Archive for the ‘Dishwashers’ Category
January 5, 2012
I think this is what I have at home. No brand preference...surely, it was on sale.
You shouldn’t have to towel off your dishes after cleaning them in your dishwasher.
But you also shouldn’t write off rinse aid because you think it’s just made to prevent water spots on your dishes.
Dishwashers are actually designed to use the rinse aid to sheet off the water on dishes to assist in the drying process. So without it, you’re handicapping your dishwasher’s drying performance.
I’ve read blog posts about using vinegar and stuff like that in place of rinse aid, but if that actually works for you in terms of helping dry your dishes, I stand corrected (and you can hang me in the comments).
Buy a bottle of rinse aid, and I betcha that’s the missing link. Keep your reservoir full, checking it every few weeks. Your (dry) dishtowels will thank you.
Other tips:
- If you have a new, plastic tub dishwasher, be patient. It’s drying performance will improve over time as the tub “seasons.” Don’t prewash your dishes, as this impedes the seasoning process, manufacturers say.
- Run the tap next to your dishwasher until the water is hot, ensuring that the water entering the dishwasher can get as hot as possible. I do this without fail, because it’s an all-around boost to your dishwasher’s perfomance.
- Limit the amount of plastic items. Plastic doesn’t retain heat as well as say, ceramic, which is why you’ll notice that it’s generally the wettest of all your wet dishes. Because it doesn’t retain heat, it doesn’t condensate the water.
Tags:dishwasher problems, dishwasher troubleshooting, dishwashers, rinse aid
Posted in Dishwashers | 3 Comments »
December 28, 2011
A post on cleaning the dishwasher was a top dog.
Though not the most-read posts of all time on the Warners’ Stellian Appliance blog, these next 7 posts garnered the most views of those written this year.
7. HOW TO: clean a dishwasher
With more states banning phosphates in dishwashers without consumers possibly noticing, dishwashers got white film.
But a regular maintenance cleaning is always a good idea.
6. HOW TO: clean cast iron grates
If you’re lucky enough to have cast iron grates, you’re unlucky enough to handle cleaning them. The experts at Wolf Range weighed in.
5. DIY Network ‘Rehab Addict’ Nicole Curtis talks appliances
Old house lover/rehabber Nicole Curtis invited us into her “Minnehaha House” in Minneapolis for tips on fixing up kitchens and buying the right appliances.
4. Stove drip pans cleaning tips
Is there anything worse than the grime that builds up on the burner pans on your stove top? Not only do I include a deep-cleaning method, but I offer up the secret ingredient to easily keeping those drip pans shiny on a weekly basis.
3. How long does a dishwasher last?
2. How long does a refrigerator last?
1. How long does a washer last?
No, you’re right; they don’t make ‘em like they used to. (But believe me, that’s not all bad!) Unfortunately, gone are the days when you could expect your appliances to last a decade and a half. Find the new lifespans in each post above.
Tags:cast iron, Clothes washers, dishwasher, lifespan, Nicole Curtis, refrigerator, Wolf
Posted in Best, Cleaning, Cooktops, customer service, Dishwashers, DIY, FAQ, HOW TO, Refrigerator, Remodel, Washer | 1 Comment »
November 10, 2011
Yesterday, I previewed our advertised washers and dryers on sale for this weekend’s Extreme Warehouse Sale, but we have pretty much every category represented among the thousands of deals you’ll find.
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12 from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE:Warners’ Stellian Warehouse, 550 Atwater Circle, one mile north of I-94 on Dale Street at Topping Street, St. Paul.
In total, we’ll have thousands of deals on discontinued, floor models, scratch and dent, one-only models — you get the picture.
Demand is such that we even make special purchases from the manufacturers at deep discounts exclusively for this sale.
Here’s a sneak peak of some of those below:
Frigidaire stainless steel dishwasher, now $399 (reg. $599)
7-cycle dishwasher with hard food disposer (FGHD2433KF). While quantities last.
