Dishwashers are lifesavers, especially if you have a big family. This is because you only need to scrape off waste into the bin and load the utensils in, and within no time, you have clean utensils. But is it okay to leave your dishwasher running as you go to sleep?
It’s not safe to leave your dishwasher running overnight as it is a fire risk due to overheating. However, you can run your dishwasher overnight if it automatically turns off and opens the doors after it’s done, or if you have someone on standby to switch off the dishwasher.
Although it seems like a perfect plan, you must know the best time to run your dishwasher and its risks. This post will explore all that, plus why you should not run your dishwasher overnight.
Should You Run a Dishwasher Overnight?
No, due to safety because a dishwasher consumes a lot of energy and generates heat. Once your washer overheats, it could result in a fire outbreak. It’s dangerous since you are asleep, and it may destroy property and, in some instances, cause loss of life.
However, in some exceptional circumstances, you can leave your dishwasher running overnight, especially if you have someone to keep watch, switch it off and leave it open once done cleaning.
So before leaving your dishwasher running overnight unattended, ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks.
What Risks Are There when Running a Dishwasher Overnight?
Fire
A dishwasher is powered by electricity, thus, prone to overheating when left running for a long time.
For instance, in 2007, General Electric issued a recall for their dishwashers after several cases of liquid leaking from its dispenser spilling onto the dishwasher wiring system, resulting in electric shorts and overheating. Other brands, including BOSCH and Whirlpool, also had the same issues and had to issue a recall.
Therefore, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you want to run your dishwasher overnight, ensure that someone is up to switch it off and open its door.
You should also ensure that your heat setting is correct when washing utensils, including plastics. This is because if the temperature is above the normal range, your plastic utensils will be exposed, causing them to melt and catch fire, which will spread to the rest of your appliance. And when electricity is involved, your whole household is at risk.
Flooding
If your dishwasher is leaking, you might wake in a flooded kitchen. Conduct regular maintenance to identify leakages and fix them.
What’s the Best Time To Run a Dishwasher?
Many people opt to leave their dishwasher running overnight and unattended to save cost. With electricity, there is something referred to as peak and non-peak hours. It is believed that during peak hours, the electricity companies charge a higher rate than during non-peak hours.
The hours between midnight and 8 am are considered off-peak, and that is when most people choose to run their dishwashers and laundry machines, as the charges will be lower.
And peak hours are from 8 am to midnight. That’s why you find most people avoiding doing activities that will consume more energy.
Note that the peak hours and rates change depending on where you live and your electricity company. But generally, the best time to save on electricity is late when people turn off their gadgets, and the power grid is less busy.
It is always advisable to run the kitchen or any other appliances that use electricity when you are on to keep tabs and turn them off when you are through.
So if you want to keep your utility bill in check, rest early and wake at night to run your dishwasher. This is particularly important during summers when power usage hits the fan because of air conditioners.
Do Dishwashers Turn Off Automatically?
Yes, a dishwasher is supposed to turn off automatically after the cycle is complete. However, it may turn off in the middle of its cycle if the water is insufficient or the power goes.
When is it Okay to Run Your Dishwasher Overnight?
Yes, you can run your dishwasher overnight, provided it comes with these features:
It has an automatic turn-off feature
Although most brands have an automatic switch-off feature, some don’t, so pay close attention when purchasing if you plan to take advantage of the benefits of running it overnight.
If your dishwasher is autofitted with this feature, then you’ve got nothing to worry about if you leave it unattended. This is because, once the cycle is done, it will automatically go off.
But keep in mind that the auto turn-off feature only helps abate heat and prevent electricity-related issues and nothing else.
So, if your dishwasher has a malfunction, such as water leakage, it will still happen. To prevent waking up to a flooded kitchen, you can leave your dishwasher in an air-dry mode.
Not only will you save on electricity, but you will also preserve your plastics, and it’s also perfect for drying your metallic utensils.
Ensure that your dishwasher has no issues by conducting maintenance checks every two weeks or weekly, depending on how long you’ve had it. This will help you avoid water leaks and any other malfunction.
The door automatically opens for air-drying the dishes
This is a feature most observed in newer models, where after the washing cycle is done, the dishwasher door automatically opens to air-dry the dishes. This is perfect as it protects the plastic utensils from being smothered by heat, which can sometimes melt and lead to a fire.
So, please read the manufacturer’s booklet to ensure it has this feature when shopping.
It can stop mid-cycle in the event of a major issue
Before running your dishwasher overnight, ensure that it can halt mid-cycle if there is a malfunction. Although this is not a common feature, some models are designed so that if they detect any malfunction, such as a leaky duct, faulty vent fan, or issues with the heating element, they shut down immediately.
However, such machines are a bit pricy, but they are worth the cost as they prevent a fire outbreak, thus saving your property.
What is the Average Time to Run a Dishwasher?
The majority of the dishwasher’s wash cycles can last from 1.5 to 2 hours. But this depends on the brand, sensor readings, water flow and heating, and how dirty your dishes are.
However, if you were previously using an old make and upgraded to a new model, you may have noticed that it now takes longer to wash your dishes. This is attributed to technological advancements and changes in federal energy and water usage protocols.
The new models of dishwashers are designed to consume less power and water, making them more efficient than the older models, meaning that you’d have to run them longer to accomplish the task at hand. You also leave time for the sensors to assess whether the dishes are clean.
Why do People Leave their Dishwashers Running Overnight?
Most of us have a love-hate relationship with house chores; unless you thrive on cleaning, then you are on the safe side.
If you want bugs and beetles away from your house, you must ensure that everything is clean before turning in for the night. Some of us are not fortunate to own a dishwasher, so we must clean our utensils manually.
However, people who own a dishwasher tend to run their dishwasher overnight for the following reasons.
Busy Career
Some people have busy careers, and they have no time to take care of household chores during the day. Besides, they are too tired to do any work the minute we get. That leaves them with late at night.
They wake up to run the dishwasher and the laundry machine. And then, before heading off to work in the morning,
they remove the dishes and put them in their respective places.
Humidity
When you do dishes during the day, your dishwashers add humidity back into the house, and although it’s needed to dry the dishes, it forces you to run the air conditioner.
That’s why many prefer to do their dishes at night because the air is calm; thus, you don’t have to run the air conditioner.
Noise Reduction
Some people are lucky to own the newer dishwasher models that don’t make noise. However, that’s not the case for most people who haven’t upgraded, and as such, they have to endure the hum and buzz they make when cleaning the utensils.
Although it’s not noisy to the point of irritation, the noise is still loud enough, such that if you are watching TV or talking, you’d have to increase the volume or speak louder.
Therefore, it’s much better to run it at noise when everyone is asleep. Some people might even be soothed to sleep by the noise.
Save on Electricity
This is the most viable reason people run their dishwasher overnight as it’s believed that the power companies charge less during the night than during the days. Nighttime is termed as off-peak.
It might not seem like much, but when you add up for a month or several months, you find that people get to save thousands of dollars on their electricity bills.
Final Thoughts
Although it might seem like a good idea to run your dishwasher overnight, most brands advise against it. You never know when it’s your day to experience calamities; thus, always ensure that a member of your family is up to turn it off once the cycle is done.
It’s vital for dishwashers without the auto turn-off feature because they might overheat, leading to a fire outbreak. Or the plastics in the fridge might melt and catch fire, causing property damage.
However, you can run your dishwasher overnight if it has the auto turn-off, doors can automatically open for air-drying, and it can shut down midcycle in case of a malfunction. With that said, it all boils down to what you want to do.