Finally, the long-awaited purchase of the first dishwasher took place. After all, just recently such a device or “Siemens” significantly emphasized the status of its owners.
Today such technology has become much more accessible. It is extremely important to carry out the first startup of the dishwasher correctly.
Still, this technique is still new to most of us. But dishwashers, even budget ones like Candy or Flavia, belong to the category of complex household appliances that require initial testing.
Therefore, there is no need to rush; it is better to carefully read the technical instructions for the unit. If the accompanying description isn't clear, this article will give you the tips you need to do a test run, especially if this is the first dishwasher in your kitchen.
What you need to know before running your dishwasher for the first time
The dishwasher (hereinafter also referred to as PMM, dishwasher) cannot be turned on for the first time after immediately filling it with dishes. First you should do a test run, and here's why:
- At the final stage of production, PMM is not cleaned of waste that accompanies each production process. In addition, there are traces left on it from the hands of production workers and store visitors inspecting the goods. Therefore, the first start of the dishwasher in test mode is necessary to clean the unit from grease, dirt, debris and fatty deposits.
- A test run will ensure that is working properly . Unfortunately, this cannot be done in the store. A test run will show whether the PMM was damaged during transportation to the owner’s kitchen.
- Another important reason for testing the PMM is to check that the dishwasher connected No one is immune from errors when installing communications. Drawing water, heating it and draining it during testing will show whether the machine is connected correctly.
- to understand how to control the operation of the dishwasher during the first idle start, in order to use the PMM correctly in the future.
To test and clean the PMM, you need to stock up on three components:
- detergent;
- dish rinse aid;
- salt specifically intended for PMM.
The special salt for dishwashers contains ingredients designed to soften tap water, prevent the appearance of scale on the electric heater (TEH), and also provide better dishwashing. There is a special reservoir for salt - an ion exchanger, into which it must be poured.
The detergent cleans surfaces of grease deposits. The rinse aid removes any remaining dirt. Household chemicals from the European brand Bon, intended for use in dishwashers, have proven themselves well.
In addition to the above household chemicals intended for the daily operation of PMMs, tablets, powders and other compositions are now produced that are intended for use during a test run of an automatic dishwasher. They contain all the necessary components.
Why can't you use regular table salt?
Many owners are tempted to use regular table salt because it is much cheaper than the kind designed to run dishwashers. Although their composition is 95% similar, there are still several significant differences:
- The degree of purification of table salt is much lower, although it is intended for cooking. In addition to the main element - sodium chloride - it contains such chemical elements as iron, manganese, potassium, iodine and others. They do not have the best effect on the operation of the PMM.
- Granules of specialized salt are much larger than table salt crystals. Therefore, detergent intended for dishwashers dissolves more slowly.
If you want your dishwasher to serve for a long time and trouble-free, use a special salt composition designed for its operation.
The video informs you about what household chemicals are best used in PMM:
Features of the device and configuration
The functionality of dishwashers is constantly being improved, which is why models from the Swedish brand are in great demand among consumers. Among the functional features of the dishwasher, several product lines can be noted:
- The “green” series is designed for economical electricity consumption due to simultaneous connection to cold and hot water.
- “Comfort Lift” is a model range of devices with adjustable basket height. The special mechanism makes it easy to use.
- "Real Life" is a line of large-sized machines with large capacity.
- “Real Life Slim” - compact dishwashers up to 45 cm wide.
- FlexiWash is a modern development aimed at varying degrees of cleaning and temperature conditions.
Advantages and disadvantages of the company
PMMs from the Swedish brand Electolux demonstrate many advantages over models from other companies:
- economical consumption of “A-class”;
- connection to hot water;
- loading chamber capacity;
- reduced noise level;
- availability of 2 or 3 baskets;
- ease of control
- stylish design.
Judging by the reviews of the owners, the disadvantages of the models of this company are:
- lack of protection from children;
- there is no protection against leaks;
- no half load mode.
The need for a test run
For the first time, you should not immediately fill the dishwasher with dirty dishes. Before the first full cycle, a test run is carried out. It will help clean the dishwasher from foreign contaminants. After all, at the final stage of production, waste that appears during assembly remains on the device. Fingerprints of store visitors and sellers remain on the case. During the test run, all these traces will be washed away.
By turning this on, you can make sure that the dishwasher is working properly. In a store environment, conduct a full check of the dishwasher’s performance. After all, it can be damaged while the PMM is being transported from the store to the house.
Another important reason for conducting a test run is to check the correctness of the communication systems. Mistakes happen to everyone. Therefore, an extra check that the water is supplied correctly, heated and drained will show how the machine is connected. During the idle cycle, you can figure out how to operate the device and how to select the desired program.
Why do you need an idle start?
Some parts of the dishwasher may come with factory lubricant, and during the connection process small debris could get inside, which will subsequently clog the filters. Most contaminants can be removed with a damp cloth, but some will only be removed after an idle run. You also need to get acquainted with kitchen renovations: figure out how much and what products you need to use to get the best result. But all this is just the tip of the iceberg. The main thing is that the first launch will help check the correct installation and operation of household appliances.
