There are quite a few PMM models for the kitchen. Moreover, each manufacturer of dishwashing equipment strives to stand out from the rest: some add various sensors to the design of the dishwasher, while others add new units with additional functions.
But, regardless of the brand, the general operating principle of a household-class dishwasher is the same. The main operating units of equipment under different brands are also similar. How does a dishwasher work and on what principle does it work? It is these questions that we will examine in detail in this material. We will also consider basic recommendations for operating dishwashers.
Dishwasher components
Most of the automatic dishwashers currently offered in stores are models built into kitchen units with frontal (vertical) loading of dishes. This technique simplifies the life of a housewife as much as possible.
I put dirty cutlery into the machine, pressed the button - and after a while the spoons, forks and plates were clean again.
Understanding the structure and operating principle of an automatic dishwasher is the key to 100% clean dishes at the end and a long service life of kitchen appliances
In order for the dishwasher to work properly and wash dishes thoroughly, the machine requires water, regenerating salt and detergents. In this case, the water jets must have a set temperature, the salt composition must meet the requirements for NaCl purity, and liquids and washing tablets must be suitable for the specific model.
Each dishwasher unit is responsible for its part of the dishwashing process. If the heating element does not heat the water sufficiently, the pump does not pump it completely, and the ion exchanger or filters become clogged, then the dishes will remain dirty. You will have to stand at the sink and finish the operation of the machine manually. But then why buy a dishwasher at all?
Main components of household PMM
The small body of the dishwasher contains the following working units:
- Circulation pump for water supply.
- Drain pump for pumping waste into the sewer.
- Ion exchanger with resin to soften hard water.
- Instantaneous water heater (heating element with safety thermostat).
- Temperature and liquid level sensors inside.
- Filter for cleaning wastewater from food residues.
- Filter for purifying water supplied to the machine.
- Internal washing chamber with several baskets for different dishes.
- Upper and lower sprinklers (rocker arms with nozzles).
- Display and operating mode selection panel.
- Control block.
Plus, some models are equipped with a heat exchanger, and some with a fan for drying washed dishes.
All the main operating components of the dishwasher are located in the lower part, under the washing chamber: water softening system (1), drainage water inlet with float (2), drain and circulation pumps (3, 4), control board (5) and water supply valve ( 6)
In most PMMs, one pump is used to supply water to the sprinklers and pump it into the drain; the operating mode of the pump in this case is regulated by a special valve
The chamber for dishes is made of stainless steel. To reduce noise, a rubber seal runs along the contour of the hatch door. The cutlery trays are made removable. This allows you to place not only small dishes inside the dishwasher, but also more frying pans or pots.
On the door there is a container for detergent (liquid, powder or tablets). Another reservoir is made at the bottom of the chamber - this is for regenerating salt in the ion exchanger.
On the front of the dishwasher there are machine status indicators or a display, as well as a touch or mechanical control panel. The display-touch version is the most convenient to use, but also the most expensive. At the same time, simpler mechanics in the form of a round handle will last much longer in the vast majority of cases.
The dishwasher has its own basket for each type of dishes - it protects kitchen utensils and glassware from breaking, and also ensures they are washed more thoroughly
A typical dishwasher also includes:
- power cable;
- hoses for draining dirty water and supplying clean water;
- shelves, baskets and trays for dishes.
Special salt and cleaning compounds are consumables. They are not included in the kit, but you should not turn on the dishwasher without them.
Water alone still won’t wash dishes well. Plus, the automatic dishwasher is initially configured to have these products inside. If there are none or they are in insufficient quantities, the machine will not work and the protection will work. We have provided recommendations for choosing the most effective dishwasher detergent in this publication.
Additional elements and devices
The operation of the PMM is controlled by the corresponding automation unit. It sends signals to pumps, heating elements and valves. However, he needs sensors that monitor what is happening inside the operating equipment. And here each manufacturer himself determines the required set of sensors.
