8
49-4000062 Rev 0
USING THE DISHW
A
SHER
Check the Water Temperature
The entering water should be at least 120°F (49°C) and
not more than 150°F (66°C) for effective cleaning and to
prevent dish damage. Check the water temperature with a
candy or meat thermometer.
Turn on the hot water faucet nearest the dishwasher,
place the thermometer in a glass and let the water run
continuously into the glass until the temperature stops rising.
Adjust the maximum/minimum temperature of the water
heater if necessary to deliver water at the proper temperature.
Use a Rinse Agent
Rinse agents, such as
Finish
®
Jet-Dry
®
Rinse Aid
are designed for great drying action and to protect against spots
and film build-up on your dishes, glasses, flatware, cookware, and plastic.
Filling the Rinse Agent Dispenser
Fill the rinse agent dispenser until it reaches the bottom of lip inside the opening. Replace cap.
To check if rinse agent is needed, remove the cap and look into the dispenser.
A full dispenser should last about one month.
If the rinse agent spills, wipe up the excess.
Dispensers
Detergent Dispenser
Use only detergent specifically made for use in
dishwashers.
Finish
®
Quantum
®
Automatic
Dishwashing Detergents
have been approved for use
in all GE Appliances dishwashers. Keep your detergent
fresh and dry. Don’t put powder detergent into the
dispenser until you’re ready to wash dishes.
The amount of detergent to use depends on whether
your water is
hard
or
soft
. With hard water, you
need extra detergent. With soft water, you need less
detergent.
Protect your dishes and dishwasher by contacting your
water department and asking how hard your water is.
Twelve or more grains is extremely hard water. A water
softener is recommended. Without it, lime can build up in
the water valve, which could stick while open and cause
flooding.
You’ll find two detergent dispensers on the inside door of
your dishwasher. All wash cycles require detergent in the
main cup. When using automatic dishwashing detergent
tabs, such as
Finish
®
Quantum
®
Powerball
®
, simply
place one tab in the main cup and close.
Be sure the dial is
OFF
before adding detergent.
Otherwise, the detergent cup will not close and latch
properly. Add detergent then close the main cup.
NOTE:
To open detergent cup after it has been closed,
simply turn the detergent cup handle counterclockwise
until it releases. A snapping sound may be heard.
Use the table as a starting point and then adjust the
amount of detergent you use. Use just enough to get
good wash performance. Using just the right amount of
detergent will provide great wash performance without
wasting detergent or etching glassware.
Using too much detergent with very soft and/or very
hot water may cause a condition called etching on your
glassware. Etching is a permanent cloudiness in your
glassware. This condition is irreversible. However, using
too little detergent will cause poor wash performance.
DO NOT USE HAND DISH DETERGENT
NOTE:
Using a detergent that is not specifically designed
for dishwashers will cause the dishwasher to fill with suds.
During operation, these suds will spill out of the dishwasher
vents, covering the kitchen floor and making the floor wet.
Because so many detergent containers look alike,
store the dishwasher detergent in a separate space
from all other cleaners. Show anyone who may use the
dishwasher the correct detergent and where it is stored.
While there will be no lasting damage to the dishwasher,
your dishes will not get clean using a dishwashing
detergent that is not formulated for automatic dishwashers.
Number of
Grains/Gal.
Detergent Cup(s) to Fill
Less than 4
Fill cup to 1/3 full
4 to 8
Fill cup to 2/3 full
8 to 12
Fill cup completely full
Greater than 12
Fill both main wash cup and
open cup
finish
®
Open cup
Main cup
