Easy Tips for Eliminating Dishwasher Odors

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How to Get Rid of the Smells in Your Automatic Dishwasher

If you notice a strange, alarming smell every time you open your automatic dishwasher, it’s time to take matters into your own hands. All kinds of food and debris can collect in your dishwasher, creating some truly nasty odors overtime. It’s important to clean out the interior of the appliance every once in a while to make sure that your family’s food is being disposed of properly. Use these DIY tips for removing offensive smells from your dishwasher.

Clean the Drain Filter

This filter is the exit point for all the food and liquid that you put into your dishwasher. Open your dishwasher and search for a small mesh contraption, usually found along the floor of the appliance. You’ll probably find something stuck to the inside of the filter. Thoroughly wash the drain filter in your sink until all the food and slimy residue has vanished.

Wipe Down Inside Surfaces

With all the splashing and spraying going on inside your dishwasher, it’s a wonder that the walls inside the appliance are ever clean at all. Occasionally, you might notice a few streaks of food or liquid dashed across the inside of the machine. Pull out the racks and quickly wipe down all the internal surfaces, including the walls, the floor, and the ceiling. Everything should be sparkling white when you’re finished.

Wash the Racks

While you have the dish racks out of the machine, you might as well rinse them off in your sink. Pay special attention to what’s underneath the racks, another common place where food residue can easily hide. Slide the racks back into the machine and see if your odor problems have vanished.

Run a Vinegar Cycle

As unpleasant as the smell of white vinegar can be, it can be effective when it comes to removing harsh smells. To start, make sure that there is nothing inside your dishwasher. Now add a small glass of white vinegar. 8 ounces should do the trick. Leave the glass standing up right instead of dumping the vinegar all over the inside of the machine. Now run the machine using a normal cycle. When the cycle is complete, all the vinegar should be gone along with all those nasty smells. If you still smell the vinegar, don’t fret. The scent of vinegar won’t linger for more than a few hours.

Toss in Some Baking Powder

You can also try tossing a handful of baking powder into the machine before your next load. Baking powder is considered an all-natural deodorizer, making it an excellent choice for your dishwasher. The baking powder should mix with the soap you use on your dishes to get rid of those unruly odors.

Contact Your Local Dishwasher Repair Man

If these strange smells persist, you might have a more serious problem on your hands. Contact your local appliance repair man for advice and assistance. They will inspect the parts of your dishwasher that might be malfunctioning such as the drain hose or the electrical connection.

Get in touch with the professionals at Absolute Appliances Repair for the best dishwasher repair in the San Francisco area.

How You Can Get the Most from Your Dishwasher

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A dishwasher is quite the investment, and as such, you want to make sure you’re getting every penny’s worth from it. Like many other appliances, your dishwasher may need repairs at some point during its lifetime. If yours does, Absolute Appliances Repair services San Francisco, Mill Valley, Marin County and many other locations. They offer washer repair, dryer repair and are able to service many other appliances – including dishwashers!

Did you know you can help preserve the lifespan and function of your dishwasher by performing regular maintenance and cleaning? Repairs and service may get expensive, but by following tips below, you can get the most from your dishwasher regardless of its age.

Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher in Tip-Top Shape

Your dishwasher deserves some TLC, just like your other appliances and electronics. If you’re noticing that a first run-through isn’t leaving your dishes with a sparkle, it may be time to make some adjustments. Rather than spending money on unnecessary repairs, why not try these tricks first?

  1. Keep the filter in your dishwasher clean. This is one item that many people tend to overlook in the hurry to get dishes loaded and into the wash cycle. The filter can easily get clogged with food and water deposits, which can definitely have an effect on how clean your dishes get during a typical wash cycle. Keep it clean and clear for optimal results.
  2. Scrape leftover food from your dishes, rather than pre-rinsing or soaking. You’ve probably heard that rinsing your dishes before running them through the dishwasher is a necessary part of the process. It’s not. Rinsing and/or soaking is a big waste of water, and you’d be better served to scrape your dishes thoroughly before putting them in the dishwasher. This also cuts down on the food and other dish grime that can gather on the filter.
  3. Always run hot water through your faucet before starting a dishwashing cycle. This is incredibly important, but is another tip that is easily overlooked or forgotten. Hot water helps kill bacteria on your dishes and inside the dishwasher much more effectively than cold or luke-warm water. Plus, hot water can help rinse your dishes cleaner as well.
  4. Consider having your water tested every so often. An issue many people may not think about, hard water can have negative effects on your dishwasher’s ability to thoroughly clean your dishes. It can also be bad for your dishwasher in general, leaving hard water deposits on moving parts and on the filter. Clean, balanced water is not only good for you and your family, but for the life of your dishwasher, too!