There is always one sensor in the car - a water temperature meter. Without it, it is impossible to maintain the proper temperature in the washing chamber. Plus, he also makes sure that the heating element does not overheat.
Also, an automatic dishwasher may have sensors for the composition of the water (the degree of hardness and the presence of impurities in it), the air temperature in the kitchen, as well as the amount of salt and rinse aid in the washing solution
All these sensors are needed to improve the efficiency of the automatic PMM. The more the control unit knows about what is happening inside the chamber with the dishes, the better it is able to select the washing mode.
How is dishwasher drying implemented?
Another additional unit is associated with drying washed cutlery. Almost all models of such machines require such a function. Only the most inexpensive options come without this option.
To dry dishes, the dishwasher is equipped with:
- heat exchanger;
- fan with heating coil;
- block with zeolite.
The first option is a plastic tank inside the PMM. It is filled with cold water and, through simple heat exchange processes, removes excess moisture from the chamber when needed.
After washing is completed, water begins to evaporate from the dishes and settle in the form of condensation just on this heat exchanger and the inner walls of the washing machine. The process is quite lengthy, but such a unit does not require electricity to operate.
The second option is energy dependent, but dries dishes much faster. However, the spinning fan is a little noisy. When choosing a dishwasher with it, you need to make sure that the seal on the hatch performs not only the functions of preventing leaks, but also sound insulation. The lid should close as tightly as possible.
The third option is a new product of the latest generation, which not all manufacturers have in their lineup yet. When absorbing water, the zeolite mineral heats up and releases heat in the form of dry heated air.
This hot air flow is used to dry washed kitchen utensils. Such equipment consumes almost a third less electricity than its counterpart with a fan. Moreover, there is no need to change or add zeolite. It gradually recovers itself and gets rid of excess moisture.
Another interesting function is the projection of the time until the end of washing or simply a red “bunny” from a laser pointer when the unit is operating on the floor covering in the kitchen. The absence of this option is not critical, but its presence simplifies control over the PMM from afar
Dishwasher manufacturers are constantly adding new options to their models to attract buyers. The search for solutions to improve the efficiency of this technology is ongoing. Moreover, the more such additional modules, the greater the likelihood of PMM failure.
We examined each of the main working units in more detail in our article: The structure of a typical dishwasher: design, purpose and maintainability of various parts.
The importance of salt ion exchange
A distinction must be made between detergent and regenerating sodium salt for PMM. These are two different formulations that are poured into different dishwasher containers. “Soap” goes into a reservoir on the lid, and “sodium” is poured into a container at the bottom of the washing chamber.
There are also all-in-one tablets. They are placed in a compartment on the machine hatch and already contain the required volumes of saline solution. But if the water in the tap is very hard, with a high content of magnesium and calcium, then it will be difficult to do without salt specially designed for the ion exchanger. Without it, the PMM will inevitably and quite quickly break down in such a situation.
Special salt in the dishwasher softens water, improves the quality of cleaning dishes and relieves heating elements from limescale, and cutlery from white calcium deposits.
The PMM contains an ion exchanger with a resin consisting of sodium chloride NaCl. The entire flow coming from the water supply for washing first passes through this block, where calcium and magnesium in the water are replaced by sodium ions. As a result, the formation of scale on the parts of the dishwasher and stains on the dishes is eliminated.
Gradually Na is washed out of the ion exchanger and must be replaced with a new portion. Moreover, you cannot use a regular food analogue for this. As a last resort, it is permissible to use coarse-crystalline boiled salt of the “EXTRA” group. But it is best to use only formulations specially prepared for dishwashers with a NaCl content of more than 99%.
The rate of salt consumption is determined by the dishwasher settings. In many PMM models, this process must be adjusted manually using a special table. Moreover, during further operation you will have to constantly monitor the composition of the water and adjust the adjustment.
To save yourself from such a routine, immediately upon purchase choose equipment with a hardness sensor. This way the machine will adjust itself, and NaCl consumption will be as economical as possible. We have provided more recommendations for choosing a dishwasher here.
