Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Who Invented The Dish Washer

Well to answer that question, one must ask another question, i.e who best understands a woman?s problems. It can only be a woman. The woman who was the inventor of dishwasher happened to be a socialite, constantly beleaguered by problems of chipped china at the hands of careless servants.

Invented in 1886 by Josephine Cochrane, the commercial production of the dishwasher was started after 1893. The invention of the dishwasher is the culmination of efforts to eliminate human error in the carrying out of mundane tasks like dish washing, which although monotonous requires alertness and careful and delicate handling. And of course, inventing the dishwasher makes practical sense, allowing dishes to be washed together in one go and with minimal water, with water consumption alone estimated to be half of what would be required when washing them by hand. Dish washers also provide convenient storage of the dirty or used dishes, until it is ready to be washed.

Modern dishwashers also have ?rinse and hold? cycles, that runs a summary wash/ rinse of the dishes to eliminate excessive food particles, and storing them until such time that the machine is fully loaded to clean in one go. Dishwashers also facilitate a more hygienic cleaning with near boiling water, while also drying the dishes with hot air, a technique that not only saves on the time normally required when individually drying dishes one by one. The dishwasher is a woman?s answer to the challenge thrown to her in juggling with separate roles as a housewife, mother, career woman, entertainer, socialite and what not.

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Monday, January 28, 2008

Recipe For Automatic Dishwasher Detergent?

Automatic dishwasher detergents are among one of the products that contain higher amounts of phosphates which can wreck havoc on the environment. The bad news is, from all my experimenting so far I have yet to find a recipe that actually works in a dishwasher but without leaving spots or residue behind on the the dishes.

I am extremely hesitant to recommend one of the "green" phosphate free brands though because many contain an ingredient called "zeolite", which I have read may not necessarily be the lesser of the two evils. There is concern over the fact that because zeolite is undoubtedly not as effective as phosphates, more detergent or cleanser is needed- even more getting dumped into the environment. It is actually also cheaper and easier to remove phosphates from contaminated waters that it is for zeolite. As always, if something sound too good to be true there's probably another side to the story...

There is also a popular recipe on the net that uses two tablespoons of half borax and half baking soda in the dishwasher. Once again, I have a hard time recommending this. Only in this case I'm not claiming it doesn't work or isn't more environmentally friendly , but borax has been linked in research studies to create fertility issues and just because it may natural doesn't mean it's innocent- remember borax is also used as a form of pesticide! Even though many swear by the use of borax in many types of homemade cleaners, I won't use it in my home in areas that come in contact with my family at any time so I simply cannot recommend you use it to clean the same plates you'll eat off of.

So what do we do? Well there is one tactic for the dishwasher I found to be at least helpful until better solutions are known of. First off I've found that you really don't need as much dishwashing detergent as most brands recommend- using half of that amount does an excellent job in itself. Another thing that can be done mixing your powdered dishwashing detergent with as much as half baking soda, which acts as a water softener to make that lesser amount of detergent you use even more effective. Or even better yet, just do your dishes by hand!

Visit Lisa Chambers' website for more free information, tips, and recipes based on a healthful and balanced take on beauty, home, and well being.

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

A Look at Portable Dishwashers

Portable dishwashers are just the ticket for those with less than enough space for a more permanent and heavier dishwasher. They range in widths from a slim 18 inches to a maximum of about 24 inches for the “larger” portables. In general, they are also less expensive. They usually run anywhere from $200 to $500, rather than to $600 or more as with permanent units.

Portable dishwashers have wheels on them. You can roll your portable dishwasher to the storeroom if you don’t plan on using it for a while (and would rather opt for hand-washing). It’s also much easier to maneuver, for those who plan on moving to a new home in the near future.

They usually contain two rolling baskets for placing dishes into. They don’t usually boast the usual whistles and bells of large units, but they do have enough settings to choose from. For example, many units have a super-powerful cycle for pots and pans. Some also offer an option for boosting the water temperature when the house’s hot water supply is low.

To operate a portable dishwasher, you must roll it over to the sink and connect it to a hose. That part is easy. Just screw the hose to the sink’s plumbing. Make sure you won’t be using the sink during the machine’s cycles, and also be sure to unclog the sink first, if necessary. Drano or Liquid Plumr should do the trick. Also, be sure to rinse dishes before putting them in the machine. This will prevent the number of cases of clogging and grime buildup. If it ever does get plugged up, emitting a black gunk that ends up on your dishes, try scrubbing the walls down with vinegar and running the machine with a cup of vinegar.

Almost all manufacturers of standard, full-size dishwashers also offer a portable model. This includes Bosch, KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, and Kenmore.

A portable dishwasher’s top acts as a countertop in many households, a godsend when space is at a premium. Alternatively, some portable dishwashers are made to sit atop an existing countertop in your kitchen. These have smaller capacities, as one might guess. But their performance is every bit as good as a floor-bound unit.

Perhaps the best part about portable dishwashers is that they are simpler machines than standard dishwashers. This means less repair work is needed, and less often.

You can purchase your new portable dishwasher at Sears, Menards, Target, ABC Warehouse, or any other large appliance retailer. They usually offer 1-year parts and labor warranties. But with care and attention, your new dishwasher can last for years.

Dishwashers Info provides detailed information on standard and portable dishwashers, dishwasher parts and repair, and reviews of the best dishwasher manufacturers and products. Dishwashers Info is the sister site of Water Softeners Web.

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Thursday, December 6, 2007

Dishwasher Belt – Don't Let It Slip

 

You have an older dishwasher and it's serving you well. Let's make that was serving you well. See, the problem is… fixing it. If your dishwasher has stopped filling or draining all of a sudden or has its moments when it will work and when it won't - check the belt.

The belt connects the motor to the pump using pulleys. When the motor rotates in one direction the pump fills the dishwasher. When the motor rotates in the opposite direction, the pump drains the dishwasher.

If your dishwasher isn't filling or draining at all, the belt could be broken. If your dishwasher occasionally works, the belt is probably stretched and is slipping. Take a closer look at your dishwasher's belt.

The belt is approximately 25 inches long and made of clear or black rubber. The belt is located behind the lower access panel, which is sometimes referred to as a kickplate. Getting to the belt is easy and since you don't have pull the dishwasher out from the wall, this repair won't take long. The only tool you will need is a screwdriver.

Always remember:
It's important to cut the power source to the dishwasher before attempting any repairs. You can unplug the power cord, remove the fuse from the fuse box, or flip the breaker in the circuit breaker panel. After the power is cut, you may continue.

Open the dishwasher door to locate the screws for the access panel. Once the screws are removed, close the door and remove the panel. The old belt will be stretched a bit making it easier to remove. It will slip down off the pulleys. Replacing the belt is not so simple. It will have a much tighter fit.

The easiest way to get a new belt on the pulleys is to put one end of the belt around the pump housing, directly above the pump pulley. Put the other end of the belt around the motor pulley. Carefully roll the belt down the pump housing until it sits properly in place.

Finally you can reattach the access panel and reconnect the power source. Your old dishwasher is back up and ready to go again.

Tyler Anderson is a writer for Total Appliance Parts: Helping you repair your dishwasher and other major appliances. Learn how to repair your own appliance and find parts for your dishwasher, refrigerator and more at EasyApplianceParts.com.

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