If you’ve tried these tips and are still having troubles, your best option for Bay Area appliance repair is Absolute Appliances Repair. Protect your investment. Take the proper steps to care for your dishwasher and keep it running.

Which Dishwasher Style Should You Choose?

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When it comes to choosing new appliances, making a final decision can be pretty daunting. Numerous brands and styles of washers, dryers, and refrigerators exist, but did you know that there are plenty of dishwashers to choose from too? Whether you’re choosing something brand new or one that may need dishwasher repair, navigating the sea of options can be difficult.

Understanding what each dishwasher style can offer is an important part of making a final decision. From traditional to drawer styles, each has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look at some of the different options.

So, just what are the options a consumer has to choose from today?

Built-In Under-the- Counter Dishwashers (Traditional Dishwashers)

This option is immobile and resides under the counter in a kitchen and can normally be found near the sink. It is incredibly convenient, allowing your kitchen sink to be used for other things as it washes dishes, thanks to the fact that it doesn’t need to be hooked up to the faucet to be used. It also never needs to be moved or put away.

There are negatives to closing the traditional dishwasher, however. This option almost always needs to be installed by a qualified plumber to avoid the chance of an accident. Not only do you have to buy the dishwasher, but you’ll likely have to pay a plumber as well.

Another negative point is that you may end up losing a good chunk of cupboard space to the dishwasher. The good news here is that there are smaller traditional dishwashers that can be installed. However, the tradeoff to a smaller dishwasher is that not as many dishes can be washed at once. It is also useful to remember when choose this option that, should you decide to sell your house and move, the dishwasher will likely stay with the house (meaning you may have to buy a new one after moving).

Drawer Dishwashers

Typically meant for use in a smaller household, these dishwashers come in single-drawer and double-drawer styles and are also permanently installed in a home. They are a more expensive option, but provide a fairly large amount of convenience (for example, you don’t have to bend over to insert dishes).

Drawer dishwashers allow for different wash cycles to be chosen, but are also meant for smaller dish loads in each cycle. This option typically a bit more energy efficient than a traditional dishwasher, which is great for those who re especially energy-conscious when it comes to home appliances.

Countertop Dishwashers

Fairly small and very mobile, a countertop dishwasher is the perfect option for smaller living spaces, such as studio apartments. They do not require installation of any kind and simply connect to your kitchen faucet with a simple and easy-to- use adapter. Countertop models are economical and typically work very well as long as dishes are rinsed before being washed.

This type of dishwasher easily sits on a counter or stable cart and runs as long as you have the faucet turned on. For those on a limited income or in a small home or apartment, a countertop dishwasher is a great option.

Choosing a dishwasher doesn’t have to be a stressful decision. By understanding your own needs and options, your decision can be made easier. The best advice is to understand your own living situation and do your research on the dishwasher models you are considering.

If ever (or whenever) you’re in the need for dishwasher repair, call Absolute Appliances Repair! Happy shopping!

Appliance Maintenance Tips to Keep Them Running Like New

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Save Money with These Appliance Maintenance Tips

Appliances are the vital organs of your kitchen. Without them, cooking meals at home would be next to impossible. Large items like your refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and the microwave cost a great deal of money. Considering how much you rely on these large pieces of equipment, it’s important to keep them running as efficiently as possible. Performing some routine maintenance will save you thousands of dollars in the years to come. Learn how to make the most of your kitchen appliances with these DIY maintenance tips.

Using Your Refrigerator Wisely

Most people tend to neglect the interior of their refrigerator, but all of those crusty containers of food are forcing your refrigerator to work overtime. It’s time to throw out the Chinese takeout that’s been sitting at the back of your fridge for months on end. Using drawers and shelf space wisely is one of the easiest ways to improve efficiency. Try not to overload your fridge either. The more food you add, the harder your fridge has to work every second of the day. Think of your fridge as a human being. Just like an obese person that’s at risk of heart failure, the cooling system in your fridge won’t last forever. Help your fridge drop a few pounds and clean out the interior regularly.

