# Need dishwasher advice **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 10, 2022, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324 "2022-09-10T14:05:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2022, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/21 "2022-09-10T23:35:55Z")
What dishwasher? Most models, you take off the toeplate, and the valve is to the right or the left. Turn the water valve off, and follow the hose or tubing to the inlet valve. Most newer ones have a hose-type connection, so it’s easy enough to take off with channel locks, say, Some models use a fitting that will have to be disconnected. Here’s a video from Sears: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HUI5w9iYHDI/maxresdefault.jpg "Replacing the Water Inlet Valve on a Dishwasher") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUI5w9iYHDI) ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/22 "2022-09-11T03:15:00Z")
Here is how cheap I am: Dishwashers are so easy to install, and so many are being given away on Craigslist, that when one dies, I just go find one for free (or real cheap) that someone wants to upgrade from (plenty of ones in very good condition to pick from), and bingo! New working dishwasher. Haven’t ever bought a new one. It’s funny. People with black ones want stainless. People with stainless want black. I get to pick real nice ones for free because I don’t give a shit. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/23 "2022-09-11T03:34:43Z")
When ours stopped getting enough water inside I had to replace the pump. It was a $130 part and it took me about 6-8 hrs of taking the thing completely apart to replace it. I would not recommend. We replaced it with a Bosch 800 series even though the 300 and 500 also get excellent reviews. Concerning the filter, I’m pretty sure all dishwashers, even those with grinders require an occasional coarse filter removal and rinse. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/24 "2022-09-11T11:30:22Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I’m pretty sure all dishwashers, even those with grinders require an occasional coarse filter removal and rinse. I never put a dish into our dishwasher without washing it first. ---
**Author:** ![Feurmann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/779978/32.png) [@Feurmann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feurmann)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/25 "2022-09-11T11:48:50Z")
About a year ago we had to replace a Dishlex that looked about 20 years old. A few posters have recommended Bosch. Bosch and Siemens are apparently both made by the same company (BSH Hausgeräte GmbH). We chose a Siemens because it had a longer warranty than an equivalent Bosch machine (7 years versus 5). But the warranty will vary between countries. When reading the manual I found that it referred to a 5 year warranty. So I rang the salesman, who confirmed our machine was sold with a seven year warranty in Australia, as he had told us. He sent me an email to provide written proof. It is running now and is certainly very quiet. We have had no problems with it. (The cutlery drawer can be a bit annoying, but no real issue.) We never bothered with rinse aid in the old machine, but it definitely improves the performance with glasses and cutlery. We run a cleaning cycle through it every now and then, with the single use detergent cassette sold for this purpose. Some people think this is superfluous, but it has worked for us. I think both brands are a safe bet. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/26 "2022-09-11T14:34:59Z")
> [@gnarator](#): > > A common problem with dishwashers (and clothes washers, too) is that the fill valve gets plugged. They are fairly easy to replace. > > I would start your dishwasher, and open the door after 2 minutes or so, and see if there is any water in the bottom, and if the spray arms are spraying water. We tried this before I posted. There was no water on the bottom. (In fact, there was a mostly-intact detergent pod on the bottom. > [@gnarator](#): > > If not, pour a some water in the bottom, close the door, and see if water is spraying around. > > If it is the fill valve, post the model # and I’ll look up the fill valve part #. I’ve just tried filling the dishwasher until the float valve rose a bit, and running it. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks for this suggestion. It certainly helps get at “where in the process has it stopped working?” It’s a KitchenAid KDTM354DSS4 And it’s making odd “clunky” noises right now. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/27 "2022-09-11T14:41:58Z")
Has anyone mentioned yet how good Bosch dishwashers are? I did a similar thread about a year ago when our dishwasher needed replacing. Repairman said it would cost more to fix than was worth, and most dishwasher brands these days are garbage made not to last, except Bosch. He said, put it this way- I almost never get calls to fix Bosches. After also having Bosch recommended in the dishwasher advice thread I started, we bought one, and it’s been running like a champ. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/28 "2022-09-11T14:43:09Z")
Still no spinning. Should I add more water? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/29 "2022-09-11T14:47:58Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I prefer just washing dishes by hand (I’m likely in the minority, but I don’t mind doing dishes). Another minority here, after the last DW broke down we junked it then continued washing dishes by hand. It’s quicker to wash everything up and let it air dry. What to do with the vacancy under the counter?it’s a home for the dehumidifier. After the fire in my folks DW, we replaced it for them with a Bosch. My mom had a hard time opening the detergent dispenser and found the controls hard to read. Also it was so quiet she’d forget if it was on or off. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/30 "2022-09-11T15:30:32Z")
Yeah, more power to those of you who prefer to wash dishes by hand, but that’s what we’ve been doing since the dishwasher stopped working, and i hate it. So much easier to just slide a dirty dish into the dishwasher than to run the water until it’s warm, put soap on the sponge, wait a little longer for warm water, start washing my dishes, turn down the temp of the water because now it’s too hot, scrub some more, struggle to find space on the drying rack, wiggle my finger around the rough edges of the cheese grater, splash water on my shirt, then finish the dishes and dry up. ---
