How to use a Bosch dishwasher: rules and nuances of operation

Suitable detergents for dishwashers

Dishwasher users must purchase a starter kit, which is usually offered to them along with the main purchase. You can separately purchase rinse aid, detergent tablets or special powder, as well as salt to soften tap water, which we have already talked about.

The starter kit includes all detergents, without which the operation of any dishwasher is simply impossible - this is a mandatory minimum.

The advantage of starter kits for beginners is that they already provide everything you might need. In addition, they include products from the same manufacturer, which allows us to hope that their components are not only perfectly compatible, but also successfully complement each other.

Often, buying a set will cost less than purchasing its components, sold separately from each other.

In addition to the three absolutely necessary components, fragrances and products that help clean the machine itself from grease and plaque can be used for effective washing. As a rule, they are bought as the need arises.

Water softening salt

For high-quality washing of dishes, soft water, with a low content of calcium salts, should be used. If hard water is not softened, traces of scale will form on the walls of the chamber over time. Salt allows you to bring water to a state in which the results of the equipment please its owner.

Regenerating salt for loading into the dishwasher should not be confused with the usual table salt that everyone has in the kitchen: this is a special substance for softening tap water

What tools can be used?

In Bosch machines, you can use any detergents that are on sale today.

It can be:

• compressed tablets;
• powder;
• liquids.

The only restriction that should be strictly observed: these must be special substances intended for loading into dishwashers. Do not use chemicals for washing dishes in manual mode.

The detergents used must be intended for processing dishes in dishwashers, and those used for manual washing cannot be used.

Depending on the composition of their components, there are three types of detergents for dishwashers:

• with chlorine and phosphates;
• without chlorine, but with phosphates;
• without phosphates and without chlorine.

In the absence of phosphates in the composition of the product, a white coating may form on the walls of the chamber and on the dishes themselves. To avoid such consequences, it is necessary to increase the consumption of detergent.

The absence of chlorine will not provide the desired effect if the dishes need bleaching. Dark coating on the cups and grayed plastic - this can be the result of the absence of chlorine. The situation will be saved by washing with increased intensity or increasing the consumption of detergent.

Why is rinse aid needed?

When using the rinse aid that enters the chamber at the last stage of washing, water drops do not leave marks on the dishes.

If you do not use this drug during the operation of the machine, then after drying, unaesthetic smudges will remain on the glassware. In addition, it is a high-quality dishwasher rinse that ensures the shine of clean dishes.

Rinsers give the glass that gloss and shine that any housewife strives for, but it is important to use them in moderation so that the dishes do not become sticky and are not covered with whitish or iridescent stains.

The amount of rinse aid can be changed depending on the need. If this liquid was not enough, a white coating can be seen on the plates, they will be dull. In this case, the dose is increased. An excess of the drug will appear as iridescent stains on the pans. Also, they will be sticky to the touch.Then the dose is reduced.

Special detergents

There are combination drugs that are called "three in one". They contain all three components listed above. The disadvantage of such products is the inability to adjust the salt content, as recommended by the manufacturers of Bosch equipment.

Too hard water worsens the quality of washing, and too soft contributes to glass corrosion: calcium is washed out of its composition. If you have to wash silverware, then you need to use detergents specially designed for this purpose. Others won't fit.

You can see the order of loading detergents and which compartments of the cuvette located on the inner surface of the door, which are filled with what, in the videos that we invite you to watch. They are in the last part of the article.

What dishes can not be washed in the dishwasher

Most dishes are machine washable, but there are exceptions.

• Cookware not heat-resistant, wholly or partly made of plastics, synthetic fibres, etc. If the packaging of a plastic container explicitly states that it cannot be used in a dishwasher, then it is better not to risk it, as some types of plastic can melt under intense exposure to hot water.
• Whole or partial wooden utensils: cutting boards, wooden spoons, etc.
• Products made of tin, copper, steel grades subject to corrosion. Aluminum and silver are more durable, but frequent machine washes can tarnish these metals.
• Any crystal.
• Ware with glazed designs: they gradually fade and wear off.
• Plates or cups that have previously been glued together: Hot steam can melt the adhesive and break the joint.
• Many people are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to wash pans in the dishwasher. It is possible, but not all, the answer depends on the material of the kitchen utensils. In cast iron, the protective oxide layer is broken, and corrosion begins. Teflon dishwashers are even more dangerous. But pans with titanium and ceramic coatings will not be harmed by machine washing.