Keep Power Cords Tidy

The idea of inspecting the power cables on your appliances might sound frightening. The area behind your fridge or the stove probably hasn’t seen the light of day in over a decade. But cords tend to get bogged down by dust, dirt and all kinds of debris, making it that much harder for electricity to go from point A to point B. Take a deep breath and get behind those large-ticket items and start cleaning. Take a moist cloth and run it over the power cord on your refrigerator, microwave, washer and dryer, and the stove.

Lighten the Load for Your Dishwasher

You might be amazed with your dishwasher’s ability to gobble up and dispose of large bits of food, but your dishwasher doesn’t have the same rip-roaring power as your garbage disposal. Those hearty chunks of food will take a toll on your dishwasher overtime. Bits of food will jam the system in all sorts of places, leading to frequent clogs and poor drainage. Do your automatic dishwasher a favor and take a few seconds to rinse off your unwanted food in the sink. Your garbage disposal is much better equipped to take on those large chunks of food.

Address Spills and Messes Immediately

So your frozen pizza spilled some cheese on the oven floor. What’s the big deal? If you don’t clean up all of those splats and stains, your oven, microwave, or toaster oven will reheat those leftover pieces of food every time you need to cook something. For efficiency’s sake, wipe down the interior of your appliances on a regular basis. If you notice bits of sauce, a stray onion, or a clump of cheese sizzling on the oven floor, you might as well clean it up now instead of waiting until it’s black and crusted over.

If you’re having trouble with one of your appliances, contact Absolute Appliances Repair for fast, reliable in-home service today!

REPAIRING A DISHWASHER

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The control panels on the latest dishwashers can look intimidating.

They’re loaded with so many dials, push buttons, and other features that the machine looks too complex to repair. This is actually not the case. With the exception of the control panel, dishwashers haven’t changed much in basic design over the last two decades. You can repair most dishwasher malfunctions yourself, and we’ll discuss tips for do-it-yourself service and maintenance in this article.

Dishwasher parts can be replaced as a unit, which is often easier and less expensive than having a professional service person make repairs. If you aren’t sure a part is still usable, remove it from the dishwasher and take it to a professional for testing. You can then decide whether to buy a new part or have the old one repaired on the basis of the repair estimate.

Dishwashers usually run on 115-volt or 120-volt power. The water they use comes directly from the water heater, and wastewater is drained into the sink’s drainpipe. The dishwasher is not connected to the cold-water supply. For best dishwashing results, set the temperature control of the water heater to no less than 140 degrees Farenheit. Water cooler than this usually doesn’t get the dishes clean, unless your dishwasher is a newer model that preheats incoming water. The water shutoff for the dishwasher is typically located below the adjoining sink.

Caution: Because the dishwasher is connected to both the plumbing system and the electrical system, you must consider both systems when working on this appliance. Before doing any work on the dishwasher, make sure the unit is unplugged or the power to the unit is turned off, and remove the fuse or trip the circuit breaker that controls the circuit at the main entrance panel or at a separate panel. Shut off the water supply to the dishwasher at the shutoff in the basement or crawl space under the kitchen.

 

Home Appliances Tips

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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 home appliances tips:

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. 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 with 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.

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.

DISHWASHER NOT DRAINING

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Piston & Nut Assembly

Some models of dishwashers utilize a check valve as part of the drain sump. Within the check valve there is the piston and nut assembly. If your dishwasher is not draining water properly, the piston and nut assembly could be the source of the problem. This assembly is located on the bottom of the tub beneath the sump cover and is accessed by removing four screws. The piston and nut assembly should move up and down freely. When the piston is in the down position, it should form a tight seal. If it is not forming a complete seal, the dishwasher will not completely pump out the water and the piston and nut assembly will need to be replaced.

You should also check the body valve gasket to make sure it is fitting properly over the threaded portion of the piston and nut assembly and replace if damaged or worn.

Drain Pump & Motor

All dishwashers will have a method to drain the water. Most models will have a single motor driven pump with two separate compartments, one for circulation and one for drain, each with its own impeller. Other types will have a separate drain pump and some will utilize the main circulating pump in conjunction with a drain solenoid and diverter valve or flapper. On models that use a separate drain pump you should check to see if there is any obstruction to the input and output of the pump and also verify that there is power getting to the pump motor during the drain portion of the cycle. If both check ok, then you should replace the pump and motor assembly.

