New Dishwasher On Order: GE PDT750

[polkanut]

Last fall we were forced to get a new dw after a slow leak did our WP in.  We still have bisque appliances, so my wife insisted on a machine that matched.  So far, we've been fairly happy it, but I've noticed that sometimes the detergent cup doesn't completely empty.  I've been experimenting with how much silverware, and what size pots, pans, and dinnerware is placed in front of and underneath the detergent cup.  I've also noticed that the Calrod heating element doesn't get nearly as hot for the drying portion of the wash cycle as on previous machines we've had (GE, WP).  We leave it on normal wash and heated dry nearly all the time.

http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=GDF520PGDCC

 

[frigilux]

Tim-- You have a different model than me, but are you using a detergent pac? The detergent dispensers on GE's are custom-made for them. I've never had a pac (Cascade; Nellie's; Member's Mark Ultimate Clean) fail to dissolve completely.

Ben (washman) has noted several times that he can only use Cascade pacs in his GE or some gets left behind in the dispenser.

I'd forgotten all about this thread! A year later I'm still very happy with the GE. Wish the racks & tines were as brawny as those in the LG; wish it had the larger interior dimensions of the LG, as well. Otherwise, it cleans like a champ and is nearly silent, so no complaints.

 

[ea56]

I have the same model GE as Tim, only in white. I use Finish Quantum Power Ball paks, they dissolve completly and this dishwasher cleans excellently and is very quiet. I'm very pleased with this dishwasher.

 

[polkanut]

Frigilux,

No detergent pacs here.  We usually use a 50/50 mixture of powdered Cascade/Hytron along with 1 tsp STPP in the cup.  We also have the rinse aid dispenser set at 2.  Excellent cleaning, and hardly ever, if ever, any food bits left behind.   

http://www.stearnspkg.com/hfa/h-hytron-chlorinated-automatic-dishwasher-detergent.html

 

[washman]

Correct Frig

I've used all the pacs, pods, pellets, etc. Brand name and generic store brands. The best results come with the Cascade Platinum 10x pacs. GE makes it clear in the manual. First time I have ever had an appliance state a specific detergent for best results.

FWIW, the soon to be new house has a Frigidaire DW, brand new, not sure what it recommeds. We'll find out when I close next month.

 

[johnb300m]

Long Term Review

Hi Frigi,
By now you've gotten to know your GE PDW pretty well.
How are you liking it in the long term? How has it been holding up? Is it still cleaning well?

When I get my new place, I want to get a PDW720 so I'm interested in the performance of this architecture.
Plus my parents have a 500 series with the dual sliverware racks. They complain about it not cleaing "like the old one." Of course (eye roll) But I hear other good reviews so IDK. Maybe they're not loading it well?

Cheers,

 

[frigilux]

Mine cleans even the worst pots/pans very well, is super-quiet, and very energy-efficient. My previous dishwasher was a 2008 top-of-the-line LG which had a noticeably larger interior, beefier racks, and an overall feeling of high quality. I find the racks on the GE to be kind of flimsy by comparison, but they are holding up well, so no complaints there.

I use Cascade Platinum or Member's Mark Ultimate Clean (Sam's Club) pacs, and have experienced only one or two instances of a pac not dissolving completely.

The PDT750 is highly rated by CR and Reviewed.com. John (combo 52) has a GE with the same wash system (the quad arms) and finds it lacking in both cleaning ability and build quality.

I'd have no problem recommending the PDT750, but have to admit I may look toward KitchenAid for my next dishwasher. LG changed their wash system a few years ago and their cleaning scores at CR have dropped significantly; nor has LG been able to solve the problem of poor reliability. Mine worked very, very hard for 5 years (easily 2-3 times the normal "seven loads per week"). Unfortunately, water from a cracked drain hose very slowly eroded the floor and subflooring under and around the machine. I no longer trusted it, so it was repaired and sent out the door to a new home where it is still in use.

[this post was last edited: 10/21/2015-16:42]

 

[gelaundry4ever]

cheese enchilada pan test

I would like to see how this dishwasher will deal with a baking pan crusted with cheese enchiladas using heavy cycle, steam prewash, high temp wash and cascade dishwasher detergent with rinse aid as well as heated dry. What will the results be?

 

[frigilux]

1. The PDT750 has no steam function. It cleans as well as my LG did without it.

2. There is no heated dry. The Power Dry (or whatever it's called) differs only in that an hour is added to the cycle time. If you haven't selected that, the CLEAN light comes on immediately after the final rinse is drained. A small, 3-watt fan operates for about an hour or until you open the door. I usually just open the door and let everything flash dry. If you select Power Dry, an hour is added to the cycle time and the CLEAN light doesn't come on until the fan shuts off. That's the only difference. The GE is not a steller drier, especially with plastics.

3. I believe the cheese enchilada pan would come emerge clean given soft water and a Cascade Platinum pac. Can't speak for other circumstances/detergent choices.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

normal cycle with temp boost

Have you tried the normal cycle with temp boost? I use it on my dad's Whirlpool all the time.

 

[johnb300m]

Dry Performance

I can 2nd the mediocre dry performance, especially from the experience my parents' have with their 500 series.
Dishes and silverware are usually dry, but plastics are not. The tub and door and silverware baskets are still dripping wet after a 1hr dry.
They're kind of annoyed by it.
Seems like GE, to keep these units "efficient" really knocked down dry performance.

I DO hear that if you whine about it enough under warranty, GE will reprogram or replance your control board with a "super dry" software update which seems to work better.

It seems like a lot of dishwashers have better drying performance.
However, I've never ever experiened a dishwasher that dried plastic items well.