KitchenAid KDTE234GPS

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DISHWASHER

USER INSTRUCTIONS

Table of Contents

DISHWASHER SAFETY ......................................................................... 1

WHAT’S NEW IN YOUR DISHWASHER ................................................ 3

PARTS AND FEATURES ........................................................................ 4

START-UP/QUICK REFERENCE .......................................................... 5

QUICK STEPS ....................................................................................... 5

DISHWASHER USE ............................................................................... 6

CYCLE AND OPTION DESCRIPTIONS................................................. 8

DISHWASHER FEATURES .................................................................. 11

FILTRATION SYSTEM .......................................................................... 12

DISHWASHER CARE ........................................................................... 13

TROUBLESHOOTING .......................................................................... 14

WARRANTY .......................................................................................... 17

THANK YOU for purchasing this high-quality product. Register your new dishwasher at register.kitchenaid.com. In Canada, visit our

website at www.kitchenaid.ca.

For future reference please make a note of your product model and serial numbers. These can be located near the door on the right-

hand or left-hand side of the dishwasher interior.

Model Number _____________________________________________ Serial Number _____________________________________________

W11040103A

Dishwasher Safety

You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't immediately

You

can be killed or seriously injured if you don't

All safety messages will tell you what the potential hazard is, tell you how to reduce the chance of injury, and tell you what can

happen if the instructions are not followed.

Your safety and the safety of others are very important.

We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety

messages.

This is the safety alert symbol.

This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and others.

All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and either the word “DANGER” or “WARNING.”

These words mean:

follow instructions.

instructions.

DANGER

WARNING

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Summary

Important Safety Instructions

General Usage Precautions

Basic safety rules for operating the dishwasher, including loading and detergent use.

Grounding and Electrical Safety

Electrical Connection Requirements

Essential grounding and electrical connection guidelines for safe operation.

Initial Setup and Quick Reference

Cycle Guide and Starting Procedures

Dishwasher Loading and Detergent

Proper Loading Techniques

Instructions for loading dishes and silverware for optimal cleaning.

Detergent Selection and Dosing

Guidance on choosing and adding detergent.

Rinse Aid and Cycle Operation

Rinse Aid Dispenser Management

How to fill and adjust the rinse aid dispenser.

Starting and Resuming Cycles

Steps to select, start, and resume dishwasher cycles.

Control Panel and Cycle Management

Understanding Controls and Indicators

Troubleshooting: Common Issues

Startup, Filling, and Detergent Problems

Solutions for common issues like not running, filling, or dispenser problems.

Cycle Time and Drying Malfunctions

Troubleshooting long cycles and inadequate drying.

Troubleshooting: Water and Soil Issues

Drainage, Hard Water, and Odor Solutions

Addressing drainage, hard water residue, and odors.

Noise, Food Soil, and Suds Problems

Troubleshooting noise, food soil, and excessive suds.

Sanitization Failures and Dish Damage

Troubleshooting: Indicators and Visual Issues

Interpreting Blinking Lights and Spotting

Etching, Leaks, and Tub Discoloration

Summary

Important Safety Instructions

General Usage Precautions

Basic safety rules for operating the dishwasher, including loading and detergent use.

Grounding and Electrical Safety

Electrical Connection Requirements

Essential grounding and electrical connection guidelines for safe operation.

Initial Setup and Quick Reference

Cycle Guide and Starting Procedures

Dishwasher Loading and Detergent

Proper Loading Techniques

Instructions for loading dishes and silverware for optimal cleaning.

Detergent Selection and Dosing

Guidance on choosing and adding detergent.

Rinse Aid and Cycle Operation

Rinse Aid Dispenser Management

How to fill and adjust the rinse aid dispenser.

Starting and Resuming Cycles

Steps to select, start, and resume dishwasher cycles.

Control Panel and Cycle Management

Understanding Controls and Indicators

Troubleshooting: Common Issues

Startup, Filling, and Detergent Problems

Solutions for common issues like not running, filling, or dispenser problems.

Cycle Time and Drying Malfunctions

Troubleshooting long cycles and inadequate drying.

Troubleshooting: Water and Soil Issues

Drainage, Hard Water, and Odor Solutions

Addressing drainage, hard water residue, and odors.

Noise, Food Soil, and Suds Problems

Troubleshooting noise, food soil, and excessive suds.

Sanitization Failures and Dish Damage

Troubleshooting: Indicators and Visual Issues

Interpreting Blinking Lights and Spotting

Etching, Leaks, and Tub Discoloration

This document is a user manual for a KitchenAid dishwasher, model number W11040103A, published in March and July 2017. It provides comprehensive instructions for safe operation, usage, maintenance, and troubleshooting, along with warranty information.

Function Description:

The KitchenAid dishwasher is designed to clean dishes efficiently using water and detergent. It incorporates advanced features for optimal cleaning and drying performance while minimizing water and energy consumption. The dishwasher utilizes an optical water sensor to determine the ideal water and energy usage for each load, and its cycles include soak and pause periods for effective soil removal.