On models that use a drain flapper and solenoid, again you should check for any obstructions and verify that the solenoid is getting energized and that there is continuity. Use a multi-meter to make these tests. Check that the linkage operating the flapper or diverter is moving freely and replace any defective parts. On models that have a two section pump, the drain impeller may be at fault. First, verify that the motor is running in the proper direction. If the motor does not run, then check for power at the terminals on the motor. If voltage is not present, then you should check door switches, timer or electronic control as a possible cause. If proper voltage is present, then the motor windings could be open. If the motor is humming, then the problem could be that the drain impeller is jammed or the motor could be seized. If the motor is seized, then the motor or motor and pump assembly will need to be replaced. The electrical checks can be made with a multi-meter.

Disassembly of the pump will be required to determine if the impeller is the problem. The drain compartment is typically located beneath the circulating compartment. Remove the lower rack, spray arm, pump cover and filter assembly to gain access. Inspect the drain impeller for damage or wear and replace if required. Also check that the food chopper is in good condition and not allowing large food particles to clog the drain outlet, and that both the chopper and impeller are turning freely.

Check Valve Flapper

Some dishwasher models will use a check valve in the drain outlet. The check valve is used to allow water to flow in one direction but will prevent the dirty water from re-entering the dishwasher. The valve is normally a rubber flapper that is located on the outlet port of the drain pump or housing. If you suspect that the drain hose has a restriction or if you find that waste water is getting back into the dishwasher tub, then the check valve is most likely the problem. The flapper valve should fully open during the drain portion of the cycle but should close the opening to the pump outlet when in the wash or circulation portion of the cycle. If there are no foreign objects restricting this action, then the check valve should be replaced.

Belt

Some older dishwashers may use a belt driven pump. If the belt has come off or is slipping then the pump that drains the dishwasher won’t function properly. Inspect the belt for signs of wear or stretching and replace if required.

Timer

Some dishwashers will use a mechanical timer to operate the cycles. The timer controls the main pump motor as well as the drain solenoid or separate drain pump motor if your model has that style. The timer is normally located in the control panel at the top of the dishwasher door. You will require a wiring diagram and schematic to identify the correct timer contacts that control the drain cycle. These can then be checked for continuity with a multi-meter and if defective then the timer will need to be replaced.

Drain Hose

A dishwasher will not drain properly if it has a restricted or clogged drain hose. Restrictions typically appear most often at the outlet from the pump or drain housing where a check valve may be located, at the input to the household drain system or anywhere that a kink may have formed in the drain hose. If food debris has caused a restriction, then you should check the condition of the food chopper as a possible source of the problem. If the hose has developed a kink it should be replaced and the new hose should be supported well enough to prevent any new kinks from forming.

More Repair Parts

We’ve identified the most common parts that can cause a dishwasher to stop draining, but there are other parts that could be at fault. If you are unable to fix your dishwasher with the information above, enter your model number into the search box for additional repair help. Searching with your model number will give you access to all parts and schematics, symptoms for your specific dishwasher as well as all installation instructions and videos.

Call Absolute Appliance Repair NOW if you have any problems with your dishwasher!

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WHO INVENTED dishwasher

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By definition the kitchen is a room used for food preparation that is typically equipped with a stove, a sink for cleaning food and dish-washing, and cabinets and refrigerators for storing food and equipment. Kitchens have been around for centuries, however, it was not until post-civil war period that the majority of kitchen appliances were invented. The reason was that most people no longer had servants and housewives working alone in the kitchen needed culinary help. Also the advent of electricity greatly advanced the technology of labor saving kitchen appliances.

Dishwasher

Everything changed thanks to Joel Houghton, who patented a wooden machine with a hand-turned wheel that splashed water on dishes, in 1850. This was hardly a workable machine, but it was the first patent. This was just the beginning, though, and advancements came pretty fast. Thus, in 1865, L.A. Alexander obtained a patent for a device that used a hand crank and gearing to spin a rack of dishes through the dishwater. Again, this didn’t do to much to clean dirty dishes.In 1886, Josephine Cochrane (granddaughter of John Fitch, the inventor of the steamboat) proclaims in disgust “If nobody else is going to invent a dishwashing machine, I’ll do it myself.”And she did, Cochrane invented the first practical dishwasher. She was a rich woman who had a lot of dinner parties. She had servants to wash her dishes but she wanted a machine that could do the job faster without breaking so many. So, she built a dishwasher herself!First, she measured her dishes and then built wire compartments – each specially designed to fit plates, cups, and saucers. The compartments fit in a wheel that lay flat inside a copper boiler. A motor turned the wheel, while hot soapy water squirted up from the boiler and rained down on the dishes. She unveiled her invention at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, and won its highest award.