Program duration for some models
Let's see how the duration of the modes differs for individual PMM models. For this purpose, we will analyze several popular examples of dishwashers of different brands and the duration of washing with these machines.
In practice, different manufacturers set the cycle duration values to be identical. The exact time can be seen in the instructions or on the display (+)
Based on reviews from many users, we can conclude that the most frequently used modes are fast and intensive.
"Eco-friendly" washing program
ECO (ECO) sink is designed for washing dishes that are not very dirty. During this process, small amounts of water and electricity are consumed: an average of 9.9 liters and 0.97 kW/h . The longest and optimal mode is 2 hours at 50°, the shortest mode (Vario Speed) is 1 hour 20 minutes.
Rinse program
When loading the machine gradually, this mode is used to rinse dishes . The process is convenient for those who do not cook often. You can fill the device gradually over 1-2 days.
Self-cleaning program
This program is used for hygienic cleaning of parts such as:
- inner chamber;
- sprinklers;
- sprinkler tubes.
It can be turned on without the presence of dishes, using citric acid or ordinary dishwasher detergent. The program is started with an empty device, then 1 cycle is started at a temperature of 70 degrees . Further rinsing occurs at the same temperature. Drying is not done. The chamber, water preheating container and water distribution system are completely cleared of bacteria.
How dishwashers work
To understand how a dishwasher works inside, you do not need to have any special knowledge of high sciences. The operation of an automatic dishwasher is based on the principle of a step-by-step process - first one cycle is performed, then the second, third, etc., and at the end clean cutlery is taken out of the machine.
Salt, water and detergents - these are the three components, as a result of mixing which dirty dishes are cleaned using a similar technique
Washing dishes in a PMM occurs in four stages:
- Pre-soaking (rinsing off large food residues).
- Main washing cycle.
- Rinse.
- Drying.
First, large remnants of uneaten food are removed from the surface of the dish. Then the temperature in the PMM increases and the main washing begins with the addition of detergents. This happens cyclically - collecting and heating water, spraying it around the chamber, draining it into the drain. The number of repetitions of this process depends on the selected washing mode. We talked in more detail about the washing cycle and the duration of the main modes in this material.
Depending on the selected mode, the water temperature in the PMM can reach 65–70 °C, but with an economical operating option it rarely rises above 50 °C, which significantly reduces the electricity consumption of the heating element
Finally, the dishes are rinsed with clean water and dried. If the machine comes with a heat exchanger, then the last stage may take several tens of minutes. If you have a drying fan or a module with zeolite, this happens much faster.
To ensure that water washes all parts of the dishes folded for washing, without exception, the sprinklers constantly rotate during operation. These rocker arms have several nozzles directed to the sides at different angles. The more nozzles there are and, accordingly, the number of jets in the chamber, the faster and more thoroughly the cutlery is washed.
Stages of work and processes occurring in the dishwasher
The operating algorithm of the machine is given in the instructions supplied with each device. In our article we will look at all the stages and try to explain them in the most accessible language. It all starts with the fact that the PMM needs to be connected in the kitchen to the electrical network, water supply and sewerage. With certain skills, you can do these operations yourself or call a professional.
When the connection is complete, you can start working:
- Fill the dishwasher bins with consumables: special salt, detergent and rinse aid. You can use tablets in which the latter components are combined, but salt should still be added separately - it softens the water.
- Place dirty dishes in baskets. How to do this correctly is described in our article.
- Run the dishwasher and select a program that matches the degree of soiling of the dishes loaded.
- By pressing the “Start” button, the working process begins - water from the water supply begins to flow through the inlet valve into the container located inside the PMM.
- Mixing with salt, the liquid becomes softer. Soft water washes dishes much more effectively . In addition, the formation of large amounts of scale is prevented. At the same time, the process of heating the water to the temperature specified by the washing program takes place (if the device is connected only to cold water). Some dishwasher models (Bosch, Siemens and other well-known brands) have the ability to connect to cold and hot water, which are mixed to the desired temperature.
