How To Use Amana Dishwasher: A Step-By-Step Guide

Are you find it difficult to use Amana dishwasher? Is this the first time you use Amana dishwasher? Don’t you know how much detergent to put in the Amana dishwasher? Don’t you know how to use the features of the Amana dishwasher? You’re in the right place.

you have a lot on your plate that’s why Amana dishwashers help you save time our one-hour wash cycle cleans light loads quickly.

so you always have clean dishes when you need them and our triple filter wash system removes bits of food from the wash water letting you skip the pre-rinse now you can spend less time washing and get more time to unwind Amana just right.

In this article we’ll show you how to use Amana dishwasher step-by-step moreover we’ll show you how to clean and how much detergent to put.

So please follow the instructions and steps below till the end.

How To Use Amana Dishwasher Step-By-Step

How to use Amana dishwasher step-by-step

Step1. Prepare and Load the Dishwasher

1. Remove leftover food, bones, toothpicks, and other hard items from dishes.

2. Remove labels from containers before washing.

3. Make sure when the dishwasher door is closed no items are blocking the detergent dispenser.

4. Items should be loaded with soiled surfaces facing down and inward to the spray.

This will improve cleaning, and drying results. Angle dirtiest dish surface downward, allowing space for water to flow up through rack and between dishes.

5. Avoid overlapping items like bowls or plates that may trap food.

6. Place plastics, small plates, and glasses in the upper rack.

Wash only items marked “dishwasher safe.”

6. To avoid thumping/clattering noises during operation: Load dishes so they do not touch one another.

  • Make sure lightweight load items are secured in racks.

7. When loading silverware, always place sharp items pointing down and avoid “nesting.

8. If your silverware does not fit into the designated slots, flip covers up and mix silverware types to keep them separated.

9. Use slots in the covers and suggested loading patterns to keep your silverware separated for the optimum wash.

NOTE: Silverware basket may vary by model.

Step2. Check That All Arms Spin Freely

Step3. Add Detergent

1. Use automatic dishwasher detergent only.

2. Add just before starting a cycle.

3. Fresh automatic dishwasher detergent results in better cleaning. Store tightly closed detergent containers in a cool, dry place.

How much detergent (powder and gels) do I put in Amana dishwasher?

Many detergents now come in premeasured forms (gel packs, tablets, or powder packs). It is recommended to use tablets and packs for convenience and improved performance.

They have been proven better than powder, liquid, or gel detergents to reduce filming on dishes.

Using tablets and packs over time will start to reduce or eliminate white film. Also, by using a rinse aid you can minimize repeat buildup of white film.

These forms are suitable for all hardness and soil levels. Always place premeasured detergents in the main compartment and close the lid.

Powder and gels

The amount of detergent to use depends on: How much soil remains on the items – Heavily soiled loads require

more detergent.

The hardness of the water – If you use too little detergent in hard water, dishes won’t be clean. If you use too much soft water, glassware will etch.

  • Soft to Medium Water (0-6 grains per U.S. gallon) [typical water softener water and some city water].
  • Medium to Hard Water (7-12 grains per U.S. gallon) [well water and some city water].

Depending on your water hardness, fill the Main Wash section of the dispenser as shown. Fill the Pre-Wash section to the level shown, if needed

Step4. Add Rinse Aid

1. Your dishwasher is designed to use rinse aid for good drying performance. Without rinse aid, your dishes and dishwasher interior will have excessive moisture.

The heat dry option will not perform as well without rinse aid.

2. Rinse aid keeps water from forming droplets that can dry as spots or streaks. It also improves drying by allowing water to drain off of dishes after the final rinse.

Rinse aid does not adhere to dishware and when used, it is dispensed during each cycle.

3. To add rinse aid:

  • turn the dispenser cap ¼ turn counterclockwise and lift off.
  • Pour rinse aid into the opening until indicator level is at “Full.”
  • Replace dispenser cap and turn to “Lock.”
  • Make sure the cap is fully locked.

NOTE: For most water conditions, the factory setting will give good results

4. If you are experiencing poor drying performance, you may want to try a higher setting.

5. Turn the arrow adjuster counterclockwise to increase the rinse aid.

Step5. Select a Cycle (cycles vary by model)

Typical cycle time is approximately 2¹⁄₂ hours, but can take less or more time to complete, depending on option selections.

Select the desired cycle by pressing the cycle button. Each time the cycle button is pressed, the next available cycle will be displayed.

Step6. Select Options (options vary by model)

You can customize your cycles by pressing the options desired. If you change your mind, press the option again to turn off the option.

Not all options are available for every cycle. If an invalid option is selected for a given cycle, the lights will flash.

Step7. Follow the Progress of your Dishwasher

The full-lit display will glow for Wash, Drain, Drying, Sanitized, or Clean. It will also display the remaining time for the cycle in hours and minutes.

Step8. Start or Resume a Cycle

When starting a cycle, run hot water at the sink nearest your dishwasher until the water is hot. Turn off water.

Note:: If anyone opens the door (such as, for adding a dish, even during the Delay Hours option), the START/RESUME button must be pressed each time the door is opened.

1. Push door firmly closed.

The door latches automatically.

