Appliance Science: Dishwashers

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dishwasher-1We tend to take things in our home for granted, casually accepting the miracles of chemistry, physics and biology that our appliances involve. Take your dishwasher, for instance: a device which cleans all manner of foods from a huge pile of dishes, quickly and efficiently. When you actually stop and think about it, the amount of work this involves is impressive, and the physics of this process are more complex than you might first think.

So how does a dishwasher use the power of water to wash dishes? Let’s take a look at the physics of water and how dishwashers use these forces to scrub your dishes.

Although the specifics differ, all dishwashers have the same fundamental design: a sink at the bottom that fills with water, a pump that moves this water and spray arms, sprayers and other devices that squirt this water onto the dishes.

When you look inside any dishwasher, one of the most obvious things you’ll see is a wash or spray arm, a rotating bar that sprays water onto the dishes, helping to dislodge the food. The dishwasher pumps water through this, but there is no motor to rotate the arm. Instead, the dishwasher uses the pressure of the water to spin it around.

The water jets on the spray arm are angled, so the water sprays out at an angle, usually about 45 degrees off the vertical. The force of this water pushes the arm, and it rotates. This shows the third of Newton’s laws of motion. As the man himself said in Latin in his 1687 bestseller, “Actioni contrariam semper et aequalem esse reactionem.” To translate: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

So, as the water sprays out of the spray arm, it pushes the spray arm back again, sending it spinning. It’s the same principle that rockets use: hot gas gets pushed out of the bottom, forcing the rocket up, up and away.

To save water, all dishwashers recycle water. After it has been sprayed over the dishes, it collects in the sink at the bottom of the dishwasher, where it is then pumped it back up to wash the dishes again. A filter catches most of the large waste, but the smaller waste particles remain suspended in the water. So, how does the dishwasher know when the dishes are clean?

Older dishwashers ran for a set amount of time, depending on the program you chose. You would set them to a shorter wash for lightly soiled dishes and longer for pots and pans. Most modern dishwashers have an automatic mode, where they can tell when the dishes are clean, thanks to a device called a turbidity sensor.

This neat device allows the dishwasher to see how clean the water is by measuring how much grunge is in the water as it is pumped out of the sink: if the water is dirty, grunge is still washing off the dishes. If the water is clean, all the dirt has been washed off the dishes, and the wash is done. It works by shining a light (usually an infrared, or IR, light) through the water onto a sensor that measures how much light reaches it. As the water passes through, the grunge dissolved in the water and larger particles reflect it away. So, if the water is clean, most of the light passes through. If the water is dirty, less light passes through and is detected by the sensor.

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10 tips to extend the life of appliances

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Replacing a refrigerator or oven range can take a bite out of your budget, as can buying a new washer or dryer. To make sure your appliances stand the test of time and continue to perform, follow these pointers:

Keep your fridge and freezer clean.
In general, appliances operate best when spick-and-span. Besides regularly cleaning up leftovers in the fridge, keep condenser coils clean, says Bud Eader, manager at Bettar Appliance in Kensington, Md. Do so by using a condenser coil brush.

To clean the freezer, unplug it, remove all food, wipe it down with a baking-soda solution, use water to rinse it, and then dry the freezer with a towel before plugging it back in.

Defrost your freezer. Many freezers today are frost-free. However, if you have a manual defrost freezer, plan to defrost it at least once every year, before frost gets to about a half-inch thick. Use a plastic or wooden scrape — no knives or other sharp instruments — to remove the frost layer.

Scrub your oven and range, too.

Clean inside your oven often and never let food debris stick around on burners, even if it requires a bit of elbow grease to remove. Don’t spray cleaning fluid directly on control panels though, which could cause them to short circuit. Instead, apply a little onto a rag to clean that surface.
Don’t foil your oven. Experts debate whether you should use the self-cleaning feature if your oven comes with one, but they agree you shouldn’t use aluminum foil under the baking element.
Replace filters. Whether it’s a charcoal filter in an oven, a filter in some dishwashers or refrigerators or the one in your furnace, follow manufacturer guidelines to clean and/or replace them as directed.

Don’t use dish soap in the dishwasher. This can hamper the machine’s performance by creating gunky buildup. Use only dish detergent.

