skip to main content

Miele Dishwasher owners: do you still use rinse aid with tabs?

14 years ago

Hi Folks,

Quick question: Do you still add rinse aid even if you're using the Tabs with rinse aid built in?

The first 2 weeks or so I used Cascade gel detergent (lemon fragrance) with Jet Dry Rinse Aid. This week I started using the "Cascade Action Pacs with Shine Shield" Tabs "wiht the power of Dawn" which I thought have rinse aid built in but am now wondering... My rinse aid indicator is now red, indicating i should add Rinse Aid, but should i ignore this given that my tabs have shine shield or should i also add Rinse Aid? I guess the question also is: Is shine shield the same as rinse aid?

TIA!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

hidroman
14 years ago
Within some cycle the machine will answer you :
if the machine won't dry as usual you'll have the clue :)

"Shine shield" is just a glass protector against etching, not a rinse aid

Anyway stay away from all-in-one tabs, expecially if your water is extremly soft. The water softener in the tabs won't find any calcium to react with and will etch your glasses.

Tabs dissolve in the main wash so also the built-in rinse aid does. But rinse aid has to be used in the final rinse, not in the main wash ......

Check the miele manual, they too say it's better to use regular detergent, regular rinse aid and regular salt instead of 100-in-1 tabs

Go figure when 3-in-1 tabs first appeared on european markets, Bosch and Siemens manuals had a capital-letter warning : warranty didn't apply if 3in1 tabs were used
rococogurl
14 years ago
Depends on the model. I have an Optima which has a "tab" setting. For those washes it disables the rinse-aid dispenser. The Express quick-wash setting dispenses rinse aids -- tabs shouldn't be used for that but I use half (Miele) and it's been fine.
Related Discussions
Maybe I need to try Miele dishwasher tabs??
Q
Comments (10)
@kitchendetective, yes, I am a huge Miele fan. I honestly, do not even own a non Miele appliance. I have been Miele only, for almost 20 years. I sold my La Perla I on Craigslist...got a lot for it. It was the BEST machine. I was so excited that the La Perla II opened automatically at the cycle end, so I thought I would treat myself and upgrade. While the new machine is beautiful and I do really like the end of cycle auto open...I am a little disappointed with the performance. Also the door makes a pop/creak/crucnh sound at the bottom of the door, right side. Almost sounds like metal on metal or hard plastic on metal. Odd. Does not sound critical, but for the price...I do not like the sound. I think I am going to have to call Miele. I hope I do not have to use the 90 day return guarantee. What would I get? I do not think Bosch, Asko or KitchenAid are on the same level as Miele. Maybe I should try and find a new La Perla I?? :)
...See More
Miele Inspira DW Rinse Aid Leaking
Q
Comments (11)
LOL Gary, I saw that post by the person who filled that reservoir with soap. That would so not be pretty. I'm pretty sure that it's a similar style to yours. There is one long unit across the door, with two spring loaded doors. The seal on the rinse aid reservoir looks like the one you described. What I think is happening is that the rinse aid is leaking out of the bottom of the plastic unit. I'm hesitant to put anymore rinse aid in there, because it's such a total pain in the rear to get all the suds out of the DW when it gets overdosed with the rinse aid. Thanks for looking it up for me, though, much appreciated. I like your idea of putting a colored liquid into it--I might through some food coloring into some water and put it through, just to see what happens. I wish mine was still under warranty, but it's out by a good bit, even though we did have a Miele tech install it, so we got two years. I'm going to see if I can find out how the thing is attached to the door. Maybe that will give me an idea of where the problem lies. Cj
...See More
Do I need to add rinse aid if I use Miele tab in Miele dishwasher
Q
Comments (7)
Start out with the default setting (3?), and see if you get good results; eg., no spotting, no rinse aid residue (soapy taste on your dishes and glasses), drying ability, etc. You can play with the rinse aid setting if results aren't to your liking (adjust it up or down until you get the desired results). At one point Miele service had increased the setting on ours, finding that some of his customers felt the dishes came out drier, however, we felt it left our glasses tasting soapy so adjusted the setting back to the default. While troubleshooting an issue last year, he suggested trying a lower rinse aid setting (given the rinse aid in the tablet, though we tend to use the Miele tablets cut in half). We ended up adjusting it back up to the default again, as our glassware was too spotty with the lower setting. We always use salt in our machine (Somat or Miele). I think the tech had set our DW to soften the water when it reaches 6 grains of hardness or above. We have moderately hard water, and only need to add salt about once a year or so.
...See More
Does a new Miele DW come with salt/rinse aid/detergent?
Q
Comments (6)
We had our Miele installed by their people, which included an extended warranty. The two gentlemen tested the water, but we didn't need salt, so they took it back instead of filling the container. They did leave us about a dozen detergent tabs. They poured some rinse aid into the dispenser but said in the future it was fine to use whatever we'd been using.
...See More
sawmill
14 years ago
We use Miele Tabs (only a half each wash) and we also use Jet Dry baskets with Shine Guard. We were getting etching back when we used Cascade only.
pirula
14 years ago
Half a tab annaleef? Hmmm...I wonder if I should try that. I use the Ecover tabs and rinse aid, but use a whole tab. Everything comes out beautifully clean and dry, so I never considered changing. I imagine the symptom of lack of success in using half a tab would be dirty dishes?? I think I'll try it and see what happens.

