What is wrong with my dishwasher?

[Mike Johnson]

Yes, and it’s not etching, but a hardness deposit that dissolves with acid.

Our water heater puts out water at about 125° for safety reasons.

What I don’t get is how it’s not uniform. I originally suspected one of the spray arms wasn’t turning, and so the rinse cycle wasn’t hitting everything evenly. I still think it’s something like that, just not a simple fix like a clogged or blocked spray arm. Or maybe the detergent isn’t dispensing too late?

p8712 says I need more phosphate, you say I need less( which would make more sense since I’m using softened water). I’ve tried Cascade powder, Finish gel, and Oxiclean powder. I’ve always used about 1TB of Cascade but I’ve tried less, especially with the OxiClean which tells me to use 1/4 my usual amount.

What dishwasher detergents are specifically made for soft water use?

[p8712]

What state are you in? You prbably won't be able to buy higher phospahate detergent. For the record I use cascade packs, with the powder and gel in one little pellet, with the lemishine filling the rest of the soap dispenser.

[p8712]

more info

here too

EDIT: some more

[Racer X]

ammunition reloaders use Lemi Shine to polish their brass in tumblers. Works great for that.

[anonymouse1]

Might maybe be that the wash water isn't fully draining before the rinse water comes in.

[neophyte]

Because the deposit can be removed with an acid rinse, it suggests they are mineral deposits that precipitate due to a relatively higher pH. Many detergents make the water chemically basic (higher pH). You mentioned that your source water has higher ppm than before, and that you adjusted your water softener accordingly. I suspect the water softener is not removing the increased mineral content.

[NewtonMP2100]

......not sure of his/her name but perhaps....minimum wage.....?!?!?!?