Scrape off plates. Food debris can clog dishwasher pumps.“It’s going to stop up the spray arms and, in the case of emptying the water out, it’s possibly going to make the pump fail prematurely.

Don’t overload your clothes washing machine.

Doing so adds strain on the motor, tub bearings and other parts, besides not getting your clothes clean if water and detergent can’t swish between them. “You shorten the life of the machine,” Eader says. Instead, follow the owner manual instructions on how much to load. Hint: If your machine is banging around under the weight of all of your laundry, you’ve gone overboard.
Improve your dryer’s circulation. Often forgotten, the lint screen needs to be cleaned regularly. Failing to do or allowing your dryer vent to become clogged will force your dryer to work overtime (read: retire sooner) and can present a serious fire hazard. Plan to have your dryer’s exhaust system cleaned annually.
Watch where you apply stain removers. Spraying it on top of washers or dryers can corrode painted or plastic parts.

DISHWASHERS NEWS

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When you buy a dishwasher these days, it’s not just about clean dishes, sparkling glasses and avoiding the dreaded dishpan hands. Many people want a quiet, sleek-looking appliance that conserves energy at a decent price.
The Winning Models from  http://www.goodhousekeeping.com
ASKO (model D3530): Best Overall. The top performer of all the dishwashers tested, this model is very stylish, with stainless steel interior and hidden controls. The inside lights up, for easy loading and it also features fold-down tines (the prongs that stick up) and cup shelves. This model used less water than the other dishwashers tested, with only 11 gallons for normal and heavy duty cycles combined
KitchenAid, model KUDS01FLBL: The best thing about this model is that it’s easy to load. A removable and height-adjustable upper rack helps you fit big platter and pots, making it easy to load. A large flatware basket caddy provides space for long cooking utensils and a mesh sack can be filled with smaller items, such as measuring spoons or small lids.
Miele, model G892SC: This dishwasher works great for pots and pans. This stainless-steel dishwasher excels at scrubbing hard to clean casseroles and sauce pans. Glasses with milk crust came out virtually spotless. It also features a height-adjustable upper rack that makes way for big platters and pots.
Kenmore Elite, model 16482: This dishwasher seems to have baskets for everything, including knives, spatulas and serving spoons. Sensors detect the load’s size and soil level and then adjust water volume and temperature. Other special features include sanitizing rinse, delayed start and a child lock.
Frigidaire, model PLDB998CC: Great performer at great price. Out-cleaned many models that were more expensive. Can wash just upper or lower rack to save time and water if you have less than a full load. The water hits both top and bottom but more of it hits the top or the bottom, whichever you request. Other features include delayed start, high-temperature sanitizing rinse and child lock.

 

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CHOOSE A COOKTOP

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When choosing a new cooktop, keep your needs and lifestyle in mind. Cooktops have come a long way from the basic four-burner models. With all of the available features, deciding which cooktop is best for you will depend on the features you want and your budget. Cooktops are now available with smooth tops, grills, different burner configurations and much more.

General Cooktop Features

Many models of both gas and electric cooktops have the exact same countertop cutout, so planning and designing your new kitchen has never been easier:

  • Cooktops today are easier to clean, better looking and offer more cooking flexibility (more precise temperature control, for example) versus the cooktops from only a few years ago.
  • Ceramic cooktops are available in gas and electric.
  • The edge of the cooktop is frameless, so it won’t trap food and be difficult to clean.
  • Cooktops have available accessories, such as interchangeable burners and grids for grilling.
  • Downdraft exhaust is available on some electric and gas models. A downdraft cooktop is perfect for a kitchen island with no overhead exhaust.

Electric Cooktop Features

  • Smooth ceramic cooktops have a sleek appearance and offer easy cleanup.
  • Ceramic cooktops are available in a variety of colors to complement any kitchen design.
  • The ribbon elements on a smooth top cooktop heat as quickly as the old coil elements and some are adjustable in size. For example, an adjustable element can accommodate either large or small pans. A triple element can heat a large 9″ x 19″ griddle or casserole dish.
  • Some sealed ceramic cooktops can be recessed so they are virtually flush with the countertop.
  • An electronic touch-control cooktop is available with no knobs. The electronic touch-control makes this cooktop a great addition to your kitchen’s decor. This type of cooktop offers other features as well:
  • If an unoccupied element is left on, sensors in the cooktop will turn off the element.
  • Sensors adjust the size of the element to the size of pan being used.
  • The control-lock feature for the elements is a safety feature to prevent accidental activation.
  • A digital reminder timer alerts you when the cooking time has expired.

