[Chickensoup]

It is time for a dishwasher. My last dishwasher was replaced three times by the manufacturer before I ripped it out and started handwashing. time to go back to dishwashers and I cannot find a timed dishwasher, just ones that are ENERGY EFFIEICENT with sensors.

The biggest problem I had with the newer untimed dishwashers is that I would have to rinse the dishes instead of scraping them.

the second problem is that because I did not rinse them, they ran for six to eight hours becaus there was debris that the sensors picked up.

Lousy design.

I am looking for a good dishwasher, that can actually be effective and clean the dishes now that the EPA doesnt permit us to have phosphates. Or timed washes.

Any war stories? Most of the dishwasher reviews out there aree actually paid ad reviews placed by an agent of the manufacturer.

Forget consomer reports.

[Mamzelle]

I have a Bosch washer, BTW, which I am reasonably satisfied with.

[DuncanWaring]

Avoid Asko like the plague.

[gorush]

We, too, have a Bosch with no complaints after 8 years.

[orbitboy]

we thought our new dishwasher was a lemon too but found out it needed hot water right away to run a normal cycle, so we run the hot water at the sink till it’s hot....worked for us, good luck.

[LibertarianLiz]

I have noticed the same problem with my new dishwasher (we add phosphate to the detergent every time); also, it takes at least twice as long to do a load of dishes as it had before.

My question (and I am being serious), do you save any "energy" by using twice the time to do the same job?

[dalereed]

beware of the orange and blue box labeled TSP that isn’t Tri Sodium Phosphate, get genuine Tri Sodium Phosphate.

[RightField]

Cascade still makes dishwasher powder with phosphates. I get mine at a local retaurant supply. It is in the familiar green box, labeled "Professional Formula."

I find using half the amount recommended by the dishwasher manufacturer does the best job.

[Reaganez]

Best is Miele and second best is Bosch.

All Bosch but top of the line 800 Plus are made in North Carolina.

You must scrape but should not pre-rinse.

Takes 45min to 2.5hr depending on soil level and cycle selected but even starch burnt casserole dishes come out clean on my Miele.

Short 20 min cycles are to disinfect but don’t really clean.

TSP will have sand type residue once in dishwasher and cause premature wear and tear of dishwasher.

If you want to go that route STPP is the chemical you want. Sodium Trypolyphosphate.

Finish Quantom

Method Smarty Tabs

Miele Dishwasher Tabs

Somat Dishwasher Tabs also good.

[Ladysforest]

Here is what we did. We found a nearby restaurant supple type store that sells to the public. They sell REAL phosphate Cascade. We (rinse) our dishes, put the real cascade in the dishwasher. At the rinse cycle we let the water fill, then snatch the door open and pour a cup of cheap store brand vinegar into the bottom. We stopped using the rinse agent because it FOAMS up and was screwing up the efficiency of the machine.

We have a small sized DW, but it has a larger capacity than most the same size. Using our “system” and the “good” dish soap, we get great results and the inside of our dishwasher shines like silver.

[turbocat]

Lemi-shine for sure and order Calgon with phosphates on the internet

[turbocat]

Ooops not Calgon, CASCADE, sold by the case