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Question for Miele dishwashing tab users

9 years ago

I have had a Miele DW for a year now. Love it. It is the basic model. I have been using Finish Quantum, which is great, but I decided to give the Miele tabs a whirl. I also bought the rinse aid. Do I need to, or should I, use both? The Finish Quantum has the rinse aid in it, so I haven't been using additional rinse aid.

TIA

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Comments (7)

a2gemini
9 years ago
I used to use a powder and then the Miele guy gave me some samples of Miele tablets. I tried without the rinse aid but too many spots, so I use both - but set the rinse on level 1. Our turbidity runs about 8.
About every 90 runs, I use the DW conditioner. I tried the Tang trick but the Miele conditioner does a better job.
(And no, I don't work for Miele!)
theclose
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you, a2gemini. I will try that tonight. Just reset our rinse level.
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A few days ago I purchased a 10-pack of the Finish Quantum just to try them out, as I still have about a half bag of the Method. The first thing I did with the Quantum was to try it in my Miele Diamante empty, just to see if it created a lot of suds (like the newer Miele Tabs do) or if there is a chemical smell. After I heard the detergent door open, I waited about 5 minutes and opened the unit. There was a small amount of suds, but not nearly as much as the Miele Tabs, but still more suds than using the Method half-tab. Here's a pic of the Quantum after 5 minutes: Closed it back up, waited about 20 minutes later, opened it and the suds were gone. There was a very small smell, but not nearly as strong as the Cascade Compete. Later that night when the unit was full, I tried the Quantum with it and I turned off the automatic liquid rinse aid dispenser. Five minutes after the detergent door opened, I checked it and there was some suds, but a few minutes later they were gone. The next morning I checked it, and everything was clean, but a couple plastic cups still had a bit of moisture on the inside, and all tupperware item were wet. The next night I used the Quantum again, but turned back on the rinse aid dispenser to setting 1, which is what I had it set to with the Method and Miele tabs. The next morning I noticed that plastics were dry (like it use to be) and Tupperware was less wet, but still slightly damp. Overall, in using the Quantum tabs over the past few days, I've noticed that everything does appear a bit cleaner, as some cups/glasses/mugs that had some coffee/tea stains are now gone. Also, everything is more shinny. But this pack of 10 tabs was $3, so 30-ceents a tab, which I think is pricy, and they can't be cut in half since it's all powder inside. I'll have to check how much the 45-tab box was at the store or if it's cheaper to buy it on-line. The Method is 20 for $6, which is also 30-cents a tab, but since I cut those in-half, I get 40 loads at 15-cents each.
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theclose
Original Author
9 years ago
Just to follow up for future reference, I used 1/2 Miele tab (which is so messy to cut!) and the rinse aid set to 1. The dishes were so dry! I loved it! Using Finish Quantum, I had to do a lot of hand drying when emptying the DW. Not annoyingly so, as I did it for a year, but it was especially for the silverware. This morning everything is very dry. Amazing. So far so good.
a2gemini
9 years ago
I always here about GWebbers who cut up the tabs - I just haven't tried that as it seems so messy.
Does your Miele pop open at the end - that helps the drying function and the only wet items are the plastic rims that collect water.
theclose
Original Author
9 years ago
I figured the tab cutting would be messy and it is. Not sure if I am going to continue that but 1/2 tab did clean well.

My DW doesn't pop open at the end. I wish it did. I have the basic model, which I got mostly because it is white! I didn't want to have to do custom panel so this was the only Miele option. I still love it.
aamassther
9 years ago
The tabs are actually quite easy to break in half. I find it's easiest to break them while still in the wrapper, just wriggle them back and forth a few times. Then I cut one end open and pull half out to use, allowing you to neatly save the wrapped half for the next load.
Others break a bunch at once into a sealed container for storage.
philwojo99
9 years ago
I use the Miele tabs and the rinse aid as well, we got 3 boxes of tabs when we got our dishwasher with our kitchen remodel a little over a year ago. I think we just finished our 2nd box and still not done with the bottle of rinse aid yet.

I started with full tabs at first, but then started cutting them , I just use kitchen shears (scissors) and do it over the sink. There is maybe a small amount of dust, but not that much from what I can see when I cut them. Then I put half in the washer and the other half back in the box until next time, nothing really in the bottom of the box ever either.

We just used our first tab from Trader Joe's this week as well, it seemed to do well, but just trying these now as my wife bought them as a test. I would probably stick with the Miele stuff personally, but since the DW bought these I will try them and see.

I have never had to dry any dishes from our dishwasher, other than the occasional lid or coffer cup that has a concave bottom that collects water. Everything else always comes out dry.

We do have the dimensions plus and it does pop the door open for drying so I am sure that helps. Have never once missed the heated dry option.

Phil

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