The Benefits of Counter Top Dishwashers

Counter top dishwashers are obviously small and compact and the ideal appliance when having a high turnover of plates and cutlery on a daily basis, warranting daily operation of the dishwasher.

The advantage of small versus big is that it uses less energy, and water, besides the fact that it come in handy to clean smaller loads as opposed to regular sized dishwashers whose capacity will require rinse and hold options, to be able to work a full load.

Counter top dishwashers tend to be that much cheaper since they are meant for light washing of plates and crockery and the occasion pot or pan. Singles and small families living in tight spaces can best answer the question why buy a counter top dishwasher, these appliances fitting into small spaces and providing effective cleaning solutions for every day use.

Of course, these top counter dishwashers may not exactly come with the complex and sophisticated computerized controls seen in regular free standing or built in dishwasher models. Regular cleaning and routine maintenance will obviate the need for features like water softeners, water cleanliness sensors etc.

Understanding the processes in a dishwasher is a good way to ascertaining causative factors when your compact dishwasher is functioning at less than optimal levels, with most problems occasioned by mineral build up from hard water, or clogged filters easily fixed with cleaning. Mostly working with a mechanical dial and timer, these countertop dishwashers problems are incapable of developing complex problems and repairs can easily be undertaken without the need for professional service.

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Teach Your Teens The Zen of Dishwashing

“Water is the universal solvent” my seventh grade science teacher trumpeted with unmistakable reverence.

As with so many gems, this lesson is lost on young folks.

You have to reach the age of dishwashing, and more to the point, that pinnacle of cleansing responsibility when it’s your job to scour off baked on grease from pots and pans to appreciate the marvels of water.

Any veteran of Dish Wars can attest that it is no fun trying to remove encrusted salmon detritus from a broiling pan immediately after dinner. Letting the vessel settle overnight, with just a thin coating of soapy water will gently and silently do 99% of the work for you.

You’ll be astonished how angelic and gravity defying even the hardest sediment becomes under the quietly unrelenting persuasion of H2O.

But witnessing this transformation is a pleasure reserved only for the patient, the mature and the Zen-like among us. Teens cannot and will not wait long enough to watch nature take its steady, inexorable course.

They attack pans at the wrong time, wearing themselves out and sullying the entire kitchen in the process.

It’s sad to see strapping, 6 foot 4 inch boys, who could fell trees with dull axes, recoil from this duty and shout to the heavens, “I’m not Cinderella! Why are you making me do this?”

Another dishwashing insight that eludes teens is the fact that the machine is not a garbage disposal, and cannot be used as such, lest you want clogs in your piping that only drain doctors can remove with rooters.

Being the literalists they are, your sub-adults will wonder, “Why call it a DISHWASHER if I have to pre-scrub the dishes before I put them in?”

But this is just another Zen insight masquerading as a vexing absurdity, at least to a 16 year-old.

Why do we dress crisply and pretend to be well just before we visit the physician about our pesky colds? Isn’t it THEIR job to heal us, and not ours?

Of course, there’s a ton of Zen to be found in dishwashing, insights that could help teens and everyone else AWAKEN to deeper levels of living.

In fact, and you can announce this to your adolescents with true conviction:

DISHWASHING is the universal solvent!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman is a best-selling author of 12 books, including 101 THINGS PARENTS SHOULD KNOW BEFORE VOLUNTEERING TO COACH THEIR KIDS' SPORTS TEAMS. He has published more than 1,000 articles and considered "The Gold Standard" in negotiation, sales development, customer service, and telephone effectiveness. Top-rated as a speaker, seminar leader, and consultant, his clients extend across the globe and the organizational spectrum, from the Fortune 1000 to small businesses. He can be reached at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.

Run Out Of Dishwashing Detergent?

No matter how much we stock up on household items when catching sales or buying products in bulk, there's always those awkward times where we run out of something. It's always neat to be aware of little tricks just to get by during those times, and I thought I would share a few ideas for when you might run out of dishwashing detergent and can't run to the store right away.

