A dishwasher is a modern domestic appliance that cleans and dries utensils automatically. These machines generally worked on the principle of passing the dirty dishes under jets of hot water by means of conveyor belt or revolving basket. Modern dishwashers have reversed the procedure. In these dishwashers the utensils are cleaned by revolving jets of water above and below the basket.
A modern dishwasher contains heater, pumps, motors etc. and requires a water supply. It is housed in a enameled cabinet. A drop down door enables the plastic coated basket to be pulled out on slides or rollers for loading. The door is fitted with a micro switch to shut of all operations.
A dish washer generally has several programmes which may be selected by means of keys or push buttons, depending on the type of utensils to be washed and the type of food residues to be removed. In a typical programme, dirty crockery and cutlery are loaded into specially designed carriers. To wash and rinse, water is sprayed from above and below the dish basket by whirling arms through which the water is pumped, each of the arms have several spray holes in it. The pressure of the water itself makes the jets spin around. The first part of the cycle uses water containing detergent to dissolve grease and grime. The detergent is loaded into a compartment in the lid which automatically releases the right amount at the proper point in the cycle. In the second part of the cycle, clean water rinses away the soapy water. Then a heating element warms and dries the utensils.
A timing device automatically controls the selected cycle, it is often operated by means of round calibrated knob. Some machines have pilot lights which indicate the part of the cycle in operation. These machines are proving very useful as kitchen aids.
