Fan-assisted drying in older dishwashers...

[superocd]

I've heard of small fans being used to aid in drying in a lot of older dishwashers. Naturally, the only feasible placement for these fans would be on the bottom of the machine, near the floor.

How was this sanitary (being that the small squirrel cage/centrifugal fan would be taking in dust and dirt from the floor and blowing it into the machine, hypothetically speaking)?

I guess some new DWs have fan assisted drying again, but this time it's a small DC fan (much like the ones found in desktop PCs) installed in the door near the top. Much more hygienic, but probably less effective because those tiny fans are very weak.

 

[potatochips]

That's a good question I've never thought about. However, the machines I've resorted with fan-assisted drying don't have dust build up on the fans blades, nor buildup around any other surfaces that handle the air flow. There wouldn't be much air flow in an enclosed space like the cabinets, and with the motor and its fan running for 40 minutes or so prior to the drying fan starting, I don't think much nasty things collect under the machine.

But I also keep my house extremely clean.

 

[vacerator]

When I had

a Maytag reverse rack, I never had to use the heated dry option. The fan blew all the steam out, and the dishes were 100% dry.

The GE I have now does alright without a fan, but a bit of water remains on deep welled bottom mugs and glasses unless they sit overnight. Not selecting heated dry, but anti bacterial. I think the heater comes on for 5 minutes. If I need to unload sooner, I dab off the water with a towel so I can put them in the cabinet without staining the wood. I have a glass door cabinet with a finished inside and bottom to show nice pieces. I didn't want to line it with rubber liner.

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

I have seen air dry assist fans on older Kitchenaid's, our D&M built Kenmore DW and I also want to say a Maytag reverse rack, but can't remember the Maytag for sure. 

 

Yes these fans are under the tank of the dishwasher, however they are not down on the floor, nor does the fan intake face the floor, it faces the cabinet.  Also, these fans do NOT have the suction of a vacuum cleaner AND they are far enough off the floor that when they run, dust & dirt is not disturbed or sucked up off the floor.    I say don't worry about it as it really is a non-issue.  IMHO