When you're using your GE dishwasher for the first time, there are quite a few instructions to follow. With this guide, we've simplified the information you need to know and have also included some maintenance tips and tricks.
Step-by-step guide
To use the dishwasher, you need to load it with your dishes. Check further for tips on how to load your dishwasher.
While you do not necessarily have to run a pre-rinse on the dishes, ensure that you remove all leftover items, especially non-food items such as bottles, peels, metals, and other similar items.
After loading the dishwasher, add the required detergent and rinse aid to their respective dispensers.
Indicate which wash cycle you want and press the start button.
Ensure that the dishwasher is connected to a power source and the door is well closed.
Different Programs
There are different wash programs on your GE dishwasher. The programs vary from model to mode. However, some of the programs include normal cycle, light cycle, auto-sense cycle, rinse cycle, presoak cycle, sanitize cycle, high-temperature wash, and many others.
Refer to your user manual to find out what wash program is best for your dishes.
Dishwasher Controls
There are in-built controls designed to assist you in using your dishwasher. Check your user manual for the correct interpretation of each control feature, as they may vary from model to mode.
Familiarize yourself with the control board, and in no time, you should have no problems getting around with it.
Dispensers
The dispenser is designed to hold your detergent and your rinse aid. It is connected to the control board; hence, it automatically dispenses detergent and rinse aid during the appropriate cycles. When loading the dishwasher, ensure that no item is covering the dispenser, which may prevent your dishes from being properly cleaned.
Loading
You need to pay attention to how you load the dishes to ensure that they are well cleaned.
Ensure that the dishes in the top rack are arranged to make it easy for the spray arms to spray water into.
Also, ensure that when loading the dishwasher, the dishes are not obstructing essential parts, such as the detergent dispenser.
Care and cleaning
Taking care of your dishwasher is essential to making it last. Not cleaning the dishwasher occasionally leads to problems in the long run.
You can clean the dishwasher with aids like vinegar and baking soda.
You can also run some warm and soapy water to clear any clogs in some parts of the dishwasher.
Water temperature
The appropriate water temperature in a GE dishwasher should range from 120-150(°F). The wrong water temperature may cause your dishes not to get properly cleaned.
Check your water heater for any issues if the water temperature in your dishwasher is not enough.
Usage and safety precautions
Detergents or wetting agents
Concerning detergents, use the right kind of detergents and rinse aid. Use only detergents that are suitable to be used in a dishwasher. Using the wrong type of detergent may cause a buildup of suds in your dishes.
Remember also to store your detergents correctly. Keep the dry detergent away from water.
Additionally, pay attention to the amount of detergent and rinse aid you use during a cycle.
Children
To guide against children’s accidental use of the dishwasher, place it on a Child Lock mode. Start the child lock mode by pressing the child lock button once. You can deactivate it by pressing the same button for three seconds.
Sharp items
Extra care is needed when loading sharp items into the dishwasher. For instance, place sharp objects such as knives and forks with their sharp sides facing downwards. Loading it this way protects you from accidental injuries while using the dishwasher.
Plastic items
Ensure that any piece of plastic dish that you are putting into the dishwasher has been marked dishwasher-safe. Some plastics are not designed to withstand the heat produced by the dishwasher, causing the plastics to melt.
Heating element
The heating element kills the bacteria inside the dishwasher. It also ensures that the dishes are cleaned and dry. washing your dishes well, and drying them. When your plates do not get cleaned properly or come out still wet, there might be a problem with the heating element. If the heating element is faulty, reach out to an experienced technician to help you out.
Enclosure panels
Panels are designed to give your dishwasher a look that adds to the interior decor of your kitchen. However, before ordering for one, ensure that you measure your dishwasher correctly to avoid fitting issues.
Door
Ensure that you properly close the door of the dishwasher before using it. An improperly shut door might even cause the dishwasher not to start.
GE Dishwasher Lifetime
How to increase the dishwasher’s lifetime?
Your GE dishwasher can last for at least ten years if you maintain it well. To extend your GE’s dishwasher, you need to pay attention to the dishwasher.
Look out for any strange noises or any other warning sign. Find prompt solutions to issues rather than using the dishwasher when faulty.
Clean the necessary parts often and prevent clogs by scraping off leftovers from the dishes.
Additionally, it is called a dishwasher for a reason. Please do not use it to wash other items. Always load your dishwasher correctly.
After a cycle, remember to allow some air into the dishwasher to prevent mold from forming.
Maintenance tips and tricks
Maintaining the dishwasher is essential to ensuring that it lasts long. Hence, to keep the dishwasher, follow these tips.
- Clean your filter regularly. The filter is one of the easily clogged parts of the dishwasher, and it can prevent the smooth running of the dishwasher.
- Clean the air gap regularly to avoid clogs.
- Run a deep cleaning session on the dishwasher occasionally for increased efficiency.
- Additionally, ensure that non-food items do not find their way into the dishwasher as they may end up clogging certain parts of the dishwasher.
- Also, check the drain occasionally for any clogs. You can run some warm and soapy water through the hose to clear out any debris.
Troubleshooting tips
Run these troubleshooting tips if you notice some faults in your dishwasher before you call for the services of an experienced technician.
If the start light keeps flashing, it is mainly because the door was opened during the cycle or because the process was interrupted by other things. Resume the cycle by pressing the start button again and closing the door immediately.
If your dishes are not clean, inspect the filter for clogs. Inspect the air gaps and garbage disposals for clogs also. Also, make sure that the plates are arranged correctly for water and detergent to get into.
If the dishwasher does not start, confirm that it is connected to a properly working power source and the door is closed correctly.
If water does not empty from the dishwasher, check the drain for clogs.
Specific beeps are usual, such as at the end of a cycle.
Warranty and customer support
There are specific service centers and technicians that can provide warranty services to you. But first, ensure that you have a warranty in place.
For instance, during one year of purchase of a GE dishwasher, you notice a fault in it that is a fault of GE itself, you are entitled to a free repair of such faulty part.
Your warranty does not cover service trips to teach you how to use your dishwasher or faulty parts resulting from your error or carelessness.
For customer support, the official GE website runs every hour of the day and is designed to answer any of your questions.
Conclusion
With this guide, you now know how to use a GE dishwasher, including how to care for it and ensure that it lasts long. You also know what to do if there is a problem with your dishes.
Do not hesitate to ask for more professional help.
