Thundering Thermador Throwdown

[rp2813]

Cycle Times

Heavy Steam: 75 minutes, give or take, based on 140 degree water supply. Water use: 13 gallons.

Sequence: Pre-wash, rinse, main wash begins, pause for steam heating, main wash resumes and cup opens, three rinses, dry.

Only on "Heavy Steam" and "Sani-Steam" is a rinse provided after the pre-wash. I usually select "Regular" without steam and don't put detergent in the pre-wash cup so it's a pre-rinse instead.

The instruction book pegs "Regular Wash" at 64 minutes and 11.3 gallons. I think the steam cycles take more time than the book suggests.

So Bob, this load used the second most-intense cycle. I probably could have gotten away with "Full Steam" or no steam at all, considering I kind of cheated by adding Lemishine.

 

[retropia]

I love a dishwasher that dries well. Does it also dry plastics well?

That's my only real complaint about our new Kenmore standard-tub Ultra Wash dishwasher. For the sake of stricter Energy Star standards, my understanding is that the heater pulses on-and-off to use less electricity than our old Kenmore Ultra-Wash. The new one doesn't dry plastics very well.

 

[appnut]

Pulsing dry heater

It is my understanding the drying heater cycles on & off only on the light/china cycle, it should stay on the entire time for normal, heavy, and Pots & Pans cycles. There is a "however" to that last phrase, if Sani-Rinse temp option is selected, then yes, the drying heater will cycle on & off at 7 minute intervals during the dry cycle.

 

[rp2813]

Plastic Items

I think they are a tough thing to dry for most machines. I usually have some moisture at least in the grooves of plastic items, although the basket components for the coffee maker are usually dry. The "Gladware" type stuff is tough to dry. There is almost always a need to wipe it off.

 

[a440]

OMG!
What a huge load you have there!
I love your Thermador! I have always had a soft spot for them!
Brent