How does a dishwasher work?

A dishwasher is a relatively simple device, which has an intake valve to add water to the unit. A heating element at the bottom of the unit heats the water. The dispenser pops open, and a pump squirts the water through the cleaning jets at the dishes. The dirty water is then pumped out of the unit. Clean water is pumped in, heated, and squirted through the jets to rinse the dishes. After the unit drains the rinse water, the heating element heats the air to dry the dishes. A dishwasher is an effective and conservation-friendly way to clean dishes.

Cleaner dishes

Because of the heat involved in the washing, rinsing, and drying cycle, bacteria have no chance of surviving on plates run through a dishwasher. The University of Louisiana School of Medicine studied the effects of hand washing versus machine washing and found, on average, one bacteria per plate in machine washed loads and 400 per load for hand-washed dishes.

This research suggests that the elderly, children, large families, and those with compromised immune systems can benefit significantly by using a dishwasher for most of their dishes. 

Dishwasher caveats

At the same time, a dishwasher creates an excellent combination to promote bacteria and fungal growth: residual food particles, moisture, and heat. A dishwasher can be a filthy place. How, in that case, does the dishwasher get dishes clean?

While the wash cycle and even the rinse cycle can have water that is teeming with bacteria, it's during the drying cycle that dishes become clean. The heating element that dries the air, which eventually dries the dishes, is what makes dishes clean. However, it's crucial to avoid opening a dishwasher during the drying process because, in doing so, it can release the airborne microbes, which can then settle onto various surfaces in the kitchen.

After the cycle

Following the watches of the washing of the dishes, the user may want to wipe down the perimeter rubber seal, which can be moist and foster bacterial growth between loads. It should be noted that this bacteria won't affect the cleaning results of the dishwasher itself.  It should also be mentioned that putting dishes away with dirty hands can negate the effects of the bacteria-killing drying cycle.

Conservation traits

One of the great benefits of using a dishwasher is that it uses so little water in comparison to filling up a sink to wash dishes by hand. The average Energy Star dishwasher uses an average of gallons. A dishwasher heats water more efficiently than even your water heater, which also results in energy conservation.

If you decide you want to install or replace your dishwasher, a licensed plumber can install it according to plumbing code, So what homeowner is guaranteed that it's installed correctly and that it won't leak down the road.

If you need a licensed, bonded, insured plumber for your Phoenix area leak or your next plumbing project, call MNS Plumbing today at 602-362-4524.