Whirlpool dishwasher just $399 in colors and $449 in stainless steel
6-cycle dishwasher with soil sensor. (GU2300XTVS). While quantities last.
GE stainless steel gas range only $599
5.0 cu. ft. self-clean gas range (JGB3001ERSS). While quantities last.
Frigidaire side by side refrigerator, now $599 for colors and $699 for stainless steel
Comes in white (shown) or stainless. 26 cu. ft. side-by-side refrigerator. 69-3/8H x 36W x 31-3/4D (FFHS2611LW)
LG French-door stainless steel refrigerator only $1199
19.7 cu. ft. French-door refrigerator. 67-1/4H x 29-7/8W x 31-3/4D (LFC20770ST). While quantities last.
Tags:stainless steel appliances, Extreme Warehouse Sale, dishwashers, refrigerators, Ranges, Cheap appliances, Discount appliances, Stoves, Warners' Stellian Sale 2011
Posted in Budget-wise, Dishwashers, Refrigerator, Ranges, Discount appliances | 4 Comments »
October 11, 2011
If your dishes come out of the dishwasher looking like this...
If your dishwasher isn’t drying, just know that your dishwasher drying problems might be completely fixable.
The No. 1 cause of wet dishes is lack of rinse aid, or drying aid as I like to call it.
Most think of rinse aid’s aesthetic benefits, because it helps water “sheet” off dishes rather than forming water droplets that cling and leave icky spots.
But modern dishwashers are designed to use rinse aid for drying, so without it, your dishes and dishwasher interior will have excessive moisture. Also, the heated dry option will not perform as well without rinse aid. (Now is a good time to check if your dishwasher includes a Heated Dry – or Extra Dry – option you might not be using.)
Once you fill your rinse aid dispenser, don’t forget to refill it. A full dispenser will last about a month, but I top mine off every couple weeks.
Proper loading also ensures good drying performance. Load items, especially plastic, at an angle so water can sheet off. Plastics have a porous surface and tend to collect droplets, so they take longer to dry and might not dry completely in a normal dry cycle.
For best results, the water should be 120 degrees F as it enters the dishwasher – not lower or higher by much. If your water heater is located far from the dishwasher, it may be necessary to run the hot water at the faucet closest to the dishwasher to minimize the amount of cold water in the water line.
Tags:dishwasher loading, dishwasher problems, dishwasher troubleshooting, rinse aid, Troubleshooting
Posted in Dishwashers, FAQ | 4 Comments »
August 25, 2011
Again this year, Warners’ Stellian appliances among other eco-friendly home ideas in the Eco Experience Common Cottage exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair.
Sure the house has a smart design and is constructed from reused and reclaimed materials, but you can also learn tips to improve the house you have: increase the energy efficiency of your home with an energy audit, incorporate composting and recycling systems, improve indoor air quality and install eco-friendly kitchen surfaces and appliances.
And if that doesn’t get you going, there are backyard chickens on the patio, covered by part of the now-defunct Metrodome roof (and a super pretty natural gas grill from Warners’ Stellian).
If you’re intersted in improving the energy efficiency of your home, you’ll be introduced to the best resources for financing your energy improvements, from loans, rebates, tax credits, or grants.
My camera ran out of batteries before I could take pictures of the STUNNING kitchen, with its blue-green colored reclaimed cabinets and recycled glass counter tops, but I can show you the smart and sexy appliances we chose to showcase this year:
The architects on this project specifically requested Liebherr, and we couldn’t have agreed more. Liebherr goes beyond being super energy efficient (27% over federal standards) to become the most sustainable refrigerators; its refrigerators are manufactured in the greenest way out there. Plus, its two compressors ensure premium food preservation. Basically, your fresh (local?) foods will last way longer because the dry air from the freezer won’t disturb the humidity in the refrigerator.
