Bosch DW Owners.. Can I ask you a question?

[mich]

I'm not sure if there are many ascenta owners on the board.. but, I wanted to ask anyway. As much as I love the power of my new Bosch.. these racks are driving me insane. 

 

I'm just so used to the adjustable racks in my old ultrawash. Such as.. being able to load full size coffee mugs in the top rack. Now, I could place these in the bottom rack of the machine... But, all that water spray really isn't good for them, and even though there's no heating element to melt them.. I still don't like the idea of placing them down there. 

 

Additionally. Our Corelle bowls can no longer be washed in the top rack, as they just simply aren't held well in the racks.  I am now having to wash them in the bottom rack, which takes up lots of valuable space. I also don't think our everyday glasses, have much support in the racks, making them more likely to chip. 

 

I just wanna change out the racks on this Bosch. Although.. I can't seem to find out any information on what is compatible for my model. 

 

I've been told by two different Bosch Reps, that a 500 or even 800 series racks, may *fit*, although, they couldn't give me any part numbers, or guarantee they'd work, as the Ascenta tub, is slightly different than the upgraded models. 

 

So.. have any of you guys had success with upgrading, or switching out the racks in your Bosch Dishwashers, or even better, Ascenta models? 

 

I'd really appreciate all the input I can get

 

 

[appnut]

Mich, are the muugs too wide or too tall? I thought I remembered your model having a height-adjustable upper rack. I'll be blunt. You haven't had enough time to adjust to the new racking yet. It can take up to a month. I've noticed our European brethren who have wide coffee cups or mugs, they are simply loaded in the top rack kind of random. I'm sure you're just us3ed to everything being nice and orderly, which I can relate too. But I have numerous pyrex measuring cups of all sorts of widths when baking and it doesn't bother me. I just put them where they fit. I was accustomed to putting cereal bowls in the top rack because of our two waste kings. But when the roto rack arrived, bowls had to begin being put in the bottom. I actually find I get more capacity with cereal bowls in the bottom rack--leaves the top rack for all sorts of odds & ends. It's all the evolution through the years of learning how to BobLoad. Yes, I will admit my experience with Bosch dishwashers leaves a little bit to be desired when it comes to glass support. but somehow, I managed to arrange them when putting them in that kept them a bit steadier. But after a row is filled from back to front, it's less of an issue. Just be a bit careful in pushing in and pulling out the top rack. this is a European designed dishwasher. It has smaller rack dimensions and won't hold as much as what you are used to in US dishwashers, I found most noticeably the top rack. Be thankful you don't have any heavy, thick American pottery or ironstone dishes. I have a set that's huge and thick that was my mom's and I even have a difficult time getting it to fit in my Kenmore Elite TT. If all 5 pieces of the 8 place servings as well as the serving dishes are used, the machine is practically full all by itself. [this post was last edited: 5/31/2014-20:27]

 

[mich]

It's the mugs

Being, just a tee bit too tall. Honestly, I contemplated, trying to shove the top rack (force) it close, but, I'm scared to death of scratching the beautiful stainless steel tub in the process. 

 

Additionally, I'm finding that I just don't feel safe trusting the Bosch with any of our wine glasses. While there are support racks, they just don't click into place, at all... and I feel like they don't have the adequate support to stay safe enough. 

 

I honestly don't mind washing the wine glasses by hand at all. Actually I like seeing just how shiny I can make them, all by myself. I'd just prefer to have that option every so often, if you know what I mean. 

 

I was actually able to load a whole bottom rack, to the brink, last night (perhaps a little overloaded) with some decent effort and rearranging. I guess your right though, when you say it'll take time to figure out the racking system. 

 

Anyhow. I'll say this. If I could just have a few adjustable tines, I'd be in heaven with this machine I really, really like it. I do. 

 

 

 

 

 

[logixx]

The Ascenta upper rack seems to be the most basic one Bosch has. I don't see why a better rack (although expensive - unless you find one on eBay etc.) wouldn't fit. The base of the tub is made of plastic but everything else, including the door, looks like on the other models. You should go to an appliance store and try to fit different racks in different dishwashers (Ascneta - 500 - 800 and so forth). I have the TOL upper rack and it holds my large mugs pretty well.

 

[mich]

Alex

How in the world.. does any of that come clean? I'm like OCD when it comes to loading, everything has to be completely neatly loaded, and fit between the tines, and have proper support, and access to the spray. 

 

I just... don't see how any dishwasher could clean any of that. 

 

[henene4]

Try it...

... Bosch can! As long as any spray reaches it, it is fine. Alex is one of the few peoples I have ever seen being abled to load a DW so massivley full, but as his YT videos show: It works!

 

[logixx]

Yes, as long as water can reach the soiled surface - you're good to go. It also gets quite hot in there during the cycle. The 15 minute pre-wash goes from cold to approx. 120F, the 30 min. wash heats up to 150F, the rinse is around 140F and the final rinse is at 150F.

 

[iej]

Most modern European machines have extremely effective spray arms and nozzles. They don't consume much water but they absolutely bombard your dishes with loads of water and provided the dishes aren't literally stacked tightly together making a waterproof seal, they wash.

Just trust the machine and don't get too OCD about loading it. It'll do the job provided you don't block the movement of any of the spray arms or completely seal up a surface of a dish.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Try loading the mugs in different positions.

My mum's 2013 Bosch has a slightly different top basket layout to my 2003 model. The space for mugs is a little tight. I got round this by tilting their bases towards the centre of the basket, with the drinking openings of the mugs resting on the outermost tilted angular wire basket shelf. Basically, it's a little reverse logic.

My mum's model also has fixed spikes, whereas mine fold and have glass stem rests, her's don't. This is not too bad, as mugs and tumblers can be put over the spikes. Champagne flutes fit in this machine with no fiddling about. The previous Hotpoint incurred much faffing with trying to find suitable locations for Christmas glassware.

Don't be too worried about what goes where, you will find the best positions for your crockery - even if it takes some time. Remember: do not force the baskets.