If you are planning to purchase a new automatic dishwasher in the near future, you may be surprised at some of the recent advances in design and technology. Automatic dishwashers now have an array of features that can make washing dishes even easier than before. Below are some of these advances and how they might benefit you when choosing a dishwasher:
Automatically adjusting wash cycles
Not every load of dirty dishes is the same, and this feature can alleviate the need to consider what cycle to use. Dirty dish loads get more attention during their cleaning cycle, while lightly soiled dishes are provided with an appropriately-less amount of time and water. Automatically adjusting wash cycle works by utilizing a pressure sensor that detects the presence of food particles, and the machine responds by providing the right amount of water and adds or subtracts cycle time. As a result, you can expect to save money on your water and electric bills by not "over-washing" your dishes.
Focused wash zones
Another feature that offers value to users is focused wash zones. If you have ever burned egg in a frying pan, for example, then you can appreciate the difficulty in removing it. With a focused wash zone dishwasher, you can place the pan in a specially-cordoned area of the lower rack, and the machine will devote extra spray to the heavily-soiled item. This can prevent the need to pre-soak certain items as well as eliminate a lot of old-fashioned scrubbing on stubborn food deposits.
Steam cleaning
Steam is a proven cleaning agent that can remove tough stains and debris, and it is now being used inside some dishwashers. The steam washing feature provides owners with an option to blast dishes with high-temperature steam; this can serve to not only clean heavily-soiled dishes and utensils, but it also adds an extra level of sanitizing by killing harmful microorganisms.
Third racks
Dishwashers traditionally come with two racks, but some newer models have a third, high-level rack that resides at the very top of the machine. The third rack provides a place to wash longer, flat utensils such as wooden spoons, stirrers, mixing blades and other difficult-to-fit items. In addition, these racks often use special tie-downs to prevent items from flopping around inside the dishwasher. This rack is also removable by users if it's not needed, so it won't needlessly take up top space.
Hard food disposal
Another feature that busy dishwasher users appreciate is the presence of a hard food disposal. While almost all dishwashers are able to handle a minimal amount of softened food particles, a hard food disposal operates in much the same way as a regular kitchen garbage disposal unit. It can grind up fruit and vegetable chunks as well as other heavier items that would clog a normal dishwasher. This feature helps lessen the amount of pre-cleaning that is needed and means more dishes can go straight from the table to the dishwasher.
Alternative spray patterns
Traditionally, automatic dishwashers provide a spray pattern that aims straight down with another that aims straight up. This is acceptable for dishes that lie within the rotating wash pattern, but corner dishes may not receive a full wash. To solve this problem, some new dishwashers are equipped with spray patterns that go beyond the norm.
For example, some washers now use side-mounted sprayers to "attack" soiled dishes from that particular direction. Other washers have jets that can spray at multiple angles or even reverse their spray patterns. These features can help provide fuller coverage within the dishwasher cabinet during cycles and leave fewer dishes neglected.
Fan driers
While many dishwashers have an air dry feature that permits the heated dry feature to be turned-off, air drying can take a while or leave dishes wet for machine users. In order to provide a middle ground for users, some manufacturers install fans inside their machines. These fans serve to circulate air inside the dishwasher and speed-up the drying process without using energy-intensive electric heating. This feature can enable owners to lower their utility bills while still permitting them to benefit from a quicker, more-convenient drying process.
Learn more about these features by contacting Electrolux appliance suppliers.
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