Appliance Repair Tips: Why Isn’t My Dishwasher Drying My Dishes

Half the advantage of having a dishwasher in your home is the convenience of not needing to dry your daily dishes. That’s why when you open your appliance to find those dishes still wet, frustration is most likely your first reaction. Unfortunately, wet dishes may not be your only problem. Below we have compiled a list of reasons why your appliance isn’t drying the items within it.

Easily Fixed Issues

• An overloaded dishwasher is a common reason behind non dried dishes. When you place too many dishes in the appliance, it can cause a restriction in air circulation which will result in certain items remaining wet. Before calling a professional appliance repair technician, try to fill your dishwasher with fewer items to discover if overloading is the problem.

• Adding rinse aid to your machine may solve your issue. Rinse aid is a simple tool that prevents a large amount of moisture from accumulating inside your dishwasher. If there are no other malfunctions, the addition of this product should have your dishes coming out nice and dry.

 The Thermostat

Your dishwasher’s thermostat has the important job of regulating the temperature of the washing and drying cycle. If the dishes in your machine are still wet once the cycle has completed, there’s a chance the thermostat is malfunctioning. To test the thermostat, set your dishwasher to its shortest cycle with the hottest water temperature. Once the appliance is finished washing your dishes, and the drying process has started, open the dishwasher, if you find the interior isn’t warm at this point, there is a good chance the thermostat is not functioning properly. Unfortunately, when this occurs you will most likely need to purchase a replacement part.

The Heating Element

There is a heating element located near the bottom of your dishwasher. When this part is burned out or malfunctioning, your dishes will not dry. To visually check the state of your heating element, unplug the machine and remove its lower rack. Look for areas on the element that appear broken or burned out. If you spot anything unusual, you will need to order a replacement part or you should call a professional appliance repair company to further inspect your dishwasher.

If your dishwasher is skipping the drying process, please contact us today and we’ll send one of our repair technicians to your home to evaluate the problem.