If in doubt, look for the corresponding markings on the bottom of the dishes (pictogram in the form of two plates or a plate and a glass under running water). If the same icon is crossed out, only hand washing is allowed.

What problems can you fix yourself?

If your Bosch dishwasher breaks down, you should contact your nearest service center for help. But sometimes the breakdown is so minor that it makes no sense to involve specialists to fix it.

The unit independently monitors the health of its own systems and, in case of a malfunction, displays an error code on the display. The meanings of the codes can be found in the instructions for your machine.

A system that constantly tests its own work, in the event of a detected malfunction, displays the following error codes

Let's talk about those that can be eliminated on our own:

• E4 - there is a problem with switching the stream. This error can occur when the hose is clogged. If the hoses are checked and the display is still E4, contact the service.
• E6 - there were problems with the aquasensor, which is responsible for recognizing the level of contamination of dishes. This error is typical for the Bosch Silence Plus model.It appears if the intensive wash program is selected for lightly soiled dishes.
• E15 - aquastop is on, that is, there was a reaction to a water leak. All hoses should be checked and the problem fixed.
• E17 - a liquid filling error has occurred. This situation can occur if increased pressure has formed at the point where the water supply is connected to the dishwasher.
• E24 - a signal that the waste water is poorly drained or not drained at all. The cause may be a clogged drain that will have to be cleaned, or a clogged hose. Maybe the hose is just kinked.
• E27 - power supply has deteriorated due to a voltage drop in the mains. The cause of the phenomenon may be the peak load on the network. If you install a voltage stabilizer, this type of trouble can be avoided.

Quite often it happens that the machine does not turn on. There is most likely a problem with the network connection. Check the fuse, if it is blown, replace it.

It is possible that the dishwasher is blocked. Make sure that the washing chamber door is closed properly. Check the spray nozzles, water inlet hoses and water drain filters for clogging.

In order to prevent the occurrence of malfunctions and malfunctions in the operation of the dishwasher, you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations, take into account what can and cannot be washed in the machine, and correctly arrange items in the baskets.

First wash

There is no need to rush to run the PMM immediately after the test run. It will take time to cool down. The correct use of equipment will determine how long and well it will last.

Before putting the dishes into compartments, they need to be inspected.The rest of the food is washed off under running water. If the machine is cold, load the dishes. Salt and rinse aid remain in the compartments after the first start, but detergent must be added.

Proper loading is the key to clean dishes. There should be a distance between objects, then nothing will interfere with the jets of water rinsing the dishes.

Selection of household chemicals

In PMM, agents are used in the form of powders, gels and tablets. Also, for the first start-up, you need a special salt that softens the water. It prevents the formation of scale on the elements of the machine.

The amount of salt that is poured into the compartment depends on the degree of hardness of the water. City services have the data, but there are modern models of dishwashers on sale that determine it themselves.

Correct basket loading

If the owner of the PMM does not have the opportunity to read the instructions compiled by the dishwasher manufacturer, then the following recommendations should be followed:

Frying pans, tureens, pots and any other large items are placed in the lower basket. If necessary, the stand located at the bottom can be removed,
Glasses, dessert plates, forks, spoons and many other small items are placed on the upper shelves

It is important to maintain the distance between the rows.
Any dishes are placed upside down.
It is not necessary to load easily breakable dishes and high-strength items into the machine at the same time. In the case of an urgent need for co-washing, you need to choose the temperature and program, taking into account the presence of fragile items in the machine.

Many models of dishwashers have special compartments for small items. They are used to wash spoons and forks.

How to turn it on

The PMM is turned on as follows:

• loading basket;
• program selection;
• pressing the "Start" button.

You can start the dishwasher in 2-3 minutes. If after the start of the program you need to put an object, the work is stopped by clicking "Stop the process". There is such a button on PMMs manufactured by Bosch and other companies.

Rules for loading dishes

All household items loaded into pull-out baskets must be installed so that the water freely washed them from all sides, and then flowed down just as freely.

To prevent the user from experimenting with placement, the manufacturer recommends using a hint scheme.

