My thoughts on the Miele G7166

[michaelz08]

@mattl when I was looking at models in 2023, I was seeing a lot of complaints over the new PowerControl system in the 800 models. Plus the mandatory use of the app to do some things that used to be controlled on the DW were major turn offs. Prior I had been seriously deciding between a Bosch 509 or KitchenAid 200 series.

I’m glad to see them giving recognition to the Whirlpool and the WDT*50 series. For what it retails for it looks like a superb machine. And I’ve had good experiences with Whirlpool’s filter based models doing a good job of keeping their own filters clean. On my recommendation in my friend’s kitchen remodel that we are undertaking, he got a WDT750SAKZ open box for less than $500 (warrantied and basically brand new- that’s quite a deal. The KitchenAid 200 series was less than $700 as well. And I have seen echoed on Reddit from appliance repair techs that Whirlpool things generally tend to be more repairable and/or have better parts availability.Even though it has a polymer base it’s reasonably well constructed and assembled for that price.

When we were looking for gas cooktops, there was a very good deal on a new LG that was missing a burner cap. We passed on it because for the life of me, I could not find any parts diagrams/list for that unit even though it’s a current model.

 

[jamiel]

Bought a Bosch 800 series for our condo in Palm Springs during COVID---it was the pre-Wifi version as far as I can tell. Can't say I'm happier with it than the 100 series from 11 years ago we've had in Detroit...it is quieter; but I don't find the 3rd rack all that convenient and it cleans no better than the old-fashioned rack in the 100 series.

The 800 series will fit the cutting board inserts for the kitchen sink tidily.

I continue with my refrain, though, of urging folks who are in the market for dishwashers to take their crockery and glasses to the store to ensure it fits...nothing's more irritating than not being able to fit things that you use everyday conveniently.

 

[michaelz08]

Cup shelf issues...

It happened again, this time in at least two of the cups on the cup shelf.

I think it's because these cups are a smaller diameter and the shelf is quite bulky. So not enough water can get into the cup to clear this redeposit? Even though I leave the row in front of them empty to ensure there's space to spray.

These are just water cups, so they had no such grime going in. They are the ones I use the most often, so it looks like they can't go on the shelf if they're to come out clean. This is a very disappointing flaw for such an expensive machine.

 

[mrboilwash]

My mom`s first dishwasher (late 70s) did exactly the same thing on cups in the corners of the upper rack. Leaving gritty redeposits that were not there before.
It was a Bauknecht which had the same spray arm and rack design as Whirlpool used to have in the US back then.
Today I still can`t bring myself to put smaller things like cups or glasses in the corners of a dish washer where the spray won`t hit directly even though most dishwashers now might cope much better in those situations.
For me it`s still only larger things like bowls that go in corners.
Not too fond of cup shelves either except for things like a spatula or a wooden spoon.

 

[michaelz08]

@mrboilwash I wish it was just the corners! It doesn't seem to matter where along the shelf they are. At this point I will have to avoid putting these smaller cups there altogether.

Ironically, my larger cups do not have this issue on the shelf. They should have continued using the metal mesh shelf from the older machines, those allowed much more water into the cups. My parents 2007 Miele has not had such an issue with a very similar loading configuration.

 

[logixx]

Current BSH cup shelves. Almost as if BSH and Miele switched designs.

 

[michaelz08]

They should switch back to the metal ones. In addition to allowing less water through, these are too flexible (makes it harder to know that they’re position properly), and have less height options than the older style. The only benefit is the rubber for glassware stems, but that is not enough of an upgrade to justify its lack of usefulness as a shelf now since I wash more cups than wine glasses. These might be the worst cup shelves on the market at any price point.

 

[michaelz08]

The dirty cup saga continues

After returning from a trip this weekend we unloaded the G7166 and the dirty cup issue is worse than just the cup shelf. There were cups (that were un-shelved/on the rack) that came out with food residue, some of them are really not great. It removed the coffee stains and all just to redeposit onto them- see below.

I'm running a vinegar cycle and cleaning the filter now (it looks spotless), but if this continues, I will be calling for service most likely.

 

[labboy]

Agree about the cup shelves. I only use them for things like tongs.

