GE GSC3500 - User Manual

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GSC3500
Owner’s Manual
Dishwashers
165D4700P359 49-55034-1 06-07 JR
Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . 2–4
Operating Instructions
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Control Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Dial Cycles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Loading the
Dishwasher Racks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Loading Place Settings . . . . . . . . . .10
Unicouple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Using the Dishwasher . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Troubleshooting Tips . . . 12, 13
Consumer Support
Consumer Support . . . . . Back Cover
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Write the model and serial
numbers here:
Model #____________________
Serial # ____________________
You can find them on a label on the
tub wall just inside the door.

Summary

Safety Instructions

Important Safety Information

Key safety information and warnings for operating the dishwasher.

Electrical Requirements and Grounding

Details on proper electrical connection, grounding, and circuit requirements.

Child Entrapment and Disposal Safety

Safety precautions regarding child entrapment and proper disposal of dishwashers.

Operating Instructions

Control Panel Overview

Explanation of cycles, options, and control settings on the dishwasher panel.

Cycle Dial Operation

Instructions on how to operate the dishwasher using the cycle dial.

Unicouple Connection and Operation

Guide on connecting and disconnecting the unicouple for water supply and drainage.

Using the Dishwasher Properly

Guidance on water temperature, using rinse agents, and detergent for optimal cleaning.

Dishwasher Rack Loading Guidelines

Best practices for loading upper and lower racks and the silverware basket.

Loading Place Settings and Tips

Guidelines for loading 10 and 12 place settings, plus tips for forgotten dishes.

Dishwasher Care and Maintenance

Instructions for cleaning the control panel, exterior, and protecting against freezing.

Troubleshooting Tips

Dishwasher Not Running

Steps to diagnose and resolve issues when the dishwasher fails to start.

Water Standing in Tub

Troubleshooting common causes for water remaining in the bottom of the tub.

Excess Suds in Tub

Guidance on addressing issues caused by using the wrong detergent leading to suds.

Stained Tub Interior

Causes and solutions for interior stains, including tomato-based foods and tea/coffee.

Dishes Not Drying Properly

Tips for improving drying performance, including water temperature and rinse agent use.

Dishes Not Clean

Addressing issues with food residue, improper loading, and detergent use.

Spots and Filming on Glassware

Solutions for preventing and removing spots or film from dishes and glasses.

Glassware Cloudiness (Etching)

Explanation of etching and how to prevent it through detergent and cycle selection.

Consumer Support

GE Dishwasher Warranty

Details on the limited one-year warranty, coverage, and exclusions for the dishwasher.

GE Appliances Website

Information on accessing the GE Appliances website for manuals, parts, and service.

Schedule Service

How to schedule expert GE repair service online or by phone.

Parts and Accessories

Information on ordering parts and accessories for your dishwasher.

Contact Us

How to contact GE Customer Relations for service or satisfaction issues.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Cycles
4. Options
5. Operating the Dishwasher
6. Loading the Dishwasher Racks
7. Adding a Forgotten Dish
8. Detergent and Rinse Agent Usage
9. Water Temperature
10. Unicouple Connection (for portable models)
11. Maintenance Features
12. Caring for the Dishwasher
13. Protecting Against Freezing (for unheated places)
14. Troubleshooting Tips
15. Consumer Support

This document serves as an owner's manual for a GE dishwasher, model GSC3500, providing comprehensive instructions for its safe operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Function Description

The GE GSC3500 dishwasher is designed to efficiently clean dishes, glasses, flatware, cookware, and plastic items. It offers various wash cycles and options to accommodate different levels of soil and user preferences. The appliance is equipped with a heating element for drying and can preheat wash water for improved performance. It is intended for household use and requires proper installation and connection to a hot water supply. The dishwasher utilizes specialized detergents and rinse agents to ensure optimal cleaning and spot prevention.

Usage Features

The dishwasher's control panel features a timer dial and push-button selections for cycles and options.

Cycles:

• POTS & PANS: Ideal for heavily soiled dishes or cookware with dried-on or baked-on soils. It's noted that this cycle will not remove burned-on foods.
• NORMAL/NORMAL WASH: Suitable for everyday dishes, glasses, and cookware with medium soils. The manual points out that many dishes have lighter soil than normal.
• LIGHT WASH: Designed for dishes with light soils. This cycle requires the "NORMAL WASH" pad to be set.
• RINSE ONLY: Used for rinsing partial loads that will be washed later, without detergent.
• PLATE WARMER: For warming clean dishes and serving plates, with an approximate cycle time of 30 minutes.

