Though specific cycle times vary based on the type of dishwasher and the cycle you choose, dishwashers run from about 1.5 to 4 hours. Cycle times can also vary depending on the soil level of your dishes and how long it takes for the water to heat up between each step of the cycle.
Use this guide to learn more about dishwasher cycle times and about this hardworking kitchen appliance.
Different cycle settings can affect how long it takes for your dishwasher to clean your dishes. Compare dishwasher cycles and their run times below.
Adds 5 - 13 minutes to wash cycle
There are a few factors that affect the duration of a dishwasher cycle, like the water temperature, the soil level of your dishes and whether you select an energy-saving cycle.
Understanding what can add or subtract time from your wash cycle can help you choose the right dishwasher setting when you need it.
Water Temperature: Using a High Temp setting adds anywhere from 5 to 13 minutes to your dishwasher cycle, as it takes additional time to heat the water to the higher temperature.
Soil Level: If you’re using a Sensor Wash Cycle, the sensors inside the appliance evaluate the soil level of your dishes to run an appropriate wash cycle that coordinates with how dirty your dishes are. If you’re cleaning a large batch of dirty dishes, your machine may run longer than a Normal Wash Cycle.
You can technically run your dishwasher whenever it’s most convenient to your chore schedule. However, energy costs may vary by the time of day depending on where you live and are usually lower in off-peak hours like nighttime or early morning.
How often you run your dishwasher solely depends on how many dishes you go through on a given day or week. If your dishwasher isn’t full at the end of every day, you don’t need to run a wash cycle.
However, some manufacturers recommend running a dishwasher at least once a week.
If you notice your dishwasher is running longer than usual, there may be a few steps you can take to try to resolve the issue on your own:
Inspect the interior for hard water, limescale or mineral buildup. This can affect the sensors in your appliance, leading to longer cycle times. You can use a dishwasher cleaner, like affresh ® dishwasher cleaner tablets 1 , to help remove this buildup.
If you’re regularly washing heavily soiled dishes, your cycle times may be longer to ensure they’re cleaned properly . Make sure you’ve done a simple scrape for large food particles before loading.
Maytag ® dishwashers do the job right. Select models offer innovative features, like Dual Power Filtration that lets you skip all the pre-work for your dishes and The 3rd Level Rack that serves as a specialized wash zone for mugs and bowls. Explore and compare dishwashers from Maytag brand to find the right appliance to help keep your kitchen running smoothly.
1 affresh ® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
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