Why isn’t My Dishwasher Drying Dishes? (3 Key Reasons)

Originally Created on: April 20, 2022 @ 1:44 pm

Why isn’t my dishwasher drying dishes? This is a question that many homeowners ask, and it can be frustrating when your dishwasher doesn’t seem to be doing its job.

But don’t worry anymore because this article has your answer. Generally, there could be a few reasons why this is happening, but we’re going to help you troubleshoot them, so your dishes come out clean every time.

In this blog post, I’ll explore some reasons why your dishwasher might not be drying dishes properly, and provide some tips on how to fix the problem.

Keep reading to:

• Know why your dishwasher isn’t drying dishes
• How to make them dry better
• And so much more…

Why isn’t my Dishwasher Drying Dishes?

Your dishwasher may not be drying your dishes for a number of reasons such as; the water in your dishwasher isn’t getting hot enough,something could be blocking the heating element or simply because the air circulation in your dishwasher is poor.

It may not be that easy to identify the main reasons as to why your dishwasher isn’t properly drying your dishes. In some cases, your dishwasher may completely not dry your dishes at all.

At times, you will find that your dishwasher doesn’t dry the dishes as usual. Generally, there are a few reasons why your dishwasher might not be drying dishes properly.

Let’s now dive deeper into each of the reasons below and how to remedy the situation.

a) Dishwasher isn’t getting hot enough

Dishwashers work by using hot water to clean and dry your utensils. The water in the dishwasher needs to be around 140 degrees Fahrenheit to effectively clean and sanitize dishes. If the water isn’t hot enough, then the dishes won’t come out as clean and dry.

The dishwasher not getting hot enough will therefore lead to your dishes not drying 100%. To get to the bottom of the problem, you might want to engage a processional to look into your situation since there could be a number of reasons why this is the case.

It could be affected by something blocking the heating element on your dishwasher or some general problem in your plumbing and wiring situation, especially if this was a very recent incident and everything was working perfectly before.

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b) Blocked Heating Element

Another common reason why your dishwasher may not be drying dishes properly could be that something is blocking the heating element.

The heating element is responsible for heating the water in the dishwasher, so if something is blocking it, then the water won’t get hot enough. Be sure to check the heating element regularly and clear away any debris that might be blocking it.

c) Poor Air Circulation

Finally, your dishwasher might not be drying dishes properly because the air circulation is poor. Dishwashers need good air circulation to dry dishes effectively. If the air circulation is poor, then the dishes will come out wet.

To improve air circulation, make sure that nothing is blocking the vents and that the dishwasher is level.

How Can I Make my Dishwasher Dry Better?

There comes a time when you find that your dishwasher isn’t drying your dishes as you would expect. But now that you know the reasons why the dishwasher is not doing its job to the expectations, the next question is how you can improve its performance. There are several things you can do to make your dishwasher dry better. They include:

1. Check the water temperature

The first thing that you should do is to check the water temperature. If the water is not hot enough, it will not be able to effectively remove all the water from your dishes. The ideal water temperature for dish-washing is between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you find that the water temperature in your home is not hot enough, you can try using a booster heater. This will help to increase the water temperature and improve the performance of your dishwasher.

Another option is to preheat the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. This can be done by running the hot water tap over them for a few minutes, or by setting them in the oven at a low temperature for a few minutes.

Either of these methods will help to increase the water temperature and improve the performance of your dishwasher.

2. Check the water pressure

Another reason why your dishwasher may not be performing as well as it should is because of the water pressure. If the water pressure is too low, it will not be able to remove all the water from your dishes. The ideal water pressure for dish-washing is between 30 and 40 Pound per Square Inch (psi).

If you find that the water pressure in your home is too low, you can try using a water pressure booster. This will help to increase the water pressure and improve the performance of your dishwasher.

3. Check the drain hose

Another reason your dishwasher may not be draining properly is because of the drain hose. If the drain hose is clogged, it will not be able to remove all the water from your dishes. The best way to clean a clogged drain hose is with a plunger.

4. Consult a professional

If you find that your dishwasher is still not draining properly after you have checked the water temperature, water pressure, and drain hose, you may need to call a professional. A professional will be able to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs.

If you follow these tips, you should be able to get your dishwasher drying dishes effectively again in no time!

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How to Get Plastic to Dry in the Dishwasher

You might be wondering why your dishwasher may not be drying your plastic utensils. The main reasons for this is that plastic is more difficult to dry than glass, metal or ceramic dishes. This is because, plastic doesn’t retain or absorb as much heat as glass, metal or ceramic dishes during the dish-washing cycle.

The amount of heat retained during the dish-washing cycle contributes to the drying process as water evaporates from the surface of the dishes. When it comes to plastic, water droplets won’t evaporate easily due to less heat retention on the plastic surface.

Playing around with the dishwasher settings will go a long way in ensuring that your plastic utensils are well dried by your dishwasher. But that’s not the only way, there are other ways to improve your dishwasher and get your plastics dry. They include:

• Run your dishwasher on the hottest setting: Running your dishwasher on the hottest setting increases the amount of heat generated. This helps to dry your plastic utensils and items faster.
• Check the water temperature: The water temperature plays a big role in how well your dishwasher dries dishes.
• Use a drying agent: There are dishwasher drying agents that you can use to help your plastic utensils and items dry faster. These agents work by absorbing the moisture from the dishes and utensils, which speeds up the drying process.
• Use less detergent: Using less detergent can also help to improve the drying process. This is because detergent can sometimes leave a film on the dishes that can prevent them from drying properly.
• Make sure the dishwasher is level: If your dishwasher is not level, it can cause problems with the drying process. This is because the water can pool in one area, thus unevenly distributed.

These are amazing ways you can employ to better dry your plastic utensils when dish-washing them.

Conclusion

Generally, there are several reasons why your dishwasher won’t dry the dishes properly, as well as how to make it dry better. The above article covers the most common issues causing poor performance and how to solve them. So be sure to check it out if you’re having this problem.