Whirlpool is a well-known brand in the world of home appliances, and their dishwashers are no exception. Whirlpool dishwashers come equipped with a variety of cycles designed to tackle different cleaning needs efficiently. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the various dishwasher cycles offered by Whirlpool, explaining each one in detail.
1. Normal Cycle
Description: The Normal cycle is your go-to option for everyday dishwashing needs. It’s designed to effectively clean dishes with a balanced combination of water temperature, wash time, and detergent usage.
Use Cases: Use the Normal cycle for your regular load of dishes that aren’t heavily soiled.
Benefits: This cycle strikes a good balance between cleaning performance and energy efficiency, making it the most commonly used cycle for daily dishwashing.
2. Heavy Cycle
Description: When dealing with heavily soiled dishes, the Heavy cycle comes to the rescue. It uses higher water temperatures and extended wash times to tackle tough, baked-on food stains and greasy cookware.
Use Cases: Ideal for pots, pans, and dishes with stubborn, stuck-on food residues.
Benefits: The Heavy cycle ensures a thorough clean, saving you from pre-scrubbing or re-running the dishwasher.
3. 1-Hour Wash Cycle
Description: When you’re in a hurry, the 1-Hour Wash cycle is your best friend. It’s designed to provide a quick and efficient clean in just one hour.
Use Cases: Perfect for lightly soiled dishes or when you need clean dishes in a hurry.
Benefits: Offers a fast turnaround without compromising on cleaning quality.
4. Sensor Cycle
Description: The Sensor cycle is a smart option that adjusts the wash cycle duration and intensity based on the level of soil detected by sensors within the dishwasher. It optimizes water and energy usage for efficient cleaning.
Use Cases: Great for mixed loads with varying levels of soiling.
Benefits: Maximizes cleaning efficiency while minimizing resource consumption.
5. Sanitize Cycle
Description: The Sanitize cycle goes beyond cleaning; it uses high-temperature water to kill 99.9% of bacteria and germs on your dishes. This cycle is particularly valuable for households with health concerns.
Use Cases: Recommended for baby bottles, cutting boards, and items that require extra hygiene.
Benefits: Provides peace of mind by ensuring your dishes are not only clean but also sanitized.
6. Rinse Only Cycle
Description: Sometimes, you may not have a full load of dishes to wash. In such cases, the Rinse Only cycle can be used to remove any leftover food particles and prevent odors from forming in your dishwasher.
Use Cases: For rinsing dishes that will be washed later or for keeping the dishwasher interior clean.
Benefits: Helps maintain a fresh-smelling dishwasher and prevents the buildup of food residue.
7. Soak & Clean Cycle
Description: The Soak & Clean cycle is designed to pre-soak and clean heavily soiled dishes. It’s a two-step process that starts with a soaking phase to loosen tough stains and is followed by a regular wash cycle.
Use Cases: Ideal for dishes that have been left with dried-on food.
Benefits: Effectively tackles tough stains by softening them during the soak phase before a thorough cleaning.
8. Express Cycle
Description: The Express cycle is another quick option for when you’re in a hurry. It delivers a speedy wash in around 30 minutes, making it ideal for lightly soiled dishes.
Use Cases: Great for when you need clean dishes fast but don’t have a full hour to spare.
Benefits: Offers a shorter cleaning time without compromising on quality for lightly soiled items.
9. Delay Start
Description: While not a cleaning cycle per se, the Delay Start feature allows you to set your dishwasher to run at a later time. This can help you take advantage of off-peak energy hours or have your dishes ready when you return home.
Use Cases: Useful for scheduling wash cycles according to your convenience.
Benefits: Maximizes energy efficiency and convenience by running the dishwasher at the most suitable time.
10. Auto Cycle
Description: The Auto cycle is another smart feature that adjusts wash settings based on the soil level detected in the dishwasher. It optimizes water temperature, pressure, and cycle duration to ensure a thorough clean without wasting resources.
Use Cases: Suitable for mixed loads with different levels of soiling, similar to the Sensor cycle.
Benefits: Automatically adapts to the specific cleaning needs of your dishes, enhancing cleaning efficiency and energy savings.
11. China & Crystal Cycle
Description: Delicate glassware, china, and crystal items require special care. The China & Crystal cycle uses lower water pressure and temperature settings to protect these fragile items from damage while ensuring they come out spotless.
Use Cases: Designed for fragile and valuable glassware and china.
Benefits: Preserves the beauty and integrity of delicate items while still providing a thorough clean.
12. Top Rack Only Cycle
Description: Sometimes, you may have only a few items to wash, and running a full load isn’t efficient. The Top Rack Only cycle allows you to wash only the upper rack, saving water and energy.
Use Cases: Ideal for smaller loads, such as cups, glasses, and small bowls, when the lower rack is empty.
Benefits: Reduces resource consumption for smaller loads and provides a quicker turnaround.