2. Select the wash cycle, options, and press START/RESUME or press START/ RESUME to repeat the same cycle and options as in the previous wash cycle.

Step9. Cycle guide

    CYCLESSOIL LEVELESTIMATED WASH TIME DISPLAYED H: MM W/O OPTIONSWATER USAGE GALLONS (LITERS)
Heavy: Use for hard-to-clean, heavily-soiled pots, pans, casseroles, and tableware. Heavy3:237.4 (28.0)
Normal: This cycle with only the Heated Dry option selected, and without other options selected, is recommended to completely wash and dry a full load of normally soiled dishes. The energy usage label is based on this cycle and option combination.All soil levels2:212.4 to 7.4 (9.09 to 28)
1-Hour: For fast results, 1 Hour Wash will clean dishes using slightly more water and energy. For improved drying, select the Heated Dry optionlight1:007.87 (29.8)
OPTIONSCAN BE SELECTED WITHWHAT IT DOESADDED TIME TO CYCLEADDED WATER* GALLONS (LITERS)
HI-TEMP: Raises water temperature to improve cleaning for loads containing tough, baked-on food.SoilSense Heavy Normal Soak & PrewashRaises the main wash temperature to 135°F (57°C)0:05 to 0:130 to 3.9 (0 to 14.6)
HEATED DRY: Dries dishes with heat. This option, with the use of rinse aid, will provide the best drying results. Plastic items are less likely to deform when loaded in the top rack. Use Heated Dry for optimum drying performance or turn the Heated Dry option off for air dry.SoilSense Heavy Normal 1 Hour Soak & PrewashUses a heating element to speed drying times. Heated Dry option defaults to On when any cycle is selected except for 1 Hour Wash and Light.0:08 to 0:460
SANI RINSE: Sanitizes dishes and glassware following NSF International NSF/ANSI Standard 184 for Residential DishwashersSoilSense Heavy NormalRaises the main wash temperature to 135°F (57°C) and the final rinse temperature to 156°F (69°C).0:05 to 1:060 to 3.9 (0 to 14.6)
ControlPurposeComments
StART/RESUMEPress to start or resume a wash cycleIf the door is opened during a cycle or the power is interrupted, the Start/Resume button LED flashes. The cycle will not resume until the door is closed and START/RESUME is pressed.
CANCEL/DRAINPress to cancel the wash cycle.Close the door firmly. The dishwasher starts a 2-minute drain (if needed). Let the dishwasher drain completely.

How to reset Amana dishwasher?

1. Disconnect from the power source for one minute. 

2. After one minute reconnect the dishwasher to its power source.

If your dishwasher is plugged into an outlet, simply unplug the unit for one minute and then plug the unit back in. 

If the dishwasher is hard-wired to the power supply, turn the breaker off at the home electrical panel that powers the dishwasher for one minute and then turn the breaker back on. 

NOTE:  If your dishwasher appears to have no power, no lights, etc. please verify that the Control Lock has not been activated.

If the Control Lock is set, your control will not operate at all, and a red “Padlock” may be illuminated.

How to clean Amana dishwasher?

1. Cleaning the Dishwasher

Clean the exterior of a dishwasher with a soft, damp cloth and mild detergent. If your dishwasher has a stainless steel exterior, a stainless steel cleaner is recommended.

NOTE: Do not clean the dishwasher interior until it has cooled.

Clean the interior of the dishwasher, with a paste of powdered dishwasher detergent and water, or use liquid dishwasher detergent on a damp sponge to clean the cooled-down interior

2. Periodically clean the filter screen located on the bottom of the tub.

3. Remove collected particles from the screen with your fingers or a paper towel.

4. If you have a drain air gap, check and clean it if the dishwasher isn’t draining well.

5. Removal of Hard Water/Filming

Recommended use of a monthly maintenance product such as affresh Dishwasher Cleaner

  • Load your dishwasher (preferably with dishes affected by hard water/filming).
  • Place tablet in the main wash compartment of the detergent dispenser.
  • Select cycle/option best for heavily soiled dishes and start the dishwasher.

How to clean Amana dishwasher with white vinegar?

A white vinegar rinse may remove white spots and film. Vinegar is an acid, and using it too often could damage your dishwasher.

To clean Amana dishwasher with white vinegar:

1. Put 2 cups (500 mL) white vinegar in a glass or dishwasher-safe measuring cup on the bottom rack.

2. Run the dishwasher through a complete washing cycle using an air-dry or an energy-saving dry option.

3. Do not use detergent. Vinegar will mix with the wash water.

How long does an Amana dishwasher run?

depends on which cycle you set it on. For example, most dishwashers have a “quick wash” which probably runs for an hour or so. The “Normal wash” setting can run for close to two hours. “Pots and pans” or “Heavy wash” setting can run up to 4 hours.

New models have an “auto-sense” cycle which will usually increase the amount of time on the cycle based on the soil sensor inside.

If you choose “sanitize” or some other setting along with your wash cycle it will add time to the cycle.

The convenience of setting it and forgetting it is the best thing about dishwashers. I set mine before I go to sleep and wake up to clean, mostly dry, still warm dishes in the morning.

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