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John’s Appliance & Bedding Recommended Dishwashers
Once you get used to the convenience of a dishwasher, it is hard to imagine washing all of your glasses, plates, pots, and pans by hand. When your dishwasher stops working properly, it can cost a lot of time and money to diagnose the problem.
Which problems are fixable, and when should you order a new dishwasher? Homeowners encounter common problems with dishwashers at least once or twice. Sometimes it is as easy as cleaning your dishwasher or replacing a small part. However, in the worst cases, it is actually cheaper to replace the dishwasher than it is to repair it.
Today John’s Appliance & Bedding will go over common dishwasher problems, so you can know what’s fixable and when it’s time to get a new dishwasher. We’ll also recommend perfect dishwasher replacements that you’ll just adore.
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Shop Now5 Common Dishwasher Problems
It may be surprising just dishwashers tend to break down more than you think, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy a new one. Here are five common dishwasher problems that are easy to fix without breaking the bank.
Common Dishwasher Problem #1: Dirty Dishes
Nothing is worse than emptying the dishwasher and seeing grime, food, and residue stuck to your glasses and plates. Most of the time, this is an easy fix and can be rectified by checking your user manual.
Each dishwasher model and manufacturer has recommended processes and products to get super clean dishes. You could be using the wrong dishwashing material or not scraping enough food off before loading plates into the dishwasher.
If you are confident, you are following the directions correctly, check the spray arms in your dishwasher. Both the top and bottom arms should spin freely. If they are stuck or reluctant to turn, remove the arms and clean them thoroughly. If your plates aren’t getting enough water or even disbursement of water, they will leave the dishwasher dirty.
Water spots are simple to fix. Just add a rinse aid to your wash cycle. However, if you see white residue on your glassware, you might have a hard water issue. Bring a sample of your water to a testing facility. They will tell you whether or not to add a water softener to your plumbing system. Hard water issues typically arise in homes that have well water.
Common Dishwasher Problem #2: Dishwasher Smells Bad
Your dishwasher should smell fresh and sanitized after a wash cycle is completed. If your dishwasher has an odor, it’s time to do a deep clean. Shut off the power to the dishwasher and remove all easily taken-off parts. Wash each part and the entire inside of the dishwasher thoroughly. Bad smells are a result of old food. You need to find it to stop the smell.
Most dishwashers have a cleaning cycle. Once you are done manually cleaning the dishwasher, start a hot or cleaning cycle. Leave the dishwasher empty for this. You can also add white vinegar to your regular dishwasher cleaner to help eliminate bad odors.
Common Dishwasher Problem #3: Dishwasher Doesn’t Drain
If your dishwasher lost power unexpectedly, it wouldn’t have finished its cycle. Events like power surges and blown fuses can disrupt power to your dishwasher. Try starting another cycle to see if the dishwasher will drain.
Check the basket or strainer in the bottom of your dishwasher. If food or debris is stuck in it, water will have a hard time flowing out. Clean the basket in the sink and check to see if the drain tube has anything blocking it. You can double-check that the blockage has been cleared by pouring a small amount of water into the base of your dishwasher.
Some dishwasher models are known for having drainage issues. Try googling your dishwasher model for advice. For example, “Frigidaire dishwasher not draining,” “GE dishwasher not draining,” and “KitchenAid dishwasher not draining” will bring up specific tips and tricks for getting your dishwater model draining again.
If restarting your dishwasher didn’t work and the drain basket in the bottom of the dishwasher is clean, try purging the garbage disposal. The garbage disposal and dishwasher drain into the same place. Something stuck in the garbage disposal will prevent your dishwasher from draining properly. If you test the garbage disposal, which doesn’t drain, you probably have a clog in the kitchen waste pipe. You can try snaking the pipe yourself. Big clogs or clogs that are far down the pipe might require a professional plumber.
Common Dishwasher Problem #4: The Dishwasher Is Leaking
Usually, a leaky dishwasher is caused by damaged gaskets. Gaskets seal the door to your dishwasher and keep it locked tight. Check for cracks in the gaskets by spraying them with disinfecting cleaner. If there is damage to the door gaskets, it will cost $50-$100 to repair. Gaskets wear down over time. Leaking gaskets are a common dishwasher problem.
Another source of a leaky dishwasher is a bad pump. If the dishwasher’s pump malfunctions, too much water can flow into the dishwasher. Unfortunately, a pump is a bit more expensive to fix. Expect to pay $150-$250 to replace the pump. If your dishwasher is really high-end or relatively new, it will make sense to replace the pump. However, if your dishwasher is older, getting a whole new unit is a good idea rather than spending the money on repairs.
