This document is a Use & Care Manual for a Frigidaire dishwasher, providing comprehensive instructions for its operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. The manual emphasizes the appliance's quiet operation and energy-efficient design, which may result in longer wash cycles compared to older models.
Function Description
The Frigidaire dishwasher cleans dishes by spraying a mixture of hot water and detergent through its spray arms against soiled surfaces. Water fills the unit, covering the filter area, and is then pumped through the spray arms. Soil particles are filtered out and drained as the water is pumped out. This process repeats as needed, with the number of water fills varying depending on the selected cycle. The dishwasher is designed to operate on a regular house current (120V, 60Hz) and requires a 15-ampere fuse or circuit breaker (20 amperes if connected with a food disposer).
Usage Features
The dishwasher offers various wash cycles and options to accommodate different soil levels and user preferences:
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Wash Cycle Selections:
- Heavy Wash: Recommended for pots, pans, casseroles, and dinnerware with light to heavily soiled loads.
- Normal Wash: Suitable for lightly to heavily soiled loads.
- Top Rack: Designed for small loads in the upper rack only, for items that are light to heavily soiled.
- Rinse Only: For rinsing dishware that will be washed later.
Cycle times are approximate and can vary based on selected options and incoming water temperature. Hot water is crucial for activating detergent and melting food soils. An automatic sensor checks the incoming water temperature and extends the cycle for heating if necessary, even without the HI-TEMP WASH option.
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Option Selections:
- Hi-Temp Wash Option: Heats water in the main wash to approximately 140°F (60°C) to enhance detergent effectiveness and aid drying. It is available for all cycles except RINSE ONLY and is automatically selected with the HEAVY WASH cycle.
- Sanitize Option: Raises the final rinse water temperature to 155°F (68°C) and maintains it for 9 minutes, meeting NSF requirements. This option is available in Heavy and Normal Cycles. The cycle time extends until the proper temperature is reached, with washing action continuing during the heating delay. For best results, incoming water should be at least 120°F (49°C).
- Delay Start: Allows users to delay the start of the wash cycle by 2, 4, or 6 hours.
- Air Dry: Deactivates the heater during the drying phase, reducing energy consumption but potentially leading to less complete drying. If not selected, the heater activates during drying.
- Child Lock Controls: Locks the dishwasher controls to prevent accidental changes or starts.
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Status Indicator Lights:
- WASHING light: Illuminates at the beginning of the cycle and stays on until the end of the main wash.
- DRYING light: Comes on during the drying portion of the cycle, whether heated or unheated dry is selected.
- SANITIZED light: Glows when the SANITIZE cycle is finished, indicating successful sanitization. It will not come on if the cycle is interrupted.
- CLEAN light: Illuminates at the end of the cycle.
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DishSense™ Technology: Available in HEAVY WASH, NORMAL WASH, and TOP RACK cycles, this technology checks the soil level and determines if additional water fills are needed or can be deleted, adjusting cycle time and water usage accordingly.
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Loading Features:
- Top Rack: Designed for flexibility, accommodating cups, glasses, stemware, small plates, and bowls. Plastic items and delicate items should be placed in the top rack. Some models include fold-down cupshelves for loading two levels of cups or other short items.
- Bottom Rack: Best for plates, saucers, bowls, and cookware. Large items should be placed along the edge to avoid blocking spray arm rotation. Bowls, casseroles, and saucepans should be placed with soiled surfaces facing down or toward the center, tilted slightly for better drainage.
- Silverware Basket: Designed for loading sharp items (knives, skewers) pointing down to reduce injury risk. Silverware should be mixed in each section, some pointing up and some down, to avoid nesting. Silver and stainless items should not be mixed to prevent damage to the silver finish.
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Detergent Dispenser: Features one covered cup for the main wash and one uncovered cup for the pre-wash. The covered cup opens automatically later in the cycle. The amount of detergent needed depends on water hardness, measured in grains per gallon. Too little detergent can lead to poor cleaning and spotting, while too much in soft water can cause etching. The manual provides a "Detergent Usage Chart" based on water hardness.
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Rinse Aid Dispenser: Automatically releases a measured amount of rinse aid during the last rinse to improve drying, reduce water spots, and ensure proper wash arm rotation. The dispenser holds enough for 35 to 140 washes, depending on the setting.
Maintenance Features
Regular maintenance helps ensure optimal performance and longevity of the dishwasher:
- Glass Trap: Located in the center of the filter, it collects pieces of broken glass, straws, bones, and pits. Instructions are provided for removing and emptying the glass trap, emphasizing proper reinstallation to avoid damage.
- Outer Door: Clean with warm soapy water and a dishcloth or sponge, then rinse with clean water and dry. Avoid harsh cleaners.
- Inside and Filter: The interior and filter are self-cleaning with normal use. The tub gasket area can be cleaned with a damp cloth if needed.
- Overfill Protector: Located in the left front corner of the tub, it prevents overfilling. It should be cleaned occasionally with a household cleaner containing vinegar or bleach and should move freely up and down about one inch.
- Drain Air Gap: If installed, check to ensure it is clean for proper drainage. This is not part of the dishwasher and is not covered by warranty.
- Winterizing: For dishwashers in unheated places, instructions are provided for disconnecting service to protect against freezing and restoring service. This involves turning off electrical power and water supply, draining water from the inlet valve and pump, and then reversing the steps, including running a HEAVY WASH cycle with detergent in both cups.
- Removing Spots and Film: Hard water can cause lime deposit buildup. Instructions are provided for cleaning, which involves loading clean dishes and glasses (no metal utensils), running a NORMAL WASH cycle without detergent, pausing to add 2 cups of white vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher, and allowing the cycle to finish.
The manual also includes a comprehensive troubleshooting section, "Before you Call," addressing common issues such as food soils left on dishes, dishes not drying, glassware/flatware spotting or cloudiness, chipped dishware, vapor at the vent, stained or discolored dishware, etching, detergent left in cups, leaks, long cycle times, and unusual sounds. It advises users to check water temperature, hardness, detergent usage, loading practices, and proper installation to resolve these issues.
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