Your dishwasher is better than you think (tips, tricks, and how they work)

Let your dishwasher do the work for you!
Links 'n' stuff:

The Connextras video on my dishwasher's program change-up:

The original dishwasher videos:

Technology Connections on Mastodon:

Technology Connections on Bluesky:

Have you ever noticed that I've never done a brand deal? That's all thanks to people like you! Viewer support through Patreon keeps this channel independent and possible. If you'd like to join the amazing folks who fund my work, check out the link below. And thank you!

00:00 Intro
00:55 An overview of how dishwashers work
02:10 Tip 1: Filters - clean them
02:56 More on how dishwashers work
04:13 HEAT - it's important!
06:43 Tip 2: Run the kitchen tap until you get hot water
08:12 DETERGENT - what it does and how the machine uses it
11:42 Tip 3: Use and close the detergent dispenser
14:27 Tip 4: Try cheap detergent and add a pre-wash dose
15:01 Testing a new detergent product
17:52 Detergent dosing
19:40 RECAP and lightning round
20:40 Dishwasher cleaning products
21:43 A workaround for a broken detergent dispenser
22:52 Other cycles and options
23:25 Rinse Aids
24:11 Try cheap pods if nothing else
25:17 Tips on loading the dishwasher

[TechnologyConnections]

A remake‽ Yep, and sorry for any feelings of déjà vu!
It's my hope that this new version of the video combines more useful information into less time - and I put things in order of importance. While I really hate the stinkin' pods, there's no denying that the market is nearly All Pods All The Time so I put the information that can help anyone up front and held my angst until later.
But I really hope that more people challenge their dishwashers! It was designed to wash dishes for you, and most of them do it quite well! A better understanding of _what_ they're doing and when can, I think, lead you to discover the best practices for your machine.

[permik]

Love how the opening lines are basically, "Your dishwasher is crap? Sounds like a skill issue", but said in a really friendly manner.

[amineaiffa]

I never thought that I would ever watch a 27 minute video on dishwashers. I must be getting old.

[nokbri]

I want to cry from joy. I did the math, and I owe you 90 literal days of my life with the time you will save me. No more washing dishes before loading the dishwasher!! My 1-sprayer, cheap-landlord, old appliance does the job, now that I know how to use it. I'm forever grateful. 💕💕

[mattvarner]

I love when my favorite artists start redoing their greatest hits

[themonkeydrunken]

Me: "I can't believe Technology Connections got me to watch two long-format videos on dishwashers."
TC: "I'll do it again"

[garrettb]

"I'm apparently the internet's weird appliance guy."

Yup. And thats why we love you.

[ElMona]

This stuff should be in a life-preparation course in schools

[kimberlywhidden]

OMG! I never knew half of these things. I’m 62 years old and read all owners manuals to every appliance I’ve ever owned! I’ve shared this video with my kids and next I’m putting it on my Facebook page so my extended family and friends can benefit. I watch a lot of YouTube videos, and this one gets my best video EVER!

[Syy]

I used to be a "handwash only" guy, because I was ignorant of how the magic box in my kitchen worked - but your original video showed me the light. Now I throw everything in the dishwasher, buy the cheapest powder, and everything comes out perfect with only 10% of the effort. Unironically life changing advice here people.

[echoed]

"If you're not having problem's with your dishwasher ... you're probably not watching this"

Man, I don't even have a dishwasher, this is just good content

[gemmagilmore-darbey]

Why did I enjoy this more than the 3 Hallmark movies and several react videos I’ve watched last week?

[VertigoGTI]

Hot water tip: Fill a pitcher until water is hot, wait for it to cool and water your plants with it. No water wasted.

[rocbolt]

You can hear the tormented cries on the wind of all the people who didn't know their dishwashers had a filter

[KlueBat]

I've been a powder user forever, but after your last run of videos on dishwashers I started buying the cheap stuff and using less of it. You know what happened? My dishes are still clean and I spend less to get them there! That warms the heck out of my frugal mid-western heart!

[zeprincesszz]

For those of us looking back ..
1. Check for and Clean Filters
2. Run kitchen tap until hot before starting dishwasher
3. Use the detergent dispenser and close its door (also put some detergent in pre-wash!)
4. Try a basic/ cheap detergent (powder or gel jug)


Also, make sure your dishwasher is actually hooked up to the hot tap your sink is hooked to.

[branifer]

This is the kind of dry, witty nerdiness I live for. Thank you!

[warrenlukeroth]

I'm a service technician for a major appliance manufacturer whose name rhymes with... Smosh... and I always recommend powder to customers over pods and liquids. For the very same reasons listed in this video. Chiefly, most people's dishes really aren't that dirty and the pods are, as Alec mentioned, pre measured amounts of detergent that is usually nuclear overkill for dishes that aren't especially dirty. Over time you end up with detergent clinging to your dishes and your dishwasher and can even hurt washability with all the excess detergent foaming up and preventing the pump from pulling water efficiently. "But Smosh recommends Finish pods it's right there on the door" they say, and as Alec did in one of the previous videos, I point out the two companies have a comarketing agreement. I use powder myself and my 10 year old dishwasher looks brand new, as do my dishes. And if you have a water softener built into your dishwasher, use it! You paid for it, it costs extra. Use it.

Thanks for all the dishwasher content, it's been very reaffirming for me as a tech - "that's what I've been saying!" Hope lots of people watch this and take the advice.

[rdormer]

First video I've ever seen that said "load the dishwasher properly, " and then actually explained how to load the dishwasher properly.

[nightmaretheater_TheCount]

If someone bet me $100 that I would wake up this morning and watch an entire interesting 30-minute video on the proper functionality of dishwashers, I would be out $100. Great video 👍🏻