How does a dishwasher work from the inside?

The modern market offers a huge selection of dishwashers that differ in manufacturer, blocks, sensors and additional options.

Regardless of the developer company, be it Bosch, Indesit, Electrolux, Hans or Ariston, the general principle of operation remains the same, with the exception of some points specific to specific models.

Below we will consider how dishwashers function, what structural elements they consist of, what problems may arise during operation, and how to solve them.

Dishwasher operation from the inside

How efficiency is achieved

A dishwasher is a modern technique that allows you to wash many dishes at the same time without the use of manual labor. Purity is achieved through effective removal of contaminants and a large selection of programs.

Inside the PMM, the dishes are additionally disinfected, which cannot be achieved with a regular wash in hot water.

In addition, during high-temperature processing, all harmful microorganisms that may appear on the surface are removed.

To start the process, just load the dishes into special containers, select one of the available programs and wait for it to complete.

The average consumption for washing 15-16 sets of dishes is from 10 to 14 liters.

How PMM works

The principle of operation of the PMM is simple, but involves the passage of several steps.

Dishes are cleaned according to the following algorithm:

1. Putting dishes in a special compartment, pouring detergent and choosing the right program.
2. A set of PMM of the required volume of liquid through the tubes and the valve.
3. Heating water using a heating element to the required temperature.
4. The intake of the required volume of the detergent composition during the washing process, followed by spraying the foam composition onto the plates.
5. Drainage of dirty liquid with further pumping out using a pump through a hose and into the sewer.
6. Repeated washing and draining process.
7. Rinse already washed dishes by spraying liquid.
8. Drying with a stream of hot air using a fan or a condensing device.

Details of how the dishwasher works from the inside are shown in the photo gallery below.

The principle of washing and rinsing is identical in almost all dishwashers, but drying can be condensing, turbocharged or intensive.

The faster this process occurs, the higher the cost. Many compare the operation of such a device with a washing machine, with the only difference being that instead of a drum, a rack is used to install dishes.

Device and main components

A dishwasher is a complex machine made up of many components.

Its main details include:

• Control Panel;
• inner chamber (closed hermetically);
• sprayer blocks;
• pumps for returning the flowing liquid to the sprayers and draining into the sewer;
• containers for detergents, softener and rinse aid;
• dish basket;
• stand for glasses;
• temperature sensor;
• filter elements for water / wastewater treatment;
• heater;
• float switch;
• power cord;
• tubes;
• water inlet valve;
• pressure switch (water level sensor);
• lamp.

These are the main components of the PMM, but the list may vary depending on the model.

If we talk about the internal working part, the main elements include:

• the dishwasher case, made of stainless steel, has a small thickness;
• filter system located at the bottom of the tank and under the lattice glass;
• dish basket;
• rocker arms for distributing fluid under pressure;
• compartment for loading detergents;
• sealing gum and lamp.

Without the elements discussed above, the PMM will not be able to work, but the set of equipment may change.

Additional Items

A modern dishwasher is also equipped with other components that ensure its performance.

The control function falls on the automation unit, which controls the operation of the pumps, the heater and the valve.

It receives information from sensors that monitor the functioning of various elements of technology and give signals.

The number and composition of sensors may vary depending on the manufacturer.

The main measuring component is the temperature sensor. Thanks to the information supplied from it, the control unit maintains the optimal mode inside the machine and controls the operation of the heating element.

Additionally, sensors can be installed that study the composition of water (degree of hardness), measure the temperature in the room, fix the fact of the presence and amount of detergent, as well as other points.

The above sensors make the PMM work more efficient. The more information the control unit receives, the more accurately it adjusts the dishwashing mode.

What can and cannot be washed

PMM is able to cope with washing any dishes, be it plates of different depths, pots, cups, spoons, forks, pans and much more.

But there are a number of products that are not allowed to be placed in the dishwasher.

