GE dishwasher problems

[laryb]

Before we call a repairman or go buy a new dishwasher or water softener, I'd like to ask if someone has had the same problems we're experiencing with our GE dishwasher. We run the hot water before turning it on, used Jet Dry, Lemi-Clean hardwater spot remover, Cascade liquid, and Cascade all in one powder pouches, and all of these do not work. Either the dishes and silverware are not clean, or there is considerable spotting that can't be removed by hand washing. The dishwasher is 1 1/2 years old but has only been used regularly since this mid-May. has anyone had this same problem? Is it the washer, hard water, or are we doing something wrong? We had well water up north that was somewhat hard, but never had any problems like this. Any info will be appreciated.

[Ohiogirl]

Ours is only a QuietPower1, 5 years old now. Works much better once we set it on Hot Wash and Hot Start, and switched to liquid DW soap. My daughter says the pellets will work even better, going to try that next.

It was awful when we were just using powder and not doing the Hot Wash and Hot Start - never had to do that anywhere else, but haven't usually had a lower end DW before. I think they put a QuietPower 3 in the designers when ours was built - we have a Keyes CYV - maybe they put a better model in the Savannah series, don't know. Might just depend. My friend bought a former Savannah model and she even has a side-by-side fridge. We didn't.

[jblum315]

Face it, GE makes a lousy dishwasher. I use Cascade Complete (liquid) and set it on hot wash, hot start, and "pots and pans." And it sort of cleans the dishes.

[marennorge]

I've had problems getting dishes clean, too. To the point where I spread the dishes out face down...and consequently run the machine more often since I can't put as many on the racks.

But I have also had the problem of just getting it to run. The "start" area is really worn on the digital pad, so no doubt the problem was there for the previous owner, too.

In my previous home up North, I had an appliance repair woman tell me to never buy a dishwasher with a digital pad because they are so expensive to replace, you may as well buy a new dishwasher. Go for the push button models, she said. And yes, will try to do that for the next go around, but I wonder what the odds are in finding one in bisque. Whose idea was it to put bisque appliances in many of these homes?

[DDoug]

White vinegar works every time try it you'll love the results maybe 2 or 3 times but it cleans in the dishwasher. I used to repair appl..Trust me not the dishwashers fault unless of course you aare not getting water

[Another 65er]

Our problem is not with the dishwasher getting the dishes clean. We rinse before we load the GE and the dishes, glasses, silverware et al are clean but they have an odor (swampwater comes to mind).

We've had a GE technician and he said the water wasn't hot enough. We had the plumber come and he increased the hot water level to 135 degrees. Still no improvement. When the cycle ends and you remove a glass and put it to your nose, it still smells of "swampwater".

We're headed up north tomorrow but GE is coming post-Christmas and they best have some answers.

Anyone else having this GE dishwasher problem?

Happy holidays.

[DDoug]

In reply to the touch pad post use white vinegar on that to it will not harm the touch cells like water or cleaner. White vinegar works on every thing. Dont you remember what grandma used. Works good on grout to and will not eat up the grout. Why do you think they sell it by the gallon

[marennorge]

...just where are we supposed to put the vinegar?

[Dirigo]

Our problem is not with the dishwasher getting the dishes clean. We rinse before we load the GE and the dishes, glasses, silverware et al are clean but they have an odor (swampwater comes to mind).

We've had a GE technician and he said the water wasn't hot enough. We had the plumber come and he increased the hot water level to 135 degrees. Still no improvement. When the cycle ends and you remove a glass and put it to your nose, it still smells of "swampwater".

We're headed up north tomorrow but GE is coming post-Christmas and they best have some answers.

Anyone else having this GE dishwasher problem?

Happy holidays.

We had a similar problem with a Bosch dishwasher. Make sure the outlet screen is clean, and prop the door open with something...we used the handle end of a wooden spoon. Keeps any remaining water in the DW from festering.

[macgolfnut]

We have had the same problem. Not crazy about GE, but I think the main problem is the water. I found a product called "Lemon Shine," and it works really well. It advertises that it fights hard water and it really does. It's available at all of the grocery stores.

[kentucky blue]

.

We've had a GE technician and he said the water wasn't hot enough. We had the plumber come and he increased the hot water level to 135 degrees. Still no improvement.

Happy holidays.

PLEASE tell me the plumber was there to do more than just turn the dial on your water heater to 135 degrees.White vinegar is the cure for everything,just ask my mother,she buys it by the case.

[janmcn]

Try using Finish Gelpacs. Cascade changed their formula within the last year to eliminate phosphates. I switched to Finish with a sprinkle of LemiShine and have had no problems since.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

laryb, the fact that your dishes aren't coming very clean could be due to a problem with the spray arm(s). Here's a bit of info for what you could check on your own without needing to call in a service tech:

http://www.partselect.com/dishwasher+check-spray-arms+repair.htm

Bill :)

[DDoug]

Granted there can be many issues with your D/W but if all works wait till the water fill is done open the D/W and dump some vinegar in what ever amount you want to put in 4to 5 cups run your cycle. Vinegar is an acid you have a build up of soap in your D/W this will clean that off. May have to do this a couple of times and every month but it will work. Also Cascade is the only soap I would use the stuff in the box not the tabs. All this fancy additives wont do you any good. Yes lemon juice works to. Yess I have a Bosch and it does a great job and no noise dont like noise. One thing open your D/W when it starts running and make sure you have right amount of water. Vinegar will make your glasses sparkle.

[DDoug]

These issues are so ease to fix PM and I'll come and fix it for you for nothing

[philnpat]

To get rid of stains on the inside of the dishwasher and odor, use 1/2 cup of Tang (powdered citrus drink). Just toss it in and run through a cycle. It'll look and smell great! The citric acid does the trick!

[raynan]

Tang works, also any citric mix such as powdered lemonade. Hot wash, temp boost (on some models, run sink faucet til hot water comes through. All of these work. It is the water, not the dishwasher. Several different brands in my neighborhood and we all have the same problem.

[laryb]

The repairman just left. He checked everything out and found nothing wrong. It is getting enough water, the spray arms are working, it drains properly, and it heats up correctly. His conclusion is that we are using the wrong detergent. I showed him the Cascade products we used and he said they were not right for this machine. He advised us to use Finish Quantum, as they changed the formula and should give us better results. He told us that if this doesn't work, we need a water softener.

[cquick]

Thanks for all the info.....we have been renting in Liberty Park, and the GE dishwasher here works fine, but we just closed on a Villa in Summerhill and that dishwasher has some real problems! WE might have to replace.

[laryb]

Before we call a repairman or go buy a new dishwasher or water softener, I'd like to ask if someone has had the same problems we're experiencing with our GE dishwasher. We run the hot water before turning it on, used Jet Dry, Lemi-Clean hardwater spot remover, Cascade liquid, and Cascade all in one powder pouches, and all of these do not work. Either the dishes and silverware are not clean, or there is considerable spotting that can't be removed by hand washing. The dishwasher is 1 1/2 years old but has only been used regularly since this mid-May. has anyone had this same problem? Is it the washer, hard water, or are we doing something wrong? We had well water up north that was somewhat hard, but never had any problems like this. Any info will be appreciated.
Did our first load with the Finish Quantum and the Quantum Drying agent. There was a big improvement over the Cascade products. Only a few spots here and there, and the dishes and glasses shined. Really qiute happy with the results, seeing how I won't have to buy a new washer or softener for a while!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Thanks for all the follow-up, laryb. Glad to know it wasn't the machine!!! Inexpensive fixes are always welcomed!! :D

Bill :)