Scheme of loading dishes in one basket. To be able to use the placement options, some holders move. There are additional inserts

Full-sized and narrow units are equipped with 2-3 boxes for loading. This is useful for standard programs, when the lower sector is cleaned more effectively. And also for individual modes, for example, “delicate”, when only glass or crystal glasses are washed, installed in the upper basket.

Under the boxes and above them are rocker arms that spray water.

During operation, they rotate, so it is important to monitor the placement of tall objects in order to prevent breakage of the sprinklers.

Heavy and bulky items are placed in the lower basket - pots, baking dishes, pans, large plates, cups, lids, baby bottles are placed in the upper compartment. For cutlery - a separate basket

Sometimes you need to wash things that do not fit in the lower compartment. Then the upper basket is removed, the items are conveniently installed and the machine is started with one basket.Deep containers are placed with a recess down so that water flows freely along the walls.

It is believed that the lower compartment of the machine is processed more aggressively and at elevated temperatures. Therefore, plastic and the most fragile serving elements are usually placed at the top. Proper arrangement of dishes is an important step in the daily use of the machine.

What tools are needed for dishwashers

Before starting the dishwasher for the first time, special salt is poured into the tank, which restores the function of the ion exchanger to soften the water. It removes substances from tap water that can damage equipment. The more impurities in the water, the more salt is required, so its consumption is regulated by a hardness switch. You can find out the degree of water hardness from your local utility company.

Next, you need to figure out how to use dishwasher detergent. It is placed in an appropriate tank immediately before launch. Never use soap, washing powder or liquids for hand washing - only products specially designed for dishwashers. In the form of release, they are of three types: tablets, gels and powder.

It is important to add rinse aid, its dosage level is set depending on the type of detergent. conditioner

If you add it when washing, there will be no stains and streaks from water drops on the dishes. In addition, drying is accelerated, since water flows off the surfaces faster. The rinse aid has its own reservoir on the door, next to the detergent compartment.

Description of the processes occurring in the dishwasher

Despite the prejudice of people that the dishwasher is a very complex and capricious appliance, let's say that this is absolutely not the case. "Dishwasher" refers to technically simple units, and it is not difficult to understand the principles of its operation. As soon as we put the dishwasher in place, connect it to plumbing, sewerage and electricity, and then load the dirty dishes, a number of interesting processes take place.

• First, we set the washing program, press the start button, and then we go about our business.
• Without us, the washing cycle begins, which is carried out without human intervention. The control unit gives a command, the water intake valve opens and water enters a special container.
• Next comes the mixing of water with salt. Salt softens water and makes dishwashing more efficient. At the same time, the control module activates the heating element. Further processes do not start until the water in the chamber is heated to the desired temperature (temperature is set by the user).

• Further actions of the dishwasher depend on the set program. Suppose the dishes we loaded were very dirty, and we turned on the soak mode first. The control module instructs the circulation pump to supply a mixture of water and detergent in very small portions to the spray arm, which begins to spray the dirty dishes with drops for a long time, to ensure the effect of softening the dried dirt.
• Then the primary rinse is activated. Now the circulation pump delivers the mixture to the sprinkler, and food residues are washed off under pressure. The main sprinkler is located at the bottom of the hopper under the lower dish basket.It not only sprays water and detergents, but also rotates, which makes it possible to cover all the dishes.
• In the future, the water that was used for rinsing is not drained, but passes through coarse filters and returns to the tank. There, the system increases the concentration of the detergent and re-sprays the dishes, which allows you to remove most of the dirt from it.

• Next, the system gives a command to drain the waste water. Dirty water is pumped out by a drain pump, instead a little water is poured, which rinses the tank from the inside, and then it is drained into the sewer.
• Now the valve opens and clean water is poured into the tank to rinse the dishes from dirt and detergent residues. The algorithm is simple, clean water under significant pressure is supplied by a circulation pump to the sprayer, and it washes away detergent residues from the dishes. The device can repeat the process of rinsing dishes, which increases the program execution time.
• Next, the control module gives a command to drain the waste water, and the pump removes water from the tank into the sewer.
• Now it's time for drying. If the dishwasher has a forced drying function, then a special fan blows hot air heated by the heating element into the bin with dishes, and it dries very quickly. If there is no such function, then drying is carried out naturally in convection mode.

