Auto D/W Detergent that does not Etch??

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michaelman2

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Anyone know of a powder detetgent that will not etch glassware? I know that Cascade makes a rinse agent that according the the hype eliminates etching. Was wondering if there were a powder (I have to use that in my machine) that is safer?...
 
Re: Powder Dishwasher Detergent:

I've not really experienced washing real Fine China, Crystal or very Fancy Dishes/Glasses for quite some time, but my most recent Powdered Dishwasher Detergent I've been using is Wal-Mart's Great Value. It is also listed by Consumer's Reports as a "Best-Buy" Dishwasher Detergent. It is also quite reasonably priced as well. It washes real well and I really don't notice even any Etching problems on my Dishes/Glasses that I normally wash, as mentioned being not Fancy or China or even Crystal.

I hope that this helps you, "BTW" what Brand, Model and how old is your Dishwasher?

Peace and Happy Dishwasher Dishwashing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
 
Please

When you figure it out share the secret. The glasses in our bar are looking bad. I've cut back to practically using just plain water. I havnt noticed it on anything else except the bar ware. I did try some cascade rinse agent but I think the damage is too far done. Oh well at about $8-10 for a case of 12 i'll put it on my b-day wish list.

Scott
 
I have heard that dishwasher detergents etch because - The dishes aren't dirty enough! The lye in the detergent attacks the soil and if the soil isn't there it will attack anything else. So put some gravy in your glasses and I think you might be fine. Nep
 
Etching

Etching is sometimes caused by soft water and too much detergent. We have a water softener, and I try and use half the amount of detergent. Also, I have noticed etching on every day glasses when I used the Sani cycle or Sani Rinse, the cause is that the water is too hot along with too much detergent. I have also used Amway dishwasher detergent with good results, but no longer can find a distributor. I also agree with Steve, (sacto teddy bear) that the Wal-Mart brand is very good. If you water is soft, try cutting back on the amount of detergent. Jet Dry or Cascade Rinse Agent also helps.
 
super32-- I buy all my glassware at a bar/restaurant sales outlet (because you can't beat the prices!) but I notice the cheap glassware tends to etch more easily. Use less detergent and avoid options that add a lot of heat/time to the cycle.

Or, you can do what I do; Get new glassware every year or two. If you're buying from a bar supply outlet, it's cheap. And glassware can be recycled--or thrown at passing cars, if you're so inclined, LOL.
 
Frigilux

"Or, you can do what I do; Get new glassware every year or two. If you're buying from a bar supply outlet, it's cheap. And glassware can be recycled--or thrown at passing cars, if you're so inclined, LOL."

ROFLMAO while peeing myself.
 
I have softened water and use the WalMart GV brand and sometimes a Crystal Shine brand that still contains bleach - I've never had a problem with etching.

Frigilux - sounds like you'd get along well with the crazy lady on the Simpsons that spouts nonsense and throws cats at people!
 
Frigilux you are off the hook! I do like the idea though. I will remember that the next time I run out of eggs or liquid soap.

I use to use the quick wash cycle on the F&P but whenever a lip stick glass goes in, the quick wash doesnt cut it. I would then use normal wash with the eco option. Since you mentioned it I think most of the glasses are about 5 yrs old, we bought them when we moved in the house.
 
FIVE YEARS?! If you've been putting glassware in da machine for five years and only now have some etching, I want YOUR secret!

gansky-- ...spouts nonsense and throws cats at people? Mom, is that you?

toggle-- my talent is the ability to climb in and out of my tv set. Took years to perfect. But I meet a lot of interesting people.
 
Re: Use of other Dishwasher Detergents:

I've used Cascade Powder and Liquid and Electrosol Powder and Tablets {until the Maytag Service Tech advised against Tablets} and honestly after reading the Issue of Consumer's Reports about Dishwasher Detergents and finding out that the Wal-Mart "Great Value" Brand of Dishwasher Detergent, was rated as a "Best-Buy" I started using it and I like it the best over all the others I've tried through the years. I've also tried some others of Generic Grocery Store Brands and I still prefer and like the Wal-Mart "Great Value" Dishwasher Detergent best of all. I also do use either Cascade Sheeting Rinse Agent or Jet-Dry in my Maytag Taller-Tub/2-Rack Dishwasher Rinse Dispenser and I've almost always used the Auto-Wash Cycle for my Loads. I have everything come out great looking.

"BTW" thank you "rayjay" I'm glad that at least someone else from the Club Site has used Wal-Mart "Great Value" Dishwasher Detergent as well.

