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where do i put the dishwasher pod? first time dishwasher owner
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GE? We have the same one. Others have answered your question. I agree with others that pods are not the most ideal. Make sure that the rectangular area is totally dry before putting the pod in, if you use pods. Otherwise, they can stick.
Make sure to put rinse aid in the other compartment, especially if you have hard water.
Periodically, clean your dishwasher filter. A lot of people do not know they even exist.
Eh?
Yep. Usually on the bottom of the dishwasher. Our dishwasher kept leaving dishes, really wet after the last cycle. I did some Internet research and learned dishwashers and filters which need to be cleaned. I’m absolutely caked with gunk and was disgusting.
I’m absolutely caked with gunk
I saw someone today who's dishwasher broke because they were using dishwasher washer sheets and not cleaning out the filter and traps.
Gross.
1) nothing bigger than a peice of rice should be left on dishes, scrape (not wash) off
2) everything faces in towards to wash arms
3) more delicate items up top as there is less damage to them.
4) check labels, no metallic painted ceramics (and of you do this by accident do not touch them directly after finishing, it can burn you!) That and red paints are more likely to fade if not colour fast.
5) check your plastics, water bottles etc. They can and will shrink those things.
6) Cutlery generally you have 2 types a "bucket" which if has divider you should totally use that if your Cutlery fits (mine only about half fit, so what does goes in one half and the other goes in tge other uncoverd half). What's cool is you can take these out completely to lift them up to your bench to put them away meaning you don't have to bend all the time. And move it yo a side etc so you can wash bigger things in the bottom.
Or a flat drawer up top which has dividers, lay things on their side for cleaning. They may also need to have their curved surfaces facing towards the middle of the machine too.
7) put the soap/packet in the special container for it, not directly in the dishwasher. Why? Because the dishwasher dies a pre rinse cycle first, and you don't want to be using up detergent if it isn't going to be doing any cleaning then, if it's in it's drawer it won't get used until it is meant to.
8) cloudy marks on glasses? Time to read the manual about the Rinse Aid bit it may use too much or too little and that's why they come out weird, you will need to change the rinse aid setting, could also be due to your local water quality (how hard the water is)
9) why I am annoyed at my parents, they have a new machine don't use Rinse Aid and then complain about the dishwasher not drying propperly. Part of this is because the machines don't get as hot as the first generation of machines did (probably for legal and saftey reasons, along side high power usage).
10) RenDuH she is a Appliance Repair Tech on YouTube, with great advice on what to do and how to keep your stuff running better and longer. She also admits to mistakes like the one she had made for putting the pods in the dishwasher directly rather than the special spot for it, and then told everyone why it isn't correct, so that everyone can understand why it works.
https://youtube.com/@renduhofficial?si=UbSJ4pa0vZZ9q9fb
11) Google the machine to find the manual and save the page!
Good luck!
Woah! What a post. I wish I would not be cheap, I would tip you.
What do you think about running your hot water in the kitchen faucet a bit before starting the dishwasher. I heard it helps the pre-rinse cycle on old dishwashers or dishwashers with lower quality heat elements.
Mine doesn't even connect to the hot tap underneath. My one only pulls from cold water and heats it up to the temperature it wants it to be. Otherwise maybe? I would check which hoses it is connected to under the sink and then you will find out if it's even a thing you need to think about.
(Same with my washing machine, no hot in connection. )
You live in North America? My appliances have either hot intakes, I couldn't not connect hot water on the washing machine nor the dishwasher. Maybe newer appliances have integrated (pre) heaters.
Off topic
Yep I figured that it might be useful knowledge and everyone else did point out what each of the sections were for.
It's all stuff I wished I knew when I first moved into a rental with one, as my parents home never had one until after I moved out.
And its stuff that passes me off when my parents get upset about stuff not working or cleaning correctly but never actually going to the manual to check and figure it out, just continue with doing the same thing and not listen to me or watch or try tge stuff the repair tech says.
Or clean it, I clean mine way more regularly. Theirs has had way more build up than mine does unless I really F up and have put in extremely dirty cat dishes.
Same with clothes washers!
Locate the model number, then go online and search for the owner’s manual. There’s probably some other useful information in it.
Look for technologyconnections on YouTube and watch all of his dishwasher videos. I think there are only 2. Better results through understanding.
In the larger rectangular container. The smaller round hole should be for rinse-aid!
The one it fits it.
As a first time dishwasher owner, I understand. Ngl I googled it
RTFM
Since the answer has already been provided and nobody else is saying it, I guess I gotta be that guy. Stick it up your butt. There, the ritual is complete.
Next... don't use pods.
Go to Walmart and get a box of the Great Value dishwasher powder. It is much cheaper per load and works just as well.
Also, when you get the powder, put it in the doser cup there (with the door), and then put some into the side car part (where the slots are in the cover) for the pre-wash - it will improve the cleaning ability of your washer.
I know a video or two in your YouTube Playlist.
Yea OP, I watch this video. It will change everything you have ever known about dishwashers. You’ll be using cheap powder and be proud of it.
That's the best.
thank you for this tip. i have some left over from a person who used to live here but i will do this next time.
Make sure to put a pod in the drawer AND a pod loose in the dishwasher until your run out. As he mentions in the video, you really want soap in the prewash, too.