We have described, in general terms, what happens inside the dishwasher. Perhaps our description will seem complicated to you, then you can watch a video that demonstrates the operation of a dishwasher.Or you can find and watch the video and compare it with our description. Whatever, just to get an idea of ​​​​the operation of dishwashers, you will spend a little time on this.

What you need to know before starting your dishwasher for the first time

The dishwasher (hereinafter also - PMM, dishwasher) cannot be turned on for the first time, immediately filling it with dishes. To get started, you should conduct a test run, and here's why:

1. At the final stage of production, PMM is not cleaned from the waste that accompanies each production process. In addition, there are traces left by the hands of workers in production and shop visitors examining the goods. Therefore, the first run of the dishwasher in test mode is necessary to clean the unit from grease, dirt, debris and grease.
2. A trial run will make sure that the automatic dishwasher is working properly. Unfortunately, this is not possible in the store. A test run will show if the PMM was damaged during transportation to the owner's kitchen.
3. Another important reason for testing the PMM is to check that the dishwasher is properly connected to the water supply, electricity and sewerage. No one is immune from errors in the installation of communications. A set of water, its heating and draining during testing will show whether the machine is connected correctly.
4. It is also better to understand the operation of the dishwasher during the first idle start, in order to use the PMM correctly in the future.

To test and clean the PMM, you need to stock up on three components:

• detergent;
• dish rinse;
• salt specially designed for PMM.

Ingredients added to the special salt for dishwashers are designed to soften tap water, prevent the appearance of scale on the electric heater (heater), and also better wash dishes. For salt, a special reservoir is provided - an ion exchanger, in which it must be filled.

Detergent cleans surfaces from grease deposits. Rinse aid removes residual dirt. Household chemicals of the European brand Bon, designed for use in dishwashers, have proven themselves well.

In addition to the above household chemicals intended for the daily operation of the PMM, tablets, powders and other formulations are now being produced that are intended for use in the test run of an automatic dishwasher. They include all the necessary components.

Why You Can't Use Regular Table Salt

Many owners are tempted to use ordinary table salt, as it is much cheaper than the one intended for dishwashers. Although their composition is 95% similar, there are still several significant differences:

1. The degree of purification of table salt is much lower, although it is intended for cooking. In addition to the main element - sodium chloride - it contains such chemical elements as iron, manganese, potassium, iodine and others. They do not affect the work of the PMM in the best way.
2. Specialized salt granules are much larger than table salt crystals. Therefore, the product intended for dishwashers dissolves more slowly.

If you want your dishwasher to serve for a long time and without fail, use a special salt composition designed for its operation.

The video informs about which household chemicals are best used in PMM:

First wash

There is no need to rush to run the PMM immediately after the test run. It will take time to cool down. The correct use of equipment will determine how long and well it will last.

Before putting the dishes into compartments, they need to be inspected. The rest of the food is washed off under running water. If the machine is cold, load the dishes. Salt and rinse aid remain in the compartments after the first start, but detergent must be added.

Proper loading is the key to clean dishes. There should be a distance between objects, then nothing will interfere with the jets of water rinsing the dishes.

Selection of household chemicals

In PMM, agents are used in the form of powders, gels and tablets. Also, for the first start-up, you need a special salt that softens the water. It prevents the formation of scale on the elements of the machine.

The amount of salt that is poured into the compartment depends on the degree of hardness of the water. City services have the data, but there are modern models of dishwashers on sale that determine it themselves.

Correct basket loading

If the owner of the PMM does not have the opportunity to read the instructions compiled by the dishwasher manufacturer, then the following recommendations should be followed:

Frying pans, tureens, pots and any other large items are placed in the lower basket. If necessary, the stand located at the bottom can be removed,
Glasses, dessert plates, forks, spoons and many other small items are placed on the upper shelves

It is important to maintain the distance between the rows.
Any dishes are placed upside down.
It is not necessary to load easily breakable dishes and high-strength items into the machine at the same time.In the case of an urgent need for co-washing, you need to choose the temperature and program, taking into account the presence of fragile items in the machine.

Many models of dishwashers have special compartments for small items. They are used to wash spoons and forks.

How to turn it on

The PMM is turned on as follows:

• loading basket;
• program selection;
• pressing the "Start" button.

