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Frugal and Energy Efficient Living

Manifestor_of_Light

(21,046 posts)

6. Yes, but dishwashers have a heating coil in the bottom to get the water hotter.

Reply to Curmudgeoness (Reply #5)

Sun Jun 3, 2012, 11:50 PM

Jun 2012

You can also set it to heated dry, which means that steam comes out the front vent.

There is a big difference between tap water at maximum 120 degrees F., and the 170 degrees recommended for sterilizing dishes. Soap won't make up for that. Just because it burns your hands does not mean it will kill germs.

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Dishwasher versus handwashing for multiple small loads: efficiency pros and cons... [View all] hlthe2b Jun 2012 OP

As I understand it dishwashers are far less efficient than handwashing intaglio Jun 2012 #1

Tap water is not hot enough to kill the germs. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2012 #2

Yes... especially during cold & flu season... or in a commercial kitchen a madatory... hlthe2b Jun 2012 #4

My mother and grandmother had dishwashers in the 1950s. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2012 #7

No one is saying they aren't a good idea.. Food handling practices are just as likely hlthe2b Jun 2012 #8

Dishwashers use tap water. Kaleva Jun 2012 #13

Our new dishwasher is extremely efficient SeattleVet Jun 2012 #3

I hand wash and Curmudgeoness Jun 2012 #5

Yes, but dishwashers have a heating coil in the bottom to get the water hotter. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2012 #6

OK, I did know about the heat drying, but Curmudgeoness Jun 2012 #9

No. They are used to help keep the water hot and to dry Kaleva Jun 2012 #14

I am lucky to have a saltwater pump. cbayer Jun 2012 #10

Treehugger discusses the issue here: Flaxbee Jun 2012 #11

Thanks, that article was what I was looking for... hlthe2b Jun 2012 #12

I do not even own a dishwasher RebelOne Jun 2012 #15

I usually live alone, and the only reason I use my dishwasher is to wash the cat food bowls yardwork Jun 2012 #16

Doesn't vigorous scrubbing matter? jade3000 Jul 2012 #17