After I moved into an apartment with an in-built dishwasher, I was thrilled. Every morning, I dump my coffee mug, plates, dishes, and pots in there and let my helper handle it all. Which makes one wonder; Is it bad to run a dishwasher every day?
It is not wrong to use your dishwasher every day. However, it’s best if you can get a full load running as a partially-filled dishwasher compartment could lead to breakages.
You most likely use your dishwasher without giving it any thought. In this post, we’ll look at how often you should run the appliance if you’re conflicted about the frequency you’re using yours.
How Often Should You Use Your Dishwasher?
At least once weekly, but strive to use your dishwasher as much as possible. Unlike most household appliances, these machines will develop issues when left idle for long.
Several factors determine the frequency a dishwasher is used. These include:
- The frequency of meals prepared.
- The number of individuals that live in the house.
- Personal preference.
But surely, a dishwasher in a fairly busy food establishment will not operate with the same frequency as one in a household of four! This is where the factors we’ve just mentioned come into play. Read on for more insight.
Domestic Dishwasher
You should run dishwashers in the house at least once a week. This helps to keep the motor seals in good operating order. Long periods of inactivity enable all of the water in the machine to evaporate, which clogs the pipes and damages the motor.
However, note that it largely depends on the number of people living in the house. If you live solo, you may find yourself using the dishwasher rarely. It takes longer to fill up the machine. A larger family or someone who entertains regularly may run it twice as much.
Commercial Dishwashers
Dishwashers for commercial use are run daily due to the large volume of dirty dishes. Sometimes even two or three times every day when there’s high traffic of customers.
Almost every restaurant nowadays has a dishwashing machine. The primary reason is that they ensure a high enough temperature to sterilize the cookware, utensils, and silverware, ensuring the restaurant conforms to health laws.
Can You Overuse a Dishwasher?
No, you cannot. So long as you use it properly and conduct regular maintenance checks, you can never overuse a dishwasher. After all, it is a machine whose primary purpose is to wash your dishes—whether daily or weekly.
But not everyone agrees with this. Some people argue that reducing the number of dishwasher cycles per week increases the machine’s longevity.
According to Mr Appliance’s president Ron Shimek, the average American household uses a dishwasher an average of five times per week. And due to the high frequency of use, the machine requires more repairs.
How Much Does It Cost To Run a Dishwasher Every Day?
Dishwashers are more hygienic and environmentally sustainable than hand-washing. But the question on most people’s minds, though, is whether dishwashers can save them time, money, and water.
Statista estimates that the average four-person home consumes up to 118 gallons (450 liters) of water each day. How much you pay depends on water tariffs based on your location, the season, and even the time of day.
The typical dishwasher consumes 1,800 watts. In the U. S., the average electricity rate is 10.42 cents per kWh. To calculate the cost of running your dishwasher for one hour five days a week, multiply the watts by the time it takes to complete a wash.
- 1800 watts x 1 hour = 1800
- 1000 watts make 1 kiloWatt so 1800 / 1000 = 1.8 per hour
- 1.8kWh x 5 = 9kWh – This is your weekly dishwasher consumption.
- Multiply the kWh by the average price per kWh to get the cost.
- 1.8 X $10.42 = $18.75
How To Make a Dishwasher Last Longer
Most dishwashers are made to serve for about 10 – 12 years. But did you know you can stretch this too well past 15 years? As long as you use it properly, schedule regular maintenance checks, and repair or replace any broken parts.
These tips will help you maintain your dishwasher longer.
Don’t Overload the Machine
When you peek inside your dishwasher, what you see is more than just aesthetics. The design is focuses on functionality to maximize the cleaning power of each cycle without straining the machine.
The cleaning chamber is intended to be as efficient as feasible. And, believe it or not, there is a method for organizing a dishwasher.
Refer to the owner’s manual to guide you, but typically:
- Plates, pots, and pans are stored in the bottom section. This includes large plates and bowls.
- Mugs, glasses, and cups are arranged on the top shelf. Small dishes are also placed here.
- Flatter utensils like baking sheets, trays, and serving platters can be positioned along the outer edge of the bottom rack.
Items placed around the spray arm will obstruct water flow and should be removed.
So stop cramming every dirty dish into a dishwasher even when it’s already full. Overstacking makes it difficult for the spray arm to distribute water and detergent within the compartment.
