automatic programmes in dishwashers

[panthera]

OK, this is a disappointment

I finally got through to Bosch. They don't have details on this specific model in Munich.
The very nice customer service said exactly what others have said above would apply. I'm cutting and pasting here:
Intensive : 70C
Normal : 65C
Eco : 50
Quick : 45
The automatic system does have a different heating pattern and will do a better job on starches because the enzymes are given longer to work at 45 degrees before ramping up to 65 degrees.
Sorry I couldn't help you more.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Panthera

Thank you for your time and effort.

It is disappointing, but I'm really not surprised at the lack of information held by Bosch, as the "Standard Programmes" are buried at the very bottom of the "Options" menu structure:

Level 0: Rinse & Hold, Auto Programmes
Level 1: Delay start
Level 2: Reduce time
Level 3: Extra drying settings
Level 4: Buzzer volume settings
Level 5: Water hardness settings
Level 6: Rinse aid settings
Level 7: Languages: DE,EN,FR,NL,IT,EL,ES,PT,SV,NO,FI,DA,TR,RU,PL,CS,HU
Level 8: Standard Programmes

As you can see, I don't think they were meant to be used regularly (if at all!).

 

[sudsmaster]

The idea behind rinse/hold is to help protect items like silverware and stainless, and maybe some glassware/dinnerware, from being corroded by food residue (especially salty or acidic).

That said, I've never used it either. Seemed like a waste of water to me. But I might try it next time I have a partial load and don't plan on running the dw until it's full up the next day or two.

I also thought that Europe was the one with castrated dw detergents - with little or no phosphates. The 8% phosphorus label on US dw detergents would proably correspond to about 20% or more phosphates - since phosphorus is just part of the phosphate molecule (the rest is sodium and oxygen, as I recall). And I thought that European dw detergents were using phosphonates, which are different from phosphates (and supposedly don't support growth of algae).

Anyway, I have a Bosch SHU430C MOL model. Got it for $350 at Sears - it was a customer return. Slight dented but works perfectly. It doesn't have an ECO setting. Just Powerscrub, normal, quick, and rinse hold. I almost always use the Normal setting, which is usually about 100 minutes. I know it has a soil sensor, but haven't timed it with various loads. And I don't pre-rinse the dishes - just dump off the big stuff into the disposer and let it rip. It cleans better than the previous built-in DW I had - a MOL Frigidaire - with much less hassle. And it doesn't send lightweight plastic items flying around the inside of the dw, either.

A few years ago Consumer Reports stated that they found that dirt sensor equipped dishwashers could take longer, and use more energy and water, to wash loads than a non-sensor type dishwasher.

 

[launderess]

Well those who love phosphate dw detergents in the US may wish to start stocking up. There is a major push going forward by the usual suspects to finally do away with the exemption for the stuff in dw detergents. Recent high marks for "green" dw detergents by such publications as Consumer Reports is adding futher fuel to the fire.

L.

 

[DADoES]

We used Rinse/Hold pretty often on the KDI-17a. I rarely used it on my KUDS22, and have never on my DishDrawer. I recall back to the KDI-17, that Rinse/Hold keeping everything moist would often *increase* odors from stagnant food soils if left over the course of a couple days.

 

[rolls_rapide]

DADoES

I agree about the odours from stagnant soiled water after using Rinse & Hold. Far better to place most items in the machine and only rinse particularly troublesome items under the tap, then place them in the machine.

The problem with Rinse & Hold is that it spreads all the muck about the cabinet. It really needs follow-up rinses to further dilute the soiling, and when you look at it from that angle, it virtually becomes a complete wash cycle!