By: Gene Rodriguez, III
It's banished the phrase "dishpan hands" from our vocabulary, but have you ever thought about how a dishwasher works? Although the first dishwasher was invented in the 19th century, it wasn't until 1970s that dishwashers began to find a home in the modern kitchen.
How A Dishwasher Works Its Magic
Whether it's cozily tucked under you kitchen counter or stands proudly alone on portable wheels, the dishwasher has done more to reduce home kitchen work than any other appliance. Read on to find out just how a dishwasher works so you don't have to:
- Waterproof. The inside of your dishwasher is enclosed in a plastic or metal container called a tub. The tub is waterproof and has inlets for water and outlet drains. When the door of your dishwasher is closed a latch and rubber seal make sure water doesn't leak out.
- The rack. Inside the dishwasher tub are one or more metal racks that are designed to store pots, dishes and glassware. Baskets (made of metal or plastic) set in the racks allow for utensils and silverware to be stored. The metal racks are covered with rubber or enamel to reduce the risk of corrosion.
- Is it warm in here? When you turn your dishwasher on, water (from the kitchen sink or from a fixed water supply) enters a basin at the bottom of the machine. Here, the water is heated to 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Cycle settings such as "sanitize" will cause the water to be heated even hotter.
- Round and round. As the cleaning cycle starts, detergent is released into the water basin and pumps begin to circulate the water through jets that are directed at the dishes. Some of these jets rotate to insure that soapy water is sprayed on all surfaces to be cleaned. The force of the water-combined with the soap and high temperatures-serves to remove dirt and debris. Once the cycle has run its course, the dirty water is pumped out of the dishwasher to be replaced by clean rinse water.
- The perfect rinse. Rinse water may be mixed with a rinsing agent that helps dishes and glassware resist the formulation of spots or water stains. The rinse cycle removes any detergent residue from the dishes and once complete, rinse water is pumped out of the dishwasher.
- Drying time. If selected, the heating elements that are used to heat the water are again powered up to heat the air in the dishwasher, speeding drying time of the clean dishes. Otherwise, the dishwasher shuts down and the dishes are allowed to air dry.