Actually, in all honesty, I don't even bother with purchasing actual dishwashing detergents. Being a soapmaker, I normally use my soaps that haven't lived up to my satisfaction and tend to be less moisturizing. (Different soapmakers have different styles and tastes- I usually aim my main focus on my recipes being more moisturizing than any other characteristics and can be a little picky when it comes to my own soaps in that aspect!) I find the ones that don't meet my personal expectation are great for washing dishes by hand without leaving residue or spots behind. They definitely last longer than a bottle of dishwashing detergent and I find they're even better with cleaning up extra grimy and greasy messes. If in a pinch, or just trying to save money here and there, any bar soap that's not heavily moisturizing can be an alternative to dishwashing detergents. Using natural based soaps are even better because you're also doing the environment a favor.

Another alternative is shampoo. If you read the labels, shampoos and dishwashing detergent don't really have a whole lot of differences in them. The key is "cheap" shampoos usually seem to work best and are actually cheaper in the long run in comparison to regular dishwashing detergents. From my experimenting in the rare times I resort to this method, my favorite for using it this way was VO-5's Kiwi Lime Clarifying shampoo. It only cost me about 79 cents for a nice sized bottle, doesn't contain extra silicones and junk in it that could leave a residue, and the citrus and rosemary extracts in it is great for cleaning and is also naturally antibacterial. (Not to mention it smells simply heavenly!)

For more articles on health, beauty, crafts, and home visit http://www.chambersessentials.com

Kitchen Interior Design-Choosing A Dishwasher To Match Your Kitchen Design

The vast majority of homes today have a dishwasher to make the monotonous task of washing your dishes much simpler and easier. Of course, there are many homes that still do not have one of these essential machines.

If you are either looking to replace a current dishwasher or purchase a new one of the first time, here’s something you probably don’t realize: the dishwasher can also play a big part in your overall kitchen interior design. Here are some tips to helping you pick out the right dishwasher that will match your kitchen, and help you do so on a budget.

When it comes time to either purchase a dishwasher for the first time or replace the old one, you will want to choose the style to match the rest of your kitchen appliances and décor. You can generally pick from between black, white and silver when it comes to dishwasher styles.

Again, this style will largely depend on what your kitchen interior design is at the present time. You may prefer one style intuitively, but if it doesn’t match your kitchen, don’t purchase it as it will not fit in with the rest of your kitchen.

If you have already finished your kitchen interior design project and still don’t own a dishwasher, don’t despair. You still can have one, even if it doesn’t appear you have the room necessary.

Here’s what to do: simply eliminate one of your kitchen cabinets or cupboards. Now, don’t choose one wit h a lot of your essential kitchen items inside; try and pick one that you really don’t need and that isn’t serving much of a purpose.

If you don’t have a lot of experience redesigning your kitchen, don’t attempt this process yourself; it’s much quicker (and often times cheaper) to hire an expert to remove an appliance and avoid any costly mistakes you may make along the way.

Another thing to keep in mind is price: quite simply, you can generally purchase new dishwashers for as low as $150 and as high as $1,000. Therefore, it is very important that you set your budget beforehand so that you know what to look for. If you know, for instance, that all you can afford to spend is $200 on a dishwasher, and limit yourself to those brands that fall within this price range, you will avoid getting lured into buying a more expensive model that you really don’t need.

A great idea to avoid paying a premium price for your dishwasher is to shop at discount or outlet stores, and even the internet. The internet can often times offer a much wider variety of options in dishwasher style, and usually at a very affordable price. Be careful of the shipping expenses here, however; make sure that if you are buying a dishwasher online, you are absolutely certain that this is the model you want.

It can be disastrous to get a dishwasher shipped to your house for a high rate and then discover it either won’t fit into your available space or the style isn’t right for your kitchen interior design. You will likely have to pay restocking fees and very possibly the shipping fees to send it back.

To sum it up, finding the right dishwasher for your kitchen interior design is all about doing your homework, shopping around, and choosing the right one for your kitchen. Follow these simple tips, and you will find a great dishwasher to complement your kitchen design and go easy on your wallet at the same time.

To learn about renovation financing and other great redesign tips, try checking out http://www.interior-design-success.com. This is a popular interior design site that provides tips on getting your dream home on a budget.

Make It Start with a Door Switch – Dishwasher Repair

You wouldn't even know your dishwasher had one until it isn’t working. These little switches are tucked inside the control panel of your dishwasher and most times are a part of the door latch. The door latch pulls the door securely to the main body of your dishwasher and prevents water from leaking during a cycle. If your dishwasher doesn't start, it could be due to a faulty door switch.

