HOW LONG DO DISHWASHERS RUN?
A burst of culinary creativity can leave a trail of messy dishes behind, but knowing your dishwasher cycle times can take the guesswork out of preparing your next recipe. Use this guide to learn about cycle run times for common dishwasher cycles, discover the phases of a wash cycle and get familiar with routine maintenance that can optimize dishwasher performance.
DISHWASHER CYCLE TIMES
Dishwashers come with various settings, but you’ll usually find options like Normal Wash, Heavy Duty, and Quick Wash on most models. Check out the chart below to see the estimated run times for different cycles your dishwasher might offer, then dive into the details on how long the standard cycles take.
| CYCLE | RUN TIME |
|---|---|
| PREWASH CYCLE | 6-8 MINUTES |
| SANITIZE CYCLE | 3-3.5 HOURS |
| NORMAL WASH CYCLE | 1.5-2.5 HOURS |
| QUICK WASH CYCLE | 30-60 MINUTES |
| HEAVY WASH CYCLE | 2-4 HOURS |
| SENSOR WASH CYCLE | 2-3.25 HOURS |
| HI-TEMP WASH CYCLE | ADDS 5-13 MINUTES |
| SANI-RINSE CYCLE | ADDS 5-60 MINUTES |
HOW LONG IS A NORMAL CYCLE?
The Normal cycle cleans dishes with 130-140℉ water and usually takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. It’s best for everyday loads that don’t have uniquely stubborn messes.
HOW LONG IS A QUICK WASH?
Quick Wash cycles can typically get your dishes clean in about an hour, with some dishwashers finishing in as little as 30 minutes. The cycle uses extra water, energy and heat to speed things up, making it ideal for lightly soiled dishes. Select KitchenAid® dishwashers feature the Express Wash cycle that cleans in less time so you have access to the dishes you need just when you need them.
HOW LONG IS A HEAVY-DUTY CYCLE?
The Heavy-Duty cycle uses extra water and high temperatures to power through caked-on messes and tough, residual food gunk, making it ideal for heavily soiled pots and pans. It typically runs for about 2 to 4 hours.
DISHWASHER CYCLE PHASES
Dishwashers work differently depending on the cycle and settings you choose, but generally, they start by filling the tub with water, then heating and circulating it with detergent to tackle stuck-on food. Dirty water drains out of the dishwasher, the tub refills with clean water to rinse dishes, and the appliance switches over to the drying cycle. Discover more about each phase of the cleaning cycle below.
Prewash: Not every cycle includes a prewash, but some dishwashers let you add it to the cycle as an option. Prewash cycles soak dishes to help loosen stuck-on food so you can spend less time scraping at the sink. These cycles only take about 6-8 minutes as they prep your dishes for the main wash phase.
Wash: The wash phase of the cleaning cycle adjusts based on water temperature, soil level and the cycle you choose. It can last anywhere from 30 minutes for a Quick Wash cycle to around 4 hours for a Heavy-Duty cycle.
Rinse: During the rinsing phase, warm water sprays over the dishes to remove any leftover detergent. Some dishwashers let you run a rinse cycle on its own, which is ideal for a quick rinse of dishes you’re not washing right away. This phase can last up to 30 minutes.
Dry: Your dishwasher may offer multiple drying options—like Heated Dry, Air Dry or Extended-Heat Dry—which typically take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. Heated Dry cycles are faster, while air drying takes a bit longer. Select KitchenAid® dishwashers feature the Fan-Enabled ProDry™ System, which combines a heating element and fan for optimal drying performance.
WHY LONGER DISHWASHER CYCLES CAN MEAN GREATER ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Modern dishwashers help save water and energy by running longer wash cycles, just like driving a car at lower speeds saves gas. Today’s dishwashers only use about 3-4 gallons of water and 1,200 watts of electricity per cycle, while handwashing the same number of dishes can use almost nine times as much water. Check your owner’s manual to learn more about your dishwasher’s cycle times, and check out an Eco Series KitchenAid® dishwasher designed with efficiency in mind.
WHY DISHWASHERS MAY RUN LONGER THAN EXPECTED
The first cycle on a new dishwasher might take longer as it calibrates the soil sensors and adjusts to its new routine. Hard water, limescale buildup or extra dirty dishes can also trigger longer run times, as the sensors work harder to ensure everything is clean.
To get a better gauge of your dishwasher's performance, check the owner’s manual for cycle times and settings. If your cycles are running longer than expected, or if you notice issues like leaks or dishes not drying, it might be time to call a technician. This troubleshooting guide can offer more insights for KitchenAid® dishwashers.
HOW TO OPTIMIZE YOUR DISHWASHER’S PERFORMANCE
You can get more from your dishwasher by making simple adjustments to the way you do dishes. Explore the tips below to learn more about loading the dishwasher correctly, choosing the right detergent, performing routine maintenance and more.
Load properly: Load small items on the top rack and larger dishware below. Be sure everything faces down toward the center for a thorough clean.
Select the right cycle: Choosing the right cycle for your load can help you get clean dishes the first time. For instance, consider using the Normal Wash cycle for everyday loads, a Heavy Duty cycle for caked-on messes stuck to cookware and a Quick Wash cycle for lightly soiled dishware. Select KitchenAid® dishwashers also feature a Sani-Rinse cycle that adds a high-heat final rinse to sanitize dishes and eliminate 99.999 percent of food soil bacteria.
Choose quality detergent: Premeasured tablets or detergent pods have been proven better than powder, liquid or gel detergents at reducing film on dishes. Plus, adding a rinse aid can help minimize white, filmy buildup.
Perform routine maintenance: Keep your dishwasher running smoothly by regularly clearing out residue and debris. It’s a good idea to clean your dishwasher monthly with products like affresh® Dishwasher Cleaner tablets.1 Some models have filters that need manual cleaning, so check your owner’s manual to learn more about filter care.
1. affresh® brand products and the recommending brands' products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