Gas Cooktop Features

  • Sealed surface burners contain spills for easy cleanup. Many cooktops are designed with the sealed burners recessed below the surface of the countertop.
  • Models are available with “gas-on-glass” where the sealed burner is mounted directly on the ceramic cooktop, offering easy cleaning of an electric smooth top with the performance of gas.
  • Sealed “simmer” burners allow you to cook delicate foods without using a double boiler.
  • Precise temperature controls allow you to control the temperature for every cooking need. You can even cook items at very low temperatures without scorching.
  • One or more sealed “high power” burners, up to 15,000 Btu’s, allow you to boil quickly or do other high temperature cooking like frying or cooking with a wok.
  • Cast-iron, porcelain enamel-coated grates are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

 

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TYPES OF DISHWASHERS

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Built-In Dishwasher

  • A built-in dishwasher is usually the standard 24-inch size, and it is built right into the kitchen cabinetry. Because this is the most common type of dishwasher, it offers the largest variety of models and upgrades.

Drawer Dishwasher

  • A drawer dishwasher has a separate upper and lower drawer; this replaces the upper and lower slide-out rack of a standard dishwasher. The drawers can be washed separately or together.

Integrated Dishwasher

  • Integrated dishwashers are designed to be hidden by a cabinet door. A cabinet door can be attached to the front, concealing the appliance.

Compact Dishwasher

  • A compact dishwasher is smaller than the average 24-inch sized dishwasher. Being only about 18 inches wide, a compact dishwasher can easily fit into a small kitchen. It comes in a variety of models such as Countertop, Portable and Slimline.

Stainless Steel Dishwasher

  • A stainless steel dishwasher may have only a stainless steel exterior, or it may have both an interior and exterior of stainless steel. Choosing an interior of stainless steel leads to less rusting and cracking. In addition, a higher water temperature can be tolerated which cleans dishes better.

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Pros and cons of induction ranges and cooktops

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Every induction range and cooktop Consumer Reports has tested—19 and counting—delivers fast cooktop heat and superb simmering. That’s because induction models have an electromagnetic field below the glass cooktop surface that quickly generates heat directly to the pan, offering you precise simmering and control. But induction models aren’t cheap, so here’s what you’ll want to know before you shop.

What induction is—and what it isn’t

The only difference between an induction and electric smoothtop model is that the surface elements on an induction model heat pots by using an electromagnetic field, rather than radiant heat, says Tara Casaregola, the engineer who conducts our tests of cooking appliances. The electromagnetic field doesn’t create a glow so you won’t know it’s on. That’s why manufacturers are adding virtual flames and other special lights as a cue. As for the range ovens, they use pretty much the same old technology for bake and broil elements, whether the range is an induction or electric smoothtop.

The induction advantage

Induction elements typically heat quickly and no other technology that we’ve tested is faster than the fastest induction elements, but we’re talking 2 to 4 minutes faster to bring 6 quarts of water to a near boil. Life changing? Probably not. However, if you turn on an induction element by mistake with no pot on it won’t get hot, and when you remove a pot from an element the heating stops. And an induction surface stays cooler than a radiant smoothtop, which should make cleaning up spills easier. But your pots will get very hot while cooking and that heat transfers from the surface below and around the pot. So if you’re using several induction elements the surface will heat up too.

You need the right cookware

Magnetic cookware, or more accurately, induction-capable, is needed for induction to work. If a magnet strongly sticks to the bottom of the pot, it will work with an induction cooktop. Some stainless-steel cookware is induction-capable, and some isn’t.

What’s that noise?

“A buzz or hum is common and often is louder at higher settings, says Casaregola. “And we often hear clicking of element electronics at lower settings and the sound of the cooling fan for the electronics.”

Dig out your dial thermometer

The magnetic field of an induction cooktop can interfere with a digital thermometer so you may need an analog thermometer, an old-fashioned solution to a modern problem.