How the door switch works

When the dishwasher door is open, the switch is off. Inside your dishwasher tub will be a metal or plastic prong. Close and latch the door. The prong will depress the door switch completely and the circuit will close allowing the dishwasher to start. Check the prong to make sure it's not loose or bent and it's properly activating the door switch.

It is important to disconnect the dishwasher from its power source before attempting any repair. You can unplug the dishwasher from the outlet, remove the fuse from your fuse box, or flick the breaker switch on your circuit panel. This will prevent you from getting an electric shock.

What a door switch looks like and where it's located

Typically a dishwasher door switch is an inch long. It can be black or red and has metal prongs called terminals protruding from the body. Some door switches have two terminals and some have three.

The terminals can be a common terminal (COM), normally closed terminal (NC) or a normally open terminal (NO). Switches with only two terminals will either have a COM and a NO, or a COM and an NC. Door switches with three terminals have COM, NC, and a NO.

Your dishwasher's door switch will be behind the control panel on the front of the unit. It may be necessary to remove the inner panel of the door first. You can do this by removing a few screws. The screws at the bottom of the door are for the hinges. You do not need to remove the whole door for this repair.

Once the inner panel is removed you may find another smaller panel covering the back of the control panel held in place with screws or clips. By removing this panel you will gain access to the latch assembly housing the door switch.

How to remove the switch

Carefully use needle nose pliers to pull the wires leading from the harness off the terminals. For door switches that have a locking clip, depress the lever as you gently pull the harness away from the terminal.

Take your time while removing switches that are a part of the latch assembly or that have a bracket. If you rush and break the switch's housing you will end up having to replace more parts.

How to test your door switch

Use an ohmmeter to test the switch for continuity. This test is for door switches with three terminals.

1. Set your ohmmeter to measure resistance at a scale of Rx1.
2. Touch the metal tips of the test leads together and zero your ohmmeter by adjusting the thumbwheel in the front of the meter until the needles reads "0" on the scale.
3. Touch one meter lead to the COM terminal and the other lead to the NO terminal. Do not push in on the actuator.
4. Your meter should give a reading of infinity, meaning the circuit is open, and there is no continuity.
5. Without moving the meter's leads, press down on the actuator until you hear a 'click'.
6. With the 'click' of the actuator, the meter should produce a resistance reading of zero ohms. This means the circuit is closed and continuity is present. (You will only hear this click with a door switch with three terminals.)
7. Keep the meter lead that is touching the COM terminal in place, but move the other meter lead from the NO terminal to the NC terminal.
8. When the actuator is released, you should receive a resistance reading of zero ohms.
9. Now set your ohmmeter to its highest resistance scale and touch one meter lead to the NO terminal and the other meter lead to the NC terminal.
10. The resistance reading between these two leads should be infinite.
11. Finally take a resistance reading from both the NC terminal and the NO terminal to any metal mounting hardware that is a part of the switch assembly. You should receive a normal reading of infinity.

Any readings that differ from the tests above are signs of a defective door switch that will need to be replaced.

Replace the old switch with a new one, using the same process as explained above. Reassemble the inner door panel and reconnect your dishwasher to its power supply. Don't forget to replace your fuse or turn the breaker switch back on. Run your dishwasher through a cycle to make sure it's working properly.

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.

Cascade Dishwasher Detergent - What You Need To Know

Clean dishes are about more than just the dishwasher. It's about the detergent too! And with so many on the market we decided to tell you about our favorite - Cascade Dishwasher Detergent - here's what you need to know.

Cascade two in one has been a real hit and I think it goes beyond the great job it does. When you open the package you see these wonderful little bright blue and spring green bubble. They are rather refreshing on their own.

The tablets are rather intriguing to look at. The plastic casing will dissolve with the water and inside the pouch is Dawn dishwashing liquid and Cascade dishwashing powder. That's it. And just in case you might forget whose product you have in bold red letters on the bottom you'll discover the word Cascade.

There are actually two varieties that you can choose from. The Original blue Dawn or the new Citrus Breeze scented orange Dawn. What will you do with two choices?