You can start the dishwasher in 2-3 minutes. If after the start of the program you need to put an object, the work is stopped by clicking "Stop the process". There is such a button on PMMs manufactured by Bosch and other companies.

Finding the Right Program

The built-in functions of the equipment should be taken carefully and studied their purpose, and only then perform the first run of the dishwasher. The programs are the following:

• Soak. This function provides a high-intensity washing of heavily soiled dishes. The process is divided into 2 stages: preliminary and main. The preliminary stage is soaking, the main one is washing. Soaking is not a mandatory task of this mode, if desired, you can refuse it. The soak function will easily cope with the remnants of dried food.
• Standard mode. This program offers economical consumption of electricity and water when washing. The mode is designed for medium soiled dishes without grease and dried food.
• Delicate wash. In order not to spoil the appearance of dishes made of crystal, porcelain, thin glass, faience, you should choose a delicate mode.
• Quick wash. This program is designed for washing dishes with water and detergent, followed by rinsing with clean water.

For the first test run of the machine, it is worth choosing a mode with a high washing intensity, and then select a mode according to the degree of soiling of the dishes.

Required maintenance

In order for any mechanism to be in excellent working condition for a long time, it must be properly looked after.

High tech and modern Bosch dishwashers also need maintenance. The status of their individual devices should be constantly monitored.

You can find comprehensive information on caring for the devices of your Bosch dishwasher model in the instructions for this unit.

• Rocker. Scale or grease found on their surfaces is a reason to start an intensive washing cycle without loading, but with detergents.
• Filters. The condition of the filters must be checked after each working cycle. Large impurities are removed, and crayons that clog pores are washed off with hot tap water. If this is not done, contamination may cause the drain pump to block. And repairing the unit will require money and time.
• Sprinklers. So that the quality of washing does not begin to deteriorate, the sprinklers must be periodically removed and washed with hot running water from food debris and scale.

If you strictly comply with all the requirements and operating conditions prescribed by the manufacturer, the service life of your equipment will be as long and efficient as possible.

First start

Expert opinion

I work in the appliance repair industry. Extensive experience in the restoration of washing machines and dishwashers.

After a test idle wash, let the machine cool down a bit. Too much use will overload the heating element and pump.

When the device has cooled down, load the chamber with dishes cleaned of food particles and add detergent to the compartment. The salt and rinse aid remaining after the test run will last for a couple of months.

Don't underestimate the importance of properly stacking crockery and cutlery in baskets and holders. High quality cleaning is achieved if the movement of the rocker arms occurs without interference, and water access is carried out in all areas of the washing chamber.

After unfolding the dishes, select the program and start it. In the process of further use of the dishwasher, these actions will become automatic and will not take much time.

What the indicator shows

On the door of the machine, there are most often compartments for filling detergents, as well as - on top of the lid - an indicator. This is a number of different icons that inform the owner about the state of the machine, about the filling of detergents, about the selected dishwashing mode. Next to the indicator, manufacturers place a short list in pictures - which mode is suitable for washing a particular dish. The indicator and control panel are usually located on the door of only fully built-in models of Bosch, Indesit, Electrolux and many others.

In addition to the function button ON-OFF. with indication, there are a few more buttons, namely, one that allows you to select a program and start with a delay. At the same time, the number of the selected program and the number of hours of the start delay are displayed on the indicator.

Most machines have an eco program that runs longer wash cycles, but consumes less electricity and is less polluting.In order to protect the environment and save resources, you should take care of the full load of the unit, use the table with recommendations provided by the manufacturer. Modern models have a half load function, it also makes sense to use this program if the machine is not fully loaded. To preserve the cleanliness of the environment, it is desirable to use products that do not contain bleach and phosphates. Products containing enzymes in their composition become active at lower temperatures, and therefore, when working with them, you can use a mode with colder water - they act already at 55 degrees Celsius. Rational use of detergents will also help to avoid unnecessary negative impact on the environment.

Description of the processes occurring in the dishwasher

At first glance, the dishwasher is difficult to operate and contains many incomprehensible functions. In fact, this is a fairly simple device, which is easy and simple to use. Just a superficial study of the functionality of the dishwasher is enough to understand the system. You also need to figure out how to properly turn on the dishwasher for the first time.

The dishwasher is controlled by buttons. First, press the wash mode selection button, then the start button. Then the machine itself will perform the tasks assigned to it. You can go about your business, because it turns off by itself, as soon as the time comes to complete the cycle.