Common Dishwasher Problem #5: The Dishwasher Is Making Loud Noises
If you hear your dishwasher making loud noises, call an appliance repair service like John’s Appliance. Several problems can cause loud noises. The easiest and least expensive to fix are seals and bearing rings. However, loud noises can also be a warning that the dishwasher motor is going. Motors are very expensive to replace, with an average repair cost of $400-$600. If the motor on your dishwasher is bad, you are better off replacing it.
Dishwasher Repair Services
You should only hire factory-trained technicians to work on your dishwasher. These professionals know about every common dishwasher issue and will troubleshoot your problem. Once the issue is identified, you can decide whether or not to spend money on the repair. Choose a repair service that has parts in stock. This will reduce the amount of time your dishwasher is out of commission.
John’s Appliances & Bedding has a team of licensed, factory-trained technicians on staff. They will come out to your home and diagnose the problem with the dishwasher. They have more parts in stock and can repair your appliance quickly. If your dishwasher is not worth repairing, you can find a new one at a John’s Appliance store. The same technicians will come out to install your new dishwasher.
John’s Appliance & Bedding Recommended Dishwashers
Unfortunately, dishwashers don’t last forever. Weight a new dishwasher cost versus the cost of repair. If the repair costs more than the price of a new dishwasher, don’t bother fixing it. If anything else goes wrong with it, you will have invested more money in repairs than what the dishwasher is worth.
Minor issues like cracked door gaskets, broken door springs, and clogs are easy to fix. Once you have repaired your dishwasher twice, start saving for a new one. Most parts have similar lifetimes, so if some of them have already started to break, more issues are coming your way soon. In that case, you're better off investing a new, reliable dishwasher, such as the ones we recommend below.
Recommendation #1: GE® 24” Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
Replace your broken dishwasher with this affordable model from GE. Top features include:
- Steam cycle loosens built-on food before the regular wash cycle to speed up the cleaning process.
- Sanitizing steam kills 99.999 percent of bacteria
- Extra large capacity with two racks
- Adjustable upper rack
- Auto wash cycles assess how dirty your dishes are for the perfect clean
- Water leak sensor to alert you to possible overflows
- Flexible installation options including multiple feet heights
The GE 24” Fingerprint Resistant dishwasher is available in stainless steel. The touch button display on the door makes setting cycles quick and easy. Dry boost technology gets dishes dryer than traditional heat dry systems. Despite being one of the most efficient dishwashers on the market, this GE model is affordable.
Recommendation #2: LG 24" PrintProof™ Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher
This dishwasher is available in 4 colors: white, stainless steel, black, and black stainless steel. Price does vary by the finish, with white and black being the cheaper options. The top features of this model include:
- 10-year warranty on the Inverter DirectDrive Motor
- Certification from the National Sanitation Foundation
- Steam cycle kills 99.999% of bacteria
- Four spray arms get dishes clean from every angle
- Turbo wash gets dishes clean in half the time
- Three racks for maximum load sizes
- WIFI and smart app capabilities to download and customize wash cycles
Fair warning, this dishwasher comes with a hefty price tag. Colors range from $699 - $849. However, the 10-year warranty on the motor makes this dishwasher a great investment. You will also save money on energy costs as this dishwasher is environmentally friendly and energy-star efficient.
Dishwashers are essential kitchen appliances. It can be frustrating to deal with common dishwasher problems. If you feel your dishwasher is having more issues than it should, consider investing in a new appliance. Dishwashers are available at numerous price ranges depending on your desired features and colors. Check out dishwashers in person at one of John’s Appliance & Bedding stores. Don’t forget to check the in-store specials for extra discounts on top brands of dishwashers.
Why Trust John’s Appliance & Bedding?
Our family-owned and operated store started with a pick-up truck and a dream. When John Hinton Jr. first opened his storefront in 1972, he never envisioned that over the next 50 years, he would outgrow his flagship location and need to open several other locations. However, that’s just what he did.
Thanks to John and his team, John’s Appliance & Bedding has been able to provide our customers with the best appliances, mattresses, and cabinet solutions in South Florida. We view our customers as an extension of our family and seek to provide the best service and expertise that we always have.
Shop Dishwashers at John’s Appliance & Bedding
At John’s Appliance & Bedding, we provide high-quality, name-brand products for the best possible price. Shop dishwashers online or visit one of our four South Florida showrooms and experience world-class customer service. Our friendly product experts are always happy to help you learn more about common dishwasher problems — whether you call us, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
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