Elements on this Electrolux induction range automatically detect the presence of magnetic cookware, activate the induction field and adjust it to the exact size of the pan. This means that no energy is wasted heating anything else but the cookware holding your food. Induction is 20% more efficient than electric and 70% more efficient than gas, though it boasts the same power and responsiveness that cooks love.
Not only is it whisper quiet, this Bosch dishwasher uses only 2.4 gallons of water per wash; the average kitchen faucet flows about 4 to 7 gallons per minute!
This ventless LG washer / dryer combo takes up less space and washes and dry in one appliance. Plus the washer is Energy Star rated, meaning it uses less energy and water to do its job.
Tags:Bosch, Eco Experience, Electrolux, induction, LG, Liebherr, Minnesota State Fair, Weber
Posted in Dishwashers, Dryer, Energy Efficiency, Energy Star, Events, laundry, Product Roundup, Ranges, Refrigerator, Sustainability | 1 Comment »
August 17, 2011
If you’re not ecstatic about the performance of your dishwasher and/or washer, don’t immediately blame your machine. There could be something in the water.
Using a water softener can cut detergent use in washers and dishwashers by more than half and lower washing machine temperatures from hot to cold, as shown by two independent studies released in the last two years.
Less detergent and cold water achieved the same stain removal in washing machines using softened water as double the detergent and hot water in hard water. And dishwashers using softened water needed less than half the detergent if used in areas having very hard water (Minnesota is among areas with the hardest water), while achieving the same results.
Plus, the study showed that untreated hard water can cause significant efficiency losses and added costs in water heating – up to 48% in some cases. In addition, hard water was found to rapidly lead to clogged showerheads, in some cases possibly as soon as a year and a half.
(After just one week of constant testing with hard water, more than three-fourths of showerhead nozzles became clogged, according to laboratory results. Showerheads using softened
water, meanwhile, performed nearly as well as on the day they were installed.)
All these factoids beg the question, at least for me: Do I have hard water? Is that why I have to wash my dishes after my dishwasher does?
Well, don’t look at me. I have no idea how to spot hard water. But our local guys, Water Doctors, can diagnose your water and if necessary, customize a water treatment system for your home.
Tags:detergent, hard water, home energy use, softened water, Water Doctors, water softener
Posted in Cleaning, Dishwashers, Energy Efficiency, Washer, Water Treatment | Comments Off
June 15, 2011
Gloria Steinem said that the truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.
Well, here’s some truth for you. A lot of your dishwasher problems don’t have anything to do with your dishwasher — they have to do with you.
No other appliance operates with so many variables, many of which you can affect: the amount of dishes, the amount of soil, the amount of detergent and rinse aid, dish placement, etc.
Before you get all huffy because you spent X-hundred amount of dollars on the darn thing, understand that little, tiny changes to the way you do things will improve the cleaning results of your dishwasher immensely.
If you do nothing else differently, here’s the best dishwasher hack: just before you turn on your dishwasher, run your faucet until the water is steaming hot.
Otherwise, the water pumped into your dishwasher will be cold from sitting in your copper pipes. This way, you start with steamy water that has the best chance of reaching the high temperatures necessary for cleaning and drying completely. Water needs to be heated to 140-degrees Fahrenheit to dissolve food messes and disinfect dishes.
Read more tips on how to fix your dishwasher.
Tags:dishwasher problems, dishwasher troubleshooting, water temperature
Posted in Cleaning, Dishwashers, FAQ, HOW TO | 4 Comments »
May 23, 2011
Dishwasher got your goat? I'll help you tame it.
If your dishwasher isn’t working as well as you would like, that doesn’t necessarily mean it needs service or that it’s a clunker. Maybe you just need to perform some cleaning and/or maintenance. Have I already answered your problem in a previous post?
