How Long Does a Dishwasher Run

A dishwasher is one of the most convenient appliances in a kitchen. Dishes can pile up and by using a dishwasher not only saves you time but provides a deep clean. So how long does a dishwasher run?

This can vary from each dishwasher depending on the type of the washer. Most have three different cycles: short, regular, and heavy for a tougher clean.

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Why do dishwashers take so long?

Many dishwashers heat the water to about 150°F, and this is how it can kill off harmful bacteria and germs. To ensure the dishes are cleaned thoroughly the dishwasher will cycle for on average 2 hours. Some factors can affect the run time such as blockages.

We will look into these factors within this article.

Smiling Young Woman Arranging Plates In Dishwasher At Home

Gaining insight on why dishwashers cycles are long

A heated wash cycle can help remove tough stains from the dishes. Some appliances have a feature that allows the user to select how hot you want the water to be.

The hotter the water temperature in your washer is for both wash and rinse cycles. The more effective the appliance will be at removing dirt and debris from your dishes.

Also the hotter the temperature set the longer the cycle will last. Some modern dishwashers have a feature called “Extra Dry”. This option allows for extra hot water during the final rinse cycle.

Also using about 6 gallons of very hot water for each use. This will delay the cycle time and cost more to run the appliance.

Now we will break down other reasons why your dishwasher might be lasting for longer than usual.

Selected wrong dishwasher cycle?

It can be easy to select the wrong dishwasher cycles without thinking. I’m sure it has happened to everyone at least once.

Check to see which cycle you selected and here is a rough guide to how long each cycle takes on average:

Close up of man putting dishwasher on eco cycle

Running the short cycle on a dishwasher is about 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes. The regular cycle is about 2 hours, with heavy duty cycles ranging from 3 hours to 5 hours.

It depends a lot on how hot you set the water temperature. In future make sure you select the correct cycle. Even doing a quick pre wash before loading the dishes into the washer can help. By doing this you can select a shorter cycle.

Not having enough water?

One of the reasons that your dishwasher may be lasting longer than usual could be due to lack of

One of the reasons that your dishwasher may be lasting longer than usual could be due to lack of hot water. Which prevents the detergent from mixing completely with hot water.

Causing it to coat poorly and not clean the dishes completely. If this occurs, you may need to contact a plumber or appliance engineer. They can check to see how much it would cost them to fix the heating issue.

Dishwasher is full?

Another easy mistake we all make is by over loading the dishwasher. The dishwasher needs to be able to clean without any items getting in its way.

Overloading can cause the machine to take longer than usual. Make sure no dishes are obstructing your appliance from performing at optimal levels.

overloaded open dishwasher unable to close

Filter or drain hose blockages?

Dishwashers can experience blockages from time to time and it causes back pressure. This will cause delays to the dishwasher and it will run longer than usual.

You can check how your drain hose is by looking for water draining out of the bottom of the dishwasher. If water appears to be collecting at the bottom this is a sign that there is a blockage.

First try to unblock the drain hose and any filters and it should then resolve the issue.

Maintenance of home appliances. Man cleans the filter in the dishwasher.

Don’t forget to check how often filters may need cleaning. Some dishwashers have a filter that needs regular maintenance. The Best way to check this is to look in the dishwasher manual.

The manual should also show the best way to clean all filters. It can vary from one to another depending on the manufacturer of the appliance. Always best to check the user manual if in doubt.

Limescale and dirt build up

Dishwasher’s can struggle to run properly if there is a build up of limescale or dirt on the inside. This will then cause the dishwasher to run longer than usual.

You will need a good descaling product to remove the limescale and dirt. How long it takes to do varies from appliance to appliance.

Manufacturer instructional booklet should provide details on how long this should take. Also, how often you need to clean your machine and how to clean the dishwasher. Keeping up to date with appliance maintenance will allow a longer lifespan.

Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner

Should I book a plumber or appliance engineer?

If none of the reasons above have helped solve the problem. The next steps would be to book a plumber or appliance engineer as your dishwasher is most likely faulty.

Before you do this it would be advisable to check if the appliance has an active warranty. If there is a warranty, contact the manufacturer to arrange replacement or repair.

In some cases if the dishwasher is being over used, causing a lot of strain to be put on it. This can also affect how long a dishwasher will run for.

Making sure no items are obstructing the machine and that you load the appliance the correct way will also help.

If you think your appliance needs repairing or replacing, contact your local engineer. If under warranty, contact the manufacturer instead.

Guide on how dishwashers heated by a heat pump saves energy.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can i run my dishwasher every night?

I don’t recommend running your dishwasher every night, as this can affect the lifespan of the appliance. Try to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on how often to run the dishwasher.

2. What dishwasher cycle should i use?

What cycle you choose is dependant on how dirty the dishes are. The shorter cycles may not be suitable for very dirty dishes and you should select the longer cycle. One way to solve this is to pre-wash the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.

3. How long is normal dishwasher cycle in the UK?

On average, the shorter cycles are about 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes. The regular cycle is about 2 hours, with heavy duty cycles ranging from 3 hours to 5 hours. Check manufacturer guide as this can vary from appliance to appliance.

4. How long does a portable dishwasher run for?

Most portable dishwashers run for around 60 minutes. This can vary depending on the make or model of the dishwasher. Check the manufacturer manual for an exact time for your model.

5. How long is a dishwasher cycle?

Depending on the cycle you select, a dishwasher takes from 2 hours to 5 hours on average. The manufacturer type can also affect how long it will take. Always check the user manual for more information.

Conclusion

If you’re experiencing any of the issues mentioned above, try to resolve them as soon as possible. If your dishwasher is running for longer than usual and none of these solutions help solve the issue.

I would suggest to contact an appliance engineer that can assist in repair or get a replacement. Concluding how long does a dishwasher run for varies on many different factors.

If in doubt contact the appliance manufacturer helpline for further help.

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