Major Appliances
Dishwasher is leaving gritty residue
While it may not happen often, it is not uncommon for a gritty residue to appear on both the dishwasher’s interior and its contents after completing a cycle.
If this is happening to you, then this article will explore the reasons why your dishwasher is leaving a gritty residue and provide some insight and tips on how to potentially fix it.
Common Causes Behind a Dishwasher Leaving a Gritty Residue
The first thing to do is to identify what is causing this issue with your dishwasher.
Let’s review the most common causes behind your dishwasher leaving a gritty residue:
- Lack of regular cleaning
The best practice is to clean your dishwasher once a month as this will ensure that residue doesn’t appear on the tub and filters. Filters that are left soiled may prevent the dishwasher from performing the necessary task of breaking down food particles. An easy way to keep your dishwasher sparkling is to use affresh® cleaner.
- Using the incorrect detergent
Most dishwashers need the right detergents to work properly. Using the wrong detergent could leave a gritty residue. Remember to only use automatic dishwasher detergents. - Using far too much detergent
Always precisely measure detergent before adding it to the load. It’s important to consider if your home uses a water softener because softened water requires less detergent than hard water. - A clogged drain
A clog could result in residue not being filtered and then discarded.
Possible Solutions
Your dishwasher filter may need to be cleaned. To do so, follow these steps.
First, locate the filter, which is typically at the bottom centre of your dishwasher.
Clean the filter if:
- There are soils on the upper filter assembly.
- The cleaning performance is subpar.
- Dishes feel gritty.
Some brands have a triple filter system made up of two parts: an upper filter assembly, and a lower filter.
Here is how they work:
- The upper filter assembly negates the possibility of oversized items, foreign objects and very fine food particles from entering and disrupting the pump.
- The lower filter prevents food and food particles from being recirculated onto the contents of the load.
Recommended Time Intervals to Clean Your Filter
| Loads per week |
Pre-load dish treatment | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wash | Scrape and Rinse | Scrape only | Do not scrape and rinse | |
| 1-3 | 12 months | 12 months | 6 months | 2 months |
| 4-7 | 12 months | 12 months | 6 months | 1 month |
| 4-7 | 12 months | 6 months | 3 months | 2 weeks |
| 8-12 | 12 months | 6 months | 3 months | 1 week |
Before cleaning the filter, you need to understand exactly how to remove it and also how to perform the reinstallation. Always adhere to your dishwasher use and care instructions before beginning any task, as it should be your main source of information.
For KitchenAid® dishwashers, use these steps to remove and reinstall the filter:
- Turn the upper filter assembly ¼ turn counterclockwise and then lift it out.
- Slightly lift the lower filter in the circular opening and pull forward to remove it.
You should never clean a filter with a scouring pad or anything with an abrasive surface. It’s best to rinse the filter under running water until it is mostly clean. If you are dealing with hard-to-remove soils or calcium deposits caused by hard water, you can use a soft brush to remove them.
Steps to reinstall the filter:
- Place the lower filter under the locating tabs at the bottom of the dishwasher. Make sure to align the round opening for the upper filter assembly with the circular opening in the bottom of the tub.
- Next, you should put the upper filter assembly into the circular opening in the lower filter.
- Gently rotate the filter clockwise only stopping once it drops into place. Keep rotating it until the filter is locked into place. If the filter is not fully seated (still able to turn with ease), keep turning it clockwise until it drops and locks into place.
As long as the filter is locked, the upper filter assembly arrow does not have to perfectly line up with the arrow in the lower filter.
You always want to be careful not to damage your filter, which can happen if filters are incorrectly installed. It’s recommended to double-check that both the lower filter and the upper filter assembly are locked into place.
Remember that if the upper filter assembly turns easily, then it is not locked.
Here is how you rinse a clogged dishwasher filter:
- Rinse off any food particles and debris, and then carefully scrub the filter with warm water and a soft brush. Avoid using a wire brush, scouring pad or anything that is even remotely abrasive.
- Lastly, replace your clean filter and put the cover back on.
Check Your Drain Motor and Drain Hose
Another reason behind your dishwasher leaving a gritty residue could either be a broken drain motor or a clogged drain hose. It’s best to hand over these issues to a professional. For KitchenAid® appliances, you can book a service appointment here.
If you find that the water is not draining at end of a cycle, this could also be caused by:
- The garbage disposer knockout plug may still be in the disposer inlet.
- Some type of obstruction, possibly food, might be stuck in the drain or the garbage disposer. One solution to this is to run the disposer.
- An issue with the dishwasher air gap.
- Refer to the air gap manufacturer's instructions for help on how to inspect for a clog or blockage in the air gap and the air gap vent.
If you’re having trouble determining the cause behind the gritty residue leftover in your dishwasher or are uncomfortable with handling it yourself, then consider reaching out to a professional for help.