Now I love Dawn as a dishwashing detergent so the logical deduction would be that I would like the Cascade dishwasher version. And of course I was right.

The packaging that holds the pouches is easy to open. Use your scissors, cut the top, and then it reseals with a zip lock style top. In fact Cascade has gone as far as including a diagram of a pair of scissors at the top. The reseal holds well and since the pouches are water soluble that's important!

It's a good idea to make sure your hands are dry before grabbing the pouches since they could become squishy and start to dissolve in your hands.

They are a breeze to use. No unwrapping, no pouring, no puncturing. Just take the pouch out of the bag, pop it into the dishwasher's soap dispenser, close the door and start the dishwasher. That's it - how simple is that? No fuss no muss!

Both of the scents that are available are nice but if you don't like fragrance or are sensitive to it stick with the original blue. No matter which you choose the strong smell of the dishwasher soap can still be smelled.

Now let's talk about performance. On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give this product a 10. It works well, cuts grease, no streaks, no spots, and no fogging. The Action Pac works great! There's no reason to rinse the dishes. It cuts through grease without hesitation. And it's easy and convenient to use.

As with any of these cleaners it comes with a warning not to get it on you skin or in your eyes and to keep it away from children. It also lists the first aid treatments clearly on the packaging.

You can buy a pack of 20 pouches for around $4.00 so that works out to about 20 cents a cleaning. Shop on line and you can even save more. I think It's a great buy and with all that cleaning power how can you go wrong?

Dan is a part-time appliances repairman and with his dishwasher website at http://www.alldishwashers.com, he gives reviews of both commercial and residential models and states common problems that he encounters with each one, with solutions! To learn more visit the dishwasher reviews website.

How to Repair Your Dishwasher

 

Your dishwasher isn’t measuring up to the price you paid for it. The dishwasher might not even turn on, the dishes aren’t getting clean, or the machine won’t even drain. What do you do? Instead of calling the repairman, you can save a bundle and try servicing it yourself. Open up the kick panel in back and get to work, carefully following these dishwasher repair tips:

1) If your dishwasher doesn’t seem to be working at all, first check the plug and the circuit breaker. If these are working, check the door switch, timer, and selector switch. If any of these three items are broken, replace them. If all of these check out, the problem is internal and the wiring must be replaced. Call a technician.

2) If the dishes aren’t getting clean, there might not be enough water coming into the machine. There might even be no water at all. Check the water shut-off valve under the kitchen sink to make sure it’s on. Otherwise, the machine might have a faulty internal water valve and will need professional service. Before you call to get the internal water valve serviced, however, try checking the spray arms for clogs, and unclogging them by hand if necessary. Once you’ve done this, see if the water is hot enough. Cool or cold water won’t clean dishes. Be sure the water temperature is at least 120°. If your dishes still won’t get clean, try adding soap to both soap cups. Furthermore, if there is a smoky film on your dishes, it means your water is “hard”. You will need to clean your dishwasher with a dishwasher cleaner. Use one that is specially formulated by your dishwasher’s manufacturer, or use a quality cleaner such as Washer Magic, Dishwasher Magic, Glisten (which also acts as a deodorizer and can be used in any porcelain-lined machine or tub), or Glass Magic.

3) If your dishwasher won’t drain, there are seven lucky things you can do before calling an expert. First, check the air gap of the sink, near the faucet, and unclog it if necessary. Unscrew the top cap and rinse it well. Second, check the drain hose leading from the air gap to the garbage disposal. Clean it out and reattach it. Third, if your dishwasher uses a belt to drive the pump, and the pump doesn’t seem to be working, try replacing the drive belt. It may be broken or stretched out. Fourth, for models that have both a wash impeller and a drain impeller, the drain impeller might be broken, either at the shaft or at the blades. Replace the broken parts of the drain impeller. Fifth, some dishwashers use a drain solenoid to drain the water. This might be stuck. Try loosening it by hand. If that doesn’t work, replace the pump assembly. Sixth, perhaps the motor is stuck. Try getting the motor going by spinning it by hand. If that doesn’t work, replace the motor. Finally, if the wash timer is busted, you’ll have to replace it.

If you follow these basic tips, you’ll have a good, solid start in becoming a dishwasher repair expert on your own.

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.