Bosch SHP65T55UC (500 series) dishwasher - smell & noise!

[aump945]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a Bosch 500 dishwasher (SHP65T55UC). One of the reasons I wanted this machine was because its famous for being quiet. Most reviewers claim that they can't hear it running.

However, the machine makes much more noise than I thought it would. I will often be woken up when it runs at night. It makes 2 different kinds of noises. First, a "waterfall" type of noise. Second, the sound of water jets hitting metal dishes - kind of like what you'd hear at the carwash.

Here is a video (not mine) that is similar to the type of "waterfall" noise I'm talking about:



My second problem with this dishwasher is the SMELL! I can't believe how stinky it gets inside if a load of dishes is not put through for around 2 days. The longer the dormancy period, the more potent the smell.

Any comments on my experience, or suggestions for solving these problems?

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Remove and clean the filter screen at the bottom. Make sure the drain hose is clear and not backing up.
I have this model too. It is extremely quiet but if you listen very carefully you will hear some sounds.

 

[richnz]

How full is it when you run it?

My older Miele makes more noise when empty.
If it is full it makes very little noise.

 

[henene4]

Smell

Yeah, we noticed that with our slimline model as well. Sometimes its better then others.

If I recognize the machine is getting smelly, I usually let run a more intensive cycle with the Hygiene+ option (maybe its called sanirinse on yours).

It however varrys a lot. Haven't had that smell for a few weeks now.

 

[johnb300m]

Try running a shot glass of bleach through there.
Duet-Mark does that and he says his machine is always fresh.
I've tried it a few times, seems to help.

 

[aump945]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I have removed the filter screen and cleaned it.

I have also inspected the drain hose and it is clear.

It is normally run when fully loaded, not partially loaded.

@ Johnb300m: how do you run bleach though? On an empty load? What setting?

I've tried adding food grade citric acid through - which does make it nice and spotless inside - but has not helped with the smell.

Any more thoughts on the noise level? I'm wondering if this machine has a defect.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Here is a link to hooking up dishwashers and sewer gas.
http://www.fortworthinspector.com/Dishwasher_backflow.html

If your plumbing is right then you may need to clean further.
See link:

 

[cuffs054]

I'm sorry, but I have no time to pull apart a DW for monthly service. That's just plain stupid.

 

[johnb300m]

You can add a shot's worth of bleach to the machine of a normal load of dishes right in the beginning.
It might take a few loads to clear out.

Or you can run a normal wash, empty, with a good dose of vinegar.
Close the soap cup as your indicator.
Run the normal/sani cycle empty.
Wait around till you hear the soap cup snap open.
Stop and open the machine.
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar in to the bottom tub.
Let the machine continue it's wash and sani-rinse.

Can't hurt trying.
This usually clears my issues up.

 

[logixx]

The video is of our old Bosch/Siemens dishwasher that is still going strong at my mother's house. I made that video for a YouTube competition about cleaning appliances. With normal use, the dishwasher cleans itself - except for the filter which I check once a blue moon.

Anyway, my current (as well as the old) Bosch dishwasher does not smell. Of course, if I leave smelly dishes in there for days, it will develop an odor - but that would also happen if I stored used dishes in the cupboard. What I do is leave the door ajar for some time after the cycle is done so that the inside can dry.

As for the noise... I think people who cannot hear their dishwashers should have their ears checked. I can even hear a 38dB unit running. Or maybe these people used something like a GE Potscrubber or a vintage "Thundering Thermador" before and are so shocked by the difference in noise that they say their new washer is inaudible.

 

[mark_wpduet]

First of all

from what I can tell, I LOVE that kitchen!

Secondly - my Maytag goes a few days before it gets maxed out ready to run. There's no horrid smell from a few days of non rinsed dishes - a little food smell, but nothing gross or nasty. When I run the machine, I put a finish powerball in the detergent cup, tilt the door so that it's about halfway open, pour a little bleach on the door, then close, and run the cycle. The bleach will kill anything and everything in the dishwasher..Sometimes I don't use the bleach, but most of the time I do.I use just a little - that's all it takes - about a shot glass amount.

I seem to remember a post here from a while back, some guy had Miele I believe, and it stunk really bad....I think he said it smelled like fish or something like that...it was a mystery until he found out it was his hot water heater..

 

[mark_wpduet]

I found the old post. Here was his comment when discovered

I think it has been discovered....

I have left the machine hooked in the laundry room to the cold water and have been bring the dishes to it. I notice the smell in the new (old ) KitchenAid......I damn near had a stroke. It is the hot water heater, it is 6 years old and something called anode is going. I had a plumber here today. He said yes that is what causing the "fishy" smell....I explained that it is only in the dishwasher, he said that is common just one area. I am so glad to have figured it out and I am very happy that all of you helped me. Thanks for all the ideas....

