Do Dishwashers Use Hot Water?

Using a dishwasher is better than hand washing for several reasons. For starters, it can save you money on your utility bill as it uses less water and electricity.

Not only that but it’ll save you time as well. Instead of having to stand at the kitchen sink until the dirty dishes are done, all you have to do is load them into the dishwasher and press a button.

But have you ever wondered about the water temperature inside the dishwasher? Does it use hot water or cold water? Which one is better for removing grease and food particles?

For the answers, be sure to keep reading. We’ll be going over everything in detail below.

Do Dishwashers Use Hot Water?

Dishwashers are much better at cleaning and sanitizing your dishes compared to hand washing. This has to do with the fact that it uses extremely hot water – hotter than what your hands would be able to bear – during the cleaning cycle to kill germs.

Does a Dishwasher Heat Its Own Water?

Most modern dishwashers have a water heater aka ‘heating element’ that allows them to heat water to a high temperature – hotter than what would normally come out of the faucet.

This heating element is typically located at the bottom of the tub. As electricity passes through the circular tube, the wire generates heat, which is used to clean, sanitize, and dry your dishes.

Having said that, some dishwashers, depending on the model, may need to be connected to the house’s hot water valve.

How Long Does It Take For It to Heat Water?

Generally speaking, it takes a dishwasher approximately one minute to increase the water temperature by one degree Fahrenheit.

Benefits of Using Hot Water

Hot water is much more effective at lifting away grease than cold water. This has to do with its high kinetic energy, which allows it to agitate surfactants, making stains and grease come off easily.

In other words, you won’t have to spend as much time and effort scrubbing the plates at the sink.

The heat will also activate and dissolve the dishwasher detergent, allowing it to do its job properly during the wash cycle.

And because of the higher temperatures, water will evaporate much quicker, meaning your dishes will dry faster than if you were to use cold water.

Last but not least, it’s much more effective at killing germs.

How Hot Do Dishwashers Get?

During the main wash phase, the dishwasher water temperature will be increased to 120 to 145F; it will then be increased to 140 to 155F during the final rinse cycle to aid with drying.

Most heating elements, however, are capable of heating the water over 155F.

Because of this, certain items should not be washed in the dishwasher. This includes delicate glassware, fine china, aluminum pots and pans, and cast iron.

How Much Hot Water Does a Dishwasher Use?

Using a dishwasher is much more water-efficient than hand washing as the latter uses as much as 15 gallons every 15 minutes.

On average, a standard dishwasher will use about 3 to 5 gallons of hot water per cleaning cycle. Keep in mind, however, that this will vary depending on the washing settings. For example, a Quick Wash Cycle (20-60 minutes) will use less water than a Heavy Duty Cycle (3 to 4 hours).

Dishwashers that are ENERGY STAR-certified will also use less water.

Can You Use a Dishwasher With Cold Water?

You can run a dishwasher cycle with cold water, however, it won’t be nearly as effective. For one thing, it won’t be able to dissolve grease and stains completely, meaning your dishes may come out with stuck-on residue.

Not only that but the temperature won’t be high enough to dissolve and activate the detergent.

That’s not all, due to the cooler temperature, it won’t be able to sanitize your dishes effectively either.

Should You ‘Preheat’ the Dishwasher?

You can ‘preheat’ your dishwasher by running hot water at the sink before starting a wash cycle. That will help minimize the wash time as the water will be hot the second it enters the dishwasher; it won’t have to heat the water itself, which can take up to 30 minutes.

By providing the dishwasher with hot water at the start, you’ll also help the detergent dissolve and activate more effectively, meaning grease and debris will be removed from your dishes more efficiently.

Common Dishwasher Issues

Dishwashers can experience various issues, just like any appliance. For example, limescale can build up on the spray arms and heating element, reducing their effectiveness and efficiency.

Food residue and particles can also clog the filters and spray arms, preventing water and detergent from flowing properly.

That’s why regular maintenance is so important – and that includes cleaning the filters, spray arms, and detergent dispenser.

Do Dishwashers Use Hot Water – FAQs

What are the dishwasher water temperatures?

The typical dishwasher will run its main cleaning cycle at approximately 130 to 145F. The appropriate temperature will then be raised to 150F during the final rinse cycle.

Do dishwashers use hot water all the time?

Dishwashers use hot water to lift away grease and to dissolve and activate detergent.

Do you need to connect your dishwasher to a hot water line?

Most dishwashers come with a heating element that allows them to heat up water during the wash cycle. Some models, however, may need to be connected to the house’s hot water supply or hot water tank.

What’s the benefit of using hot water in a dishwasher?

Hot water dissolves detergent and will help lift away grime and residue. Not only that but the heat will also help kill off any germs that are on the dishes.