Common questions and advice about Smeg Dishwashers
General Advice
What should not go into the dishwasher
- Lead crystal - may become cloudy or even break
- Plastics - some plastics are heat sensitive and may melt or warp
- Wood/bone handles - glued handles may become loose
- Aluminium utensils - likely to darken
- Cast iron - likely to rust
- Pewter - likely to stain and discolour
- Mixed metals
What temperature should dishes be washed at
- There is no ideal temperature for all loads.
- Low temperatures reduce electricity costs
- Low temperatures provide better care of dishes and glasses
- High temperatures give better bleaching and grease removal
As a rough guide:
- Glassware Lowest temperature consistent with good cleaning
- Crockery Lightly soiled loads at 55C
- Crockery Heavily soiled loads at 65C
- Pots & Pans Wash at 65C or higher
Should I Use a Rinse Agent?
Rinse agents improve the drying process in the dishwasher as they cause the water to run off the load more easily, reducing the formation of streaks, spots and films.
Why Do I Need to Use Salt in my Dishwasher?
Salt is needed to ensure that your dishwasher's in-built water softener gives an optimum performance. You will especially need to use dishwasher specific salt if you live in a hard water area.
Hints and Tips
Preparation Hints
Loading Hints
Unloading Hints
Food residues on glasses
Usually caused by food redepositing on the glasses during the main wash, mainly because the water spray is not reaching thes oiled area. This could be due to non-rotation of the spray arm, excessive soil in the filter or insufficient detergent being used.
Spotting and film on glasses
Usually the result of failure to add salt to the salt container or insufficient salt levels. Could also be due to insufficient detergent or rinse aid or poor loading of the dishwasher
Iridescence (rainbow effect)
Usually the result of detergents with high levels of disilicate, very soft water or long cycles at high temperatures.
Scratch marks on glasses
Usually the result of allowing glasses to touch in the dishwasheror careless handling when loading and unloading.
How Can I Remove Cloudiness from DrinkingGlasses That Does Not Come Off With Vinegar?
Cloudiness that does not come off with vinegar is the early stagesof corrosion and is usually permanent and can be caused by a number of factors such as glass type, water hardness, wash temperature, drying conditions and detergent.
Can I Remove the Powdery Residue Left On Glasses and/or Cups
Re-wash the load, paying particular attention to loading. Tall glasses should be placed near the centre of the machine to ensure good results. Old detergent that has been badly stored may not dissolve properly - always use fresh detergent.
Stainless steel rusting
Usually the result of allowing the stainless steel to remain toolong in the hot steamy atmosphere of the dishwasher or silver cutlery touching stainless steel in the appliance. Opening the door of the dishwasher early in the drying cycle will minimise the risk of rusting.
Cutlery Pitting
Usually the result of an electrolytic reaction caused by the touching of other metals such as silver. This could also be due to small imperfections in stainless steel which cause rusting. It is also recommended to rinse excess salty or acidic food from table warebefore loading into the dishwasher.
Silver Tarnishing
Usually the result of sulphides or chlorides in the wash solution.This could also be due to silver cutlery touching stainless steel items or dry detergent poured onto wet cutlery.
Baked or dried on residues
Usually the result of incorrect wash programme, poor quality detergent,items poorly stacked or the spray arm rotation stopped by an obstruction.
Distortion of plastic
Usually the result of using plastic items that are not dishwasher safe, too high a wash temperature or squeezing plastic items into small spaces. Make sure you place plastic items in the upper basket away from any visible heating element.
Residues on dishes
Usually caused by a cool or short wash cycle, insufficient detergentor a blocked filter. Also make sure that the spray arms are not blocked and can rotate freely.
Fading china patterns
Usually the result of very soft water and either an aggressiveor using too much detergent. Unfortunately fading is permanent but switch to using a tablet instead of powdered detergents.
Scratches on plates
Usually the result of allowing the china to touch in the dishwasheror sliding plates when stacking them.
Metal marking
Usually the result of cutlery scraping against the glaze of the china in the dishwasher.
Failure to remove tea/coffee stains
Usually the result of poor quality detergent, hard water in the machine or a low temperature wash. Also avoid leaving tea/coffee to stand in the cup for long periods. Ensure that there is enough salt in the machine as well or alternatively rinse the cups before placing into the dishwasher.
Oversudsing
This can be due to using a laundry or handwash detergent insteadof a specific dishwasher detergent instead. It could also be dueto excessive amounts of rinse aid in the dispenser or certain food soils that contain a high level of protein such as eggs.
White films
The most common cause of white film is the presence of limescale.
Odour
Usually the result of food decomposition during the washing anddrying cycles or remains of food in the filter system.
Detergent Residues
Usually the result of using too much detergent or using tablets in small (4 place) dishwashers. Alternatively the spray arm could be blocked or not working effectively.
Glasses and china not dry
Usually the result of low rinse aid levels or removing items before the drying cycle. Alternatively this could also be due to allowing water from the spray arm to fall onto the lower basket