<p>Bunsen Burner – I share your grrr. The CF bulbs last way, way less long than their reputed lifetime. I’ve actually thought of filing a complaint on false advertising, but I’m not sure that it would help. </p>
<p>We do have couple of LED bulbs – but the light is a little “sharp” – great for some areas, but not quite what I’m looking for in the living room or family room. </p>
<p>And on the dishwashing front: I’m really, really happy with the way my new Bosch cleans the dishes (and how quiet it is), but I do wish that it had a heated drying function. Unfortunately my drinking glasses all have a dimple on the bottom, and they all fill with water that has to be wiped off every time. Flat-bottomed glasses don’t seem to have this problem. The Finish Powerball tablets work quite well; we just bought the large bag of them.</p>
<p>Just a shout out to thank those who previously recommended the Finish quantum powerball tabs. I’ve been using those along with the finish rinse agent for about 6 weeeks now, and I see a tremendous improvement. Much better results than the Cascade tabs I was previously using. I also tried the Finish dishwasher cleaner and liked it.</p>
<p>A few comments from a chemist/material scientist turned marketer:</p>
<ol>
<li>On detergent: Phosphates are reduced for limiting the growth of algae. Rich phosphate in water causes over supply of nutrient for the algae growth and depleting oxygen in water for fish to survive in it.</li>
<li>Phosphate, citric acid and vinegar are all good binding agent for removing Ca, Mg in water. These metal ions, when attached to the surface of dishes and silverware, are responsible for leaving residue. </li>
<li>On incandescent light bulb CF bulb and LED bulb: Incandescent bulb is extremely inefficient in energy consumption. CF is more efficient. However, it has mercury in it. Be careful about disposal of used ones. LED is very energy efficient. It last for a very long time. Although it is fairly expensive now, due to the low volume manufacturing, it will become cheaper in a couple of years. Right now, LED backlit TV’s are becoming main-stream at TV market. In a few years, LED for general lighting is going to take over the residential as well as industrial market.</li>
</ol>
<p>PS, On the life of a bulb: In fact, an incandescent light bulb at Livermore CA has been continuously lit for over 100 years. I used to live at Livermore, so I know…….Assuming bulbs (any bulbs) made with good workmanship, it should last for a long time.</p>
<p>A bit off topic and not very timely…but maybe someone will catch it (just didn’t want to start a new thread)</p>
<p>A question about the Finish Quantum tablets:</p>
<p>We have used these for a few weeks - love the results…when we can get it to work!</p>
<p>I find that the dispenser isn’t opening up much of the time causing me to run the dishwasher a couple times before it works. The last time I was half done unloading when I saw the packet in the bottom of the dishwasher still intact.</p>
<p>I wipe the dispenser dry before I put it in - I’ve tried putting it horizontally and vertically, each different side up, etc. Am I doing something wrong?</p>
<p>Have read/heard that you’re supposed to use only 1/2 a tablet per the repairman who fixed SIL’s Bosch dishwasher. My SIL cuts the Finish tablets in half and saves the other half for the next load. The repairman says too much detergent ruins the machine and requires more frequent servicing. Q: How do you cut the red ball/tablet in half? Thanks!</p>
<p>I have cut the tablet in half by using a large meat knife. It has a wide blade. </p>
<p>I’ve only done this when I had a sparse load. Can it really be fine with a full load? Hmmmm.
Why would a detergent company put in so much detergent (in a prepackaged dose) that it could ruin the machine? For what reason?</p>
<p>It puzzles me/us too. My SIL has been cutting the tablets ever since the repairman told her to & her dishwasher is a Bosch like ours. She hasn’t had to have it repaired again, so we may try following her advice. She just uses a small paring knife or similar to cut it & washes a full load. Very curious about these differences.</p>
<p>Yes, I can’t figure out why they don’t have smaller tablets if you really shouldn’t use that much detergent. The washing machine repairmen told mom & me (separate repair visits) you should only use about 1/2 the clothes washing detergent they tell you as well. Have been doing that & clothes still get clean & machine has been going strong now for over 20 years! Repairmen said that using too much detergent is bad for the machine.</p>
<p>I know on HE washers you only need 1/2 the amount of regular laundry detergent but have never heard that about dishwashers. I haven’t tried it but it seems like the power balls (the ones with the red ball in the middle surrounded by a square) would be difficult to cut in half. Will have to give it a try. They barely fit into my dispenser anyway.</p>
<p>I tried to cut one of those tabs out of curiosity last night. Lol, I think I’d rather pay for DW repairs than risk cutting my fingers off! The red ball is impossible to crush. That said, on a few occasions I forgot to put a tab in at all (peeled it and left on the counter) and the dishes came out nice and clean anyway. I would not do it purpousely all the time.</p>
<p>When I started getting the dreaded white film (after the switch to no phosphate detergent) in my Bosch, I had a repairman tell me to use only a small amount (1 tsp) of Finish powder. Now that that I’m using Dishwasher Magic monthly (and always keeping JetDry full) , I no longer get any build up at all. I’ve also since switched to Quantum tabs - whole not half. Could the advice to cut the tabs be meant as an added insurance policy for people who won’t always do Jet Dry and/or the monthly cleanings?</p>