How to properly load a dishwasher (2020)

Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by stronglikedan on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @09:56AM (#28457029)

Ever since I watched that a few months back, I run the tap go get the hot water closer to the washer for the first cycle (as recommended in the vid), and I do notice a difference. So much so, that I've completely eschewed the pre-rinse (also recommended in the vid).

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Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by iainmerrick on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @10:42AM (#28457750)

This must be a country-specific thing. Almost all dishwashers in Europe use a cold water feed only, so running the hot tap won’t make any difference.

(Source: bought a new one a couple of years ago! I assumed a hot water feed would be more efficient, but very few models had it and they weren’t necessarily cheaper to run. Thinking about it, an electric heater inside the washer that heats exactly the amount needed is going to be way more efficient than getting hot water at a random temperature from a gas combi boiler.)

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Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by bonestamp2 on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @05:24PM (#28463247)

> Almost all dishwashers in Europe use a cold water feed only, so running the hot tap won’t make any difference.

Ya, I think the same is true in America. Most residential hot water tanks do not produce potable water. So, it wouldn't make sense to rinse your clean dishes with water that may contain bacteria and spores. Of course, you don't want to rinse hot glass with cold water either (potential breakage), so now you have to heat the water. So, you may as well just have cold water as the only source and heat it.

It's the same reason coffee machines tell you to fill them with cold water -- it has nothing to do with the temperature of the water, it's all about the potability of the water.

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Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by spookthesunset on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @05:53PM (#28463509)

> Most residential hot water tanks do not produce potable water.

As a consumer of residential hot water tanks for 40+ years, this is news to me. How is the water in a residential hot water tank not potable?

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Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by bonestamp2 on Thursday September 09, 2021 @04:33PM (#28474323)

It was a surprise to me when I first read it about 10 years ago too. I'm having trouble finding the source for the (potential) bacteria breeding problem. But, I did find an EPA document warning not to do it for another reason:

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/20...

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Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by manwe150 on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @11:17PM (#28465817)

I’ve heard: Higher levels of dissolved minerals, which might be harmful, and a low chance of being a breeding ground for brain-eating microbes, which will be harmful.

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Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by iainmerrick on Thursday September 09, 2021 @06:37AM (#28468238)

I think it’s specifically Legionnaire’s disease / legionella. Hot water tanks should periodically be heated over 50C to kill off the bacteria. See e.g. https://www.hse.gov.uk/legionnaires/hot-and-cold-water-stora...

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Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by baq on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @03:55PM (#28462230)

Mine says using hot water will work but only do it if you have a renewable source of heat. Otherwise, it’s more efficient to just heat up those few liters.

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Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by 542354234235 on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @02:11PM (#28460960)

I take the opportunity to wash all the hand wash items with the water I am running to get to the hot water for the dishwasher. The water is nice and hot for the final rinse of the hand wash things, and to then start the dishwasher.

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Re:How to properly load a dishwasher (2020) by bserge on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @03:49PM (#28462127)

Beware, some dishwashers will throw an error or work improperly if the temperature doesn't match what it should be at certain points in the cycle. Same for some washing machines.

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