Isn’t it a great idea to start scheduling your dishwasher cycles?
If you’re like me, who likes to run the dishwasher during the night, or if you’re going away during the day and you want to give your family time to load the dishwasher before it starts running, then it’s time that you start using your dishwasher to its full potential.
If you’ve ever run a dishwasher, you know that there’s usually a delay timer to start the dishwashing process. But what exactly is it for, and how do you use it?
You can set the delay function for your dishwasher cleaning cycle to run during off-peak utility rates or when your family isn’t using hot water. Select the settings, and shut the door. Turn the delay dial or repeatedly press the delay button/touchpad for hourly increments, depending on the brand.
Read on for a helpful users’ guide to the delay timer on different brands and models of dishwashers.
What Is the Delay Timer on a Dishwasher?
The delay timer on a dishwasher is used to start the dishwashing process later. It can be set to run during off-peak utility rates or when its operational demands don’t conflict with your family’s hot water use.
For example, off-peak utility rates are usually during the middle of the night. You can set your dishwasher to clean the dirty utensils at night to save on utility bills. If you didn’t know, the price of electricity is higher during the day when there’s a larger demand for it.
During the night, both the demand and price are lowered, which makes it a good time to run your dishwasher to save a little bit of money.
If you’re using a dishwasher with a smart meter, you can even save money by delaying the start of the dishwashing cycle! According to the Federal Trade Commission, “Smart meters typically can shift some of your electricity use to times when demand is lower, and prices are cheaper.”
You could also overload your heating systems if your household runs multiple hot water appliances at the same time. According to the State of Texas, “Simultaneously operating multiple hot water appliances can overload your home’s water-heating system and cause it to fail.”
By inputting the cycle settings and shutting the door, you can choose to have your dishwasher run for one to six hours. Pretty nifty, huh?
Different models of dishwashers will have different ways of initiating the delay timer, so read on for detailed instructions on the most common models.
How to Set the Delay Timer on a Dishwasher
It helps to know how to set the delay time if your dishwasher has it. Depending on the brand and model of your dishwasher, there will be different ways to initiate the delay timer.
Make sure to read your dishwasher’s users’ manual for more information on how to set it. Even better, why not read the simplified instructions here if you own any of the following brands:
How to Use Delay Timer on a Bosch Dishwasher
Bosch is a giant in the dishwasher world, and their dishwashers come with some of the best delay timers.
Start by powering up your dishwasher to set the Bosch dishwasher’s delay timer:
The second step is to input the settings of the intended washing cycle. If not, the preselected auto cycle will take over.
Then, locate the Delay Start button and press it. The light above will turn on, and you can tune the countdown in hours and minutes.
Fourth, repeatedly hit the Delay Start button for hourly increments to the delay time, anywhere from one to 24 hours. Then, hit the start button.
The fifth step is to wait until the display reads Delay Set. And that’s it! You’ve now successfully set the delay timer on your Bosch dishwasher.
How to Cancel the Bosch Dishwasher Delay Timer
1. Press and hold on to the Delay button until the cycle delay settings reset to 00:00 hours.
2. Press start to save the new settings
Bosch strongly advises you to input child lock settings while your dishwasher is on a delay mode. A child could abruptly open the dishwasher mid-operation, and it could cause hot water to pour out on the child.
According to the Household Safety Council, over two thousand children are injured each year by hot water scalding from appliances. So, if you have young children in your home, it’s essential to be extra cautious.
To set the child lock on a Bosch dishwasher:
- First, press and hold the start button for three seconds.
- The second step is to use the + and – buttons to navigate through the menu until you see Child Lock or a padlock symbol.
- Then, press and hold the start button for three seconds to activate the child lock. The display will read Lock On.
Bosch does not take responsibility for any accidents if the child lock settings are not activated.
For more safety measures, please consult your Bosch dishwasher’s user manual.
How to Use a Delay Timer on a Miele Dishwasher
If you have a Miele dishwasher, it’s important to know how to set the delay timer. This brand allows you to delay the start of a cycle by a range of half an hour to 24 hours.
Since the cleaning will delay, you don’t want the detergent compartment to be wet. Dry it up so your detergent doesn’t spill into the washing area before the cycle begins. Also, don’t use liquid detergent when deploying the delay mode.
Switch on the dishwasher by pressing the power button. The start/stop indicator will light up, and you can select the preferential washing cycle settings.
Save the setting. Then, press and hold the delay button to set your preferred time. The delay indicator will now be active, and you can release the button.
The time selected is displayed on the control panel. If you need to change it, press and hold the delay button again until the required time is set.
When the cycle is complete, an end-of-program audible signal will sound.
How to Use a Delay Timer on GE Dishwasher
Most GE dishwashers allow delays of eight hours, but a few premium models back up to 14-hour delays.
The Delay Hours feature is easy to activate, especially if your dishwasher has touch control buttons.
Touch control modes feature LED indicators or digital timers. Simply touch the Delay Start pad for every hour of delay you desire. The number of hour delays will indicate 1H, 2H, 3H, 4H, and so forth.
Once activated, the Delay Start timer will start counting down.
Some GE dishwashers feature a mechanical control that allows you to turn the dial for the Delay Start function, selecting between 1-8 hours of delay.
How to Use Delay Timer on LG Dishwasher
LG dishwashers feature the Delay Start button that activates the delay function. Every time you hit the delay button, the delay time increases in 1-hour increments. The max delay time is 12 hours.
The delay button has another interesting function. You can activate the Wi-Fi smart options by pressing and holding this button for three seconds.
How to Use the Delay Timer on a Samsung Dishwasher
Samsung dishwashers offer a Delay Start Timer that lets you delay the start of your dishwashing cycle by up to 24 hours.
First, ensure that your dishwasher is powered on, and select the desired wash program to set the timer.
Press the Delay Start button for each incremental hour you add to the delay.
Hit the start/cancel button to save the settings and initiate the delay. The cycle will begin when your selected delay hours countdown to zero.
The Delay Start Timer will also keep your dishwasher running for the same length of time, even if there’s a power outage.
When the delayed washing cycle is complete, an end-of-cycle tone sounds, and the dishwasher powers off automatically.