8
Operating Your Dishwasher
Filling the Detergent Dispenser
caution
•
Do not use hand dish washing detergents.
They will create excessive foaming that
interferes with proper operation.
•
Using too much dish washing detergent, can
cause a permanent film called etching.
important
•
Do not use detergent that is clumped or has
been wet. Store dry detergent in a cool dry
place to prevent caking.
•
Fill the detergent dispenser just prior to
starting your dishwasher. Detergent will
harden if it sits too long. Also check the
package for detergent that is expired.
•
Dacor recommends granular (powdered)
automatic dish washing detergent.
“All-in-one”, “multi-purpose” or “complete” dish
washing detergents are not recommended.
•
If the detergent dispenser lid is closed, press the
release button to open it.
•
The detergent dispenser has two compartments;
the smaller pre-wash compartment, and the
main wash compartment (see diagram at
right). The pre-wash compartment empties into
the dishwasher when the door is closed. The
main wash compartment releases detergent
automatically during the main wash cycle.
NOTE:
When running the Quick Wash cycle,
Dacor recommends that you do not add
detergent to the pre-wash compartment.
•
See the
Water Hardness Table
for the amount
of detergent recommended. The recommended
amounts shown are intended to provide properly
cleaned dishes, free of film and spotting for the
water hardness in your area. You may need to
adjust the detergent by small amounts until you
get the best results. Harder water requires more
detergent.
Water Harness Table
Water Hardness
(gpg)
Amount of Detergent
Soft (0-3)
Pre-wash: 1 teaspoon
Main wash:
1 - 1½ tablespoons
Medium (4-8)
Pre-wash: 1 teaspoon
Main wash: 1 - 2 tablespoons
Hard (9 and over)
Pre-wash: 1 teaspoon
Main wash:
2 - 3 tablespoons
Dispenser lid
Main wash compartment
Pre-wash compartment
•
Water hardness is measured in grains per
gallon (gpg). Contact your water company for
the water hardness in your area. 12 gpg and
higher is extremely hard water and detergent
alone may not be enough. You may need to use
a water softener to maximize the dishwasher
performance at a water hardness above 12
gpg. Also, in areas with 9 gpg and higher water
hardness, you may need to wash at a lower
temperature to prevent hard water deposits from
forming in the dishwasher.
•
Different brands of dishwasher detergent have
different amounts of phosphorous for softening
water. In some areas with hard water, you may
need to use more detergent if it has less than
an 8.7% phosphorous content or change to
a granular (powdered) detergent with more
phosphorus.
•
After loading both compartments according to the
table below, close the dispenser lid.
Release button