 

[super32]

Any dishwasher can smell especially after 2 days. Truth be told, ours smells after 2 days. It can depend greatly on what "scraps" were left on the dishes. Certain food items just dont fare well with age. Think about how bad 2-3 tablespoons of milk would smell if left on the counter. Especially this time of year. As for the noise, yes a bit of "waterfall" sound can be heard. Its nothing i find offensive but everybodies tollorence is different. Someone did ask about how full you machine is, it can make a difference. Dishwashers are designed to be quietest when fully loaded as you said you usualy do.

 

[aump945]

Thanks again to everybody that has weighed in.

To be clear: the smell is present even when the dishwasher has been left *empty* for 1-2 days. I would expect it to smell if I was leaving food to rot, but I do not expect it to stink when it has finished cleaning dishes and should be sparkling fresh inside.

I will try adding a bit of bleach or vinegar and see if that fixes the issue.

I am certain it is not the water heater because I just replaced that about a month ago. The dishwasher continues to stink.

Also: would you all consider it normal for mold to develop on relatively clean glass plates left in the dishwasher for ~5 days? This happened. I wonder if there is residual water left in the dishwasher after it finishes that is causing the smell - as well as the mold I noticed in one instance. I do not think the mold would have developed unless the interior was *humid* and sealed, not just sealed.

 

[askolover]

You can also buy Walmart brand gel detergent, or Cascade gel, or Palmolive Eco gel detergent....these three all have chlorine bleach as an ingredient.  I don't use them all the time, but at least every third load I do.  Keeps the germs and smells down to a minimum. 

 

[henene4]

Sure there is a bit of water left, but that is the case with ANY dishwasher EVER made.

Try leaving the door ajar. That will allow air to circulate.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Yea

Definitely leave the door cracked when not in use. I've always done this unless I accidentally close mine since my current model's door closes super easy.

Personally, I'd forget the vinegar and just run an empty LONG cycle with bleach...You might even wait until the main wash starts then open the door and add the bleach. Like Askolover said - most of (not all) the gel detergents have chlorine bleach..so you could just use that instead of pure bleach.

Mold on a plate after 5 days? I don't think I've ever seen this on dirty dishes in a dishwasher but I suppose if whatever food soil was on the dish it's possible.

I hope you find out what is wrong. that would drive be crazy not knowing. It's almost like something really funky is caught up somewhere deep in the machine.

 

[eronie]

Smell

Check out your drain conection I'll bet you don't have an air gap. The installer didn't create the high drain loop as per installation instructions. So you have sink drain backing up into dishwasher. Hence bad smell won't take very much backup either.

 

[logixx]

Like any Bosch (and any other European?) dishwasher, it has a non-return valve in the sump to prevent backflow.

 

[eronie]

If non return has something stuck in it what do you get BACKFLOW...as I said didn't take much to get stink. Take hose off sink an blow in it. If you get bubbles in machine non return valve is stuck open.

 

[jamiel]

Does the final 30 seconds of the cycle include a pump-out--with the condensation drying system the water condenses on the tub surface, runs into the sump and is pumped out. There is usually a mid-dry-cycle pump and the final minute (time remaining showing as 0:01) is a pump-out.

 

[lorainfurniture]

I worked on a shu series Bosch once that had a similar issue. The lower door gasket was disgusting, changing it had a dramatic improvement to the smell.

If it's similar, you have to pull the dw out a bit, remove front panel, and a couple other steps. If yours is not torn, you can just clean it / soak it in a bleach solution and reinstall it. Do the same with the main door gasket too.

 

[ilovewindex]

My bosch

I just got rid of an 800 series bosch

It enver stunk, but i did note mosture inside if left alone a few days with nothing in it

I did however have mold grow on stuff unless we ran it daily... I think because its so water tight... I either left the door cracked or ran it.. Usualy we ran it because it was so odd to load

the noises mine made where similar but very soft.. It was very relaxing.. I would often times sit in my recliner and shut off everything noisy in the house (except the damn crickets for the bearded dragons) and listen to it to fall asleep

With that said

I have seen a few stinky bosch's in vaction rentals and flip houses.. I dunno why, but they always stunk... Most where in the San Diego.Inland Empire/Riverside Area, and was TOLD it was due to the water and such.. The worst two being in Linda Vista and in Otay Mesa.. I also saw smelly dishwashers from Whirlpool and GE in Mira Mesa, poway, hillcrest and scripps ranch.. Oh and in delmar i saw many moldy dishwashers... But none bosch

 

[aump945]

Lots of great new suggestions: leave the door open to allow interior to completely dry, use detergents with bleach, and inspect drain hose for stuck valve.

I'll also check the door gasket, but the machine is fairly new (6 months), so I doubt that is it.

PS: the old POS dishwasher (circa 2005 GE) never smelled a bit (but didn't clean dishes worth a darn either).

 

[mark_wpduet]

To be clear

don't switch to the bleach detergents - just use it along with your current detergent. By adding the bleach gel detergent (or just plain bleach) to the prewash, it will disinfect the interior but will mostly get flushed away before the main wash starts with your regular detergent.

I don't think those gel detergents with bleach are very good on their own. They may be but I haven't used them in forever.