My Miele, the Premier Plus Touchtronic sounds like a complete dinosaur next to Rococogurl's! And it's only four years old!
lds1
Original Author
14 years ago
Very helpful. Thank you to all for your responses. I will go back to using the regular Cascade as well as the rinse aid. Is Cascade gel detergent ok? I recall reading on some previous threads that gel isn't so great with the Miele's.
weissman
14 years ago
Gel isn't so great with any DW - it can gum up the works - most manufacturer's recommend powder.
hidroman
14 years ago
The main problem with gel is about the detergent cup rubber seal. This thing is *not* watertight, so the gel leaks out and when the cup opens it will be already empty.

That's not a big issue on the "express 105Â°F" or "light soil 120Â°F" that don't have a prewash, while you'll wash without detergent in those programmes with prewash (pots and pans 165Â°F , "automatic" and "automatic glass" with very soiled loads).
rococogurl
14 years ago
I wouldn't use gel.
lds1
Original Author
14 years ago
Ok, so no gel and no all in one tabs. What "should" i use then? Are regular (not all in one) detergent tabs ok? I just don't love the regular powder detergents as they tend to develop clumps, etc.
hidroman
14 years ago
In case of the "quick/half an hour" cycle just crush totally the tablet and put it on the *door*
rococogurl
14 years ago
No gel but all in one tabs are ok as long as the setting is on tab for a tab cycle.

What I do (and I checked with them, they said ok) is to change off the tab setting and just still use a half-tab when I use express. I use the Miele tabs which are crumbly anyway and they work just fine. I've got some rinse aid in there so if a load gets a double dose of that I figure what the heck. The dishes come out clean and dry. I'm a bit of a dw nerd but not 2 kinds of detergent crazy.

I get the Miele tabs from vacuum-express and almost never use a whole one so they go twice as far. I'm sure there's a more economical approach but 0 issues with anything since I switched to those and great results, so if it ain't broke....

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING Tackle Big Messes Better With a Sparkling-Clean Dishwasher

By Bonnie McCarthy

You might think it’s self-cleaning, but your dishwasher needs regular upkeep to keep it working hard for you

HOUSEKEEPING Dishwasher vs. Hand-Washing Debate Finally Solved — Sort Of

By Mitchell Parker

Readers in 8 countries weigh in on whether an appliance saves time, water and sanity or if washing by hand is the only saving grace

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Keep your Dishwasher in Tip-Top Shape

By Jen L'Italien

As your dishwasher goes into overdrive, here are a few tricks for getting your plates, glasses and silverware sparkling clean

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Plan Your Kitchen Storage for Maximum Efficiency

By Vanessa Brunner

Three architects lay out guidelines for useful and efficient storage that can still leave your kitchen feeling open

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Kitchen Design Tips for Foodies

By Christine Tusher

If you own at least one pricey knife and have a slew of kitchen tools, you’ll want to read this

KITCHEN DESIGN Standouts From the 2014 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show

By Ventana Construction LLC

Check out the latest and greatest in sinks, ovens, countertop materials and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Not a Big Cook? These Fun Kitchen Ideas Are for You

By Laura Gaskill

Would you rather sip wine and read than cook every night? Consider these kitchen amenities

TASTEMAKERS Pro Chefs Dish on Kitchens: Michael Symon Shares His Tastes

By KitchenLab Interiors

What does an Iron Chef go for in kitchen layout, appliances and lighting? Find out here

KITCHEN DESIGN A Designer Shares Her Kitchen-Remodel Wish List

By Jennifer Ott Design

As part of a whole-house renovation, she’s making her dream list of kitchen amenities. What are your must-have features?

SMALL KITCHENS The 100-Square-Foot Kitchen: Fully Loaded, No Clutter

By Mitchell Parker

This compact condo kitchen fits in modern appliances, a walk-in pantry, and plenty of storage and countertop space

Sponsored

More Discussions

looking for 15" built-in wine cooler recommendation

12

Freestanding Bosch vs Thermador fridge?

9

Kitchen layout help

11

Help selecting double wall oven

12

trying to clean between the glass and plastic frame in my kitchen aid

3