Options:

• HOT START: Preheats wash water to improve wash performance.
• RESET OPTION: Shuts off the drying heat option, allowing dishes to air dry naturally and save energy. Opening the dishwasher door can speed up drying.
• HEATED DRY ON: Activates the heater for fast drying, extending the wash cycle time by 30 minutes. This option should not be used with the "RINSE ONLY" cycle.

Operating the Dishwasher:

To start a cycle, users typically ensure the door is unlatched, select the desired cycle and options using the pads, turn the dial to the corresponding start position (e.g., RINSE ONLY, PLATE WARMER, HOT START, LIGHT WASH, or START), and then latch the door. A time delay may occur between start-up and water fill.

Loading the Dishwasher Racks:

• Upper Rack: Best for glasses, cups, saucers, and dishwasher-safe plastics. Cups and glasses should be placed along the sides, and odd-shaped utensils, saucepans, and mixing bowls should be placed face down. Small plastic items should be secured to prevent them from falling onto the heating element.
• Lower Rack: Primarily for plates, saucers, and cookware. Large items like broiler pans and racks should be placed along the sides. Platters, pots, and bowls should go along the sides, in corners, or in the back, with the soiled side facing the center of the rack.
• Wash Tower: The center area of the lower rack must be kept clear as the wash tower rises through it during wash and rinse cycles. Items should not block the wash tower or fall through the rack to obstruct the spray arm's rotation.
• Silverware Basket: Flatware should be placed with fork and knife handles up for safety, and spoons with handles down. Knives, forks, and spoons should be mixed to prevent nesting. Small plastic items like measuring spoons and lids can be placed at the bottom of the basket with silverware on top. No item should extend through the bottom of the basket or rack to ensure proper spray arm function.

Adding a Forgotten Dish:

A forgotten dish can be added before the main wash by pushing the door latch to the left, waiting for the water to calm, opening the door, adding the dish, closing the door, and pushing the latch to the far right.

Detergent and Rinse Agent Usage:

• Only detergents specifically designed for dishwashers (e.g., Cascade®, Electrasol®) should be used. Detergent should be kept fresh and dry and added to the main cup of the dispenser just before washing.
• The amount of detergent depends on water hardness: more for hard water, less for soft water. Too much detergent with soft water can cause etching.
• Rinse agents (e.g., Jet-Dry®, Cascade Crystal Clear®) remove spots and prevent film buildup. The dispenser should be filled until it reaches the bottom lip of the opening, and any spills should be wiped up. A full dispenser typically lasts about one month.
• The detergent cup will not close and latch properly if the dial is not OFF before adding detergent.

Water Temperature:

The entering water temperature should be between 120°F and 150°F for effective cleaning and to prevent dish damage. Users can check the temperature with a thermometer at the nearest hot water faucet and adjust the water heater if needed.

Unicouple Connection (for portable models):

Before first use, the special faucet adapter must be assembled to the sink faucet. To connect, run the hot water faucet to purge cold water, pull out the Unicouple hoses, attach the Unicouple connector to the faucet adapter by depressing the collar, and then release the collar to lock it. The Unicouple's small hose carries water to the dishwasher, and the large hose carries drain water to the sink. The sink drain must be open, and if connected to a disposer, the disposer should be operated until empty before starting the dishwasher. The dishwasher's power cord should then be plugged into an outlet.

Maintenance Features

Caring for the Dishwasher:

• Control Panel: Clean with a lightly dampened cloth and dry thoroughly. Avoid sharp objects, scouring pads, or harsh cleaners.
• Exterior: Use a good appliance polish.

Protecting Against Freezing (for unheated places):

If the dishwasher is left in an unheated area during winter, a service technician should:

1. Unplug the dishwasher.
2. Remove the Unicouple from the faucet and disconnect the hose from the water valve.
3. Drain water from the inlet line and water valve using a pan.
4. Reconnect the water inlet line to the water valve.
5. Remove the plastic sump cover in the tub bottom and use a sponge to soak up water in the rubber boot.

Troubleshooting Tips:

The manual provides a detailed troubleshooting chart to address common issues such as the dishwasher not running, noise, water standing in the tub, suds, stained tub interior, dishes not drying, spots and filming, cloudiness on glassware, detergent cup lid not latching, detergent left in cups, steam, and black/gray marks on dishes. Solutions range from checking fuses/circuit breakers, ensuring power is on, proper loading, using correct detergent/rinse agent, to adjusting water temperature and cleaning specific components. For hard water mineral deposits, citric acid (Part number: WD35X151) can be ordered through GE Parts.

Consumer Support:

The manual directs users to the GE Appliances Website for assistance, scheduling service, accessing Real Life Design Studio for universal design concepts, purchasing extended warranties, and ordering parts and accessories. It also provides contact information for customer relations. Users are encouraged to register their appliance online for enhanced communication and service under warranty terms.

GE GSC3500 Specifications