At this stage, the main problems of the dishwasher (if any) may become apparent:
- Correct water supply and its complete removal after completion of the cycle;
- Serviceability of the heating element and correct temperature settings;
- Efficiency of the drying process.
Be sure to use salt and dishwasher detergent when you first start. Idle work does not negate the use of special chemicals.
What to do when an error code appears
When an error code appears, you need to refer to the instructions for the dishwasher to find its explanation and understand what the reason is and what exactly is wrong with the unit.
Contact VseRemont24 if:
- The instruction manual for your dishwasher “helper” is lost somewhere.
- You haven't fully understood the description of the error.
- You took independent actions to eliminate the problem, but they did not produce results.
- We realized that the dishwasher needs repairs, and you need the help of a professional and experienced technician.
Dishwasher malfunctions can be minor and can be fixed within a couple of minutes, but most of them require complex repairs.
Any external or internal part, as well as the entire unit of the dishwasher, can fail.
Failures of important components lead to the most common malfunctions:
- water leak,
- lack of dialing, draining water,
- no heating/overheating of water,
- insufficient amount of water,
- inconsistency of electrical network parameters with the necessary ones,
- program malfunctions,
- failure to perform individual functions or complete failure of the unit to work, and so on.
A faulty dishwasher works worse and does not wash dishes well. From a technology that saves water and electricity, it turns into an expensive “pleasure”. What is most important is that using a faulty electrical appliance is unsafe for people’s health and lives!
Preparing for the first launch
Before turning on a dishwasher of any brand for the first time, empty it from its packaging and peel off all technological stickers. The compartment for loading salt is located at the bottom and is closed with a lid. Remove it and pour 1 liter of water inside. The amount of salt specified in the instructions for the device is also placed there. It ranges from 500 g to 1 kg. Sometimes after adding salt, some of the liquid leaks out. This is normal; the container will no longer require water during subsequent use.
Many PMMs are equipped with special strips for assessing water hardness. In accordance with them, the salt consumption for the device is programmed automatically or adjusted manually. To determine the amount of dissolved salt in water, special sensors are provided. When they show a value below the minimum level, the ion exchanger is replenished with a portion of salt.
The back of the door is equipped with several compartments into which tablets are placed, gel is poured, or powder is poured. If tablets are used to wash dishes, no additional products are needed, since they effectively combine detergent and rinse aid.
Detergent powder is loaded in a certain quantity. Not all PMM models are equipped with sensors responsible for the dosage of this product. Inexpensive dishwashers use up the entire volume of detergent loaded into it in one use. Therefore, powder is poured into them in the amount prescribed by the instructions.
The same rule applies to rinse aid. In expensive modern models it can be filled with a reserve. Simpler ones require portioned pouring of rinsing gel.
What happens when you start the dishwasher for the first time?
Even if you are filled with impatience, do not rush to turn on the PMM. Read the instructions carefully. The first run is a test run, so there is no need to load dishes. This condition applies to dishwashers of all popular brands - Bosch, Siemens, Electrolux, Samsung, Miele and others. If you purchased a built-in model, install it in a furniture niche only after the first installation has been successfully completed.
Checking all connections before using the dishwasher for the first time
Before turning on the dishwasher for the first time, it must be connected to the utilities. When you turn it on for the first time, it will become clear whether the work on installing the PMM was carried out correctly, and whether this household device is ready for long-term use.
Below are the main reasons why dishes are not washed when you first turn them on:
- During the production process and further sale, dust, dirt, stains and grease deposits accumulate inside the PMM from the hands of workers, sellers and buyers. All this is removed during the first launch.
- All systems are tested for serviceability. You can determine how quickly the water flows and heats up, how the modes for draining used liquid and drying dishes work, and whether the chamber has been cleaned well.
- All connections to the water supply and sewerage systems are checked for leaks. The dishwasher should not be pushed into a furniture opening before first use, so that there is access to possible leakage areas. The correct installation of the electrical network is also checked.
- Owners receive knowledge on how to operate a dishwasher. This will help them use this equipment correctly, avoiding mistakes in further operation.
If a leak is immediately detected when you turn it on for the first time, it must be eliminated.
Procedure before first start
any packaging materials or advertising stickers left in the chamber , which can be found in Bosch dishwashers of the SPV series, Hansa and many other models of popular brands.
Pay attention to the foam packaging balls , of which there are quite a lot inside the PMM. All this must be removed when detected.
Also wipe the camera with a clean cloth to remove any obvious signs of dirt .
Mechanical cleaning of the dishwasher chamber before first use
Although dishes are not loaded into the PMM, the corresponding compartments still need to be filled with special softening salt, washing powder or gel, rinse aid , or use a 3-in-1 tablet that combines detergent and rinse aid.