Important Technical Specifications:

Water Hardness Compatibility: The detergent dosing chart provides recommendations for soft (0-4 grains per U.S. gallon), medium (5-9 grains per U.S. gallon), and hard (10-14 grains per U.S. gallon) water. For extremely hard water (15 grains or more), a water softener is recommended.
Rinse Aid Dispenser Capacity: The rinse aid dispenser holds 5 oz (150 mL) of rinse aid, typically lasting one to three months under normal conditions. The dispenser is adjustable to control the amount of rinse aid dispensed.
Water Temperature: For best dishwashing results, the incoming water temperature should be 120°F (49°C).
Cycle Times (Estimated, without options):
- ProWash (Soil-Sense): 2:30 to 3:30 hours
- Tough: 2:20 to 3:30 hours
- Normal: 1:50 to 3:30 hours
- Express Wash: 0:55 to 1:05 hours
- Rinse Only: 0:15 to 0:20 hours
Water Usage (Estimated, without options):
- ProWash (Soil-Sense): 3.8 to 7.7 gallons (14.4 to 29.3 liters)
- Tough: 8.4 gallons (31.7 liters)
- Normal: 2.7 to 7.9 gallons (10.4 to 30.0 liters)
- Express Wash: 6.2 gallons (23.5 liters)
- Rinse Only: 2.4 gallons (9.0 liters)
Sani Rinse Option: Sanitizes dishes and glassware in accordance with NSF International NSF/ANSI Standard 184 for Residential Dishwashers. This option increases the main wash temperature from 105°F (41°C) to 140°F (60°C) and the final rinse from 140°F (60°C) to 155°F (68°C). Added water usage for Sani Rinse is 1.2 to 6.2 gallons (4.8 to 23.3 liters).
Electrical Requirements: The dishwasher must be properly grounded, either cord-connected or permanently connected, in accordance with local codes and ordinances.

Usage Features:

Loading: Instructions emphasize removing leftover food, bones, and hard items, and removing labels from containers. Dishes should be loaded with soiled surfaces facing down and inward, allowing water to flow between them. Sharp items should be placed pointing down. Overlapping items should be avoided. Plastics, small plates, and glasses should be placed in the upper rack.
Detergent: High-quality premeasured tablets and packs are recommended for improved performance and reduced filming. Detergent should be added just before starting a cycle. The manual provides a detergent dosing chart based on water hardness and soil level.
Rinse Aid: Essential for optimal drying performance and controlling hard water deposits. The dispenser is adjustable.
Cycles:
- ProWash (Soil-Sense): The most advanced and versatile cycle, automatically adjusting water and energy based on soil amount and toughness. It is the default cycle when Start/Resume is first touched. Includes a heated drying option.
- Tough: For heavily soiled pots, pans, casseroles, and regular tableware. Includes a heated drying option.
- Normal: Recommended for daily, regular use with normally soiled dishes. Government energy certifications are based on this cycle with Heat Dry or ProDry option selected.
- Express Wash: For fast results, using slightly more water and energy. Heated drying or extended dry options can be selected to speed drying.
- Rinse Only: For rinsing dishes, glasses, and silverware not washed right away; no detergent needed.
Options:
- Extended ProDry (on some models): Dries dishes with heat and a fan, providing best drying performance with rinse aid. Defaults to On for most cycles.
- Extended Heat Dry (on some models): Dries dishes with heat, providing best drying performance with rinse aid. Defaults to On for most cycles.
- Bottle Wash (on some models): Uses flip-up spray nozzles in the upper rack to clean deep items like sports bottles and baby bottles.
- Hi-Temp Wash: Raises main wash temperature to improve cleaning for tough, baked-on food.
- Sani Rinse: Sanitizes dishes and glassware by increasing wash and final rinse temperatures.
- 2-4-8 Hr. Delay: Delays the start of a cycle.
- Sound On/Off: Toggles audible tones.
Start/Resume: To start or resume a cycle, press START/RESUME and close the door within 4 seconds. If the door is opened during a cycle, START/RESUME must be pressed again.
Adding a Dish: Can be done at the beginning of a cycle by opening the door slowly, adding the item, pressing START/RESUME, and closing the door firmly within 4 seconds.
Rack Features:
- Silverware Basket: Lids provide optimal spacing. Slots in covers keep silverware separated.
- FLEXI-FOLD DOWN™ Adjustable Tines (on some models): Tines on the top rack can be folded down to accommodate larger items.
- Premium Adjustable 2-Position Top Rack: Allows raising or lowering the top rack to fit tall items.
- Removable Top Rack: Can be removed to wash larger items in the bottom rack.
- Easy-to-Remove Third-Level Rack (on some models): Can be removed for additional space in the upper rack.
- Cup and Stemware Holder: Extra shelf on the top rack for additional cups, stemware, or long items.
Bottle Wash Feature (on some models): Specific nozzles in the upper rack for cleaning bottles.

Maintenance Features:

Filtration System: Triple filtration system (upper and lower filters) minimizes sound, optimizes water/energy, and provides optimal cleaning.
- Filter Cleaning Frequency: Recommended cleaning intervals vary based on loads per week and pre-loading habits (scraping, rinsing, or washing before loading). For example, with 8-12 loads per week and only scraping before loading, filters should be cleaned every 2 months.
- Filter Removal: Turn the upper filter assembly a quarter turn counterclockwise and lift out. Separate the upper filter assembly by gently pulling apart.
- Filter Cleaning: Rinse filters under running water to remove soils. A soft brush may be needed for hard-to-remove soils or calcium deposits.
- Filter Reinstallation: Place the lower filter under locating tabs, then insert the upper filter assembly into the circular opening and rotate clockwise until it locks into place.
Exterior Cleaning: Clean with a soft, damp cloth and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive cleaning products, especially on stainless steel exteriors.
Interior Cleaning: White spots or residue from detergents can be removed using affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner (recommended monthly) or a vinegar rinse (2 cups white vinegar in a glass on the bottom rack, run Normal cycle with Heat Dry option off, no detergent).
Drain Air Gap: Check and clean if the dishwasher is not draining well.
Vacation/Extended Time Without Use: Turn off water and power supply. Protect water supply lines from freezing. Damage from freezing is not covered by the warranty. Winterization by authorized service personnel is recommended for storage in winter.