What temperature should your dishwasher water be? Find out here.
The way dishwashers clean our tableware seems like magic and is certainly a great help to have around the house. Dishwashers do indeed use hot water to clean the dishes, and for a very good reason, too. Here, you can learn how and why dishwashers use hot water and how you know your dishwasher is getting the hot water supply it needs.
How Dishwashers Use Hot Water
Dishwashers can source hot water in one of two ways. One way is to source hot water directly from a hot water valve close by. The other course is to source water from the main water supply and heat the water itself before channeling it into the dish chamber. Copper pipes help insulate the water from its source to the machine to maintain the temperature. The dishwasher has sensors that will set the water level and the water temperature. Depending on the setting, you may use water that is exceptionally hot to sanitize the load. Usually, however, the water temperature is about 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why Dishwashers Use Hot Water
As one can guess, one reason that dishwashers use hot water is to sanitize the load. Hot, steaming water kills germs and viruses effectively and almost absolutely. The hotter the water, the better a clean you will get.
Another reason why you want your dishwasher to use hot water is so that the dish detergent will work. The detergent is designed to activate with hot water, and the chemistry of the cleaning solution and high heat will make it do its job best.
How You Know It’s Working
One simple way to know whether or not your dishwasher is getting the water temperature it needs is to make sure your kitchen sink can run hot water. If your dishwasher uses hot water directly from the water line, then this strategy is enough.
On the other hand, you might be able to tell if your dishwasher isn’t getting hot water based on a couple of signs:
- Your dishes still have dirt on them.
- Your dishes have a film of detergent on them.
The issue could be that one of several dishwasher parts are malfunctioning: the heating element, the internal thermostat, or the flow through heating element. The good news is that you don’t have to fix it yourself; Landers Appliance in Baltimore is at your call!
Contact Landers Appliance Today!
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