13. Pots & Pans Cycle
Description: This cycle is specifically designed to handle large cookware like pots and pans that often have tough, baked-on food residues. It uses high water temperatures and extended wash times for deep cleaning.
Use Cases: Perfect for heavily soiled pots, pans, and baking sheets.
Benefits: Effectively tackles stubborn stains, eliminating the need for pre-soaking or scrubbing.
14. Half Load Cycle
Description: The Half Load cycle is an energy-efficient option for when you have a smaller load to wash. It reduces water and energy consumption, helping you save on utility bills.
Use Cases: Suitable for smaller loads or when you need to conserve resources.
Benefits: Maximizes energy and water efficiency for smaller dishwashing needs.
15. Quiet Cycle
Description: Whirlpool dishwashers are known for their quiet operation, but the Quiet Cycle takes it a step further. It reduces noise to a minimum, making it almost imperceptible during operation.
Use Cases: Useful when you don’t want dishwasher noise to disturb your household activities.
Benefits: Maintains a peaceful environment while still providing excellent cleaning performance.
16. Maintenance/Cleaning Cycle
Description: Proper maintenance is key to prolonging your dishwasher’s life and performance. The Maintenance/Cleaning cycle allows you to clean the interior of the dishwasher, removing limescale, mineral deposits, and food residues that can affect performance.
Use Cases: Periodic maintenance to keep your dishwasher in top condition.
Benefits: Ensures your dishwasher continues to function optimally, reducing the need for repairs and extending its lifespan.
Normal
| Cycle Name | Duration (Minutes) | Temperature (°F) | Water Usage (Gallons) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 90 | 140 | 3.5 | Standard cycle for everyday dishwashing. |
| Quick Wash | 45 | 120 | 2.0 | Shorter cycle for lightly soiled dishes. |
| Sensor | 120 | Variable | 4.0 | Automatically adjusts based on load and soil. |
| Heavy Duty | 150 | 160 | 5.0 | Intensive cleaning for heavily soiled dishes. |
| Eco | 120 | 130 | 3.0 | Energy-efficient cycle with lower water temp. |
Specialized
| Cycle Name | Duration (Minutes) | Temperature (°F) | Water Usage (Gallons) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glassware | 60 | 120 | 2.5 | Delicate cycle for glassware and fragile items. |
| Rinse Only | 15 | Cold | 1.0 | Quick rinse without detergent for pre-cleaning. |
| Sanitize | 140 | 170 | 4.5 | High-temperature cycle for disinfecting dishes. |
| Pots & Pans | 120 | 160 | 4.0 | Intensive cycle for heavily soiled cookware. |
| Express Wash | 30 | 140 | 1.5 | Fast cycle for lightly soiled dishes in a hurry. |
Custom Options
| Cycle Name | Delay Start | High-Temp Wash | Sani Rinse | Soil Level | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyCycle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Light | Personalized cycle with adjustable settings. |
| Family | Yes | No | No | Heavy | Ideal for family-sized loads with tough stains. |
| Crystal | No | Yes | No | Light | Enhanced glassware cycle with high-temperature wash. |
| Quickie | Yes | No | No | Light | Short cycle with a delayed start for convenience. |
| BabyCare | Yes | Yes | Yes | Heavy | Sanitary cycle for baby bottles and utensils. |
Additional Features
| Cycle Name | Delayed Start | Dry Options | Steam Clean | Adjustable Racks | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoDry | Yes | Air Dry, Heat Dry | No | No | Energy-efficient drying options after the wash. |
| AutoSense | Yes | Auto, No Heat, Fan Dry | Yes | Yes | Smart cycle adjusting drying based on load and sensors. |
| Overnight | Yes | Fan Dry, No Heat, Steam | Yes | Yes | Extended cycle with thorough drying for overnight. |
| TurboWash | Yes | Fan Dry, Heat Dry, Steam | No | No | Quick wash with various drying options. |
| ZoneClean | Yes | Heat Dry, No Heat, Steam | Yes | No | Focuses on specific zones for deep cleaning. |
Energy Efficiency
| Cycle Name | Energy Star Certified | Energy Consumption (kWh) | Water Usage (Gallons) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Clean | Yes | 1.2 | 2.5 | Eco-friendly cycle with low energy and water usage. |
| Power Saver | Yes | 0.9 | 2.0 | Energy-efficient cycle for small, lightly soiled loads. |
| Water Saver | Yes | 1.0 | 1.8 | Minimal water usage cycle for saving resources. |
| Half Load | Yes | 0.8 | 1.5 | Designed for smaller loads with reduced energy usage. |
| Eco Express | Yes | 0.7 | 1.2 | Fast and eco-friendly cycle for lightly soiled dishes. |
In conclusion, Whirlpool dishwashers offer a range of cycles to cater to various cleaning needs and time constraints. Understanding these cycles allows you to make the most of your dishwasher’s capabilities, ensuring your dishes come out clean and sparkling every time.
