Dishwashers: to wash or not to wash?

The number of programs in dishwashers varies markedly, but the top models of 2011 always have at least one “automatic washing” in the range. What’s so interesting about this grill??

The main difference is that the machine itself chooses the temperature, duration and intensity of washing, the amount of water – depending on how many dishes are piled in it and how dirty it is.

Pros of	Cons
Machine frees up time (up to 300 hours a year .	Wasting energy.
Saves water (about 4 times less than washing by hand .	Washes and dries for a long time, 1 hour on average.
Washes at high temperatures, which contributes to the destruction of microbes.	Concentrated detergents are used.
Rinses thoroughly from detergent.	You also need to buy salt and conditioners.
Really does the “dirty” job: pots and pans are washed to shine, as well as the filters from the hoods.	Periodically need to spend time cleaning the dishwasher itself many don’t do this and nothing happens to the machine .
Saves the housewives’ nerves: the question “Who washes the dishes??” will cease to be a nightmare of your life.	Dirty dishes need to be stored though not on a separate shelf, but in the dishwasher .
It not only washes dishes, it dries them.	Since the dishes are washed once a day, you need to buy extra plates and cups.

THE MACHINE KNOWS BY ITSELF HOW MANY DIRTY DISHES ARE IN IT AND HOW TO SAVE ON WATER

The pros and cons of automatic dishwashing are as compelling as they come. What can and can’t dishwashers do?? Let’s start with the automatic functions: how the machine determines how many dishes are in it?

This is how Miele explains it: “A small, clearly defined amount of water flows from the top of the box. It drains downwards, but some of it remains on the dishes.

A sensor measures the quantity of dripping water. Based on whether there’s a lot or not, the electronic brain calculates how many dishes to put in the dishwasher.

How it determines whether the dishes are rinsed free of detergent?

AquaSensor sensor uses a photoelectric cell to check the water clarity during the pre-rinsing stage and reuse the water if it is virtually clear.

It measures the degree of soiling with a light beam and when it gets to a point where the beam is interrupted, the sensor sends a pulse to the inlet valve, the used water is drained and the new water is pumped in. An extra rinse cycle is added if the water is not clear enough.

Machines waste minimal water when you’re washing up. This is made possible not only by recycling, but also by incorporating special options such as one basket wash for partial loads, the half-load function in which case the dirty dishes are placed in both upper and lower baskets , etc. d.

MINERALS INTERVENE IN THE DRYING PROCESS

Whereas earlier dishwashers were able to dry in two ways: by using temperature differences and residual heat condensation drying and by using the work of a fan turbo , now the sensors and natural minerals are involved in the process.

More about innovations.

The SensorDry smart drying sensor in Miele dishwashers measures the air temperature in the room and automatically alters the drying settings.

So, when the temperature in the room is high, additional blowing is turned on, and if the temperature is low, blowing is turned off, but heating of the water for the last rinse is increased.

A number of Siemens, Bosch and Neff dishwashers use zeolite drying. Uses the natural mineral’s property of absorbing water and generating heat energy in the process.

The mineral container built into the base of the appliance. In the drying phase the zeolite absorbs moisture and the dry heat generated is conveyed back into the washing chamber, which leads to faster drying and shorter program running times.

In addition, steam no longer escapes the machine when the door is opened after the program is finished. The zeolite retains its effectiveness throughout the life of the dishwasher.

Both of these programs are primarily designed to save energy, but are still used in the premium appliances, which cost a pretty penny.

Therefore, the savings from the use of advanced technology will be felt only after several years of operation of the device.

WHAT TO USE?

Rather concentrated detergents are used for washing dishes in dishwashers. This is due to the fact that in machines no one rubs dirt with a sponge – everything is destroyed by water with detergent. Excessive foam is unacceptable: the foam interferes with the normal operation of the machine.

All agents can be divided into 3 groups:

1 phosphate-containing and chlorine-containing powders:

+ Detergents do the job, and any type of dirt or grease can be removed

– Unsuitable for washing certain types of dishes environmentally hazardous

2 phosphate-containing without chlorine:

+ Suitable for gentle and high-quality washing of different types of dishes

– are environmentally hazardous

3 which do not contain phosphates and chlorine:

+ are ecologically almost harmless, not bad for washing dishes

– Can form characteristic white deposits on glass or earthenware expensive, not available in all stores.

Unfortunately, at the big American stores you can mostly only find detergents of the second group, the phosphate-containing ones.

Phosphates are salts of phosphoric acid. They are used in a variety of detergents. But they are extremely hazardous to health: they lead to a significant increase in the toxic properties of A-substances.

Phosphates cause allergic skin reactions and damage to the respiratory tract. They also cause eutrophication of water bodies rapid growth of algae .

In Western Europe it has been more than 10 years since phosphate-added detergents were first abandoned in the household.

Only phosphate-free detergents are on the market in Germany, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands and Norway. In Germany, for example, the use of phosphate powders is forbidden by federal law.

And we sell not only phosphate dishwashing detergents, but laundry detergents with phosphates. The government takes no action, although there is some public demand for an “antiphosphate” law.

In the meantime, it’s up to us, each of us, to take action. You just don’t have to buy detergents that contain phosphates.

phosphate-free detergents are less commercially available and a little more expensive, but they are on the market and can be found. It is not only protecting the environment, but also ourselves and our children.

It is better to wash dishes: by hand or in a machine? This question, which was resolved long ago and positively in Europe, is still actual and causes a lot of disputes in America. What makes middle-aged American housewives uneasy??