yep definitely a stacking issue or hardened crud. Most nights, 100% of contents is clean. Sometimes a cereal bowl in the top shelf hasn't cleaned fully on the odd occasion and if it's bottom shelf stuff it pretty much comes out clean all the time. I'm a stickler for "correct" stacking - that is, sufficient space between items for the spray arms to get their spray right up and between the dishes & other contents.

    And we only ever use that Quick Wash setting, the one that completes in 30 mins.

    Issue 2: Never, ever experienced this. First I've heard of it in fact. I use the cheapest tabs (often Aldi ones, but also Coles generic brand) but I snap the tabs in half. You don't need a full tablet of detergent but I snap it in half not because of your issue but because I'm an Ozbargainer. And it makes no difference to the cleaning. Full tab, half tab - same cleaning. I'm sure its more environmental too.

    In summary, you 1, wife 0.

    • John Kimble on 10/02/2021 - 09:02

      Not sure if confirmation bias, but that is what I was hoping to hear 😬😂

      I've not thought of snapping the tablets in half…not sure if the wife will go for that…but I'll try and convince her to try.

      • abb on 10/02/2021 - 09:44

        Instead of snapping tablets, you could try a powder. Easier to use less of that if you want.

        • JimmyF on 10/02/2021 - 09:55
          +1

          2nd this! With powder its CHEAPER to start with and you can put as much or as little as you need.

          • John Kimble on 10/02/2021 - 09:59

            @JimmyF: I always said we shouldn't use tablets, but she recently bought a ridiculous amount from COTD…like two hundred or something 🤦‍♂️

            Edit 4 x 80 packs of Finish Quantum

  • boomramada on 10/02/2021 - 09:40
    +1

    If your dishwasher clean regularly, at least once in ten washes or you not stacking the dishes to max and still having issues.
    Try switch tablet to powder or vice versa.
    if that all failed, time for new dishwasher.

  • Bargain80 on 10/02/2021 - 09:40
    +1

    Wait, your second dishwasher is not working?
    So what is your first dishwasher? Your wife?

    • JimmyF on 10/02/2021 - 09:54
      +1

      You laugh, I'm toying with putting two dishwashers in to the next kitchen remodel!

      People put two ovens in, screw that. Give me two dishwashers!

  • knasty on 10/02/2021 - 09:41
    +4

    When is the last time you gave the filter a proper deep clean and ran a dishwasher cleaner through it (when it's empty)? I aim to clean the filter every 2 weeks or so and do a deep clean every quarter or so.

  • kizzy on 10/02/2021 - 09:50
    +3

    Missus wants a new dishwasher, OP has to go back and tell her she's not stacking it right. RIP.

    • John Kimble on 10/02/2021 - 09:57

      It's actually me that normally stacks it 😔…she cooks and I wash up.

  • JimmyF on 10/02/2021 - 09:53
    +1

    many times items don't come out clean

    Don't use dishwashing tablets, ensure you put a bit of powder in the machine for the prewash cycle if your machine doesn't have a prewash section in the dispenser.

    Good video explaining this concept is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rBO8neWw04

    Also don't use the quick/eco/short cycles. Ensure you use a normal or pot cycle.

    Don't overlap items when stacking, the water normally is shot up from the bottom of the racks, so if you overlap them and water can't get up to clean them, well….. they don't get washed/cleaned.

    Ensure the filters are clean etc for good water flow.

    and if you're doing all this and still no good, then yes time for a new machine.

    If your wife wants one, then get her one. Don't be cheap, or start washing the dishes for her!

  • Youfah Mizzum on 10/02/2021 - 13:31
    +1

    Ahh yes, forgot to mention in my earlier reply, I DO ensure the filters are cleaned thoroughly about every 2 weeks or so.
    And up the top, remove the whole tray and there is sometimes some gunk collected in the water route. I give that a clean about every 6 or 12 months - just when I remember really.
    Seriously, I reckon my DX103 cleans perfectly 99% of the time.
    And we don't really put pots and pans in, mostly because it's just not big enough. So just cups/glasses, crockery & cutlery.

    If there's room then the pots & pans go in and they usually come out fine.

    Also don't use the quick/eco/short cycles. Ensure you use a normal or pot cycle.

    I don't agree. We use the short cycle all the time.

  • lainey13 on 10/02/2021 - 21:41
    +1

    Ok need a picture of how you stack your machine now. If anything obstructs the powder/tablet drawer or blocking the movement of the arms then you're in trouble.

  • donkcat on 11/02/2021 - 11:52
    +1

    One of the best things we did was replace our working (sort of) dishwasher.

    Ours sounds like it was a bit worse than yours.
    It was a no brand Chinese dishwasher that come with the house,
    we had it 6 years and it wasn't was great from day 1 but it just got progressively worse.
    We would stack the dishes far apart and at about 50% capacity, rinse them pretty well.
    Despite that about half the loads required some items to be hand washed.
    Tried regular cleans, the spray arms had a big issue with calcium build up and would manually get the build up out.
    Would put some CLR through the dishwasher periodically to no prevail.
    Swapped tablets etc
    Cycle time was 2 hours 20 mins.

    Bought a new series 6 Bosch and threw the old one out.
    Had it about 6 months now and it washes so well, load it up and it rarely has anything that requires washing.
    We also run a 60min fast cycle.

    I don't miss hand washing dishes out of the dishwasher at all.

  • John Kimble on 05/07/2021 - 18:09

    Ended up buying a new dishwasher and shock horror it does a better job than the old one…although some cycles take over 3 hours?!

    • casho on 06/07/2021 - 16:42
      +1

      Are you in a hurry whilst "not" washing the dishes yourself? :)

      • John Kimble on 06/07/2021 - 16:53

        Yes and no, would be great if I could do two loads in one night and not leave dishes in the sink overnight.

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