This category includes:

• steel, wood and glued objects;
• antiques;
• aluminum products that can oxidize;
• crystal (allowed with special care);
• porcelain products with a pattern that is not intended for high temperatures;
• plastic items that do not have appropriate marks;
• dishes with inserts made of copper, wood, pewter or mother-of-pearl;
• cast iron cookware;
• kitchen knives (due to the risk of damage to the PMM);
• items with stickers;
• silver products (darken quickly);
• sponges for the kitchen

In parallel, consider what can be washed in the dishwasher:

• glass, copper, stainless and ceramic dishes;
• Silicone forms;
• juicer;
• cupronickel spoons and forks;
• porcelain products without a pattern;
• enameled metal items.

Note that plastic dishes can only be washed if they are reusable and have appropriate marks on the surface.

Some manage to use PMM for non-purpose use and wash potatoes and other vegetables in the car. But with this use case, you need to be careful not to harm the device.

How long does it take to wash dishes

The average wash time ranges from 25 minutes to 2,5 hours. When using pre-soak and rinse, the operating time is increased by a quarter of an hour.

In addition, if you select a high temperature, it may take longer to wash the dishes.

When determining a suitable option, one must proceed from the PMM modes. They may vary by brand/model.

Most often, dishwashers have the following modes:

• intensive – for washing very dirty dishes, implies a temperature of 70 degrees and a time of 1 hour;
• normal – in addition to the main wash, drying and rinsing are added;
• economical – 2 hours, copes with ordinary pollution;
• fast – 0,5 hours, cleans dishes that are not too dirty.

After finishing work, wait a while for the dishes to reach room temperature.

Washing stages

The whole process takes place in four stages:

1. First, the largest food residues are removed from its surface.
2. In the second step, the temperature increases and the detergents come into play.
3. At the third stage, the dishes are rinsed with clean water.
4. On the fourth – dried.

Drying speed can reach 20-30 minutes depending on the type. Note that below we will talk about the built-in PMM. The desktop model will be considered separately.

Loading dishes

To get started, remove the remnants of food from objects, then put it in the PMM. Try to stack the dishes as compactly as possible so that they do not interfere with the operation of the equipment.

If you forgot to put something, you can open the door and add the necessary items. After a while, the washing process starts automatically.

During download, pay attention to the maximum limit set by the manufacturer. The necessary information can be found in the operating instructions.

Deviation from the stated parameters can lead to overload and, consequently, a deterioration in the quality of the wash.

Program selection

The next step is to decide on the program. The best option is ECO (economical) mode, which allows you to reduce water consumption.

If the dishes are too dirty, it is better to give preference to “intensive washing”.

If there are fragile products in the basket, it is advisable to select the delicate mode. Its peculiarity is that the temperature of the water rises during the first rinse.

It is suitable for cases where there are products of different type / material inside.

Do not rush to open the PMM immediately after the cycle is completed. It is necessary to wait another 25 minutes until the temperature of the dishes drops.

Set and preparation of water

After loading and turning on the dishwasher begins to draw liquid.

First, cold water enters, but some models can be immediately connected to hot water to save on the operation of the PMM heating element.

The liquid passes through the ion exchanger, is purified from impurities and softened. For greater efficiency, water is mixed with detergent, which is added to special compartments.

After a set of liquid, it is heated to the desired temperature using a heating element or a flow heater. Its feature consists in uniform and fast heating of water.

The main disadvantage of such a heating element is the waste of a larger amount of energy. The advantage is that if the heater fails, it will be easy to change it.   

Spraying prepared cleaning solution

After heating and preparation, pressurized water is sent to the sprinklers from above and below. Some PMMs have such sprayers on the sides.

Inside, the structure rotates with water supply to different zones to clean all the dishes. At the same time, there is not a single “dead zone” where water would not reach.

Thanks to a powerful stream, all food remains are removed from the dishes. Dirty liquid collects on the bottom, passes through the filter element and is fed back to the dishes.

The number of such procedures depends on the chosen program.

At the end of the wash, dirty water is drained into the sewer, and at the next step, the system collects clean water.

Rinsing

After the end of the wash, the PMM proceeds to the rinsing stage. To do this, water is mixed with liquid rinse aid, and then sent through the same sprinklers to the dishes.

