My dishwasher is not new, but has been doing the job. I was finding it worked better and dishes looked better using the pods so started using those. Occasionally, the pods would not get dissolved but now that is happening all the time. I thought it was that the older pods might have dried out, but has been happening with new ones. I always make sure the water is hot before I turn on the dishwasher. Any thoughts? Or time to get a new dishwasher?
How old is it and what brand is it?
GE. probably 10 years old (can’t quite remember).
Most modern dishwashers are not designed to last forever. If you can afford to buy a replacement, go for it.
A couple of possibilities: the pump is clogged or the door of the compartment where the pods go does not open correctly (blocked).
10 years could be the life of a dishwasher given the quality of manufacturing these days but have you tried clearing out the water lines? There might be 10 years of build-up making the amount and force of water insufficient to dissolve the pod. We had this issue with our washing machine and after the plumber did his magic, our 18 year old machine is running strong.
I agree with Building. Unless there are strange noises that would indicate mechanical failure, the problem is likely just gunk or scale build up preventing adequate water flow.
Try a dishwasher cleaner first. They usually have ingredients to break down buildup. You may need to run a few cycles of cleaner through it to remove heavy build up.
What’s a dishwasher cleaner? What brands?
Ditto on the dishwasher cleaner.
I’ve bought the one made by Jet Dry, but couldn’t find that one last time, so I got the one they had. It’s right where the Jet Dry rinse is in grocery store.
Affresh and Cascade also make cleaners.
Check the filter too (if it has one).
Geez, did ‘filthy’ have to be in that title? Now I’m starting to get squeamish.
Another owner of an elderly dishwasher, here. Has anyone had a situation where the coated part of their dishwasher shelves (plastic, rubber? what ever us coating it) has turned pink from white? What would cause that?
One possibility - contact with carotenes from food. Like Tupperware containers that are used for tomato based dishes…
Thanks for the idea but it’s not that.
It looks like the photos on the very last page of this link, but all the racks are pink. I think it might be the Finish tablets I use.
http://www.finishdishwashing.com/products/enhancers/boosters/power-up-booster-agent/
Thanks. I’ll try the dishwasher cleaner. One problem could be that our water seems to have gotten harder. I may actually need to get a water softener before getting a new dishwasher. What are your experiences with those?
If you have hard water, try Lemishine in addition to your detergent.
doschicos: in the dishwasher? I don’t have a problem with laundry.
Yes, in the dishwasher. This is what I use. I actually saw it recommended here on CC several years ago and started using it when the phosphates were removed from dishwasher detergent and I found my dishes weren’t getting clean.
http://www.target.com/p/lemi-shine-hard-water-remover-dishwashing-detergent-12-oz/-/A-14708982?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Grocery+Essentials+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Grocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9002297&gclid=COv395foztECFVmBswodm90DEg&gclsrc=aw.ds
Some dishwashers have a built in water softener dispenser that needs to be refilled periodically. Mine never asks for a refill because our water is very soft.
Our water is very hard and we don’t use any softener. After they removed phoposrous, I only use Finish detergent and dishes come out looking great. Finish must have some kind of softener in it.
@doschicos did you have any filmy build up that it helped with ?