How Hot Does a Whirlpool Dishwasher Get?

If you purchase a new whirlpool dishwasher, you probably have a few questions. Among them is the controversial question- how hot does the dishwasher get? Read on to learn more. You may also be interested in knowing what strain relief is and why it’s necessary. 

This article will address all of these questions. By the time you’re finished reading this article, you’ll be familiar with the most important parts of a whirlpool dishwasher and how to use it efficiently.

What is a Whirlpool Dishwasher?

Whirlpool dishwasher is known for its high-pressure spraying feature. With 21 nozzles, this feature cleans every inch of the interior tub. This means your dishes will be sanitized. 

Many manufacturers don’t bother with this feature, which is why Whirlpool has made it one of their best-selling features. You can buy this dishwasher in either white or fingerprint-resistant stainless steel.

Whirlpool dishwashers come with plastic or stainless steel tubs. They don’t need stainless tubs if they have heating elements on the bottom. Whirlpool is also known for making quiet dishwashers, but theirs aren’t the quietest on the market. 

While the Legacy Whirlpool dishwashers are relatively inexpensive, they’re loud and look out of place in a modern kitchen. 

How Hot Does a Whirlpool Dishwasher Get?

If your dishwasher doesn’t get hot enough, it’s probably a malfunction in the heating element or a buildup of deposits and grease. Dishwashers use different heat settings to clean their dishes thoroughly. 

High-temp wash options, for example, are designed to break down grease, starches, and sugars. The hotter the water, the more effective your whirlpool dishwasher will be. 

If your Whirlpool dishwasher makes strange noises or does not drain completely, run the Diagnostics Cycle. This cycle, which begins when the door is closed, clears information about the last run and forces the next cycle to be a sensor calibration cycle. 

The diagnostics cycle typically takes between 10 and 20 minutes to run. After running the diagnostics cycle, the dishwasher should be back up and running.

Is a strain relief necessary?

You may notice a strain relief on the wires when you remove your dishwasher. These protective elements are often left on the house wiring. 

While it may not seem necessary, strain reliefs are necessary features of electrical cables and are often a necessity for electrical integrity. They come in metallic connectors and grips crimped over the wire to provide strength.

Most major brands require a power cord kit, which includes everything you need for an easy strain relief installation. The kit often has a; 

• 6′ braided nylon hose
• 3/8″ brass fitting
• Wire nuts, and 
• Installation instructions. 

If you’re performing the repair yourself, make sure you have a basic hand toolset and a good understanding of electrical wiring. Also, having a dishwasher installation kit with you will be an additional advantage.

What is the strain relief on a dishwasher?

If you’re wondering, “What is the strain relief on a Whirpool dishwasher?” there are a few things you need to do before you begin. The first thing you need to do is turn off your home’s electrical power supply. 

If your dishwasher is equipped with a standard electrical plug, you can connect it to your breaker with a wire nut. To complete the installation, you’ll also need to install a strain relief to meet building code requirements.

What does a strain relief clamp do?

The strain relief clamp comes from flexible plastic. It protects the house wiring when the dishwasher is removed. The clamp prevents sharp edges and other sharp objects from damaging the electrical cables. 

A dishwasher’s power cord must pass through UL-listed strain relief, and a strain relief clamp must be threaded into the terminal box. The green wire must be attached to the grounding screw in the terminal box with a wire nut. 

If the power cord passes through an open terminal box, the black and white wires should be joined by a wire nut. Depending on the type of dishwasher, there may be a separate strain relief clamp.

How do you use strain relief?

If your dishwasher does not have strain relief, you need to install one to stop water from entering the machine. Here’s how to use strain relief.

• Step 1: Cut a small hole in the metal cabinet underneath and cover it with a grommet. You will find this grommet in the parts department.
• Step 2: Install the grommet at both ends. 
• Step 3: Use the proper wire size for the appliance, too.

Do I need a junction box for my dishwasher?

Your Whirlpool dishwasher’s electrical wiring is connected with a circuit breaker. If this is the case, you may need to use a junction box to protect the wires. You can locate the junction box by unscrewing its cover plate and looking inside. 

Once you find the box, push the exposed wires through it. When the wires reach the outside, tighten the nut located on the outside of the box.

Turn off the water and power supply at the electrical panel. Once you’ve disconnected the water and electricity, you can disconnect the old electrical wiring and tubing. Connect the new tubing to the hot-water valve. 

If all three connections are still intact, it’s safe to remove the old dishwasher and install a new one. If it has a newer model, you may need a newer model junction box.

How Do You Use a Whirlpool Dishwasher?

See how to use a whirlpool dishwasher below.

Step 1: Check the front panel and back for error codes. Usually, the dishwasher will have a sheet of paper with these codes printed on it.  You can use this sheet to troubleshoot electrical problems and resolve them quickly. 

Step 2: Unplug the dishwasher from the power source and look at the error codes.

Step 3: Choose between two different sanitizing cycles. The sanitize cycle is perfect for baby bottles, which can withstand high temperatures. The wash cycle itself is also different. 

The washing process uses high-temperature water to wash dishes and other kitchenware. The water goes through a heating chamber with small heat coils, which quickly heat the water to 161 degrees. 

Other brands of dishwashers, use heat elements to heat the water, so choosing this mode is a better option.

Conclusion

Whirlpool dishwasher is known for its high-pressure spraying feature. But despite its recognition as one of the best dishwashers in the market, you should familiarize yourself with how hot the whirlpool dishwasher gets. 

Because the hotter your whirlpool dishwasher, the more effective it gets.