Dishwashers save you the hassle of having to wash your dishes by hand. But, should you be rinsing off your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher? Find out more about dishwasher food disposal to make sure you’re getting the most use out of your appliance.
Scraping and Rinsing Dishes
Scraping food off dishes is a good habit to get into. This habit will help you avoid putting larger pieces of food in the dishwasher. These food items can cause damage to dishwasher parts, resulting in the need for repairs. Simply scraping food off with a fork or napkin is enough to remove most food particles from dishes.
When it comes to rinsing, there’s more debate over whether or not to do it and how much might be needed. A quick or light rinse is often all that’s needed before loading your dishwasher. However, some have features that make this step unnecessary, such as food sensors and built-in garbage disposals.
Keep in mind that skipping heavy rinsing saves on water usage in your home. Giving dishes a light rinse can make it easier for your dishwasher to clean your dishes without having to work as hard. This could help your dishwasher last longer without needing repairs or a replacement.
Food Sensors
Some modern dishwashers have features that eliminate the need for spending a lot of time and water rinsing dishes off before loading. Food sensors have special equipment that detects how much food is in your dishes. When dishes are heavily soiled, the dishwasher runs a heavier and longer cycle to ensure that they’re completely clean.
When you rinse your dishes off but leave small particles of food stuck to them, the food sensor might cause the dishwasher to only run a shorter and lighter cycle. This can leave you with dishes that still have those food particles stuck to them. In order to make sure that you have clean dishes, you should only remove leftover food or large pieces of food from your plates before loading them. The food sensor should cause the dishwasher to thoroughly clear off any food that’s left.
Built-in Garbage Disposals
A built-in garbage disposal makes dishwasher food disposal even easier. When you have a dishwasher with this feature, which is found in some modern types, the disposal takes care of any food that is left on your dishes. However, it’s important to note that these disposals usually don’t operate as effectively as traditional garbage disposals. This means that your drain can become clogged with food particles or grease.
When you have a dishwasher with a built-in garbage disposal, you should remove larger food items from your dishes prior to loading. This helps lower the risk of having bits of food cause clogs in your drain and pipes. You should also avoid placing dishes with oil or grease on them in your dishwasher since these substances can also clog up your drain.
If your dishwasher isn’t draining correctly, please contact Forrest Anderson. We provide reliable help for drainage issues, as well as moving or installing water lines.
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