Dishwasher and moderate/hard water question.

16 years ago

I think my water is 'moderate'. I was told it's between 4 and 8 grains per gallon. My water co says I don't need a water softener. I've only read the 'ppm' description in the operator's manual. Is there a convertion table for this?

I just bought A GE Profile 7900 DW with a Smart Dispense feature. It's supposed to dispense the correct amount of detergent depending on your predetermined and preprogrammed hardness levels.

After reading all 150 posts on the Cascade... thread, I've learned that:

#1 you people are crazy

#2 I should be using the powder instead of the liquids, as most people prefer the cleaning of powders.

I DO like the liquid dispense feature though. Just fill up the container and it auto dispenses for a month or so. I'm pretty lazy, so it's great.

I also learned I've been using way too much detergent. Now I know why my glasses are all filmy/etched(?). I used to just fill up both cups every wash. "More is better" is NOT always the case. People must be cringing... ehhh.

I use Cascade Complete. Which is an enzyme based detergent. GE instructions say don't mix "enzyme" based with "bleach" based detergents. I also have Electrosol brand. I believe that's bleach based. Should I throw it out and just keep using the Cascade Complete?

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Comments (9)

fairegold
16 years ago
Keep using the enzyme-based formula. Toss the other.
User
16 years ago
1 grain per gallon = 17.1 ppm hardness, so your hardness is 68.4 - 136.8 ppm.

Your water company says you don't need a softener? Do you mean your municipal water? If so, they have a vested interest in telling you not to install a softener. 4 gpg is borderline for a softener. If you have a strong objection to softened water, you could live without one, as long as you perform routing maintenance on all heat-producing appliances, but I would install one. However, I would definitely install one at 8 gpg.
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cissado
Original Author
16 years ago
Update...

I just used the water testing strip that came with the DW. There are several levels that can change color when wet to determine hardness. Maybe it's a common test, I don't know. Mine showed one square which was between '71-124 ppm'. The zero square one would be the lowest at 'It IS my municpal water company. On their website they say "4-8... so you don't need to have a water softener" They also go on to say you don't need a filter, but I have my doubts. thanks for the replies.

Anyone have a Smart dispense machine? I'm slowly realizing I may have purchased the wrong brand or model. I only did that because I am replacing my recalled unit with their $300 credit they offered. My original Profile DW was working fine for 7 years or so. Maybe it was time for a new one.

Just for the record, I was jk about the "crazy" comment. I'll say "fanatics". Much better.

Great info here, thanks!
jerrod6
16 years ago
I am one of the folks that posted in the Cascade thread and I got a big laugh when I read your #1...so relax. It's all fun anyway.

What brand of detergent does the smart dispense need?
Do you also have detergent cups? I would hate to be dependent on a dispenser that can only take liquid.
cissado
Original Author
16 years ago
Lol jerrod6. Yes, I did see your posts there. I love the enthusiasm, no matter what the subject. I'm like that as well in certain areas.

It does have a separate manual dispensor "for liquids, gels, powders, and tablets".

GE recommends Cascade complete which I have solely because Costco carries it in bulk, and Electrosol which I happen to buy when I ran out of the Cascade in an emergency. It takes both of them but GE advises NOT to mix the two or interchange the two because it can clog up the dispensor. I will bwe getting rid of the Electrosol and using the Cascade Complete exclusively. Maybe until I get into this cult thing I'm reading about with the tablets. ha.

Again, lazy... I'd rather not even touch the auto dispensor for a month or so.

You guys have great machines, wow. Auto detects the hardness of the water and adjusts accordingly? damn. I'm not that hardcore.
cat_mom
16 years ago
cissado--I think I'm to blame for starting the tablet cult (and then was amongst the last to actually purchase and use them!). Isn't amazing what having a good, working DW can do to a person? LOL!
fairegold
16 years ago
"I'm not that hardcore"

Yet

Just hang around here for a little while......
User
16 years ago
You can purchase a hardness test kit or some more accurate test strips at a hot tub store. Your municipal water provider is nearly the last place to go for water softener advice. Basically, if you see white, hard build-up on faucets or in your water heater, you probably need a softener. Do your neighbors have softeners or buildup? If the house has been there for several years with no buildup, then you probably don't need to worry about a softener or a filter.
myflipbook_hotmail_com
13 years ago
I suggest using a form of citric acid.
Water softeners are too expensive and a waste of money in my opinion, especially in your situation where you water's not necessarily "hard"
I found that the brand name detergents are much more expensive, and do not do as good of job as pure citric acid.

Here is a site where I buy my citric acid; it works like a charm!

http://www.dishwasherhardwater.com/index.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Hard Water Solution Site

Here is a link that might be useful: Citric Acid Site

Dishwasher and moderate/hard water question.

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fairegold

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Dishwasher and moderate/hard water question.

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fairegold

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