Kitchen Aid dishwasher detergent

[sunshine32]

Which detergent is recommended for the Kitchen Aid? I just bought this machine. It's a Stainless Steel outer and the 3 racks inner.

Also, any tips to be aware of?

Thank you

 

[william637]

Many people will say differently

But I use regular cascade powder in both of mine so that I can adjust the amount of detergent based on the soil on the dishes. A few tips I have noted from both of mine:

1) I almost ALWAYS use the 1 hour wash cycle. It has the hottest water and the most turn-over of water. Whenever I use the other cycles (heavy duty or normal), there just isn't enough water to flush all the residues away. I open the door at the end and everything smells like what ever food soils were present on the dishes.

2) Your vent is probably on the side of the door. It will put a lot of condensate on the drawer front immediately adjacent to the dishwasher. That condensate caused the finish on my brand new cabinets to peel off in less than 6 months. Now I fold a paper towel when I start the dishwasher and place it between the steam vent and the cabinet front to deflect the steam.

3) Your dishwasher will not dry your dishes on its own. I open the door twice during the dry cycle to let all the steam escape. That helps a lot.

Other than these issues noted above, it is not a bad dishwasher as far as new dishwashers go.

 

[jerrod6]

I think we should be able use any type of DW detergent in any machine regardless of make.  I understand that water hardness varies and soft water tends to cause foam but as far as detergent type I can't understand what makes the difference.  A powder is going to work as a powder does(well enough for regular soil, maybe not as well as a pac or tab on heavy soil), tabs as tabs do, and pacs with multiple detergent types(powder, gel, engyzmes, bleach) in one pack will operate differently than all of the above.

 

Seems like manufactures are now recommending detergents in the user manuals.  This is usually because they have signed a marketing agreement with the detergent manufacturer not because that is the only detergent that will work  well in the machine.

 

Seems like just buying any good brand of detergent would work.  I would first try your usual detergent and see what happens.

 

Please let us know how you like your new machine and have fun with it!

 

[sunshine32]

We just got it installed. Thanks for the tips about the vent. We renovated our kitchen now, so the tip is right on time.

I'll be making my first load now.

 

[mich]

Kitchenaid

In case you're curious, has a marketing agreement with Procter & Gamble. And Cascade, should be stamped on the detergent cup, along with a small decal, on the top door panel. 

 

The newer Cascade Actionpacs, do perform very well, in case you're wondering.