What Goes On Inside Your Dishwasher
- When you turn on the dishwasher, a basin at the bottom of the machine fills with water (usually it’s cold water, but with some models, it’s hot).
- Heating elements warm the water to anywhere between 105 and 155 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The detergent dispenser opens, sending soap to mix with the water.
- A pump propels the soapy water through the spray arms with enough force to make the arms spin.
- The soapy water sloshes around for about 30 minutes (in a normal cycle).
- The pump drains the dirty water through the pipes under the sink.
- The basin fills with fresh water (no soap this time), which the pump sprays and resprays, rinsing the dishes.
- The heating elements (the same ones that heated the water) turn on unless you choose to air-dry.
- You open the door to clean, dry dishes.