At the end of the cycle, plates and cups that were inadequately sprayed won’t be clean. The solution is to run them through another cycle which wastes energy, water, and time. All of which may be avoided if you load the dishes properly.
Deep Clean Regularly
Don’t assume that the dishwasher is clean and sterile just because it washes your dirty dinnerware. There is a build-up of just about everything in there: Grease, lime, food residue, undissolved detergent, and even unpleasant odors.
Deep clean the dishwasher monthly. But do it more often if you detect excess build-up. Use vinegar to dissolve the grease and baking soda to absorb odors.
Conduct Maintenance Checks
Although dishwashers are low-maintenance appliances, it doesn’t cost much to carry out regular examinations. Before you rush to call the technician, you can easily DIY. Use this checklist to guide you.
- Check if the door gaskets are worn or torn.
- Confirm the hinges, handles, knobs, and buttons are working correctly.
- Examine the plastic coating on the racks.
- De-lime the water feed equipment.
- Ensure the pipes and nozzles aren’t clogged.
- Clean the scrap tray.
- Check for leaks.
It’s best to schedule maintenance checks on the same day you plan to clean the dishwasher. It’s easier to notice a defunct part as you’re scrubbing away the gunk.
Place in a Suitable Spot
Watch where you place the dishwasher in relation to other appliances in the kitchen. This significantly affects energy efficiency.
For instance, installing the dishwasher next to an ice maker is ill-advised. The latter requires a cool surrounding while the dishwasher generates substantial heat. Both units interfere with each other environment, which consumes more electricity and shortens the lifespan of each.
How to Maximize the Energy Efficiency of the Dishwasher
Over the years, I’ve discovered a few good tricks for reducing the amount of power required by the dishwasher. And I’m willing to share with you.
Here are a few pointers to help you use your dishwasher to its full potential while saving electricity.
- Run during off-peak hours: Early morning and late evening.
- Use with a full load.
- Arrange the dishes properly.
- Avoid overloading the machine.
- Skip the pre-rinse.
- Allow to air dry rather than utilizing the hot drying option on the machine.
Can You Run a Dishwasher Overnight?
Again, views vary. Some believe it’s an electrical appliance like any other and shouldn’t be left unsupervised while you sleep. Although there is evidence of fire outbreaks due to broken dishwashers, the occurrence is still low.
Well, you shouldn’t run any machine with a suspected or proven issue during the night. These faulty components are a fire hazard and not the process itself.
Most people, however, assert that running the dishwasher overnight is energy-efficient and poses no harm. Thanks to technology, the dishwasher will run through its cycle setting and turn itself off when done. And unless the machine is broken, there should be no leaks or fires.
It’s no secret that electricity rates are lower during off-peak hours. This is because fewer individuals are accessing the grid during these times. Therefore, you don’t have to pay a premium for each kWh you consume as there is less demand.
So, cleaning your dishes late at night, when most households have gone to bed, will help you save money on your energy bill. Plus, you wake up to one less task and a clean load.
Can You Leave Dishes In the Dishwasher Overnight?
Yes, you can. You can leave both dirty and clean dishes in the dishwasher overnight. It’s wasteful running a complete cycle if the appliance is partially-filled. Plus, you’re compromising the dishes within as they move and bang against each other.
Dirty Dishes
After scraping off any wastes from the dishes, you may have to rinse them before placing them in the machine. Dishwashers today are fantastic at eliminating food residue without the need for us to pre-wash our dishes.
But when too much is left on plates overnight, even the most sophisticated dishwasher can develop foul odors and attract critters.
You don’t have to run a half-full dishwasher. This is a waste of energy and water. Most models feature timers that allow you to use the delay function to choose the precise hour you want the cycle to run. After all, isn’t it preferable to wake up to dishes drying than to an impending chore?
Clean Dishes
Suppose you decide to tidy up after dinner, and the cycle ends right as you’re about to call it a day. You can let them be until you’re ready to unload. Just crack the door open and head to bed.
You don’t have to run the drying cycle when you do this. The contrast between the moist warm air in the machine and the colder air outside promotes air drying.
In Summary
No golden rule bars you from using your dishwasher every day. If a day’s worth of dishes is enough to fill up the machine, feel free to run it after dinner, overnight, or the following morning.