Dishwasher Performance Testing

[washer111]

We are all interested in the cleaning ability of our own dishwashers, not to mention the dishwashers of other members (Since we might be looking around for a different machine). Realising that there are no actual 'Scientific' threads related to proper performance testing, I've decided to initiate this thread. Another reason of creating this thread is because that F&P machines seem to get a rather poor reputation around these parts. 

 

So before starting my own performance testing, I shall warn you. This test is not designed to show the maximum capacity of the DishDrawer, nor is it designed to test wash cycles that were never designed for the soils pictured below. I will not be using the "Energy Standards Test" cycle, Normal Eco for this, as the cycle is designed for everyday loads of dishes, not super-heavily soiled. 40ºC/104ºF is NOT ENOUGH to wash the soils you will see below.

With that little niggle out of the way, let us BEGIN!

 

Today's experiment will be designed to show how well extremely soiled objects will come out of the DishDrawer. 

 

The test will consist of the following:

<ul>
<li>6 Coffee mugs, soiled with very strong Black Coffee (Moccona "Indulgence" instant coffee), dried in with a hair dryer</li>
<li>5 small plates coated with coffee, also blow-dried</li>
<li>5 Bowls, soiled with a mixture Flour, Water and trace amounts of Honey and Raspberry jam, dried on in the oven at 100ºC/212ºF for 5 minutes</li>
<li>4 small bowls with 2 different varieties. Soiled with (#1) Raspberry Jam and Honey, (#2) Oatmeal, Milk and Raspberry jam, (#3) Flour, Water, Jam and Honey and #4 with some variation of the above. All baked in the oven for 5 minutes</li>
<li>6 Plates, 2 different varieties. Soiled with Whisked Egg and Mayonnaise. Baked in the oven for 5 minutes</li>
<li>VERY DIRTY bits of cutlery - unsure of total count</li>
<li>6 small drinking/breakfast glasses soiled with Milk and "Milo" (Chocolate drink with added Protein, Calcium and other stuff). Blown dry with a hair dryer. </li>
</ul>
Below is a photo of the load to be washed, before any soils were added. Note the Bob-Loading photos stuck above the countertop from member Dadoes (to assist other house members get over the shock of a very heavily stacked dishwasher).

 

[washer111]

Let's Begin!

We'll start with the little glasses first. 

 

Each glass receives around 1/2 Tablespoon of Hi-Lo Milk in the bottom. Then, 1 teaspoon of "Milo" (Chocolately, Sugarely drink) is added to each glass and stirred up. As seen below:

 

[washer111]

The Result:

The mixture is allowed to sit for around 2-3 minutes, before I tip it into the sink and use the blow-dryer to dry it up, and then place on the fold-down racks inside the dish-drawer. 

 

Here is the "result" before it is tipped away. 

 

[washer111]

Next: Coffee Stains - Cups & "Saucers"

Next, I boil the kettle and add around 1 teaspoon of Moccona's "Indulgence" instant coffee mix (A real favourite of mine too). This stuff is described on the package as "Rich and Full Bodied." I then add a small around of water, no more than a tablespoon into each of the cups. 

 

I then prepare the plates. Using a rubber brush, I dip it into the mix of each cup for each plate, then wiping all around to ensure complete coverage of the plate. This mimics a "Coffee Spill." These are then blown dry and placed in the DishDrawer. As for the remaining Coffee, I brush all around the inside of the cup, then tip the coffee away. I blow dry this and place it in the DishDrawer too, on the cup rack, below the fold-down area. 

 

In one cup, around 1/4 of a cup of coffee remains. This is tipped into the dishwasher for good measure. The cup is also placed in the rack, where it belongs. I only load four cups into cup area, to ensure enough water reaches the fold down area for the wash cycle. 

 

[washer111]

Interesting Fact:

Did anyone ever realise that mixing flower and water creates GLUE? Now you know that for your intrepid paper-mache projects 

 !

 

Anyhow, after making a nice serving of my sloppy-glue, a tablespoon is placed on six bowls and then smeared round using the rubber brush again. These are then placed in the oven for "baking" for 5 minutes, whilst I do some tidying up...