 

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR KITCHEN APPLIANCES

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When updating a kitchen or laundry room, you’ll need to make important decisions about household appliances. Below are some factors that you should use to evaluate and compare different household appliances.

Appliance Energy Efficiency

It makes a great deal of sense to evaluate carefully your appliance choices according to energy efficiency.

For some appliances, you have a choice between natural gas or electricity as a power source. In general, gas is a less expensive source for any activity involving heating such as dryers, hot water heaters and furnaces. Even if your home is not currently hooked up to a gas line, check with the gas company before ruling out gas appliances. The utility company may be able to connect your home.

Energy efficiencies are also based upon the materials the appliance is made from. Different materials heat and cool at different rates. The amount and type of insulation used in the appliance is another important factor. The appliance labels should detail this information.

Appliance Size

Choosing an appliance that is the right size is important. In general, if energy is expended to accommodate a small, specific space, rather than a large one, energy savings will accrue. Most appliances come with energy labels. These are bright yellow labels that indicate the average total cost of energy the appliance consumes per year.

Finally, there is the issue of speed, the faster the machine completes its task the less time it consumes energy. This is one of the reasons that microwaves are so energy efficient.

 

Care and Maintenance Tips to Make Appliances Last

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Clean Refrigerator Coils

 

If your refrigerator stops working on a hot day, suspect the coils. Service pros find this problem on half of their refrigerator calls. On many fridges, you get to the coils by removing the front grille. Then push a coil cleaning brush (sold at home centers) into the coils, pull it back and vacuum it clean. If the coils are located on the back, pull out your fridge to clean them. Bonus: The clean coils will cool more efficiently and save you money on your utility bill!

 

Avoid Overloads

 

You may think you’re saving time, water or energy by cramming more clothes into your washer and dryer. But overloading any washer or dryer causes damage to motors, belts and other moving parts. Some of the repairs are so expensive that you’re better off buying a new machine.

Recalibrate Your Oven Temperature Setting

 

If the temperature in your oven seems off, or if your new oven just doesn’t heat like your old one, you can recalibrate the temperature setting. Use the instructions in your manual or go online and search for a downloadable version using your oven’s model number. Place a good-quality oven thermometer on the center shelf and wait for the oven to maintain a constant temperature. Then follow the procedure outlined in your manual to match the temperature setting to the thermometer reading.

Keep It Quiet

 

Washers and dryers transfer vibrations to floors and telegraph noise throughout the house. The solution is to set their feet on rubber anti-vibration pads (available at some home centers and online).

 

Keep the Dishwasher Clean

 

When your dishwasher no longer gets your dishes clean, a food-filled filter is most often to blame. If it’s clogged, water can’t make it to the spray arms to clean the dishes in the top rack. The fix takes two minutes. Simply pull out the lower rack and remove the filter cover inside the dishwasher. (Check your owner’s manual if you can’t spot the filter.) Then use a wet/dry vacuum to clean off the screen. While you’re there, slide the nearby float switch up and down. If the cover sticks, jiggle it up and down and clean it with water.

Don’t Slam the Doors!

 

If you continually drop or slam the lid to your washer or dryer (top or front load), you’re going to break the lid/ door switch. That’ll cost you at least $100. Avoid this repair by lowering the lid and gently closing the door.

Clean Window Air Conditioners in Spring

 

A window air conditioner can hold some nasty surprises after winter storage. Aside from harmless stuff like dust and dead bugs, it might contain health threats like mold or mouse droppings. So before you lug it to a window, vacuum all the surfaces, especially the fins on the exterior face of the unit (that’s good for efficiency and performance, too). Also pull off the cover panel, and vacuum and clean the foam filter. Finally, plug it in and fire it up. Better to blow dust around the garage than your bedroom.

Remember the Magic Button

 

All disposers have an overload feature that automatically shuts off the power when the motor becomes overloaded and gets too hot. Once the motor cools, simply push the reset button on the side of or under the unit.

Clean Up Stove Spills

 

If a stove burner won’t come on, the likely culprit is spilled food. Use a toothbrush to clean off food spills from the igniter. On an electronic ignition stove, it’s a little ceramic nub located either on the stovetop or under the ceramic seal strike plate. Also make sure that the round ceramic seal strike plate is properly seated on the burner.

