| Appliance Glossary: Dishwashers
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Look up the definition of terms and phrases related to
dishwashers.
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| A - C
| D - G
| H - P
| R - Z
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Appliance Glossaries
Appliance Guides
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A - C
Add-a-dish
light
A feature that indicates at what point in the wash cycle dishes can still be added.
Air
dry
An energy-saving feature that circulates residual hot air in the dishwasher
for drying without heat.
Auto
clean
A sensor that detects the soil level of dishes and adjusts the cycle time accordingly.
Built-in
A dishwasher that is intended to be installed under a countertop. Also known
as an under the counter dishwasher.
China/crystal
cycle
An option that lets users wash delicate glassware and dishes by using either
less water pressure or a shorter cycle setting.
Compact
An 18-inch-wide dishwasher designed for tight spaces.
Concealed
control panel
Dishwasher controls that are not visible. A user must open the door to make
cycle selections.
Controls
The knobs, buttons or electronic touchpads that regulate dishwashing functions.
The most common types of controls are: rotary, which offer control by turning
a dial; pushbutton, which are controls that invert at the press of a finger;
electronic, which are low-profile press pads; or a combination of the three
options.
Cycle
status lights
Lights on the panel showing what part of the cycle the dishwasher is currently
in.
Cycles
The methods of cleaning dishes. See Auto clean cycle, China/crystal cycle, Energy
saver cycle, Heavy cycle, Light cycle, Normal cycles, Plate warmer cycle, Pots
and pans cycle, Quick cycle, and Rinse/hold cycle.
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D - G
Delay
start
A timer option that lets a user program the dishwasher to start at a later time.
End-of-cycle
signal
A light that lets a user see when the dishwasher cycle has ended.
Energy
saver wash
An option that lets a unit operate at a lower energy level than normal by either
using less water or turning off the heating element.
Flood
protection system
A feature that shuts the dishwasher off if the water level becomes too high
due to improper drainage.
Food
disposer
A feature that captures food particles during the wash cycle and grinds them
up like a disposal in a sink, so they can be filtered out and washed away.
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H - P
Heavy
cycle
A washing cycle that employs maximum water pressure and/or longer, hotter washes
to clean heavily soiled items such as cookware with burned-on foods.
Light cycle
A shorter wash cycle--with less heat than normal--designed to clean lightly
soiled dishes such as china.
Normal
cycles
A series of cycles used for cleaning everyday soil from dishes, flatware, and
glasses.
Place
setting
A table service for one person that includes a large plate, small plate, bowl,
cup and saucer. The dishwasher literature often indicates how many place settings
a particular model can accommodate.
Plate
warmer cycle
A cycle option designed to warm plates prior to serving food.
Portable
A dishwasher designed to be moved from place to place on a set of wheels or
casters. Portable dishwashers are designed to be hooked up to a faucet and to
drain into a sink, and often feature a countertop.
Pots
and pans cycle
A washing cycle that employs maximum water pressure and/or longer, hotter washes
to clean heavily soiled items such as cookware with burned-on foods.
Pump
A motor designed to circulate water throughout the dishwasher and drain the
tub when a wash cycle is complete. The water output of the pump is usually measured
in gallons per minute and can range from 6 gallons per minute to 52 gallons
per minute.
Quick
cycle
A short cycle designed to clean lightly soiled loads and/or glasses.
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R - Z
Racks
The pull-out shelving where dishes, glasses, cups and stemware are stacked in
the dishwasher. Different configurations include height-adjustable racks, cups
shelves with fold-down or removable tines, stemware holders and silverware trays.
Racks are often plastic coated or are all plastic. Premium racks may be coated
with more durable nylon.
Rear
rollers
Wheels on the bottom of the unit that make it easier to slide the dishwasher
into place.
Reversible
door panel
A door panel that slides out to reveal another color on the opposite side, letting
an owner match the dishwasher to the kitchen's decor.
Rinse
agent compartment
The dispenser inside the door that automatically distributes the rinse agent,
which minimizes hard water spotting on dishes.
Rinse/hold
cycle
A cycle that lets a user rinse soil off dishes until a full load is ready to
be run.
Safety
lock
A feature designed to lock either the control panel--so settings cannot be changed--or
the door of the operating unit.
Sanitizing
wash/rinse
A cycle on certain models that kills some bacteria on dishes by using a longer,
hotter wash and/or rinse cycle.
Self-adjusting
rear leveling legs
A device that automatically levels the machine.
Soil
sensing system
A sensor that detects the amount of food particles in the dishwasher and automatically
adjusts the length of the cycle accordingly.
Sound
reduction
Insulation features in some dishwashers that reduce noise.
Spray
arm
Rotating radiating blades that propel water throughout the dishwasher via tiny
holes in the blades. The arm can be found below or above the racks, depending
on the model.
Spray
tower
A retractable water distribution device on the bottom of the interior cavity
(or tub) driven by the pressure of the water.
Time
remaining display
A control panel feature that shows how much time is left before the entire cycle
is complete.
Trim
kit
A package of cabinet-matching hardware such as brackets and clips sold by the
dishwasher manufacturer. It lets a cabinetmaker attach custom-made panels to
the dishwasher door making the appliance appear built-in.
Tub
A common name for the cavity of the dishwasher.
Tub
liner
The material that covers the interior of the tub - usually stainless steel or
plastic.
Water
consumption
The number of gallons of water a dishwasher uses when set on the normal wash
cycle.
Water
temperature boost
A feature that increases the dishwasher's incoming water temperature to 135
- 140 degrees for better cleaning.
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brandwise LLC 1999/2000. Reprinted by permission.
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