- If the load of dishes is very dirty with dried food residues, cleaning them should begin with the soaking process. Water is mixed with detergent, and the circulation pump supplies it in small portions to the nozzles of the spray impellers located at the top and bottom of the chamber. Rotating under water pressure, the impellers distribute the detergent composition onto the surface of the dishes until all the dried dirt has liquefied. Then the rinsing mode is activated. The pump pumps liquid to the impeller nozzles in full. The main washing jets are sprayed from the lower spray impeller, washing away most food waste from dishes.
- During rinsing, the liquid is filtered and collected in the PMM container. It is not drained into the sewer, but is used again. To do this, an additional portion of detergent is added to the collected liquid and the rinsing process is repeated to wash away food residues from the dishes.
- Once the plates and cups are washed, the waste liquid is pumped out into the drain by a drain pump. Then the inlet valve opens and the inside of the container is rinsed with clean water, which is then also discharged into the sewer. The clean reservoir is refilled with fresh water for the final step - rinsing the washed dishes.
- Water is mixed with rinse aid and supplied by a circulation pump to the impeller nozzles under high pressure. At the same time, all food residues and detergent are washed off from the surfaces. At the same time, dirt is removed from the chamber in which the whole process takes place. Upon completion, all liquid is drained into the sewer.
- The final stage of work is drying. Depending on the PMM model, dishes can be dried under the influence of forced injection of hot air or naturally (convection drying) using a heat exchanger.
Types of drying implemented in various models of dishwashers
The processes of washing and rinsing dishes can be repeated several times, depending on the selected program . Thus, although there are many steps, the principle of operation of a dishwasher is quite simple. But at the same time, the household appliance has design features that users need to know in order to operate it correctly.
The process of washing dishes in a household dishwasher
Rules for using a household dishwasher
Tablets, liquids and powders intended for dishwashers contain a minimum of foaming components. The abundance of foam only harms the process of washing dishes in the PMM. The less it is, the better. Therefore, you cannot use regular soap or anything similar in the dishwasher.
When placing dishes in the basket, you should make sure that they do not lie close to each other - this way the spray jets will not be able to hit closed surfaces and will not wash away all food residues
Not all cutlery can be washed in the PMM. Drying with hot air is contraindicated for plastic. The plate from it will at least soften, and maybe “leak” with plastic drops. In the latter case, the machine will most likely fail instantly.
Glasses and cups should be placed upside down in the basket. This will make it easier for streams from the sprinklers to get inside, plus most of the water will flow out of them by gravity.
And most importantly, nothing should interfere with the movement of the blades with nozzles. This will either break the dishes or damage the sprinklers. We provided detailed recommendations for operating a dishwasher in our other article.
If there are remnants of washed-out food left at the bottom of the washing chamber, this indicates a clogged drain filter. It needs to be cleaned regularly. But the fewer large pieces of food left on the dishes, the less often you will have to take it out and wash it, so it’s better not to be lazy in the beginning and carefully remove large leftovers from the plates.
Have you discovered that your dishwasher is clogged? In this case, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with DIY cleaning tips.
How does a tablet work in the dishwasher? Where to put the tablet in the dishwasher
The manufacturer has found a universal form of production of detergents for dishwashers (DMM) - tablets. They replaced gels and powders. The main thing is not to confuse the place of the bookmark - there is a special compartment for tablet drugs. Let's figure out where to put the tablet in the dishwasher and how to use this product correctly.
What are their advantages?
Why the use of tablets for PMM is becoming popular:
- They do not crumble or spill, like powders and gels loaded through a funnel.
- They are created on an all-inclusive basis. Manufacturers offer capsules from “3 in 1” to “10 in 1” or “all in one”. The tablet contains all the components necessary for washing dishes and maintaining the dishwasher in good condition. Along with the detergent, the capsule contains rinse aid and salt.