The colourful little bowl contains a mix of Glue, Jam and Honey (I think, anyway. I probably should've taken some notes on that!)

 

[washer111]

Now for Plates:

For the large dinner plates, I create a mixture of Mayonnaise and Egg. Of course, using that little rubber brush means trace amounts of all that glue making will begin to show. 

Each Corelle plate is completely covered with the mixture, whilst the large "Maxwell and Williams" brand plates are only covered on the deepened area of the plate, to test the DishDrawers ability to reach into nooks and crannys. These are then placed in the oven to bake for 5 minutes. 

 

The photo below is all the bowls out of the oven, so as you can see the soil. Each bowl has the majority of "loose soil" scraped, with the remainder being left on the plate, for loading into the dishwasher. You'll see the other soils shortly. 

 

[washer111]

Scapings in the Sink:

This is why we should scrape our plates. I'm glad that I didn't put all this in the dishwasher. About a tablespoon of this stuff came out of the drain filter (which I cleaned) after the Main-Wash phase, to ensure good circulation. 

 

[washer111]

Here it is, All Loaded!

Here are some shots of the loaded dishwasher, ready to go! FYI, I added more detergent afterwards. In there in this photo is Finish 2x Concentrate, with 10-30% Phosphates. The rest of the dispenser (Main-Wash) was filled with Morning Fresh double concentrate, with the dreaded Rinse-Aid action... Created a *bit* of foam, to say the least! 

 

[washer111]

And those Soiled Plates:

Here is the first plate in line from the dispenser. It is very dirty. I'll be amazed if it does even come clean (And yes, I'm sure a vintage KitchenAid could properly clean this on the Soak and Scrub cycle. But no-one puts this sort of crap into a dishwasher. No-one.)

 

Cycle used is the "Heavy Eco" programme. As the cycles have changed from user 'Dadoes' (Glenn's) machine, this cycle sadly does not feature a (heated) Pre-Wash + Rinse. Even the Australian machines used a Pre-Wash in the 603 series. Alas not anymore. 

Anyhow, this cycle's Main-Wash is at 65ºC/149ºF. There are three post wash rinses, which I prefer because it marks things look better, and ensures less chemicals are on the dishes afterwards. Final Rinse is at 60º, though with the temperature indication on the LCD switched on, I've noticed it doesn't always reach that final target temperature. During the last cycle, we reached just 56ºC/132.8ºF, which I was NOT impressed with (To say the least)

[this post was last edited: 1/28/2013-22:52]

 

[washer111]

My Mess to Clean-Up!

Uh-oh! It would appear that I might've dropped a nuke on the kitchen whilst preparing for this test. 

 

Have I got a mess to clean up, LOL!

 

[washer111]

FINISHED!

Around 80-90 minutes later, the dishwasher has completed the cycle. The Final Rinse again reached just 56ºC/132º. Not too impressed about that, but I suppose the computer decided that temperature was "Close Enough" to the target of 140ºF/60ºC. 

 

I have to say the results were pretty good overall, in spite of the following:

<ul>
<li>The 5 out of 6 drinking glasses were CLEAN, but had almost invisible yiblet bits on them. They were easily taken care of</li>
<li>All five bowls (Glue mixture) came out with stuff remaining, although a lot less than I would've expected. I even had a bit of trouble scouring all of it off the dishes, so I forgive the DD over this. </li>
<li>The 3 deepened plates look dull and old: They were etched in our previous dishwasher, where (before) I had developed an interest for appliances, we were using the "Quick 30" cycle, washing at 150ºF/65º and using only ONE RINSE (with rinse-aid). Little wonder they and the bowls don't look so good anymore. </li>
<li>One of the coffee cups fell over. This was probably due to me filming the wash action during the first 15 minutes of the 33 minute wash phase</li>
<li>I had to clean the drain filter after the Main-Wash, as the wash pressure was suffering (I also added some water to the machine to help it). Note: I understand this does invalidate my test somewhat, however, I have been inclined to add water to heavily soiled loads in the past, when the washing action had lost strength. Other members have also noted cleaning the filters on their machines whilst washing heavily soiled loads, though this being a scientific test, I suppose I don't get these luxuries</li>
<li>I will add that I DIDN'T clean the filters or wash-arm before starting, to simulate a machine that is slightly neglected. The drain-filter is never really dirty anyway, so I don't usually worry about cleaning it (It only gets dirty to a certain point, then doesn't accumulate anymore). </li>
</ul>
The photos below should detail the performance I received today

