Before washing for the first time
Water hardness
In order to achieve good dishwashing results, the dishwasher needs soft water (water with low mineral
content). Hard water leaves a white coating on dishes and the dishwasher.
Checking water hardness
Water hardness is specified using German degrees of water hardness (°dH), French degrees of water
hardness (°fH), English degrees of water hardness (°eH) or millimoles per litre (mmol/l).
A water supply with a water hardness in excess of 5°dH (9°fH / 6°eH / 0.9 mmol/ll) must be softened.
This is done automatically with the aid of the built-in water softener. In order for the water softener to
function properly, its settings must be adjusted to the hardness of the water supply. Once you have
adjusted the water softener settings, add detergent and rinse aid in doses suitable for soft water.
Contact the local waterworks to check the water hardness in your area.
Make a note of the water hardness:____________
Recommended setting
mmol/l
°eH
°fH
°dH
00
0.0-0.9
0-6
0-9
0-5
01
1.0-1.4
7-10
10-14
6-8
02
1.5-2.0
11-14
15-20
9-11
03
2.1-2.5
15-18
21-25
12-14
04
2.6-3.4
19-24
26-34
15-19
05
3.5-4.3
25-30
35-43
20-24
06
4.4-5.2
31-36
44-52
25-29
07
5.3-7.0
37-49
53-70
30-39
08
7.1-8.8
50-61
71-88
40-49
09
8.9
62
89
50
If the water hardness exceeds 50°dH (89°fH / 62°eH / 8.9 mmol/l), we recommend connecting an
external water softener.
Increased consumption during regeneration
The dishwasher's built-in water softener is regularly regenerated to maintain its function. Regeneration
extends the dishwashing program and increases energy and water consumption. Just how often the
dishwasher's water softener is regenerated depends on the selected setting.
Example: If the Eco 55° program is run with a water hardness of 14°dH (25°fH / 18°eH / 2.5 mmol/l),
the water softener is regenerated at regular intervals (after 7 dishwashing cycles), energy consumption
increases by 0.015 kWh, and water consumption increases by 2.3 litres, while the program time is
extended by 3 minutes. Regeneration takes place during the program’s main wash.
WARNING!
Hard water leaves a white coating on dishes and inside the dishwasher. It is therefore important
that you select the right setting for the water softener! See Water hardness in the chapter
.
Never run the dishwasher with an empty salt compartment if the water supply has a water
hardness in excess of 5°dH (9°fH / 6°eH / 0.9 mmol/l).
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