How to turn on the dishwasher
After loading all detergents and rinsing agents, turn on the device for the first time. Before doing this, check once again that the machine is strictly horizontal in level. Then check how well the water supply and waste solution drain hoses are connected. They also check the electrical connection.
After all checks, perform the following steps sequentially:
- Open the shut-off valve to supply water.
- Open the door of the device and check how freely the sprayer moves. To do this, scroll it by hand.
- Unscrew the drain filter and rinse it under the tap. To more effectively get rid of industrial contaminants and dust, additional detergents are used. The washed filter is installed in its original place.
- On the dashboard you select which detergent will be used.
- Set the desired mode. For the first test run, select the longest program. The heating of water is also made the greatest.
- Close the dishwasher door and start the device.
While the machine is operating in test mode, the following indicators are monitored:
- During normal operation, the water supply occurs without interruption. The dishwasher does not stop working.
- The water is heated by the heating element to the desired temperature. This parameter cannot be checked in the store. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the water is heating up during the idle start-up process.
- The drainage is carried out completely, the water does not linger.
- After the cycle is completed, there is no water left inside the device.
Important!
If the test run does not reveal any malfunctions, the device is left to dry and cool for several hours. Only then do they load the dishes into it and start using it.
Choosing an installation location
The dishwasher must be located so that all necessary communications are in close proximity.
- Electric outlet. The use of extension cords is absolutely undesirable. Simply put, a dishwasher requires a separate outlet that can handle at least 16 Amps of current. To connect to which, a standard electrical cord from your car is enough. The ideal situation is when the outlet is connected to a separate circuit breaker.
– Water and sewer pipes. In most cases, a distance to the drain of more than 2 meters is not recommended. It is possible that the dishwasher drain pump will handle a longer distance. Or maybe he won’t be able to. Are you ready to remodel your kitchen later?
– For “built-in” it is important that the niche matches the size of the machine. Naturally, this needs to be taken care of in advance. If you can do something else with the furniture, then you can’t “tweak” the car. It can only be combined with the tabletop using legs (are they useful?).
– The built-in dishwasher must not be placed under the hob. Some “too competent” furniture makers sometimes say – it’s okay!
Just do not forget that cooking surfaces can produce high temperatures and magnetic fields (electric panels) near them. Which can easily damage the electronics of the dishwasher. And the latter, in turn, can release steam outside. And this can not only affect the performance of kitchen appliances, but also the safety of the user during its operation.
– Place the dishwasher on a flat, hard surface. The soft surface of linoleum or carpet can cause the machine to vibrate, and this is unacceptable when installed in a kitchen set. The position is adjusted using the same legs.
Dishwasher operation and care
After successful completion of the test cycle, begin daily use of the dishwasher. For long and uninterrupted service of the appliance, select a high-quality detergent, correctly load dishes and kitchen utensils into baskets, and select the desired program.
Selection of detergents and rinses
To ensure that your dishes are always clean, choose high-quality detergents suitable for the specific brand of device. In this case, washing powders are not used. Before purchasing, evaluate the following parameters:
- The release form can be powder, gel or tablet. They have different laundering quality and cost-effectiveness.
- The composition of chemical preparations with a complex effect includes several active substances. Each ingredient does a specific job. Therefore, you need to choose a product depending on the degree of contamination and the type of dishes.
- Some drugs contain aggressive components. Therefore, they choose only safe products that do not harm sick people, children or pets.
In addition to preparations for washing dishes, for effective operation of the device you will need preparations that soften tap water, products for cleaning the dishwasher chamber and removing scale from heating elements.
Before purchasing detergents, take into account their composition. To wash stubborn dirt and remove difficult stains, preparations containing chlorine are suitable. They do an excellent job of removing any stains and adding whiteness. Such compositions are suitable for washing dishes with a durable coating. But such products are not used for cutlery made of silver, cupronickel, crystal or porcelain.
Important!
Do not use detergents with aggressive ingredients for hand-painted dishes. The drawing may suffer from their influence.
A successful replacement for a chlorine-containing product would be products with enzymes. They are substances with a slightly alkaline reaction that carefully wash away all contaminants. They do not harm delicate surfaces and perform well in cold water. Their only drawback is the lack of whitening effect.
Recommendations
In the future, the dishwasher will be operated taking into account the recommendations specified in the instructions for use. As you use it, add rinse aid and detergent to the machine. It is advisable to use a new portion of the product each time, rather than leaving residue from the previous wash in the appliance.
Be sure to control the amount of salt in the ion exchanger. All dishes are arranged according to the rules, avoiding overload. This significantly reduces the quality of washing. The sprayer and nozzles are periodically checked for cleanliness and the filters are not clogged. Operating modes are selected depending on the stage of contamination.
Important!
To extend the life of the device when connecting it to the network, do not use extension cords or adapters. Do not touch the device with dirty hands. Keep children away from the dishwasher while it is running. It is important to ensure that no foreign objects get inside the PMM. Periodically clean the internal surfaces of the dishwasher and filters from dirt and grease accumulations.