HOW TO: clean a dishwasher
Dishes not drying
Dishes not clean
Dishwasher leaving white film on glasses
Food residue left on dishes
Dishwashing detergent left in dispenser
Dishwasher won’t drain
Or, if you try all of those and you’re still not satisfied, maybe you’re not using it correctly (see HOW TO: load your dishwasher properly) or maybe it’s time for a new dishwasher. How long have you had yours versus how long is a dishwasher expected to last?
Tags:dishwashers, DIY, FAQ, HOW TO, Maintenance
Posted in Dishwashers, FAQ, HOW TO | Comments Off
March 9, 2011
We’ll have thousands of appliance deals on hand for Warners’ Stellian’s (now-famous) Extreme Warehouse Sale, taking place 7 a.m. to 5 :30 p.m. Saturday, March 12 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 13.
Though there’s absolutely no early shopping allowed, I can give you this little preview of the appliance discounts smart shoppers will be snapping up at our St. Paul appliance warehouse (550 Atwater Circle, 1 miles north of I-94 & Dale).
See my tips on how to shop for appliance deals. Aside from the products pictured below, look for:
- Electrolux laundry pair (gas dryer) for $1399
- Up to 80% off professional built-in cooking products
- A whole truckload of Bosch dishwashers
- Up to 30% off blemished Frigidaire freezers
- $249 for Dyson refurbished vacuums
- $600 off our best-selling French-door refrigerator
All prices are good only while quantities last.
$349 GE stainless steel dishwasher with steam pre-wash
$399 stainless steel Frigidaire gas range with electronic oven controls
$399 (white or black) or $499 (stainless steel) 18.2 cu. ft. refrigerator with glass shelves. 66-1/8"H x 30"W x 29-7/8"D
$599 stainless steel KitchenAid dishwasher with 4 stainless steel wash arms and stainless steel interior
$799 stainless steel gas KitchenAid range, with 5 burners and electronic oven controls
$799 stainless steel electric KitchenAid range, with 5 burners and electronic oven controls
$799 Frigidaire washer (4 cu ft) and electric dryer (7 cu ft, gas dryer $70 extra). Buy one pedestal, get one free (with this pair purchase; $220 value)
$999 STEAM Frigidaire washer (4.2 cu ft) and electric dryer (7 cu ft, gas dryer $70 extra). Buy one pedestal, get one free (with this pair purchase; $220 value).
$1099 (stainless steel) or $899 (white or black) 19.7 cu ft French-door refrigerator. Spill-proof glass shelves and icemaker. 68-7/16"H x 29-7/8"W x 31-3/4"D.
$1499 LG STEAM washer (4.5 cu ft) and electric dryer (7.4 cu ft, gas dryer $70 extra). Pedestals available at additional cost.
Tags:Appliances, Cheap appliances, Discount appliances, dishwasher, dishwashers, Dryer, Dyson, Electrolux, Extreme Warehouse Sale, freezer, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, LG, range, stainless steel appliances, Warners' Stellian, washer
Posted in About Warners' Stellian, Budget-wise, Discount appliances, Dishwashers, Dryer, Ranges, Refrigerator, Washer | Comments Off
March 4, 2011
If you haven’t registered yet, you still have three days left to cash in on the 2011 Appliance Stimulus.
The deals are pretty exceptional, seeing as you get at least a $100 rebate on most dishwashers and refrigerators and our average customer buying a washer and dryer pair is getting a $150 rebate ($50 each, plus a bonus $50 for buying a qualifying pair).
Plus, that stove or dryer you needed last March that didn’t qualify for a rebate? This time it does. You can get at least a $100 rebate on most stoves.
See our appliance stimulus webpage for full details on rebate amounts, participating brands and — most importantly — how to register.
Tags:Appliance rebates, Cash for Appliance, dishwashers, Dryers, mnappliancerebate, Ranges, rebates, refrigerators, Washers
Posted in About Warners' Stellian, Budget-wise, Cash for Appliances, Discount appliances, Dishwashers, Dryer, Events, Ranges, Refrigerator, Washer | Comments Off
