Dishwashers are modern conveniences that save a lot of time for many people around the world. By putting dishes in the dishwasher, instead of washing them by hand, you can save time and ensure they are cleaned just as well.
Even though most dishwashers run on hot, is it possible for them to run on cold?
While the dishwasher can run on cold water, the dishes may not get as clean as they would with hot water. This is because dishwasher detergent works best when mixed with hot water. Using cold water even makes the detergent less effective. There is also the added benefit of the dishes being sanitized along with the cleaning.
The decision to run your dishwasher on hot or cold water depends on how your unit was installed. Read on to learn more about whether or not you can run a dishwasher on cold or if hot water is better.
Should a Dishwasher Be Hooked to Hot or Cold Water?
Dishwasher manufacturers recommend that the unit be connected to the hot water supply. Essentially, when it comes to performance, the unit works better when the water is warm to hot. After cooking, dishes are often left with a residue that requires hot or at least warm water to remove.
In most cases, whether you use dishwasher pods, powder, or liquid detergent, they are all activated by hot water. This means that to successfully clean your dishes, there must be warm or hot water running through them.
When it comes to dishwasher installation, it is important to keep in mind that the unit is typically only equipped with one inlet port. This means that it can only be connected to one water line during the installation.
Because it is common knowledge that hot water cleans and kills germs better than cold water, most plumbers attach the dishwasher to the hot connection.
The practice is done most often to meet the requirements of most units that may be installed.
Some dishwasher manufacturers equip the unit with a heating element that is designed to heat cold water to a predetermined temperature. Because of this, some dishwashers should be connected to cold water lines.
The bottom line is that many people are looking for more ways to save money on their electricity bill each month. They think that if they connect their dishwasher to cold water, they may be saving money.
The problem is, most homes are pre-equipped with the dishwasher water line underneath the sink. This means that whatever the recommended method was at the time of the installation, this is what the plumber did.
Adding a cold water line for the dishwasher can be done, however, this will be an added expense that you will be facing. In addition, you may have to supplement the performance of your dishwasher with some handwashing, since cold water does not clean as well.
In most cases, however, a dishwasher that is connected to the cold water supply will come equipped with a heating element that will heat the cold water. The purpose of this design is to allow the dishwasher to have more control over the temperature.
Do Dishwashers Heat Their Own Water?
Most dishwashers are equipped with a heating element that is designed to heat the water to a maximum temperature of about 130℉-140℉. Although most dishwashers are already connected to the hot water line, the heating element allows the water to stay at a constant temperature.
When trying to learn how a dishwasher works, it is important to understand that not all dishwashers are created equal. This means that depending on the manufacturer and possibly where you live, the functionality may differ.
It is also helpful to know that the dishwasher cycle functions by filling water into the tub at the bottom of the dishwasher. Once the water is there, the heating element kicks in to bring and keep the temperature at a constant level.
The dishwasher pump then moves that water into the jets and arms of the unit to give off a continuous spray of hot water on all of the dishes. After this portion finishes, the pump then drains the water completely from the unit.
The same cycle repeats itself over and over several times to ensure that the dishes are cleaned, rinsed, and sanitized properly. During this entire process, the heating element of the dishwasher works to keep the water hot at all times.
As stated previously, some dishwashers are designed to be connected to the cold water line to allow the heating element to control the temperature of the dishwasher. This is often the case in more modern units that are trying to be more energy-efficient.
In the case of these more modern dishwashers, since the water coming into the unit is cold, the heating element works to initially heat the water that is stored in the bottom tub. Like the units previously mentioned, the same process of keeping the temperature constant occurs.
Whether your dishwasher is connected to the hot or cold water line, the unit has a similar function by using a heating element to heat the water. This is because when it comes to cleaning dishes, hot water is best for both cleaning and sanitizing.
Why Is Warm Water Better Than Cold When Washing Dishes?
Warm or hot water is better than cold when washing dishes because they tend to not only get the dishes cleaner but also kill germs. While the cold water may be effective in getting some of the food and residue off the dishes, it does not activate the detergent the way hot water does.
Dishwasher detergent was designed to be activated by hot water to provide an all-over more effective cleaning process. When you wash the dishes in cold water, the detergent is not functioning at its best and may not be effective in removing caked food.
In most cases, you most likely would not use straight cold water when you are hand washing dishes just the same as you would not use scalding hot water. This is because both types of water will be uncomfortable for you and may not be good for your dishes.
Keep in mind that dirty dishes often have some type of greasy residue on them that does not come off very easily. Depending on the level and type of residue, it often requires hot or warm water and a quality detergent to remove.
If you have ever tried to run cold water over a pan that has a greasy residue on it, then you are familiar with it being ineffective. In fact, in most cases, it often results in a reaction that seems like the residue is multiplying.
Dishwasher manufacturers design the units with the potential for cleaning thoroughly in mind. Remember that the advantage of a dishwasher is to prevent you from having to prewash or rewash dishes saving you quite a bit of time.
Another reason warm water is better than cold water when washing dishes is that warmer water does a great job of sanitizing your dishes. This means that harmful bacteria that may be on the dirty dishes are neutralized.
Although the main purpose of the dishwasher is to clean dishes, it is a great added benefit for them to also sanitize the dishes. When you hand wash your dishes, you may be letting them dry naturally or you dry them yourself, however, it is difficult to say whether or not the dishes are germ-free.
In general, you can run a dishwasher on cold in some cases. This is usually done in dishwashers with a heating element that has been designed to allow for greater temperature control.
However, just because you’re hooked up to the cold water connection does not mean your dishwasher is operating on cold water, but rather that the heating element is used to warm the water, not the faucet.
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