Cochrane’s friends liked her dishwasher, and soon, Mrs. Cochrane was getting orders for the machine from restaurants and hotels around Illinois. She patented the design and went into production. Her company is now the well-known upscale kitchenware corporation KitchenAid. Other companies made dishwashers for restaurants and caterers that were powered by steam. They worked by passing the dirty dishes under jets of hot water using a conveyor belt or spinning basket which were inefficient. It was not until the 1950s, when dishwashers became cheaper and smaller, that they caught on with the general public.Models installed with permanent plumbing arrived in the 1920s. In 1937, William Howard Livens invented a small dishwasher suitable for home. It had all the features of a modern dishwasher, including a front door for loading, a wire rack to hold crockery and a rotating sprayer. Electric drying elements were added in 1940.
Adoption was greatest at first in commercial environments, but by the 1970s dishwashers had become commonplace in domestic residences in the US.


Got a Dishwasher Problem?
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DISHWASHERS

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Most of the energy used by a dishwasher is for water heating. The EnergyGuide label estimates how much power is needed per year to run the appliance and to heat the water based on the yearly cost of natural gas and electric water heating.

DISHWASHER WATER-SAVING TIPS
  • Check the manual that came with your dishwasher for the manufacturer’s recommendations on water temperature; many have internal heating elements that allow you to set the water heater in your home to a lower temperature (120° F).
  • Scrape, don’t rinse, off large food pieces and bones. Soaking or pre-washing is generally only recommended in cases of burned- or dried-on food.
  • Be sure your dishwasher is full (not overloaded) when you run it.
  • Avoid using the “rinse hold” on your machine for just a few soiled dishes. It uses 3-7 gallons of hot water each use.
  • Let your dishes air dry; if you don’t have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open slightly so the dishes will dry faster.
LONG-TERM SAVINGS TIP

When shopping for a new dishwasher, look for the ENERGY STAR label to find one that uses less water and energy than required by federal standards. They are required to use 4.25 gallons of water per cycle or less — older dishwashers purchased before 1994 use more than 10 gallons of water per cycle.

Appliance Tips

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Appliance Tip #1:

For best dryer performance and to prevent possible fire, inspect outside vent weekly for lint obstruction and good air flow.

Appliance Tip #2: 

For best dishwasher performance, run water at the kitchen sink until hot just before starting your dishwasher.  It’s also best to use soft water for improved washability as well as increasing the life of your appliance.

Appliance Tip #3: 

Using a small nylon mesh laundry bag for small articles, such as children socks, etc can prevent such items from entering your wash pump and causing damage.  Always carefully check pockets and remove all items before washing such as keys, hair pins, safety pins, coins etc.

Appliance Tip #4: 

Using too much fabric softener can cause a build up over time that can actually affect your dryer’s performance. If using liquid fabric softener in the washer, use a very small amount, diluted. If your choice is a dryer sheet,  appliance manufacturers now recommend cutting the dryer sheet in half. Not only will your dryer be happier, you’ll save money, too.

Appliance Tip #5: 

Adding a product called “Finish Glass Magic” to your dishwasher may increase the cleaning performance.  Pour “Finish Glass Magic” into the bottom of the dishwasher tub.  Then, add your favorite detergent to the dispenser as you normally would.  There are several Finish products, but it must have the words “Glass Magic” on the box. Recently, phosphates have been removed from all dishwasher detergents and many people are calling us to report that their dishwasher is no longer getting dishes clean and/or leaving a white residue on dishes, particularly plastic items. You may need to soak the items in a vinegar solution to remove the residue.  Then, use the “Finish Glass Magic” with each wash.  Another product that is very useful with kitchen and laundry appliances is “20 Mule Team Borax”.  Simply pour 1/4 cup of “20 Mule Team Borax” in the bottom of the dishwasher tub for each load.