At this stage, the remaining dirt and detergent are washed off the products. The number of rinses may vary depending on the program selected. Most often it is performed once or twice.

After washing is completed, dirty water goes into the sewer system.

How does the dishwasher dry

At the final stage, the dishes are dried, which can be of several types:

1. Condensing.
2. Intensive.
3. Turbocharged.

Let’s take a brief look at the features of each option.

In pursuit of the client, many manufacturers introduce author’s types of drying. For example, Electrolux calls this process AirDry.

The bottom line is that after the completion of each program, the doors open by 10 cm to dry the machine with natural ventilation.

As for Siemens and Bosch, these manufacturers have introduced Zeolith Airflow and Zeolith Drying technology.

The first ensures the correct distribution of the flow during drying, and the second turns the water into thermal energy. As a result, electricity is saved and the drying process is accelerated.

How a tabletop dishwasher works

The tabletop dishwasher comes in a full size and compact design. The latter have a size of 44 to 60 cm, depending on the model.

Additionally, legs with a height of 60 mm are provided.

They are suitable for a small family of 1-2 people. There are also models that can wash up to six to eight sets of dishes at a time.

One set includes three plates of different sizes, a pair of cups, a glass and five cutlery.

When choosing a compact desktop PMM, you need to take into account that the simultaneous loading of pots and dishes is not provided here.

Such models come in seven consumption classes – from A to G. The most economical first three are A, B and C. The middle-level classes are D and E, and the most uneconomical classes are F and G. The number of programs in such devices is from 4 to 9.

Features of the famous brands Electrolux, Bosch, Indesit, Hansa, Ariston

Regardless of the manufacturer, when choosing a PMM model, you must read the instruction manual. It contains the rules for using the dishwasher, describes the technical characteristics, programs and other features.

Despite the general principle of operation for all devices, the functions and characteristics of different models differ.

This is due to the desire of manufacturers to increase the number of buyers for their equipment.

The distinctive features of models from Electrolux, Bosch, Indesit, Hans, Ariston include the presence / absence of the following nodes:

1. Heat exchanger. Allows you to significantly save electricity for drying.
2. Water sensor. Controls the purity of the supplied liquid and gives a command to the main unit if it does not meet the requirements.
3. Drying sensor. Determines the drying efficiency of dishes.
4. Sensor. Controls the presence of detergent in a special container and informs in case of its absence.
5. Special mount. Designed for glasses and dishes of increased fragility.
6. Turbo drying. Provides almost instantaneous removal of moisture from the dishes inside the PMM.
7. Backlight. Turns on automatically when you open the door and allows you to see what’s going on inside.
8. Clear glass. Used as a decorative element.
9. Projector. Displays information about the remaining time for the floor.

As you can see, there are many differences that you should pay attention to when choosing.

For example, let’s compare two PMMs — Electrolux ESL94510LO and Bosch SMS44GW00R.

How Aquastop works in PMM

The task of the aquastop system in the dishwasher is to stop the water supply when a leak is detected. The main control element is the float, which is located on the bottom of the PMM.

If a pipeline is damaged and water appears in the “bath”, the float rises, the contact closes, and the water supply is closed.

The overlapping function falls on the inlet valve, which is installed at the inlet.

Structurally, aquastop consists of the following elements:

1. An external valve operating on an electromagnetic or mechanical principle. In the normal position, it is open, but when a leak occurs, it closes.
2. Internal valve.
3. Flexible tube for water supply.
4. Protective case.
5. Tray with float mechanism.
6. Wires.
7. microswitch. Gives a command to close the water.

Many people ask why manufacturers do not provide such a valve in the PMM itself.

This is necessary for greater security. So, if the supply hose is damaged, the microsensor gives a command to close. But since the valve is at the inlet, the water continues to flow, and this is fraught with flooding of your home and neighbors.

What are dishwasher detergents?

The first PMM models were loaded with ordinary powders. They washed the dishes well, but left streaks and traces on it.

Today, more advanced options have appeared – capsules, gels and tablets.

Let’s briefly consider the features of each type in more detail.