Other than that, I’ve not had any issues with everything coming out flawless on our 7166.

I tried turning ExtraClean on. It didn’t seem to make a huge difference in performance considering how much time it added to some cycles. We have 2nd Interim Rinse turned on. That really made all the glasses and silverware come out brilliantly.

I got some of the short wine glass holders to add to the bottom rack. We can fit a fair number of glasses in there.

Bob

 

[lavamat_jon]

We have the latest generation of G7000 (ours is a European freestanding G7130SC) and it leaves everything spotless, with no bits over anything . It reminded me to clean the filter last week and there was barely a trace on there, nothing a 10 second rinse under the hot tap didn’t sort.

Our model is the newer generation of what OP’s G7166 is based on - and has extra options as standard now previously not found this low in the range. There is now an extras option, which brings up an options menu where you select any combination of Quick, Intense Zone, Extra Clean, Extra Dry and Bottle Clean. The boot up time is only a couple of seconds where it displays the Miele logo so I wonder if the software has been updated.

I wasn’t expecting much as my parents 6 year old G4940SC dishwasher isn’t great at drying and isn’t as solid as a Miele ought to be, but this is absolutely solid and performs flawlessly. The racking is easy and really flexible, the machine is quiet, and the software and app are both very responsive. I often use the Powerwash cycle which is around 1:20 for a 60°C wash, interim rinse, and hot final rinse with turbo fan and auto open drying. I will use the auto cycle, although it very rarely triggers a prewash cycle, but selecting Extra Clean forces a prewash on any programme as well as a second interim rinse - and cleans great. If I really need to step it up I use Intensive and nothing survives that.

Cycle times are on the longer side as with most appliances nowadays, but not a problem as the dishwahser usually goes on in the evening or overnight, and unloaded the next morning. If I want it done quicker during the day I will use the Powerwash cycle as above. If you want things done really quickly, selecting the Quick option with Powerwash will run the 1 hour QuickPowerwash cycle - 55°C wash (down from 65 on previous gen), rinse, hot final rinse and drying.

It does have AutoDos but to be honest it’s not something I really use, nor am I particularly interested in. Once the six months free supply is up, the pricing of the PowerDisk is extortionate especially given that they are single use and can’t be refilled (doing so voids the warranty). I am more than happy with the drudgery of placing a tablet into the dispenser. I’ve used Lidl and Aldi own brand tablets, now using Fairy Platinum (our version of Cascade) and results have been great.

It replaced a dodgy Siemens IQ700 which we had no end of trouble with (dishes ended up with gritty residue over everything and items were coming out dirtier than they went in), finally ended up with a replacement from our retailer which is when we decided to go back to Miele, although admittedly that derision was based on what was in stock at the time. I definitely think our Siemens was a lemon (there’s other BSH dishwashers in the family which are flawless), but we are super satisfied with the Miele. The Miele is much quieter too than the Siemens, despite having the same 43dB rating.

I’ve never understood the American aversion to our dishwasher racks (similar to the perception of our allegedly “small” and “compact” washers), but I suppose it’s a case of being used to what you’ve lived with for years. I must admit one of our thick brimmed stoneware plate sets don’t fit the comfort rack very well, but to be honest this was a perfect excuse for me to get rid as I never liked the plates anyway .

Jon

 

[foraloysius]

Nice dishwasher Jon!

Americans often have lots of stoneware especially bowls. For them to fit in a dishwasher the tines have to be further apart from eachother than the tines in a European dishwasher are. In Europe we mostly use thinner porcelain, no problem with my bowls in my Miele.

 

[lavamat_jon]

Thanks Louis, we are very pleased with it so far after the two year headache we had with our previous dishwasher.

Yes that’s what I came to the conclusion of with the stoneware, especially with the set we have that struggle to fit in the dishwasher. Fortunately they were an inexpensive set from the supermarket, and didn’t like them anyway so I’m not too upset about that. But I can fit all sorts of pans, oven dishes, Le Creuset etc in beautifully.

Of course the Royal Doulton with the hand painted periwinkles (yes, I really have some) fits beautifully!

Jon

 

[foraloysius]

I’ll have a beker lol