Dishwasher and a white powder residue

In summary, the conversation discusses the use of a dishwasher and the presence of white powdery residue on dishes. Various factors such as soap buildup and the force of the dishwasher's spray are considered. The conversation also mentions the mechanics of a dishwasher and the use of vinegar as a solution for soap buildup.
  • #1
jake jot
302
17
I put a knife at bottom of the dish washer, and this was the result after 2 hour cleaning and drying time (just rarely though). What is the white powder?

Is it the salt? The soap? scales from hard water? Or dried rinse aid?

powder on knife.jpg
I recently acquired dish washer. It seemed to clean the dishes and utensils well. I didn't get it decades ago because I thought it was not that efficient.

When we manually wash dishes and utensils. We used force in our hands towards the surfaces of them. For dish washer, they just use tiny rotating spray. Can the force of each spray be equal to that of our hands? How do you compute for the forces? I just want to have ideas. Thank you.
 
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  • #2
I don't think there could be powder like that if the machine is working properly.
Was it with the edge pointing up?
 
  • #3
Keith_McClary said:
I don't think there could be powder like that if the machine is working properly.
Was it with the edge pointing up?

Its flat at bottom. Afterwards it put pointing up. But what's the powder?
 
  • #4
From past experience (which PF says has no validity) and manufacturers manuals, that is soap build-up, a common occurence.

The fix is to run a cycle or two with a cup full of vinegar in the bottom rack.
 
  • #5
Tom.G said:
From past experience (which PF says has no validity) and manufacturers manuals, that is soap build-up, a common occurence.

The fix is to run a cycle or two with a cup full of vinegar in the bottom rack.

The disc washer is new, just a week old. Soap build-up in the knife which was just put can occur?
 
  • #6
jake jot said:
What is the white powder?
Probably soap. What does it taste like?
It seems the white buildup was inside a circle made by contact with the lip of a cup. It might be that the area was not washed because the cup sheltered the knife from the water spray. Soap powder could have been trapped on the blade.

jake jot said:
We used force in our hands towards the surfaces of them.
The force needed by the dishwasher is less than when you wash dishes by hand since the dishwasher has more time to let the hot water soften the remaining food.
 
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  • #7
Baluncore said:
Probably soap. What does it taste like?
It seems the white buildup was inside a circle made by contact with the lip of a cup. It might be that the area was not washed because the cup sheltered the knife from the water spray. Soap powder could have been trapped on the blade.

Great forensics analysis! You may be right.

Anyway. Since I just owned one. When the detergent bar fell to the bottom, how does it get into the upper spray fan? Is there pump of some kind for water at bottom to recycle above?

dish washer detergent.jpg


I saw the insides of it at youtube

Inside the Dishwasher - Regular Soap vs. Dishwasher Detergents [4K] - YouTube

If the fan got stuck by a utensil, would the fan blades break or is the fan run by some kind of water pressure? what's the mechanical impeller at center?

Should have owned a dish washer 20 years ago. I wouldn't have bought one if my cousin didn't get one. I know of no other people using it.
 
  • #8
jake jot said:
If the fan got stuck by a utensil, would the fan blades break or is the fan run by some kind of water pressure?
It's like a lawn sprinkler (but slow).
There is a pump at the bottom.
 

What causes the white powder residue in my dishwasher?

The most common cause of white powder residue in a dishwasher is hard water. This is caused by a high concentration of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, in the water. These minerals can leave behind a white film on dishes and the interior of the dishwasher.

How can I prevent white powder residue from appearing in my dishwasher?

To prevent white powder residue, you can use a dishwasher detergent specifically designed for hard water. You can also add a water softener to your dishwasher or use a rinse aid to help prevent the buildup of minerals.

Is white powder residue harmful to my health?

No, the white powder residue in your dishwasher is not harmful to your health. It is simply a buildup of minerals from hard water and is not toxic.

Can I remove the white powder residue from my dishwasher?

Yes, you can remove the white powder residue from your dishwasher by running a cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. You can also manually scrub the interior of the dishwasher with a mixture of water and vinegar.

Why is the white powder residue only appearing in my dishwasher and not on my dishes?

The white powder residue is more likely to appear in your dishwasher because the heat and water pressure can cause the minerals to stick to the interior surfaces. Additionally, the dishwasher detergent can help break down the minerals and prevent them from sticking to your dishes.

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