Main Wash time comparisons between new vs. older dishwashers

[launderess]

In Theory

Packets should dissolve rather rapidly upon hitting hot water.

Tablets long as they are fresh shouldn't pose a problem either. Detergent makers remember the problems with Salvo and other early tabs that acted like hockey pucks and today's offerings are streets ahead of that product. Key word to remember however is "fresh".

Purchased a job lot of Electrasol Tablets when they were discontinued (conversion over to Finish) since the stuff was dirt cheap. Took some time to work down the stash and the last canister's contents turned into hard little bricks. Had to whack the packet with a mallet to break them into powder.

 

[henene4]

@logixx

Yeah, the last TOL slim line model (45cm, 18") before the new linie was launched. Ordered not more than 6 months before the new release. Embarrissing.
@laundress Yes and no: We have areas with incredible hard water (I live in one with 42° dH or about 40 grains per gallon, I think) BUT any common DW over here has a built in water softner. Practicly, any DW, to be honest, except some BOL counter-top models. So, we have them because we can

 

[logixx]

Very hard water

By definition, our soft water goes up to 8.4 gpg and hard water starts at 14 gpg. How about this in the US? Are 8 gpg already considered hard water?

It is interesting that the response was that we needed phosphates because of hard water - in a country where 100% of residential dishwashers have softeners.

@ murando - Four to five minutes for a Quantum pac to dissolve seems about right.

@ Jerrod - I think some liquid detergents still have chlorine bleach.

 

[launderess]

Stand Corrected

Claim was regarding the quality of European water overall, not just Germany.

"Europe’s ADW detergents are more sophisticated—and expensive—than those in the U.S., Müller-Kirschbaum explains, in part because most of Europe’s water is harder. Tablets dominate the market, and most brands make multiple claims related to water softening, odor reduction, shine, and etch inhibition."

http://pubs.acs.org/cen/coverstory/89/8904cover.html?featured=1

 

[iej]

I have to say, I have absolutely never any issue with the results from my Bosch r any other dishwasher I've used, unless it's actually faulty or there's a technical problem like a spray arm stuck due to misloading.

I wish dishwashers would detect a non rotating spray arm and beep!

 

[wayupnorth]

My old Lady Kenmore Roto Rack was exactly 22 minutes on normal wash until it hit dry, which was heated. Hit cancel drain button, open door, spin rack, everything is dry.

 

[jerrod6]

Regarding tablets and pacs

If your older DW model uses a lot of water and I think most of them did, then the pac will fall into it and probably dissolve ok.  A few weeks ago I had to stop my DW in the main wash after 7 minutes to adjust a loose item that was banging.  There was the pac sitting near the front of the machine trying to dissolve.  It was on it's way but it was not sitting in water.  So if you DW is one that only covers the filter area with water like mine does, and does not cover most of the  bottom of the machine you may have issues with short washes. I think though that most older machine filled until the entire, or most of the bottom was bathed in water. 

 

[rolls_rapide]

I have tried the speed mode, but was under the impression that it simply shortened the wash time. Therefore, even more chance of stained crockery.

My bone of contention is the spray pressure to the upper basket: most of the time it is too damn lethargic. A water pistol would have more oomph! I think some detergents foam too much, thereby reducing the force of the spray even further. Also, the spray arms in this model are of the wide, heavy, curved "S" shape. They take more effort to turn, compared to my parents' 2014 Bosch, which has lightweight arms, and I shouldn't wonder, are hydro dynamically more efficient.

I have mentioned this lacklustre upper basket performance before. I still notice that chalky residue and gritty foodstuffs seem to be deposited in the support rails of the upper basket. Water levels are fine, and the spray arms were replaced last year. They revolve freely.

I'm actually tempted to sling the bloody machine into touch.

I miss the previous Hoover (Candy) Optima. It would blast both baskets at the same, especially when the "Superwash" option was engaged.

 

[logixx]

Your Bosch might not have the varioSpeed feature if it only shortens  the wash cycle but does nothing else. :-/

 

I just ran the Intensive cycle with the speed mode engaged and the wash portion lasted only 28 minutes, not 40 minutes as I thought. 

 

[rolls_rapide]

I tried it last night on the "Auto Super Wash", with Time Reduction activated, on a fairly full load.

Pre-rinse: 10 mins
Main wash: 30 mins
2 intermediate rinses @ 10 mins each
Final rinse approx 20 mins.
Drying: 10 mins.

The spray arms still alternate between the two baskets. The only time both arms are active, is in the pre-rinse portion of the cycle.

I wonder if the various sensors have previously defaulted to a shorter, cooler, gentler wash?