Peace and Happy Dishwashing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
 
Re: Kitchen Aid, Briva in Sink:

Hi! Michaelman2 thank you for the Dishwasher info, now how about some input about your "In-Sink" KA Dishwasher, what do you think of it, as far as Capacity, Cleaning, Noise, etc?

Peace and Happy KA In-Sink Dishwashing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
 
In our totally BOL GEMORE dishwasher we alternate between regular Cascade and Walmart GV. There doesn't seem to be a difference except that the DW smells a little better with Cascade. We can't believe that a machine this cheap and old cleans as good as it does. The control only states "On/Off" & "Wash" and there is a switch for heated/air dry. It wakes the dead when it runs, but it is completely on the other side of the house from our bedroom and we turn it on just as we go to bed for the night.
I guess I am old fashioned, if something is working properly and works well I just can't bring myself to upgrade even though we can easily afford it.
We buy our glasses at Crate & Barrel, they last about 6-7 years or so and the set we have now is three years and still no etching.
 
I've been using WM GV for a couple years. Probably haven't used anything else with the DD. Etched glasses, well, all my daily stuff is very old and etching or not doesn't matter. The newer stuff I rarely use.
 
Hey Sacto..I like the Briva. It really works like a charm and I really like the fact that you can take the inner racks out and have a very large sink. It is very quiet. I also use it alot when I am cooking, to very quickly rinse pans and items that I will use again in the recipe. It is very similar to a commercial "chefs washer". We elected to have the small hot water heater added. I had to use the smaller second sink becuase the cabinet would not hold the 42" version. You can only use powder due to the very short and intense wash cycle, a liquid would go straight down the drain. It holds 5 complete place settings when doing dinnerware. It also gives me ALOT more counter space when the dishwasher is closed. It came with a cutting board that fits on top of the unit and that is very nice for prep.
 
Michaelman2-- This sounds like a perfect 2nd dishwasher for me. I would love to have a machine that has the turnaround time of a commercial machine. I briefly thought of installing one of those undercounter Hobart commercial machines in my kitchen, but decided to go with a regular machine for several reasons--including cost. How long is the regular cycle on the Briva?

whirlcool-- I wish I had your discipline when it comes to hanging on to appliances for their full lifespan. I get 'appliance fever' every couple of years and replace at least 1 appliance, usually washer/dryer or dishwasher.
 
Hey Frigilux..you had the same idea I did. I looked at the Hobart chef/commercial unit and was told that unit would really not be a good idea for household use, very very rough on china and glassware. The Briva was the alternative and you are right, it is a great second unit. The cycle is 30 minutes and it does not have a heating element do the top pops up at the conculusion of the cycle. There is a pot/pan cycle that is a bit more than 30 mins. The chef/rinse cycle is about 3 minutes or less. You are right on the cost. My other half was very generous and indulged me. I would imagine given time, this will be knocked off. Frankly it really is the only thing we use, even when we entertain. The cycles are so quick that I whip two loads in about the time that 1 load is in my other full unit. You will LOVE the large sink that you get when you remove the d/w rack. Ifyou have the space the 42" gives you TWO great large sinks.
 
I agree with ... aslo no prerinse, also SS interiors ? !

I agree with Sacto, NeptuneBob, and rayjay on the above posts, I have heard WalMart powder is the best and I have had great luck with it, i have also heard that to soft water and to much detergent will etch glassware, softer water = less det. AND, if dishes are hardly soiled then use little det. because the det. can attack the glassware if it has no dirt to go after, that is why I don't believe in a "pre-rinse" cycle. I think detergent and first wash should go hand and hand then have at least two rinses. I have also been told not to use "SUNLIGHT" in my stainless steel INTERIOR where it has chlorine and that is bad for SS interiors.
 
Chlorine in SS

Most dishwashers in AU have been stainless steel since the mid 70's and up until 10 years ago, most DW detergent was all still cholorine based.

Its never caused marking, rusting, etching or otherwise on any dishwasher I've ever had. Mums DW is 25 years old, and the SS interior is still as bright and shiney as the day it was bought.

Most contamination to the SS interior seems to be caused by not using enough detergent and getting a calicum or Lime build up. With something like Finish DW cleaner, it just washes off.
 
I have used the Great Value

powder, and it does work well, but I have differences of opinion with Wal*Mart's corporate philosophies, et cetera, so I try not to shop there.

I usually use Cascade Pure Rinse powder. Friends have given me other brands of detergent, and I am just finishing some Electrasol gelpacks, which have also worked well.

In my years of automatic dishwashing, I have had minimal etching, mostly because Kent's water is on the bare edge of hard (maybe 3-4 grains).

My glassware is fine, for the most part. I've had more etching on Pyrex than on beverageware.

And, I only scrape, never ever pre-rinse.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 

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