Anyone ever replaced a heating element in a dishwasher?

My wife was running a load of dishes earlier this evening when smoke started pouring out of the unit. Naturally, we shut down, I snagged the extinguisher, and we opened it up.

From the looks of it, the heating element had failed. It has a heavy 'char'd' spot on the metal loop and appears to be heavily oxidized/burnt.

I've researched the part and it looks simple and it's only about $20. From what I can tell, I'll have to remove the kickplate (after killing the power) and there should be a couple of nuts holding the element in place from beneath the unit. Unscrew, put in the new one, rescrew it back together and I'm rolling again...

Am I missing something here? Seems like a pretty simple fix but, I'm looking for opinions/experiences before I roll.

Thanks, guys.

-RP-

 

Never replaced an element in a diswasher, but have in ovens several times. Should be pretty much the same thing. What you described should be about all there is to it.

 

I have never done it with a dishwasher, but I have replaced an element on an oven. It was relatively simple---I don't see why a dishwasher would be all that more difficult.

Tim C.

 

your wife has a heating element? I knew i shouldnt have skipped out on biology class

 

LOL @ Moose... I suppose one could infer that my original post referred to smoke coming out of my wife's 'unit', eh? I think we both missed that in Biology... LOL!

Seriously though, thanks for the help, guys. I have ordered the part and hope it'll be here quickly -- god knows, I'm already sick of my wife griping about hand washing the dishes. (...and, before I get mugged, I helped -- well, with a few of them I helped).

 

How old is your dish washer?

A recent article in Consumer Reports showed that if your dishwasher is more than 10 years old it is cheaper to just buy a new one rather than repair the old one.

Why?

Due to increased government standards, the newer dishwashers are MUCH more energy efficient than the models were 10 years ago. They use far less hot water and power than old dishwashers and this pays for itself within 2 years of use. The newer models also clean dishes as well as or better than older models (in general.)

So even though your fix is only $20, you might be better off with a new dishwasher if yours is ancient.

 

A fair question... unfortunately, this thing is barely 2.5 years old... Hard water is the main culprit on this part failing as it's pretty calcified (our water is horrid)...

Anyone changed one of these boogers?

 

Have never done the replacement, but did find this. Sounds easy enough.

http://www.acmehowto.com/howto/appli...ingelement.php

 

I have never changed one, but can't be that hard to do. I run a dishwasher cleaner through mine every couple of months, I believe it is a jet dry brand. If you need any help let me know I am off for the next 6 weeks and am not very far away.

 

My wife does most of the cooking so I run the dishwasher.
I have an option button for 'Heated Drying' and I never select it.
The dishes usually sit in the machine for a day before I get around to emptying it so, the heated option isn't needed.

I also load the machine. I have a system for maximun space utilization and I can avoid the 'nesting' that can occur.

When my girls come home the big joke is my dishwasher and my 'nesting' pet peave.

 

Thanks, guys. I found that how-to as well and, you're right -- it doesn't look crazy difficult. I'm pretty sure that I can pull it together (I hope so -- the part should ship today).

Dishwasher cleaner? I haven't heard of that stuff -- do you think it works? If I get in to this thing and realize that I'm silly for giving it a go, I may give you a call and let you come over and laugh at me, Blang. LOL!

We utilize the heated drying option on ours without exception. I know and understand that this will cause the element to become more calcified (hellishly hard water) but, it's really not an option for us with a rug rat in the house and keeping an ever-supplied stash of sippy cups and such. (read: I'm too dang lazy to hand dry the dishes).

Thanks again, guys!

 

I use the dishwasher cleaner/conditioner every couple of months for the last 2 or 3 years. Our dishwasher is almost 10 years old and knock on wood no problems yet. We use the heated drying option as well. Our water is probaly similar in comparison also. I like the cleaner and it only cost around 4 bucks. If you need any help don't hestitate to ask, I always get asked to fix others problems around their house. Jack of all trades master of nothing.

 

The heating element is not really for the drying of the dishes, though it play sa part should you "heat /dry". The dishwasher should be hooked up to the cold side supply of the sink. The element is used to heat the water when it is filled. Hot water is better for the cleaning and sanatizing.

Regardless of whether you use the "heat/dry" option or not, you'll need a working element for the washer to operate properly.

Too, the use of "jet dry" will aide in speeding the drying of dishes even if you don't "heat/dry".

Not much to changing out the element. I'd suggest turning the breaker off at the box, first.

 

All my dishwashers in three different houses were hooked up to the hot water.

I run hot water out of the tap for a minute to get the cold water out of the line.

I don't use the heat/dry button and the dishes are too hot to take out when the green light first comes on.

I guess is you are hooked to the cold side then the heat button is a necessity.

 

I hear the dishwashers built in Japan are much more reliable........