Ours lasted about 10 years, but it was a cheapie...like the replacement one!

Dishwasher detergents have changed a lot in formula over the years, and the old stuff isn't as powerful as it used to be. Use a powder that contains enzymes for best results and be sure that your water is hot. If you have hard water, the internal water heat may be terribly corroded and ineffective.

Well, I think mine is about 11 years old. I've been here 10, and the former owners had just redone the kitchen. It's a Maytag. Seems like a new dishwasher is in my very near future. Just not in my financial plan!

(my water is very hot, and I have tried a variety of powders. Perhaps the problem is, as you say, internal).

My Maytag is 14 years old and still going strong, knock on wood.

Suzieque, try using Cascade Extra Action pouches. They really do a great job for me.

Here are some more helpful hints. Maybe there's something here.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dishwashers

Interesting, sushipup. I'll try some of those tips. And mammie, your 14 year old Maytag gives me hope. I've tried two different detergents in the past month, but I'll give the Cascade that you suggested a try in addition to the other pointers.

If I do have to replace it, I guess I should decide whether I want a "cheapie one" (lol joan) or a longer-lived one. I probably won't be in this house another 10 years.

Thank you all.

I'm afraid to tell for fear it will hear and breakdown!!
We've had it 25 years and it is still going strong. (ssshhhh)

I have to use the highest Phosphorus content I can find to get my dishes clean. Cascade Complete works well (for me the powder is best). Lately I have been using Finish Powerball tablets. It has the rinse agent in it.

Whne my dishwasher wasn't cleaning good, my DH took it apart and cleaned out all the draines, etc. We finally had to clean out the place where the water came in. The dw had to be completely out and disconnected. I used a toilet cleaner to clean out all the hard water/rust/etc. Works great after that.

The repairman that came out couldn't fix it though. I am lucky I have DH who can fix anything!

iowagirl, do you loan your husband out??? :-)

I replaced mine 5 years ago when we did a kitchen remodel. Took out a Kitchen Aid that was 20 years old and still running well, but we figured it wouldn't last much longer so decided to go ahead and get a new one during the renovations. I also use Cascade Complete and like it a lot. I try to remember to clean the filter every month or so.

Can I have iowagirl's DH after you, suzieque?? We must all be middle-aged, we now want men for their ability to fix things or move furniture or such. LOL. Iowagirl, I could trade you my DH for a weekend, but he pretty much doesn't do anything other than watch football and eat, so don't think that will help you out unless you have a big desire to cook and wash dishes, lol.

LOL! I am really lucky! Sometimes it is hard to get him to fix stuff in the house though. I have to catch him at the right time of the year.

One of my favorite things was when he fixed our DD's Barbie doll arm. It had broken off at the shoulder joint(it was her favorite, irreplaceable doll). He drilled little tiny holes in the joint and put little tiny screws in so it was good as new.

My kids are getting quite handy too - my girls can even use a cutting torch and welder!

back to the dishwashers...sorry to hijack :)

iowagirl -- Hope you are giving that DH some loving! He's *precious*!

I have the Fisher Paykel dishdrawers and love 'em. Only use Cascade Complete -- never the lemon either. One tablespoon of detergent does the job, and they use very little water. Too much detergent results in cloudy glassware. Once I had to add a teaspoon of olive oil to the wash to cut excess soap.

There are a lot of variables.

Our old KitchenAid lasted over 20 years, and took no time to run a cycle (maybe 50-60 minutes, including drying time). Replaced it with a top-of-the-line Maytag. Takes 2.5 hours to run a 'normal' cycle, the dishes don't get nearly as clean, and within about 2 years we started having issues with it. DH has done several repairs himself--but still spent close to $150 on parts. New dishwashers just aren't worth the money they cost. Luckily, the house we bought had an older Maytag that works fantastically (and I hope continues to do so for many years to come)

New appliances in general are junk, IMO.

I don't have any super top of the line - but my experience with GE and Maytag has been so-so. The Maytag is doing MUCH better than the GE, but I still have issues with every appliance I have.

Maytag (and Amana and JennAir which are all the same) and GE are generally the pits. Anything else is MUCH better.

Well, let's see the kids each started washing dishes, or at least helping, by the time they were 6 years old. They kept at it until they went off to college. I guess each one lasted about 12 years. ;-)

Ron

LOL I had that same dish washer, Ron. But, now
that they are out of the house, I had to buy the
appliance kind.

Well, I ended up buying a new one yesterday; to be delivered next weekend. I bought it at Best Buy, after also visiting Sears and Home Depot. The one I bought is a Frigidaire (the sales person generally dissed Frigidaire, but said that this is one of the better ones). Let's hope this lasts awhile with no problems.

My Kitchen Aid is 25 years old and still going. I had a newer Maytag tall tub, but the 2+hour washes were ridiculous. I sometimes wash multiple loads in the course of the day if I'm on a cooking binge and don't like to wait. So I sold it and found a rebuilt KA on Craigslist. It's been in my kitchen now for over a year and cleans a whole load in 45 minutes!

I thought mine was going bad, so we replaced it and when the man removed the old one he said the hose under the sink was not "up" like it should be so dirty water was siphoning back in the dishwasher. It can't be laying down.

Until he collaspes on the ktichen floor!

I really don't know how long the mechanical units last. I am the dish washer in my house now that we are retired.

Embarrasingly, the company I worked for made controls for dish washers, so I should know but don't. By the way, all the mechanical timers made by my company for washing machines, clothes dryers, and dish washers are the same mechanism with different knobs and timing drums. These have very long lives compared to the motors, heaters, and water seals. They can and do fail from extraneous causes such as lightinging hits, damage when the machine is opened for other repair or maintence, etc.