[this post was last edited: 1/28/2013-22:56]

 

[washer111]

More:

The cutlery basket and all the small items placed in the machine

 

[washer111]

Even More:

Dinner plates and the bowls, still with some Glue on them (It must've dried pretty well in the oven. The stuff sticking to the plate would've had a great chance to dry up during the high temperature Heavy-Eco cycle. I've stacked the plates, as all them looked the same to me

 

[washer111]

Left-Overs

Here is what I cleaned up in the "Sump" of the DishDrawer. Some left-over gluey stuff, and remnants from the machine's other cycles. 

 

[washer111]

I Challenge YOU

Now, the conclusion. Overall, The DishDrawer performed admirably on this load. I will admit that perhaps running the Normal Eco cycle would've worked better on the glue mixture I had prepared, but, water under the bridge, as they say. 

 

For those who are willing, I challenge you to re-create this load, but enough to fill your dishwasher to the "standard" capacity envisaged by the designers of your machine. Try using the examples I've shown above, and try drying them for longer. I especially challenge someone with a newer Miele or Bosch machine to do this. Your cycle should use 4 water changes (Wash, Rinse, Rinse, Rinse) and wash at 150ºF or 65ºC. For American members, whose machines do more water changes, try your Regular or Heavy cycle. Remember this load didn't include just one or two really dirty items, all items were soiled quite badly. Remember that for your testing, and remember to post here, in our "Performance Testing Thread".

 

Wishing all contestants good luck and lots of fun,

 

Washer111 

 

 

[petek]

I admire the work you spent compiling all this but in order to get a true picture of how your dishwasher actually performed it should have been started and left to run through its entire program with no interference whatsoever. You stated you added water to it in the main wash and were also taking water temperatures in some of the cycles. Unfortunately that somewhat invalidated your test.

 

[washer111]

Taking Water Temperature:

Actually, that was achieved with the DishDrawer's computer and sensor array itself. Start a cycle, then enable the child lock. The press (& hold) the Start/Pause button for 8secs, until the display starts switching between "ºC and XX" (XX denotes temp.)

 

Though I agree, I probably invalidated the test... It doesn't pay to be curious, I understand. In fact, adding the water didn't do all that much anyhow, aside from reduce the water temperature. 

 

[maytagbear]

Very interesting!

Very interesting photoset. Interesting challenge, too.

(Gentle tone, not mean/nasty tone)
However, the soil was too fresh. A testing magazine some of us know lets the soiled dishware sit for either 12 or 24 hours.... Plus, where were the mashed potatoes or pasta boiling pot? Where were the peanut butter spreading knives?

Again, very interesting.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[washer111]

A Challenge?

Dried on Soils:

Being short of plates and such, I wouldn't have time for that, plus, other family members wouldn't be too impressed. Other issue is nothing ever gets a chance to dry out in the DD, as shutting it essentially traps all moisture. 

So, I used the oven to try and simulate baked on soils. Perhaps next time (which could be VERY soon), I will bake them for longer and at a higher temperature too. 

 

Mashed Potatoes/Boiling Pots:

We don't wash our pots and pans in the DW, since they are Teflon, and high grade, we don't want to ruin them. Though with the frying pans starting to degrade already (a certain someone soaks them for much too long. That someone not being me), we will probably get stainless steel, for easy cleanups. 

If you wanted, I could use our small SS pot to do some boiled over rice, but with our Induction cooktop, I've done that once or twice already. Perhaps on the Gas element we have the Barbeque. 

 

PB Spreading Knives:

We don't have Peanut Butter! We don't eat the stuff anymore, and I hardly consider it a challenge for the machine. Perhaps my "glue mixture" will suffice? 

 

But thanks for your criticism! I appreciate it 

 

[ronhic]

The Australian Standard calls for...

Choice uses the following to check how well the dishwashers tackle a full load of dirty dishes by measuring out and placing equal amounts of:

- egg yolk, spinach and baby cereal on plates
- butter on saucers
- tomato juice in glasses
- tea in cups
- egg yolk and cereal onto cutlery.

