Dishwashers are now becoming a necessity in every other household nowadays. Why not if a device can save the trouble of rummaging through the dishes after dinner?
It also helps you save time and dedicate it to some other manual work.
There are a lot of components inside a dishwasher. They run together to provide you with clean dishes. All these components have their own important roles to play.
A dishwasher filter is one such important part. It helps to filter out food bits and other unwanted materials. This prevents them from clogging the drain and getting back onto the clean dishes.
You might be wondering now whether your dishwasher has a filter or not. This question arises in the minds of many. So, let me answer it for you.
Yes, all dishwashers have filters inside them to prevent the cleaned utensils from getting filthy again. It doesn’t matter how old or new your dishwasher is, it will have a filter.
Older dishwashers used to have self-cleaning filters, which were not removable. Modern dishwashers have manual filters, which you can remove and clean.
Yes, you will also need to clean the filters regularly if it’s a modern dishwasher.
Wasn’t expecting this? Right?
Let me help you here by providing a little insight into the world of dishwasher filters. After reading this article, you’ll have a far better understanding.
What Is A Dishwasher Filter?
A dishwasher filter is simply, a ‘filter’. It may sound very direct, but it is what it is.
The used & stained dishes have scores of food particles sticking to them. When you put them in a dishwasher, all the food particles get washed down to the drain and clog it. This can result in problems.
If the drain gets clogged, all the dirty food particles will recirculate with the water and stick to the cleaned dishes. The clogging can also cause your machine to malfunction or get damaged.
This is where a filter saves your day. It helps to filter down these dirty food particles, preventing them from ruining the washed dishes.
A filter is a crucial part of your dishwasher. It helps to keep your dishes cleaned and the machine functioning well.
Dishwashing machines a decade ago used to have self-cleaning filters. They featured a grinder above the filter, which crushed the food particles to a fine paste. It then washed them down to the drain.
They were discontinued later on due to producing too much noise while operating.
Modern dishwashers use a manual-cleaning filter. You may think this is a backward step, but you will understand once you hear both the old and new machines running.
The latest dishwashing machines are a lot less noisy. They produce almost no sound when running, thanks to the manual filters.
Also, the self-cleaning filters were mainly non-removable. Whereas the modern filters are removable.
In fact, with the new ones, you can take the filter out and clean it manually.
However, some models in the modern range of dishwashers use the self-cleaning feature. They use an ultra-fine mesh to grind the food particles.
The downside here is their price. They are too much expensive, and not everyone has them in their homes.
How To Know If My Dishwasher Has A Filter?
Every dishwasher has a filter inside it.
If you run a dishwasher without a filter, it will make too much noise while running. The recirculation pump will also get damaged over time, and your dishes won’t get cleaned as they normally do.
And don’t even think about the mess your machine will be after it gets clogged by the large food & fat particles.
Without a filter, a dishwashing machine’s lifespan will be much less.
So, you can be sure that your dishwasher has a filter. You can always check this and see for yourself.
Moreover, you will eventually need to remove the filter when cleaning it, so why not check now?
The filter is located on the bottom part of the dishwashing machine. Here’s how you can access it:
- Remove the bottommost rack of the dishwasher.
- Now, depending on the manufacturing company, the filter will either be in one of the corners of the dishwasher tub or just below the spray arm.
- Most probably, it will have an upper and a lower filter. Rotate the upper filter. You can look closely for the arrows that point to the direction of movement (clockwise or counter-clockwise).
- Once you remove the upper filter, pull out the lower filter by applying a little force.
Now, this process relates to the modern dishwasher. If you have an older machine that is over a decade old, there is a high chance that it will have a self-cleaning non-removable filter.
Still, it would be located in the same place at the bottom of the dishwasher, and you can check and see it there.
Do I Need To Clean My Dishwasher Filter?
Most likely, yes, you will have to.
If you use a modern dishwasher, its filters must be cleaned manually. This is because, with time, the filter will be filled with dirty food particles and fat from the food.
These particles will then recirculate into the dishwasher and spoil the cleaned dishes. The recirculation pump can also get damaged due to clogging and extra pressure.
However, if you have a dishwasher with self-cleaning feature, you don’t have to worry about these things. You can keep enjoying your clean dishes effortlessly.
As a result, it is recommended that you clean your dishwasher at least once a month if you use it daily. This is a great step as it helps increase your dishwasher’s lifespan.
Final Words
So, we can now conclude that every dishwasher has a filter inside them. It can either be a non-removable and self-cleaning filter or a removable one that must be cleaned manually.
If you want to check the filter on your dishwasher, just look below the bottom rack, and you will be able to identify the filter mesh.
Remember to always clean the filter and keep it in good condition.
Why?
Because if you ignore these things, it can damage your dishwasher in the long run along with the dishes.
If you keep forgetting the cleaning schedule, it’s best to set a monthly reminder to make you remember this.