Your dishwasher pods will only dissolve if exposed to water temperatures ranging from 120-160˚F, ideally is that the water has to be hot enough for the pods to properly dissolve and do their job. Water temperatures are not the only reason why your dishwasher pods are not dissolving, below are other probable reasons and how you can resolve the issue.
Table of Contents
Dishwasher Pods Not Dissolving – Why this is happening
Blocked dispenser door
Your dishwasher pod might fail to dissolve because of your dispenser door. Remember that during the wash cycle your dispenser door is supposed to open so that the pod can drop into the water. Failure to which the pod will stay intact, so to ensure that your dispenser door doesn’t get jammed, ensure that you do not overstack your dishwasher with utensils. Your dishwasher door could also suffer from structural malfunction and which will mean that you must get it repaired.
A faulty inlet valve
The dishwasher’s inlet valve is used to supply the unit with cleaning water, a function that is initiated during the wash cycle. So, once the inlet valve fails to get water into the dishwasher the dishwashing pods will have trouble dissolving. To determine whether your inlet valve is functioning, you will have to turn your dishwasher into a cycle give it a few minutes and press the start or pause button. Then open the door to check if there is any water at the bottom of the dishwasher.
Appliance not heating up
If your dishwasher fails to heat up then the dishwasher pods will not dissolve, instead, the utensils in the unit will become hot. You will, therefore, wait for the wash cycle to conclude and then check on the utensils, if the unit does not heat up, you will have to find a certified technician to help resolve the problem.
Malfunctioning spray arms
The dishwasher pods could also fail to dissolve if the spray arm is not working properly. The function of the spray arm is to distribute water inside the dishwasher during a cycle, on many occasions food debris gets stuck in the small holes in the spray arms and which makes the spray arms to malfunction. On other occasions, the spray arms could develop cracks and this would make them to malfunction.
To check if your spray arms are working, take each one of them out and inspect them, run water through them to remove any dirt or debris that might have lodged inside the spray arms. Damaged spray arms must be replaced, while the cleaned spray arms must be re-installed.
Circulation pump failure
The function of the circulation pump is to spray water in the dispenser and once the dishwasher door is opened, the water will wash out all the detergents from the dispenser. If the circulation pump is jammed none of the above will happen, turn on your dishwasher and check to see if water is being pumped into the dishwasher.
You will then check the spraying arms and if they are spraying water, also check to ensure that water is being pumped into the spray arms. If none of the above takes place, then your circulation pump must be replaced. Important to note is that this is not among the do-it-yourself procedures rather you will have to find a qualified technician.
Try out different brands of dishwasher pods
There are occasions that your dishwasher might be totally fine, and the problem is with the dishwashing pod. Some brands of detergents do not dissolve or rather they don’t get rinsed from the detergent dispenser. If this is the case then you will have to repeat the cycle by placing the detergent at the bottom of the dishwasher.
Wet dispenser tray
At times the dishwasher pod could become clogged because of being placed in a wet dispenser tray. To counter this problem you can place the pod at the bottom of the appliance.
Pod not released on time
When arranging cookware in your dishwasher, you are advised to not place the tall plates and utensils in front of the detergent dispenser. Also, ensure that things such as the air freshener do not block the dispenser lid and prevent it from opening.
Conclusion
Anytime that you want to do your dishes and are engaging the long cycles you should use the dishwasher pods as you can be sure of zero traces on cookware after the wash cycle. Also, note that dishwasher pods might not fully dissolve in the short cycles thus you shouldn’t be searching for faults in your dishwasher. Check the brand of the dishwasher pods because some rarely dissolve easily, also not all dishwasher problems are DIYs some need professional help.
FAQ’s
Is it advisable to put the dishwasher pods at the bottom of the dishwasher?
While there are occasions that necessitate putting the dishwasher pods at the bottom of the dishwasher, the efficiency of the wash cycle could be compromised.
Will my washer remain functional if the dispenser is broken?
Yes, your washer will function but the results wouldn’t be so impressive.