Powder

A special container is used for dosing. The advantage is low price, excellent cleaning properties and relatively low consumption.

On sale you can find a large selection of powders that differ in composition. Many models are equipped with rinse aids and salt.

When buying a product without additives, it is better to use special ingredients to increase the washing efficiency.

Capsules

A modern dishwashing detergent that simultaneously provides care for PMM. Instructions for using capsules are most often printed on the packaging with the product.

Regular use of the capsules helps to protect the dishwasher from the accumulation of limescale, mold or white film on the inside of the equipment.

Of the minuses of the tool is the high price, so not every owner of a household device can afford such expenses.

Gels

Most housewives prefer the use of assisted detergents. They easily cope with dirt on dishes, are economical and do not have abrasive properties.

Such products work well with dirt on thin and expensive glass and porcelain products.

When using a quick wash, it is best to use gels.

Pills

They are in the greatest demand among buyers. The composition includes rinse aid elements and salt.

Advantages – high-quality cleaning of dishes and care for PMM. No need to measure the dosage, because the manufacturers have already calculated everything for the buyer. Just add a tablet and close the door.

But there are also disadvantages. This form of detergent is not suitable for quick washing, because it takes a long time to dissolve the tablet.

In addition, tablets often contain phosphates, which can be a disadvantage for allergy sufferers.

We must not forget about another important factor – the relatively high price.

For convenience, we present some criteria in the table.

When choosing a detergent, please note that the use of conventional gels used for washing dishes is unacceptable. It is better to buy special products that contain enzymes.

Such additives easily wash ceramic products, glass or metal utensils.

When buying a PMM product, look at the composition so that it does not contain chlorine, phosphate or other aggressive components. They can adversely affect the life of the equipment.

Also, do not forget about the need to reduce the level of water hardness and do not buy products of dubious quality.

How the pill works

For example, consider how a tablet works in PMM. Depending on the manufacturer and type, such products differ in composition and have a different effect on the dishes, but the main functions are identical in all cases.

As a rule, the composition of the tablets includes detergent, rinse aid and softening salt.

May contain additional ingredients that have the following effect:

• protection of metal from rust;
• prevention of darkening of silver;
• destruction of bacteria;
• disinfection;
• defoamers;
• whitening;
• flavors, etc.

The tablet is inserted into a special compartment and stays there until the PMM requires it to be added to the liquid. On the fact of the command, the product falls out into the working compartment and dissolves.

First, salts and detergent are released. This process continues throughout the entire period of operation of the machine. At the end of the wash, the red ball (third layer) splits.

One of the problems associated with the tablet is the difficulty in opening the compartment, its jamming. In this case, the dishes are washed without a special detergent, which falls out after the end of the program.

In normal mode, the average consumption is one tablet for 10-15 sets of dishes. In the presence of a small PMM, half of the funds may be enough.

When using such a detergent, please note that the duration of the dishwasher should be 60 minutes or more. This is due to the long dissolution time of the tablet.

So that such detergents do not lose their effectiveness, they must be stored in a dry place that is inaccessible to children.

If such products come into contact with water or are exposed to high humidity, there is a high risk of damage to the equipment.

The Importance of Proper Use of Salt

When using PMM, it is necessary to understand the difference between sodium regeneration salt and detergent compositions. These funds are poured into individual containers and perform different functions.

So, detergent is poured into a container on the lid, and salt is poured into a special compartment on the bottom of the chamber.

For convenience, you can buy tablets, which already have everything you need. They are installed in the PMM hatch and provide the necessary amount of salt during washing.

If the water is too hard, the available volume may not be enough. In this case, the use of a salt ion exchanger is mandatory. Otherwise, the machine will not work for a long time.

The purpose of the salt is to soften the incoming water and remove deposits from the heater. In addition, the presence of salt protects cutlery from the appearance of white plaque.

The dishwasher is provided with an ion exchanger, with a resin consisting of NaCl. Water entering the machine is passed through this node.

Here a chemical transformation takes place, namely the replacement of K (potassium) and Mg (magnesium) by Na (sodium) ions. Thanks to this feature, the appearance of scale in the PMM and streaks on the surface of the dishes is excluded.

