Newbie dishwasher question

[washabear]

Hello, all:

I am new here, and this is my first post. I have read some of the discussions on here and have found them very interesting, so I thought I would ask a question, if that is OK. Here goes: I have a Maytag Performa dishwasher that came with the house I bought. The model number is PDB2420AWX. I suppose that this is an inexpensive model for bulk home builder use because it was in here when the home was bulit, but that really isn't important. The issue for me is that I have lived here for 3 years, and in that time, I have never used the dishwasher. This may sound silly, but I have never used a dishwasher (we never had one when I was growing up), so I don’t know how to use it. I have wanted to use it but have been afraid of it. For instance, where do you put the detergent? Does it go in the open receptacle or the lidded one? (The manual doesn’t say.) And, more important, can I use it with confidence after having it lie dormant for 3 years? Is it going to flood my hardwood floor? Might it be a bad idea to use it after sitting all these years? (I heard from a real estate agent that nonuse can be bad.) Should I try it, or should I have it looked at first before I try to use it? Here's a pic from my phone to show it. (Looks like Bubbles the wonder cat wants a bath!)

So glad I found this site! Thanks.

 

[launderess]

Detergent,

The open "cup" is for the first wash cycle, and the closed up the second. Most dishwashers have two wash cycles on "Normal", thus one fills both cups. The first batch of detergent is dumped into the machine for the first wash when the door is closed, during the second wash cycle the little door will open releasing the detergent. How much detergent to use is something you will have to experiment with taking into account soil levels, water hardness and machine cleaning ability.

Use after longterm idleness.

You shouldn't sart off by pouring a kettle of warmish water into the bottom of the machine and let it sit overnight. Dishwashers like washing machines have pumps/seals that shouldn't be allowed to dry out. Indeed many dishwasher manuals have instructions for how to store the machine in case of long term non-use such as going on vacation. By pouring in warm water you will not only prime the pump, but rehydrate the pump and seals. This would also be a good time to check for leaks. If you can slide some newspaper underneath the machine before pouring in the water. The after waiting awhile, slide the paper out and check for any wet spots. If you see water spots that means there is a leak somewhere.

After doing the water bit, it is time to run the machine. Set the machine to "Normal", and use the water heating option. Allow the machine to fill a bit then open the door and pour in one cup of chlorine bleach. Close the door and allow the machine to run a complete cycle. If chlorine bleach isn't your thing, simply use any of the "dishwasher magic" products found in stores. Follow the directions on the package. What you want to do is clean out any mold/germs/gunk that have built up from previous use, and from allowing the machine to sit unused for a long period of time.

Note:

If you can detect any whiff of mold/mildew inside the dishwasher, you really should consider using chlorine bleach or white vinegar(about one or two cups).

Welcome to the site and keep us posted!

L.

 

[mixfinder]

Fearless Fosdick

You have an amazing dishwasher. As soon as you have seasoned it as Laundress advises (even though she says shouldn't, she meant should) Load it up full with dirty dishes. Scrape off clumps, bones and pits, but DO NOT rinse. It doesn't matter if it takes several days, they will still come clean. Always use the normal cycle and I suggest using the heated dry as it also allows the booster heater to come on during wash helping to keep the water hotter. Aluminum pans or Calphalon, Circulon, Scan Pan etc with the grey surface will come out discolored so if you care how they look, wash these items by hand. The look will not affect their function if you choose to put them in the dishwaser. Welcome to whole new world of clean counters, spotless dishes, less colds and pretty hands. The Maytag, even though it is a builders model is still one of the best dishwasher made in America for the money. Avoid buying large bulk containers or liquid dishwasher detergent. I use Cascade Complete, but any Cascade choice will work very well.
Kelly

 

[launderess]

Gosh, thanks for catching that, guess it is time for bed!

L.

 

[gadgetgary]

DO NOT rinse

Kelly......Please help!

 

[appnut]

Here we go correcting another poster. Mixfinder said " I suggest using the heated dry as it also allows the booster heater to come on during wash helping to keep the water hotter." Actually, he meant the temp boost on option is what allows the booster heater to come on during wash helping to keep the water hotter. The water heating light will come on during the main wash as well as during the last rinse. Also, for VERY heavy soil, if you also select the heavy soil cycle, the water heating will begin earlier in the main wash phase ratherr than toward the end of the main wash phase (or cycle). Also of interest, on this particular dishwasher, when you do have the temp boost option on, as well as heated dry on, the heating element will come on longer during the dry phase than with the temp boost optoin off. Unique to Maytag.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Don't be scared, think of it as your servant: Once you start using your machine, you'll wonder how you ever did without it!

You might want to run the machine empty, so as to clean away any smells/residues for sitting idle for so long, as the previous posters suggest.

 

[mixfinder]

Good To Know

Thanks Bob,
I'm glad to know the inclusive information. My Maytag Performa model only had heated dry or not and the cycle knob selected heavy normal and light.
I just jumped off the boat with a lifejacket full of assumptions.
It used to be true for many of the older dishwashers, that choosing cool dry deactivated the heater during the wash.
Kelly

 

[maytagbear]

Supplying it--

I strongly suggest Cascade or Electrosol, but not the gel formulas. (Excption:Cascade Complete gel. It has enzymes, and in dishwasher detergents, enzymes are A Very Good Thing.) However, powder detergents are more economical to use.

I also very strongly suggest a rinse aid like Jet-Dri or the Cascade rinse aid.

Good luck with it. Maytag dishwashers do clean very well. I've had two, and loved them both.

Welcome, and I do hope you at least keep reading!

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[whirlcool]

Are you sure that you are not related to my sister some way? She remodeled her kitchen and bought a Miele dishwasher. She has never used it. Why? Someone told her that if she never uses the the dishwasher and when she goes to sell the house (someday) she'll get 3-5 grand more for it as she can say the dishwasher has never been used!
For the reasons pointed out in the above posts, go ahead an use your dishwasher. Be sure to flip the detergent door shut after you put in the dishwasher detergent. It'll open during the cycle.
Let us know how it all came out!

 

[washabear]

Thanks, everyone, for all the instructions and advice. I'm going to try it. I'm glad I asked rather than just turning the thing on blind! Will report back afterward.

Thanks again!