So the machine is on. Now the equipment works strictly according to the instructions laid down in it. The control unit independently switches commands and cycles, after which the water intake valve opens and tap water begins to flow into the tank.

As soon as the water intake is made, mixing with special salt begins. This procedure is necessary to reduce the hardness of the water and prevent the formation of scale on the pipes. In addition, softened water washes dishes more efficiently. At the same time, the water heating element is activated. The user can independently set the desired temperature and steam strength.

Now it all depends on what program you installed. The duration of the wash and the intensity of the steam depend on the type of programs and cycles. Suppose we insert the trays and place the dishes. For example, when you turn on the soak mode, the rotation of the circulation pump starts. In the process, gradually, in small portions, the pump scatters water mixed with alkali onto the surface of loaded plates, pans and spoons. All this is necessary so that in the process of entering into a chemical reaction, due to gradual heating, the dried dirt is sour. After that, the dishes will already be much easier to wash.

The next step is the primary rinse mode. It is one of the main elements of any dishwasher cycle. The pump now supplies the water mixed with the agent to the sprayer, after which the rinsing of the sour particles from the dishes begins. The sprinkler has the shape of a screw, and in the process of rotation it fills the entire cavity of the dishwasher with small particles of water. Thanks to this system, all loaded items receive a mixture. This helps to completely wash off any dirt remaining on the surface of the dishes. From now on, the plates are clean, it remains only to rinse and dry them.

Next comes water filtration. It is not discarded, but goes back into the tank, after which all the dishes are rinsed and re-treated with dishwashing detergent. This is the control stage.

The next step is the machine starts self-cleaning. All dirty water goes down the drain, and the system re-injects some water to rinse the tank and rinse the dishes. This is necessary to wash off the remnants of the product.

The last stage is drying. A special screw accelerates the air, heating it to the right temperature, which allows it to successfully dry all plates and pans.

This is how the dishwasher works. Perhaps, such a description seemed to someone heavy and difficult to digest. In this case, you can find visual aids in the form of video instructions for operating dishwashers. In this case, you can also learn more about safety regulations, find out the causes of dishwasher malfunctions and how to avoid breakdowns in the early stages.

Precautions from the instruction manual for Bosch dishwashers

When using Bosch dishwashers, it is important to follow a number of warnings highlighted in a separate section in the instructions. Among them are the following instructions:

• Knives and sharp kitchen items must be laid vertically with the cutting and piercing part down, or horizontal types of trays should be used.
• It is possible to keep the door open only during the period of loading and unloading dishes, in other cases it must be closed.
• Do not wash other items in the unit, except for kitchen utensils, in order to avoid damage to equipment or things.
• If you need to add a couple of plates during the program, then the door first opens a centimeter so that the system works and pauses the mode. Otherwise, when the sash is wide open, hot water will splash out.
• Do not sit or stand on the open door to avoid tipping over.
• Solvent must not be added to the tank of the unit, otherwise it may cause an explosion.

If there are children in the house, then you should always turn on the protection against them provided on the dishwasher body. Detergent and rinse aid must be kept high in lockable cabinets so that children cannot reach them.

After the process is completed, if the equipment does not have a leakage protection function, the supply valve should be closed. If the machine is broken, then all repair work begins with turning off the machine from the outlet. In the case of the first start-up, the Bosch instructions recommend washing at the maximum temperature without dishes, which will remove the remaining process liquids from the inside, which are formed after production and numerous tests at the factory.

Rules for the care and operation of the dishwasher

For safety reasons, do not touch the dishwasher with wet hands, otherwise you may receive an electric shock. To ensure uninterrupted operation, do not connect the electricity with an extension cord - it is better to run a separate cable line from the switchboard.

In order for the PMM to work for a long time and with high quality, observe the following rules during operation:

• constantly monitor the level of detergent, salt, rinse aid and add them as needed;
• regularly clean the drainage filter from dirt, keep the spray nozzles clean;
• place the dishes in the chamber in such a way as to ensure the most efficient washing;
• do not load dishes and pots with large food residues and burnt food into the oven.

Everyone can prepare a dishwasher for work - for this you do not need to have any special knowledge or skills. It is enough to follow the simple instructions given in this material.