RinseAidDispenser, Dishwasher EfficiencyTips

RinseAidDispenser

Rinse aids keep water from forming droplets that can dry as spots or streaks. They also improve drying by allowing water to drain off of the dishes during the final rinse by releasing a small amount of the rinse aid into the rinse water. Your dishwasher is designed to use a liquid rinse aid. Do not use a solid or bar-type rinse aid.

Checking the dispenser

Check the center of the fill indicator cap. Clear means it needs filling.

Or you can remove the fill indicator cap. If an “E” is visible, the dispenser is empty.

Filling the dispenser

The rinse aid dispenser holds 6 oz (175 mL) of rinse aid. Under normal conditions, this will last for about 3 months. You do not have to wait until the dispenser is empty to refill it. Try to keep it full, but be sure not to overfill it.

1.Make sure the dishwasher door is completely open.

2.Remove the fill indicator cap.

3.Add rinse aid. Fill to the smallest opening in the lower part of the dispenser. Overfilling can cause the rinse aid to leak out, and could cause oversudsing.

4.Clean up any spilled rinse aid with a damp cloth.

5.Replace the fill indicator cap. Close tightly.

Dishwasher EfficiencyTips

Hot water dissolves and activates the dishwashing detergent. Hot water also dissolves grease on dishes and helps glasses dry spot-free. For best dishwashing results, water should be 120°F (49°C) as it enters the dishwasher. Loads may not wash as well if the water temperature is too low. Water that is too hot can make some soils harder to remove and cause certain detergent ingredients not to function. If your water heater is located far from the dishwasher, it may be necessary to run the hot water at the faucet closest to the dishwasher to minimize the amount of cold water in the water line.

To check water temperature

1.Run hot water at the faucet closest to your dishwasher for at least 1 minute.

2.Place a candy or meat thermometer in a glass measuring cup.

Additional efficiency tips

■Use a delay feature (on some models) to run your dishwasher during off-peak hours. Local utilities recommend avoiding heavy usage of energy at certain times of day.

■During the summer, run your dishwasher at night. This reduces daytime heat buildup in the kitchen.

■Use the energy-saving dry option whenever possible. Allow longer drying times (overnight) when using these options. Use a rinse aid to improve drying.

■Use cycles or options that add extra heat to the wash or rinse portion of the cycle only when needed.

■Run your dishwasher with full loads. Run a rinse cycle after meals until the dishwasher is full.

■If your home is equipped with a water softener, you may want to avoid starting the dishwasher during the regeneration of the softener, since this may contribute to poor wash performance.

3.Check the temperature on the thermometer as the water is running into the cup.