How do I empty the rinse aid dispenser?

[jeffg]

We just got a new portable dishwasher (Kenmore #17702K / 665.17702K600). My partner made the mistake of pouring in the bottle of rinse aid that came with the dishwasher, and now our water tastes and smells like rinse aid. I really don't want to just wait until it runs out (there was enough for 40 loads, according to the bottle).

If I unscrew the clear plastic knob on the dispenser (where you add the rinse aid) and run it through a wash cycle, will that empty out the reservoir? If not, is there another way to do it?

Thanks as always.

 

[jeffg]

BTW here's a link to the model we have:

Shop: Appliances, Tools, Clothing, Mattresses & More

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www.sears.com

 

[drhardee]

Jeff,
Rinse aid should not be making your glassware or water taste like anything! If the dosage on the dispenser is selectable, try turning it down to a lower dispense setting. Leaving the cap off of the dispenser would drain the rinse agent out of the dispenser, but would probably foam up your dishwasher! Try using a turkey baster to suck up the rinse agent.

Your new dishwasher won't dry as well without rinse agent; there is a reason for it's use in modern dishwashers, especially those without exposed heating elements. I'm not certain if your Sears DW is one of those.

 

[jeffg]

Thanks for the advice on the turkey baster, it got most of it out and then we ran a cycle with the dispenser cap off.

As far as we can tell dosage isn't adjustable (the cap is screwed on all the way), but believe me there's a thin film of it on the surface of liquids that wasn't there prior to adding the rinse aid, and water has a faint soapy taste.

The dishwasher has an exposed heating element. Also we have a whole-house water softener that takes care of possible spotting problems. Even without a rinse aid, we can take glassware out a few seconds after the last rinse and they're perfectly dry. My partner added it just because he thought he was supposed to, not because we needed it.

Anyway thanks again!

 

[gansky1]

I have heard of people with softened water diluting their rinse aid before putting in the machine and getting perfect results. If you're happy with the glassware at the end of the cycle in your machine, it sounds like you're done and don't have to worry about this again!

I've been using Somat rinse agent (German product sold by Miele in the U.S.) and love it. Clear and unscented, there is no residue of any kind.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I had that problem when I tried a bottle of lemon scented rinse fluid. The sports bottles absorbed the flavor; UGH! For anyone else who needs to empty a rinse fluid reservoir, a plastic hypodermic syringe works great, but it won't reach the bottom of the little tank. Go to a pet store and buy a package of the micro size air line. You only need a short length of it; an inch is plenty. Soften one end in very hot water so that it will fit onto the syringe's male fitting then just suck the stuff up and squirt it into the bottle.

 

[laundromat]

Film problem probably from Cascade brand detergent.

When I got my first dishwasher(GE Potscrubber 1974 basic model)it came with a free box of Cascade.We kept our water heater set at 130 degrees because we were kids and our parents were afraid we'd get sculded if it was set any higher.Anyway,we did our first load of dishes which realy came clean but the clear glassware and jars had a film like streaks on them and it wouldn't just rinse off.We found out later from our GE service tech that Cascade was the culprit and he recomended Electrosol as well as a higher setting for our hot water.We did that and never had that problem again. We set the water heater to 150 degrees and stopped using Cascade.I personaly have used Electrosol ever since and I've had all sorts/brands of dishwashers.I am currently using Electrosol tablets(not the gel type)and the original type of Jet Dry(not lemon or any other scent)in blue.My dishes and glassware come out sparkling clean!No film,no spots!!

 

[mrcleanjeans]

How about a Shop Vac?

 

[andrewinorlando]

I find the same problem with JetDry...I can taste it in the glasses, even with a minimal dose, so I never use rinse aids of any kind. I have no spotting problems either, but I'd live with the spots over the objectionable taste.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

rinse aid without issues

I have a Kenmore dishwasher and I use cascade platinum rinse aid without any issues. rinse aid does get diluted as it is being dispensed. it could be how the machine is designed or how the spray zones are aimed towards the dispensers and throughout the tub. just my opinion.

 

[whatsername]

12 year old thread... check the dates next time and consider if a thread really needs to be unarchived.