First-world issue: Loading my new dishwasher!

A couple months ago, we got a terrific deal on an open-box Bosch dishwasher at Best Buy. Some cosmetic blemishes on the stainless steel panel that the original purchaser deemed unacceptable on delivery were OK by us!

Anyway, the darn thing works a treat. Just great quality. I remain perplexed and flummoxed, however, when it comes to loading the bottom rack. I guess the design is meant for flexibility, because the tines aren't consistently spaced in each row, but I spend so much time figuring out how to get dishes loaded I could handwash them (which, dagnabbit, I just won't do -- that's why I have a new dishwasher, after all!).

The instruction manual has a very nice photo of a loaded rack, but of course, their diagram doesn't necessarily match real life (or my china and cookware).

Anyway, just a comment, not really a complaint ... and by the way, the Bosch is just as quiet as claimed! I really have had to put my ear next to it sometimes to make sure it's running!

sdbond wrote:and by the way, the Bosch is just as quiet as claimed! I really have had to put my ear next to it sometimes to make sure it's running!

In my opinion, the true worth of high end dishwashers is that they are quiet.

I don't think this is a high-end vs. low-end dishwasher problem. I think this is a problem of no two homes having the same dishes and no dishwasher rack being a perfect fit for any home.

I though my newish dishwasher had a well-designed layout--until I tried to actually load it. Then I realized that for every 1 great layout feature, it has 3 lousy ones. It could be worse: I just returned from a visit to my brother's and realized that his dishwasher racks have absolutely no good places for bowls. ?!?

lougord99 wrote:

sdbond wrote:and by the way, the Bosch is just as quiet as claimed! I really have had to put my ear next to it sometimes to make sure it's running!

In my opinion, the true worth of high end dishwashers is that they are quiet.

When I was researching replacement dishwashers, I did see that the higher-rated brands and models were very quiet. I didn't pay a lot of attention to that metric, though, because low noise level wasn't one of the items on my "must-have" list. I am enjoying the quiet, though!

Hi,

There comes a day when the dishwasher needs a fix.

In the case of my KitchenAid labeled Fisher Paykal dishdrawer, it makes a lot of noise when it is not happy. My Dad called standing over the dishwasher with his phone pressed to it. There was this noise like a garbage disposal, I suggested maybe it was that instead of the dishwasher. Fortunately, I knew where he could unplug both without much effort.

The next morning, I plugged in the dishwasher. A green light blinked that quickly turned red along with an awful noise made worse when I opened a drawer. Along the control panel on the door's edge, another light came on.

I found the instruction manual online to learn it was an f1 error code, which has to do with flooding of the bottom tray. This has many causes from a clogged water outtake, dirty filter, busted hose, broken actuator or an incompletely sealed drawer due to an oversized dish.

I started checking out youtube videos to learn enough to take the plunge into attempting to fix this myself. I decided to do easy stuff first by cleaning the filter and the gunk under the steel disc filter. Along the way, I learned how to change the rotor, if I need to do so someday:



I also primed myself on how to fix a leaking hose without having to replace the whole length from an MIT electrical engineer:




When I was finally ready to remove the drawer, I reviewed this youtube video a few times:



I lined up towels and got my Dad to hang around as another pair of eyes. The drawer is tethered with water intake and outtake hoses. I really wanted to avoid any additional damage.

As predicted, there was water in the catch basin. We dried it with the towels, then let it air dry for a few hours. I did not see any obvious leaks. Hoping it may be a one-of, I put back on the drawer, which was super easy due to good design and seemed to quickly lock into place. This part nobody showed in their videos, so I was wondering if this would be my gotcha moment.

Top drawer was already full of dishes waiting for cleaning, so I let it get to work. Waited for the dishwasher to scream in distress, though fortunately nothing happened. It went about its business, though seemingly quieter than before.

I did learn a few things:

Easter Egg


How this dishwasher operates, because until this video I had no idea where water came from:



Of course, there are always someone who is unhappy:



Crossing my fingers I solved my problem.

Regards,
Cathy2