It’s all then left to dry for 15–18 hours before being loaded into the dishwashers.

As a side note, peanut butter isn't the staple here that it is in the US and vegemite cleans off almost instantly.

As for mash and pasta pots, loading a dishwasher in accordance with the dishwasher standard AS/NZS 2007, means you can't fit any pots - it will have a full capacity load of crockery and cutlery - generally 6 full settings for 45cm units and 12-15 full settings for 60cm units.

 

[washer111]

Choice:

Never read Choice, as they can't tell you the reliability of machine, and the fact they seem to "insist" on you getting rid of old appliances. As for their other tests, some are pointless, especially their refrigerator line-up. Its nice comparing features and temperature stability, but thats where the fun ends. 

 

However, thanks for enlightening me on the Australian standards. As I didn't have access to all the above soils, I had to "make do" with what we had, which I think was a pretty decent challenge. Next time, I might bake everything longer in the oven, to make it a little hard (esp. Egg stuff). 

 

[maytagbear]

It was not meant as criticism!

Not!

I said "gentle tone!"

I am horrified and mortified, and embarrassed that you saw it as criticism.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[frigilux]

I love these sorts of tests! Thanks, washer111, for taking the time to do it---and for establishing a consistent soiling method for the load. The amount and type of food prep in my kitchen dictates using a full-size dishwasher, but the dish-drawer machines are fascinating; I can see where they would provide a lot of flexibility in other kitchens.

Sign me on for the challenge, although it may have to wait 'til Saturday. I'll do my best to replicate your load, with the addition of a few items that were requested in Lawrence's post---a pasta-cooking pot, silverware smeared with peanut butter, etc. The plates and bowls will go in the oven as per your test, then into the machine for an overnight rest (with the door open).

There are two two detergents in the cupboard: Cascade Complete w/ Dawn pacs, and Cascade Complete w/Bleach gel. Did your cycle use detergent in only one phase? If so, I'll use a pac. If you used detergents in two phases of the cycle, I'll opt for the gel.

Machine: 2008 LG Model 9810 (their top-of-the-line model at the time).

Cycle: Normal, using the machine's default settings (medium-strength spray; 130-140 degree main wash water; 150 degree final rinse; approximately 120-minute time frame. There will probably be four water changes, but that's up to the sensor.

Silverware will go in the third rack as I have no idea what I did with the conventional silverware basket that came with the machine (seen here in the bottom rack).

This will be fun! Thanks for the request, and again, for sharing your test results with all the great photos. I'm not surprised by the bowls; the tine spacing nested them very tightly.[this post was last edited: 1/29/2013-07:20]

 

[washer111]

@maytagbear + Frigilux

Please don't take what I said the wrong way! I liked your critique: I have learnt from my "mistakes" of this thread, and will try not to repeat them next time. That is one of the great things about this forum, we can thoroughly go over each others skills and point out any flaws in what's been tested. 

 

Again, thanks very much for your comments. They have been noted, and I'll (hopefully) remember for next time 

 

Frigilux:

Thanks for agreeing to do some testing. I look forward to seeing what your LG will do. Lets hope it doesn't break down during the process (Ooo! I'm cheeky aren't I?). 

I never would've expected clean bowls. They usually come clean with everyday loads, but today's was too much. Even loose spacing wouldn't have helped (much, if at all). Large bowls placed on the right hand side will often come out with a ring of food bits in them. Leaving a space for them is always advisable. 

 

My machine only performed Main-Wash, Rinse, Rinse, Rinse. So I suppose you'll want to use detergent for just one wash during your testing, though feel free to use a US equivalent cycle. What I could do is (perhaps) get the expected Pre-Wash and Pre-Rinse times from Dadoes and run a Wash-Rinse-Wash-Rinse-Rinse cycle or a cycle with 3 rinses. I was planning on re-doing the test tomorrow, to see if there would be any difference in the results. 

