'Great Value'

[gadgetgary]

After reading the March issue of Consumer Reports, I wanted to try Walmart's Brand of dishwasher detergent(Great Value). I was previously using Electrasol Orange in my KitchenAid Superba.
Just ran a load with the Great Value and everything came out clean. Did not notice any difference from the Electrasol. Guess it is just personal preference.
Anybody remember the Palmolive automatic dishwasher detergent of a few years ago that came in a sort of 'squashed-down' green box? I thought that was the best and wondered why they stopped making it.

And yes, I would buy another KitchenAid.

Anyone have any luck with the new three rack Maytags?]
Do they wash and dry as well at the KitchenAid with the blower fan dry?

Gary

 

[coldspot66]

I'm not sure why "ultra" dishwasher detergents never caught on. I have a feeling people used the same amount of ultra as regular detergent, thus no savings in usage and more expensive to use.

I have used Walmart Great Value dishwasher detergent since last year's CR report on them, and since they put enzymes in it as well. Works as well or better that name brands, and ALOT cheaper.

If you notice, part of the reason most dishwashers today have excellent wash ability is because of enzyme based detergents. I do notice the difference if I use a brand that does not contain enzymes in it. Electrasol Gel Pacs come to mind. They don't clean my tough loads as well, but sure do smell nice!

 

[kenmore1978]

ElectraSol Gelpaks

I had a bad experience with Electrasol gel packs. First of, the detergent dispenser in my '62 Kenmore 600 top loader just wasn't designed to deal with them, but worse, theyleft some kind of film al over everything. Looked everything was etched, scare the daylights out of me, but a second wash with cascade made everything come out OK. I called Reckitt & Colman, and they apologized and sent coupons for any product they made. I just recently redeemed it for a box of Electra-sol powder, which worked fine in the '88 Whirlpool.

 

[re563]

I also just bought a box of Great Value and liked it's proformance. Seemed just as well as cascade. However, Just last night I was watching a documentary on Wal-mart and how they manipulate their suppliers. It actually was very enlightening and somewhat scary. The Wal-Mart we have here in town never has it's shelves stocked and it's hard to find any "associate" to help you. So I have given up on Wal-mart anyway, especially after seeing what I saw last night.

 

[veg-o-matic]

I tried GV after Consumer Report's recommendation and was not impressed. Of course, this was when I still had the GE piece of crap.
Went back to Cascade and never looked back.
veg

 

[Designgeek]

I'll second what RE563 said about Wal Mart. Once while driving through northern California I ran across a small town where a Wal Mart had recently opened up. Every single business for a mile radius around it had gone under and closed up. I swear to God it looked like some kind of atomic bomb had hit but left the buildings standing.

I'd sooner eat worms than buy stuff there. Aside from which, "cheaper" really isn't if you have to drive a distance to get it. Not only the cost of gas but also your time. And in California, the state subsidizes every Wal Mart employee to the tune of $2,000 per year in state transfer-payment type benefits, so you're paying the difference through your taxes, and Sam Walton is getting away with what amounts to welfare-socialism.

Even Henry Ford recognized that you have to pay your employees a decent wage if you want them to be able to buy your products.

 

[joeekaitis]

3-Rack Maytag over here

We have the Maytag MDB8600 in all white and we love it. We regularly have CorningWare baking dishes and Crock Pot crocks to wash and it swallows them right up. The bottom rack holds saucepans, a big CorningWare piece, the bottom part of the broiler pan or its rack (but not both at the same time, in which case the other half can be put in the upper rack).

It does tend to leave plastics and non-stick coatings with droplets of water while china and glasses come out bone-dry but aside from that, we'd do it all over again.

Call me a heretic, if you must.

 

[joeekaitis]

Oh, and by the way. . .

. . .our local Target Greatland has 75 oz. boxes of Cascade Complete for $2.78. The cheapest supermarket brand is about $3.19 for the same amount. It's a STEAL!