Fight Stinky Fridge Syndrome

 

If your power goes out and the food in your fridge and freezer goes bad, you’ve got a really stinky mess on your hands. Here’s what to do to get rid of the smell:

  1. Remove the food and wipe everything down with a disinfecting cleaning spray.
  2. Clean all the nooks and crannies inside the freezer, especially the shelf supports.
  3. Smash about 12 charcoal briquettes and spread the chunks on two trays. One goes in the fridge, the other in the freezer.
  4. Crunch up newspaper and fill the shelves with it.
  5. Close the doors and walk away, giving the charcoal and newspaper time to absorb odors.
  6. Replace the old newspaper and charcoal with fresh stuff every day for about a week or until the smell is gone.

Electric Stove Burners Need Good Contact

 

If a burner on your electric stove isn’t working properly, turn the burner off and pull it out of its socket. Then plug it in again and wiggle it around. If it feels loose, remove the burner again and gently bend the burner prongs slightly outward for a tighter connection.

Clean Fridge Gaskets

 

If you keep your refrigerator door gaskets clean, they’ll seal properly and last the life of the fridge. But if you let sticky foods like syrup and jam build up on the door gasket, they’ll glue the gasket to the frame. Pulling harder on a stuck door eventually tears the gasket, and that’ll cost you $100 or more to fix. Plus, if the door doesn’t seal properly, the fridge has to run longer, and that’ll boost your electric bill. Clean the door gasket with warm water and a sponge. Don’t use detergents; they can damage the gasket.

Clean Out Disposer Crud

 

Your disposer will smell better if you clean the splash guard. Lift the flaps and scrub them (especially the under side) with a toothbrush and grease-cutting cleaner.

Heat Up a Lukewarm Dryer

 

If your clothes dryer isn’t heating properly, first make sure the machine isn’t set to “fluff air”—a nonheat setting. If that’s not it, the lint filter may be clogged. Even if the filter looks clean, it may be covered by a nearly invisible film caused by dryer sheets. Test your filter by pouring water into it. If the filter holds water, it’s past time to clean it. This film reduces airflow and forces the thermostat to shut off the heat before the clothes are dry. Pull out the filter and scrub it in hot water with a little laundry detergent and a stiff kitchen brush. Also check the outside dryer vent for any lint that may have built up there.

 

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TIPS FOR ELECTRIC STOVE REPAIR

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You can solve most electric range burner problems yourself and avoid the expensive service call. It’s quick and easy to replace a burner or bad burner socket.

Replace a bad burner or socket

Check the burner

Test the burner by replacing the burner that doesn’t work with one that you know does.

If one of your electric burners isn’t heating, it could be a bad burner, a bad connection in the burner socket or a faulty switch.

To see if the problem is the burner, exchange the burner with one that you know works. If that burner won’t heat, the problem is either the burner socket or the infinite switch. (The burner prongs plug into the burner socket.) Connections in the burner socket can burn out and fail to provide power. If the prongs look burned, inspect the socket. If the socket looks charred or burned, replace it.

CAUTION: Always unplug your electric range before working on it.

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HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR WASHER AND DRYER

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Left unattended, a burst washing-machine hose can spill hundreds of gallons of water an hour. Likewise, a dryer can erupt in flame if lint is allowed to build up inside the machine or its ducts. In 1999 (the most recent data available), dryers caused 14,600 fires, 20 deaths, and $86.8 million in property damage in the United States.

Preventing such mishaps is as easy as replacing a washer’s old rubber hoses, ideally with steel-jacketed ones that can’t split open. Or discarding the dryer’s flimsy — and flammable — vinyl duct and putting a metal one in its place. (Regular lint-trap cleaning, while necessary, won’t keep lint from collecting in the duct.)

Once you’ve made those two major upgrades, as shown on the following pages, get in the habit of checking hoses and cleaning ducts every six months or so. Hoses should be replaced every five years; tag them with the date you installed them so you won’t forget. Your appliances will last longer, run better, and use less energy. Here, Richie Isaacson of Affordable Appliance, in Randolph, Massachusetts, shows how to keep a washer and dryer running safely and efficiently.

Read more here

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