Fascinating thread, and a thought I had, brings this back from the abyss. LOL.
I wonder if these Potscrubber II machines had to use so much water because of the much longer and large distribution system.
You're filling three wash arms with water now, in addition to a long, large hose to the top, AND internal conduit in the middle, and across the upper rack, to the arm. And the arms are HUGE, and voluminous.
This dang thing probably needed at least 2.5 gallons per fill just not to simply cavitate once the system was primed.
Alas, it's too bad they didn't stick with it and attempt to improve it.