As soon as the exchanger runs out of sodium, it needs to be updated. At the same time, the use of edible salt for these purposes is prohibited.

The only exception is the EXTRA product, which is produced in the form of large crystals. But it is better to give preference to special formulations with sodium chloride.

The time for which salt reserves are enough depends on the settings of the PMM. In some devices, this setting is configured independently. After that, it is necessary to control the composition of the incoming liquid and change the previously established characteristics.

To avoid such difficulties, it is better to choose a dishwasher model in which the sensor is mounted.

Important operating rules

When using PMM, you must know the rules of operation and strictly follow them.

The main issues are discussed in the manufacturer’s instructions, but there are a number of points that are identical for all types of such devices:

1. Place cups and glasses upside down in the basket. In this case, the jets enter the internal cavities faster. In addition, with this arrangement, it drains better.
2. Devices made of thin plastic, when dried with hot air, can melt and damage the PMM.
3. When laying the dishes, make sure that nothing interferes with the movement of the nozzles. Otherwise, they can damage various elements of the machine.
4. The appearance of water with food residues on the bottom of the PMM indicates contamination of the drainage filter. To protect the device from such problems, it is necessary to periodically clean this element. To do this work less often, try to scrape off large food debris from the surface of the plates.
5. Washing glass and crystal is possible only if a special program is provided for them.
6. When placing sharp objects, place them in the special compartments or the top box. It is important that the dishes do not interfere with the movement of the rocker.
7. Do not open the door immediately after washing is completed. Allow some time for the dishes to cool.
8. Please note that the use of manual dishwashing detergent may cause excessive foaming in the PMM compartment. This, in turn, can damage the equipment.
9. Don’t overload your equipment. The specifications for the model should indicate how many kits can be loaded at a time.
10. Follow the indication. Modern devices themselves will tell you when you need to add salt or other components.
11. Control the filtration system and clean it of everything unnecessary. This also applies to loading baskets, which also need to be cleaned periodically.

Detailed recommendations for the care of PMM should be in the manufacturer’s instructions.

Possible problems during operation

The dishwasher is a complex mechanism, so failures of certain components are not so rare.

In most cases, this occurs after several years of operation or in violation of the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Let’s highlight the most popular problems and ways to solve them:

1. The program starts, the light is on, and water is poured. It seems that PMM washes dishes, but in fact this does not happen. The reason may be that the filter on the bottom or the nozzles that distribute water to the dishes are dirty. In more complex cases, the malfunction may be hidden in damage to the pump. And if the filter and nozzles can be cleaned on their own with a toothbrush, you will have to call the master to repair the motor.
2. Water overflows. This happens when the sensor located on the bottom of the PMM is damaged. The product is beyond repair, so the only solution is replacement.
3. Water is poured, but the machine is turned off. The probable cause is damage to the valve, which is closed when the PMM is turned off. The only solution is to replace the failed node.
4. Fluid does not drain. A common explanation is pump damage. If only part of the water is leaving, inspect the hose to make sure it is properly connected. Also make sure there is no debris in the drain pump.
5. Filling the PMM with cold water. Check the health of the heater, the pressure level in the chamber and the sensor that controls the temperature of the liquid.
6. The machine does not take detergent. Inspect and clean the injectors. Also make sure the water pressure is normal. Perhaps this parameter is not enough to obtain the desired amount of detergent.
7. Electric shocks. The cause may be damage to the heater. Inspect the heating element and change it if damage is detected.
8. Increased noise. Check the motor, bearings or seal, which may be sources of loud noise.
9. Leak. Inspect the connections: tubes, hoses, side tank and door seal.

If damage is found, it is best to act immediately and fix the problem. If you cannot diagnose a breakdown, call the master and entrust the repair to a specialist. Alternatively, you can call the repair shop.

Experienced employees of service centers can suggest a possible cause of a breakdown already by the symptoms and indications of the PMM.

Also, the main malfunctions and ways to eliminate them can be described in the operating instructions.