 

By the way, I used the equivalent of 4 tsp's of detergent today, using a 3:1 ratio of Finish:Morning Fresh. If you have Phosphates, please add them in too (As stated above Finish contains 10%-30% Phosphates in Australia)

 

[frigilux]

The last laugh is yours, washer111! The repair man made his first visit last week to replace the seal around the front of the tub, as a drip had developed from under the door. The seal had been disintegrating the past few months. Bits of it were coming loose every time I swabbed it with a rag.

The dishwasher is the hardest-working appliance in my house. I cook a lot and have guests for dinner frequently. In addition to that, I do a lot of food prep on the weekends, with the dishwasher running continuously from early morning 'til night. It's common for me to run 14-20 loads per week. All pots/pans/bowls etc., go in the machine; nothing is washed by hand.

Cycle: I believe all my cycles start with a pre-wash/pre-rinse. If the sensor detects a lightly-soiled load, it will drop the detergent from the main wash compartment and use the first fill as the main wash, but that won't happen with the upcoming test load.

I'll use a Cascade Complete pac (no phosphates, but I have very soft water) for the load. Check back in later this weekend.[this post was last edited: 1/29/2013-09:08]

 

[ronhic]

Never read Choice, as they can't tell you the reliabilit

No, they can't.

As I'm sure you can imagine the size that their facility would need to be in order to continuously run hundreds of machines that they have tested in order for them to break. Let's not even go to the wasted electricity/gas/water in order to run these tests nor to the wages cost to continually load, unload and reset washers, dryers and dishwashers.

Entirely impractical.

However, Choice subscribers, such as myself, do complete the 'reliability survey' on appliances which is quite indepth regarding what has happened over the past 12 months and includes such things as the number of repairs to a given appliance and what were the key issues. Now whilst some may say that this isn't the 'best' way to obtain data, I will refer them back to the first paragraph. It is the only real-world way that a consumer organisation can collect it given the prohibitive costs associated with the first option. Additionally, people who tend to subscribe to consumer magazines undoubtedly care about what they buy, how it will perform etc. and are less likely (OK, I am less likely) to be caught up in marketing hype, preferring to research prior to purchase to ensure their needs are met whilst minimising the chance of early failure and maximising performance, economy of use and return on investment (longevity).

Many consumers do not bother. They wander into their retailer, look at the bright controls and displays and jump at the first bit of techno-babble that is launched at them by a salesperson.

Now, as for their refrigerator tests. How you can state they are 'pointless' is interesting. Choice test the refrigerators they purchase in a purpose built room that can hold it's temperature at a constant setting (32c or higher) whilst allowing staff to take temperature readings throughout the machine. How effective a refrigerator is at pulling down the temperature of its contents and maintaining them is vitally important for the preservation of food, just as knowing if the temperature is uniform in it is. If temperature fluctuates excessively it is entirely possible that perishable items such as sliced and raw meats and milk will go off faster potentially leading to food poisoning.

Not very pleasant.

 

[norgeway]

A Challenge!!!

Prepare the dishes exactly the same way, then put them in ANY Kitchen Aid single wash arm machine, Mid 70s and before, and let them run the complete full cycle, "Less than an hour" and if they all are not spotless I will eat my hat!!

 

[frigilux]

Here is my entry in washer111's Dishwasher Performance Test.

Machine: 2008 LG 9810

Cycle: Normal (139 minutes on screen; actual cycle took 118 minutes; medium-strength spray)

Detergent: one Cascade Complete with Dawn pac

Soils: Flour/water paste; peanut butter; egg; chili; cream of wheat; instant coffee paste; cocoa/sugar/milk paste

Method: Plates and bowls baked at 250 degrees for 10 minutes; all items placed in dishwasher for 6 hours. None of the items were scraped before they went into the machine.

The plates are smeared with flour/water glue (with a few drops of green food coloring added) and egg. The bowls are smeared with cream of wheat and egg. Silverware coated with peanut butter and/or egg and flour-water glue.[this post was last edited: 2/2/2013-13:32]

 

[frigilux]

I made a thick gunk of baking cocoa, sugar, and whole milk in each glass and used a basting brush to swab the mess. The mugs were coated with a puree of Folgers instant coffee crystals a bit of hot water.[this post was last edited: 2/2/2013-12:05]

 

[frigilux]

What to do with leftover chili: Smear it on plates and put 'em in the oven!