07-20-2021, 01:30 PM
If anyone has poured any quantity of grease down the sink drain, that is a sure-fire way to cause this kind of problem.
If this problem SUDDENLY occurred, something changed. It is probably caused by some blockage in the drain hose, and that is probably where the hose connects to the sink/garbage disposal. Disconnect the hose at the disposal and run it into a large pail. DO NOT RE-ROUTE THE HOSE TO DO THIS. The hose has to have that high hoop location to prevent backflow from the sink drain into the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on a RINSE cycle to test the drain system. Make sure the dishwasher drains fully before doing the following steps.
1. Test the spray arm by putting a glass upright in a corner of the top rack. It should be full or nearly full at the end of the cycle. If not:
2. Clean the holes in the spray arms and test again. If still not nearly full:
3. Clean the drain filter, because the plugged filter is stopping the pump from getting enough water to spray properly. Test again.
4. Use the products suggested by others to do additional cleaning of the spray bars and the drain filter of hard water buildup. I don't care if you have a Softner. You will still get some mineral build up after 25 years.
Check the link given for how to get the spray bar off for cleaning and how to get to the drain filter.
It doesn't hurt to add some vinegar to the wash cycle once a month or so. It all gets removed with the rinse cycle.
If this problem SUDDENLY occurred, something changed. It is probably caused by some blockage in the drain hose, and that is probably where the hose connects to the sink/garbage disposal. Disconnect the hose at the disposal and run it into a large pail. DO NOT RE-ROUTE THE HOSE TO DO THIS. The hose has to have that high hoop location to prevent backflow from the sink drain into the dishwasher. Run the dishwasher on a RINSE cycle to test the drain system. Make sure the dishwasher drains fully before doing the following steps.
1. Test the spray arm by putting a glass upright in a corner of the top rack. It should be full or nearly full at the end of the cycle. If not:
2. Clean the holes in the spray arms and test again. If still not nearly full:
3. Clean the drain filter, because the plugged filter is stopping the pump from getting enough water to spray properly. Test again.
4. Use the products suggested by others to do additional cleaning of the spray bars and the drain filter of hard water buildup. I don't care if you have a Softner. You will still get some mineral build up after 25 years.
Check the link given for how to get the spray bar off for cleaning and how to get to the drain filter.
It doesn't hurt to add some vinegar to the wash cycle once a month or so. It all gets removed with the rinse cycle.
Mr Downtown wrote:
I've never had any issues with my dishwasher (a 25-year-old Maytag) until this month. Suddenly it's leaving food on things, especially in the top rack. I've opened it at various points in the cycle and things look normal, though one thing I can't think how to check is the central "spray wand" that would extend upward (by water pressure, AFAIK) through the top rack and spray water all around. Nothing seems to be blocking that, but I can't think how to test its functioning, since it would drops back to the resting position as soon as I open the door.
Anything sound obvious that I could check?