In the larger compartment
I heard the pod coating causes problems after time maybe try an alternative if this becomes true
Bottom flapper
Just make sure you never use soap that isn’t specifically made for the dishwasher. Or you’ll end up with a comedic and severely damaging amount of bubbles in your home.
Other advice… after loading the dishwasher make sure the pod door won’t be blocked from opening and make sure spinner arms won’t hit anything. Run hot water from sink before starting washer to ensure it is fed hot water from the start.
Read the instructions.
Run hot water while u turn on. I used to throw them right in.. nope, that’s the initial rinse cycle to get food off. There goes the deterrent
Dishwasher soap, whether it is a pod or powder or liquid, goes in the big rectangular spot. Little spot under the same door is for a booster like Lemi Shine. The round spot with the word max is for rinse agent.
Put one pod in the rectangular box which opens on the second wash cycle. For even better cleaning put a second pod in the tub so that soap is used in the first cycle vs only hot water.
Another trick is to run the hot water tap on the kitchen faucet to preheat the water in the plumbing before starting the dishwasher. If you have a gas hot water heater, this will also save a bit on the electricity needed in the dishwasher to heat the water up to the proper washing temperature.
Read and follow the instructions?
In the dishwasher pod shaped hole probably (im just teasing ya 😜)
RTFM
I normally just throw mine into the main chamber and ignore the actual pod area altogether. Personal preference
Read the manual. I know it sounds lame and dumb, but always read the manual for big appliances like this. There's always bound to be at least one or two things you'll learn, either something to be more efficient or something maintenance related.
Dont use pods, use liquid.
I've never used it. I just chuck it in, does the exact same thing.
Don’t buy pods. They are an absolute waste.
Buy powder. You’ll save so much money and they clean just the same.
TY!!!
In the garbage. Use liquid or powder.
The rectangular box is for powder, just chuck the pod inside and turn it on.
If it’s a newer model washer (like last 20 years), you can literally toss it in the bottom or the enclosure on the right. But to double down on what others have said, go to a big box store and get some powder. Much cheaper and just as effective.
This is false. If you just drop it in the bottom itll get wasted and drained with the pre-rinse and youll not be using any soap for the bulk of the washing period. Thats the whole reason the pod door closes and locks - its not released until the main cycle after the pre-rinse is complete and drained.
Nope. The soap will get used up in just a few minutes and drain away during pre wash. That’s why the little soap door is there. It doesn’t open until the pre wash is finished.
Yep, pods are a waste of money.
thank you everyone
Got a tough life ahead of you :/
I think we have the same dishwasher 🤣
Don’t use pods anywhere. They’re trash. Use a small amount of powder or gel in the rectangle and a small amount in the chamber next to it with the slotted cover. That’s your prewash, it helps get rid of oil/fat before the wash. The circle is for rinse aide but that stuff is trash too. Just use vinegar there. Also, since it’s your first rodeo, running your sink until you have hot water, then starting your dishwasher also makes it much more effective. Enjoy.
Use liquid soap (cascade) better for your wallet and machine!!
Our installer said to chuck it in the bottom of the machine and to skip the dispenser.
Your installer is wrong. The pod will dissolve completely in the short prewash and then the machine will drain and refill, leaving no detergent for the long wash cycle that actually cleans your dishes.
J
Toss it in the bottom of the machine. Otherwise it's going to get wet and stici to the door.
The container opens during the 2nd wash cycle. I have both pods and gel. Gel goes in the container, pod gets tossed in the bottom.
In your mouth. Then chew it up, gargle it and spit it way in the back of the dishwasher
up your ass and to the left
Bottom of the dishwasher. Trust me
The rectangle box. And close it. Should click
and the other circular one is for rinse-aid, which is optional. You pour it in to fill up a tank, and it lasts many cycles.
And it's awesome
This. I thought it was a scam until I used it. It’s a must if you have any kind of hard water.
-has hard water for the first time ever in my life- Bet? I'll give it a shot. We have a water softener, but it keeps blinking low salt, and I have no idea how to fix it (still figuring all that about). Guess I'll try this rinse aid to see if it's the next best thing I suppose. Thank you!
Have you tried adding salt?
Yeah. We checked for salt bridges and all sorts of stuff. Not trying to hijack this thread though! Thank yall.
It also helps with dishes coming out genuinely dry as well as reducing water spots.
In some dishwashers, such as my Bosch, Rinse-Aid is required. These dishwashers use less water and you won't get the intended results unless you use Rinse-Aid.
If you're using the finish pods that have the red dot or the Cascade pods with the different color liquid, those already have rinse aid built in, you don't need to add it.
Not sure what the down votes were for this is correct information.
I’d add in some dishwashers like my Bosch the correct location for the pod is a little ledge on the front of the upper rack not the door flap.
indeed.
or pour liquid detergent into the same rectangular box.
the round puck shaped box is for the rinse aid, if you choose to use one
TY!!!
Some newer dishwashers are designed to use it. So if you have issues with drying or spots that might be why
I believe OP can actually add some extra liquid or powder detergent in the little bit next to the rectangular box too to clean in the pre-wash rinse too. That part is not sealed because it helps pre-wash the dishes before the main wash cycle.