 

[pulsator-power]

DW Detergent

Haven't used Walmart's brand yet,
But I have used Electrasol tabs & the other
plastic packaged one you mentioned. Both more expensive than they need to be. The Electrasol tabs made too much suds- The Whirlpool's pump sounded like it was going to clog, so I would scrape about 1/3 of the tablet off & into the DW for the first wash, before the main wash cycle. I like Cascade powder- gets the job done. I don't like the liquids. Forget Sunlight.
Jerry

 

[MikeS]

One Vote For Great Value

I began using Great Value when it was rated a CR Best Buy a few years ago; even in my bottom-basement cheapo Roper everything comes out clean and bright. And the price is right. Cascade Pure Rinse powder and Electrasol tablets also do a good job. But I hate the Electrasol gel packs; they don't fit in the dispenser and don't get my dishes as clean.
So when I go to Wal-Mart, I stock up on Great Value when I can.

 

[GESwivel]

Palmolive Ultra

GadgetGary;

Yes, I remember the Palmolive Ultra. I still have it. When they stopped selling it, I found it at a closeout store for $1.49(really cheap at the time). I ended up purchasing a couple of cases of 12ct. I thought(think) it was(is) really great. Every couple of months, I turn the cases and give alittle shake. There has been no "caking" to this day. I also live in a somewhat dry climate. I use it inbetween other brands of automatic detergents that I find at a steal.

What I believed was the issue with "Ultra" dishwasher detergents was that people were not using the right amount, so they would end up using more when they did not need to. Now, they have tabs, gelpacks,etc. No one can make a mistake now. Just drop one in the dishwasher.

I have used the Great Value dishwasher detergent and have found great results with it. I liked the way the load of dishes came out.

 

[kenmore1978]

Palmolive Ultra

As I remember, the emphasis in the ads was more on the package being less to throw away than the use of less detergent. More an "environmental" thing than a "use less detergent" issue.

 

[david]

Great Value has a good rating in CR-perhaps I put too much credence in this publication-but it is kind of a go-by for me. I would like to try some soon. Sounds as if everyone is pleased with the results.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

GV is a good buy,but let me mention another one. SUNsations, in the blue box,not to be confused with the wretched Sunlight brand,is the VERY best in performance of ANY of today's dishwasher detergents, even edging out Cascade Complete powder,which I had deemed best,and easily outperforming regular Cascade powder, now with etch guarding Shine Shield ,in that the SS ingredient prevents full detergent action.EVERY SINGLE PERSON who has tried SUNsations have noticed its superiority .Where you can especially tell is on heavily soiled pots,pans.A large box is available at Family Dollar for only 2.00.SUNsations powder is of the enzyme type.

 

[kenmore1978]

SUNsations DW detergent

So is there a website or 800 number on the box to go to so we can find out where to buy it locally?

 

[gadgetgary]

SUNsations

Just went to my local Family Dollar to look for that Sunsations...and saw it had LEMON...I have heard that the lemon takes the finish off your dishes...so I avoid any dw detergent with lemon.

Any comments on detergents with lemon?

Gary

 

[appnut]

I've heard the same thing gary--in fact any citrus "flavored" detergent I avoid. A friend of mine tried orange citrus liquid cascade. It stained the interior of their dishwasher--he threw out the bottle. He didn't ask my opinion b4 he bought, so I got to say, I told ya not to make a move without asking me LOL.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

sour power

SUNsations is merely lemon scented, there is no real lemon in it. I've had no trouble with it, nor anyone I know. EVERYONE that went to it has stuck with it and ALL of them said it was the best.

 

[GESwivel]

SUNsations

kenmore1978

Since you live in the SoCal area, you might see if you have the Dollar Tree stores. They will have the small boxes for $1.

SUNsations is made by Huish Detergents. This is the same company that makes Sunlight for Unilever(in the US). They also have a contract with Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Clorox. Huish makes private label brands for such places as Costco, Safeway/Vons, Kmart, Kroger, etc.

I do not care for their hand dishwashing detergent-SUN.