Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes? Here’s What to do Next

Dishwasher Not Drying Dishes? Here’s What to do NextIf your dishwasher seems to leave dishes wet and water spots all over them, you are not alone. Many homeowners report this same issue. In some cases, it is easy enough to troubleshoot the problem and fix it yourself. In other cases, you may need the help of a professional dishwasher repair technician. In this blog post, we will discuss both the mechanics behind how a dishwasher dries dishes and some simple steps that you can take at home to improve your dishwasher’s ability to dry dishes. If those tips don’t work, we will also provide information on where you can go for help with your dishwasher repair needs.

At Comfort Appliance, we offer dishwasher repair in Covington, Atlanta, Conyers, and all surrounding communities on a huge range of major brands, including Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Bosch, and more. Learn more about our dishwasher repair services.

How Dishwashers Dry Dishes

Dishwashers have come a long way since they were first introduced in the late 1800s. The earliest dishwashers were little more than metal boxes on wheels that held dishes and had to be filled with water from a sink and emptied by hand. These early dishwashers did not have any means of heating the water, so they could only be used to wash dishes that were not dirty or greasy.

The first dishwashers with a heating element were introduced in the early 1900s. These dishwashers could reach higher temperatures, making them more effective at cleaning dirty dishes. However, these early dishwashers did not have any means of ventilation, so they tended to leave dishes wet.

It wasn’t until the mid-1900s that dishwashers began to use fans for ventilation. This allowed dishwashers to dry dishes more effectively. However, these early dishwashers still relied on a heating element to dry dishes. This meant that they could take a long time to dry dishes, and in some cases, the dishes would come out of the dishwasher hot to the touch.

In recent years, dishwashers have begun to use a process called condensation drying. This is a more efficient way of drying dishes that does not rely on a heating element. Instead, condensation drying uses the heat generated by the dishwasher’s washing cycle to evaporate the water on the dishes. This allows dishwashers to dry dishes more quickly and at a lower temperature, which helps to prevent dishes from coming out of the dishwasher hot to the touch.

Troubleshooting the Issue: Things to Try

There are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot a dishwasher that is not drying dishes effectively:

  • First, check to make sure that your dishwasher is using condensation drying. It’s possible your model is old enough to still rely on a heating element to dry dishes. If this is the case, you may need to have it serviced by a professional dishwasher repair technician like the Covington dishwasher repair team at Comfort Appliance.
  • Second, check to see if there is anything blocking the dishwasher’s vent. If there is, then you will need to clear it so that the dishwasher can dry dishes more effectively. You can find the vent on the back of most dishwashers. To clear it, you will need to unscrew the panel and then vacuum or brush away any debris that is blocking the vent.
  • Third, make sure that you are using the proper dishwasher detergent. If you are not, then your dishes may not be getting clean enough for the dishwasher to dry them effectively. You should also run a cycle with vinegar once a month to help remove any build-up on the dishwasher’s spray arm.
  • Finally, if none of these tips seem to help, then you may need to call a professional appliance repair technician like those at Comfort Appliance Repair in Covington & Atlanta for assistance. They will be able to diagnose and fix any issues with your dishwasher so that it can start drying dishes effectively again.

A dishwasher that does not dry dishes effectively can be a huge inconvenience. Not only will you have to spend extra time drying dishes by hand, but you may also end up with bacteria and mold growth on your dishes and silverware. If these tips don’t work, it’s time for professional dishwasher repair in Atlanta or Covington with Comfort Appliance. Learn more about our dishwasher repair services here.