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/31 "2022-09-11T15:49:10Z")
You’ll have to keep adding hot water several times, after each pump out, but try it. Until the float lifts is the right amount. Not sure what the clunk could be, though. Spray arm hitting something? SearsParts says the part # is W11130743, but is NLM. Amazon has one: [https://www.amazon.com/LinkEZ-Dishwasher-Valve-W10327249-W11130743/dp/B084HMS74H](https://www.amazon.com/LinkEZ-Dishwasher-Valve-W10327249-W11130743/dp/B084HMS74H) > **[GenuineReplacementParts.com (GRP) - Quality Parts Delivered.](https://www.genuinereplacementparts.com/kitchenaid-kdtm354dss4-water-inlet-valve-genuine-oem)** > > OEM ReplacementParts. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/vTt-VwFyup0/maxresdefault.jpg "KitchenAid Dishwasher Water Inlet Valve Replacement W10872255") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTt-VwFyup0) There are other videos, too. I’m surprised so many people have Bosch. They are $$$, and nearly impossible to get repair parts for them. I’ve had Kitchenaid for years and they’re usually good. Then again, I’ve had trouble with the racks on mine. And I had to clean out the screen/grinder assembly like octopus mentions. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/32 "2022-09-11T15:54:48Z")
For those of you who wash by hand, all the “experts” I’ve consulted claim that dishwashers use less water than hand washing. Does anyone know if this is really true? How much does it depend on the brand of washer? Also several of you mentioned the cycle is “long”. The Bosch we have (sorry to dwell on that brand) has a choice of three different lengths of cycle and we only ever use the 30 minute one. If your cycle seems long, is it a lot longer than 30 minutes? Do you have no choices? ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/33 "2022-09-11T16:03:25Z")
Sounds like a chore! Hope you get it fixed soon. We eat dinner late so those dishes often sit overnight. In The morning I start water to boil for tea. I run the tap hot, put some dishes in the sink and suds up a sponge. By the time the kettle whistles the dishes are done. I never leave the cheese grater or knives to sit with crud I wash those immediately after use. Automatic dishwashers do come in handy when there’s a crowd. ---
**Author:** ![gnarator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gnarator/32/8266_2.png) [@gnarator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnarator)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/34 "2022-09-11T16:13:36Z")
Dishwashers use a small amount of water, and extremely strong soap–if you tried to hand wash dishes with dishwasher detergent your hands will get red and sore–so that’s where the water savings comes from. Each cycle only uses a small amount of water, pumped and sprayed around. Sometimes the cycles are long because the dishwasher wants HOT water, and it uses the electric element to heat it up. If your hot water heater is set to 120 degrees, per the water heater manufacturer, your dishwasher may spend all sorts of time heating water. If you use the dry cycle, that also runs the element and adds time. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/35 "2022-09-11T16:24:10Z")
I wash knives right away. But the cheese grater is unpleasant to wash, made of stainless steel, and the dishwasher did a super job of getting it clean. I’m cranky about having to wash it by hand. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/36 "2022-09-11T16:48:18Z")
> [@chela](#): > > What to do with the vacancy under the counter?it’s a home for the dehumidifier. We also didn’t bother to fix or replace our last dead dishwasher, because with just two residents now, hand washing rarely takes even five minutes. But we didn’t bother to even remove the old dishwasher. It makes an excellent dish drying rack with the door open and the rolling parts pulled out, and if we need the kitchen to suddenly be nice looking, all we have to do is shut the door! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/37 "2022-09-11T17:23:34Z")
Okay – so I manually added water and: It didn’t spin around it did heat the water the water did eventually drain ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/38 "2022-09-11T19:29:39Z")
> [@chela](#): > > Another minority here, after the last DW broke down we junked it then continued washing dishes by hand. It’s quicker to wash everything up and let it air dry. > [@kayT](#): > > For those of you who wash by hand, all the “experts” I’ve consulted claim that dishwashers use less water than hand washing. Does anyone know if this is really true? > [@kayT](#): > > Also several of you mentioned the cycle is “long”. Here’s Alec’s (Technology Connections) somewhat snarky response to these points. (It’s cued up to the relevant spot.) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ll6-eGDpimU/maxresdefault.jpg "I messed up. You're using too much detergent.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll6-eGDpimU&t=2176) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/39 "2022-09-11T19:57:15Z")
I’m sorry he doesn’t use pods. I recently switched to them because they are easier to use. And my dishwasher wasn’t set up to add detergent to the prewash anyway. (Although i used to intentionally spill a little powder to make up for that, because… Yeah, intuitively it makes sense to add soak to the rinse.) It washed fine with a single pod, though, until it didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324/40 "2022-09-11T21:56:38Z")
I’m curious about this guy and have spent some time trying to figure out what his credentials are or where he gets his facts. Not saying he’s not qualified to talk about all sorts of things but I just wonder what his background is, what his education is, and who or what he consults to get the facts he offers. Not much information is on line about what else he does besides make videos for Youtube, [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-dishwasher-advice/971324.md?page=3)