How to choose?
When choosing tablet products, pay attention to the composition. You don't need harmful substances - phosphates, chlorine, surfactants, enzymes, fragrances. Buy products that have prestigious eco-certificates. For example, "Bio Mio" - manufacturers and experts claim that this environmentally friendly product is suitable for children's dishes and toys.
Where should I put them?
When creating household appliances, developers strive to make them understandable to the user. Questions arise - there are instructions. But many people prefer to act intuitively and use trial and error. Experiments are not always successful. Tip #1 - read the instructions. Cars from different brands have different internal structures, so you shouldn’t rely on experience or intuition.
The container for detergents is usually located on the door - on the inside.
- One compartment is for rinse aid. It has a screw cap. Dishwashers have a special indicator that indicates the presence of rinse aid.
- Detergent compartment. Gel or powder is loaded here. There are machines where one container is used for gels, powders and capsules, and there are models where there is a separate compartment for briquettes. The Bosch PMM has a different arrangement - the compartments are remote from each other.
There are dishwashers that do not provide for the use of all-in-one capsules. But you can use simple cleaning briquettes. Then buy rinse aid and salt separately. For such drugs, a container is installed on the upper basket. A similar design is found in older versions. When buying a PMM, pay attention to whether there is a compartment for all-in-one tablets.
Do I need to remove the packaging?
Each capsule is packed in film to protect it from moisture. How to lay it - with or without packaging? Read the instructions for the drug. If the film is self-dissolving, place the briquette without removing the packaging. It's convenient - you don't have to worry about dry hands. If the film is removed, handle the briquette with dry hands so as not to soften it. Sodasan, Amway, Finish Quantum have self-dissolving packaging. Products of the brands Ecover and Somat are packaged in insoluble film.
How do they work?
The principle of action of capsules depends on their composition. They have one function - to dissolve in water and wash dishes. What else is included:
- anti-corrosion substances;
- protection of silver from tarnishing;
- antibacterial and disinfectant effect;
- bleach;
- defoamer;
- flavoring and more.
Why does the tablet fall out?
Users are wondering if the capsule should fall out of the compartment? The principle of operation of the device is such that after starting the wash, the washing briquette must be thrown out of the compartment. Further, under the influence of water, it begins to dissolve, layer by layer.
Some users, wanting to speed up dissolution and run a short cycle, crush the briquettes into powder. For “3 in 1” this is unacceptable - the rinse aid should come into play at the very end, but in a crushed form this will not happen.
When the program is started, the briquette is ejected from the container and the dissolution process begins. The capsule should fly out of the dispenser on time. Reasons why there is no emission:
- the dishes are placed incorrectly - it prevents the compartment lid from opening;
- The dispenser lid is stuck.
How to use the tablets?
One capsule is designed for 1 cycle. There are 10–15 sets needed for washing. Thrifty consumers have found out that if you load 50% of the chamber in half-load mode, you can get by with half a briquette. They easily break in half. If the machine is compact, you can load ½ or even ¼ briquette.
There are models that stipulate under what regimens the use of tablet drugs “three (or more) in one” is allowed. It is recommended to refuel the machine with them when running long-term modes - from one hour. Otherwise, they do not have time to dissolve and your plates and glasses will not receive a dose of rinse aid - there will be no shine.
How to insert tablets correctly?
Some users put the tablets into the first compartment they like without reading the instructions, others - cautious ones - are interested in: which side should the briquette be placed? We answer: place it on either side, this will not affect the dissolution and effect of the drug. And remember a few useful rules:
- Remove leftover food from plates.
- Close the lid of the compartment into which the drug was loaded tightly.
- Run a long cycle. If you run a short wash, the product, without having time to dissolve, will settle at the bottom of the chamber, and the dishes will not be washed properly.
Useful
Before using the dishwasher, study its structure - the instructions will help you. Don’t forget to also read the recommendations for using detergents and then washing dishes will be a joy for you.
