How to Use Portable Dishwasher Like a Pro: Tips and Tricks for Sparkling Result

Are you find it difficult to use portable dishwasher? Is this the first you’re trying to use a portable dishwasher? Don’t you know how to load or how use detergent in your portable dishwasher? Don’t you know how to start a program or select a cycle in a portable dishwasher?

A portable dishwasher is just like its full-size built-in counterpart, only smaller, lighter, and more versatile. Since they are easy to set up and use, you’ll often be seeing this type of dishwasher in RVs, campsites, dorms, or apartments.

It typically comes with hoses and attachments that are to be connected directly to the kitchen faucet. In addition, it is mounted on wheels that allow it to be moved to the kitchen faucet and electrical outlet as needed.

In this article, we’ll show you how to use portable dishwasher step-by-step from a to z, So please follow the steps and instructions and don’t skip any step.

How to use portable dishwasher step-by-step

Step1. Load the portable dishwasher

key for optimal performance. Overfilling or ‘messy’ loading of the dishwasher can reduce efficiency. This counter-top dishwasher is optimized for holding 6 place settings.

Position the dishes and cookware so they are secure during the wash cycle and cannot be moved by sprayed water.

For best performance, follow these loading guidelines.

Scrape off any large leftover food particles. Soften remnants of burnt food in pans. It is not necessary to rinse the dishes under running water.

Place objects in the dishwasher in the following way:

1. Items such as cups, glasses, pots/pans, etc. are face down.

2. Curved items, or those with recesses, should be loaded at a slant so that water can runoff.

3. All utensils are stacked securely and can not tip over.

4. All utensils are placed so the spray arms can be rotated freely during washing.

NOTE: Very small items should not be washed in the dishwasher as they could easily fall out of the base.

• Dishes and silverware must not lie inside one another, or cover each other.

• To avoid damage to glasses, they must not touch.

• Load large items which are most difficult to clean into the plate rack basket.

• Long bladed knives stored in an upright position are a potential hazard.

• Please do not overload your dishwasher. This is important for good cleaning results.

ITEMS THAT ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR THE DISHWASHER:

• Cast-Iron skillet

• Plastic items that are not marked Dishwasher safe

• Older silverware with glued parts that are not temperature resistant

• Bonded silverware items or dishes

• Wooden utensils and cutting boards

• Steel items subject to rusting

• Antiques and other delicate items

• Items made from synthetic fibers Insulated mugs

· Aluminum cookware

· Copper pots, pans, and mugs

· Glazed patterns may fade if machine washed frequently

· Crystal and Fine China

Load silverware basket:

· Silverware such as spoons should be placed in the silverware basket with handles at the bottom.

· Long utensils should be placed in the horizontal position at the front of the upper basket.

· Sharp objects, such as forks and knives should be placed with the handles up.

· Avoid allowing items to nest together, which may keep them from being properly washed.

· When loading, distribute items evenly in the basket.

Step2. Use detergent in portable dishwasher

1. Proper Use of Detergent

Detergents with chemical ingredients are necessary to remove dirt, crush dirt and transport it out of the dishwasher.

· Use only detergent specifically made for use in dishwashers.

· Keep your detergent fresh and dry.

· Do not put powder detergent into the dispenser until you are ready to wash dishes.

The amount of detergent to use depends on whether your water is hard or soft. With hard water, you need extra detergent to alleviate the deposits that are left by the excessive minerals. Less detergent is needed for soft water

NOTE: Grains – in terms of water hardness measurement, refer to the unit of weight that is equivalent to 1/7000th of a pound.

How much is the Amount of Detergent to Use in portable dishwasher?

For heavily soiled loads, use the HEAVY WASH Cycle, fill one or both of the interior cups, depending on the hardness of your water, and also fill the open cup on the dispenser lid. Use the information in the table below as a guideline to determine the amount of automatic dishwasher detergent to place in the dispenser:

Number of Grains	Detergent Cups to Fill
Less than 4	15g (Left Compartment)
4 to 8	25g (Right Compartment)
8 to 12	15g (Left Compartment) and 25g (Right Compartment)
Greater than 12	5g Pre-Wash Detergent Chamber (open cup), 15g (Left Compartment), and 25g (Right Compartment)

2. Detergent Tablets

Detergent tablets of different brands dissolve at different speeds. For this reason, some detergent tablets cannot dissolve and develop their full cleaning power during short programs.

Therefore please use long programs when using detergent tablets, to ensure the complete removal of detergent residuals.

3. Detergent Dispenser

The detergent dispenser must be filled before the start of each washing cycle following the instructions provided in the Wash Cycle Table.

Your countertop dishwasher uses less detergent and rinses aid than a conventional dishwasher. Generally, only one tablespoon of detergent is needed for a normal wash load. Also, more heavily soiled items need more detergent.

Always add the detergent just before starting the dishwasher, otherwise, it could get damp and will not dissolve properly.

4. Filling in Detergent

• Push the latch to open the detergent dispenser lid.

• Add liquid detergent, powder detergent, or detergent tablet.

• Always add the detergent just before starting each wash cycle.

• Only use branded detergent aids for dishwashers.

• Close the lid and press until it locks in place.

Step3. Use Rinse aid in portable dishwasher

1. Function of Rinse Aid

Rinse aids are designed for great drying action and to protect against spots and film build-up on your dishes, glasses, flatware, cookware, and plastic.

2. Rinse Aid Dispenser

The rinse aid is released during the final rinse to prevent water from forming droplets on your dishes. It also improves drying by allowing water to sheet off the dishes.

Your dishwasher is designed to use liquid rinse aids. The rinse aid dispenser is located on the inside of the door next to the detergent dispenser.

3. When to Refill the Rinse Aid Dispenser in a portable dishwasher

If there is no rinse aid warning light in the control panel, you can judge the amount of rinse aid by the color of the optical level indicator located next to the cap.

When the rinse aid container is full, the whole indicator will be dark. As the rinse aid diminishes, the size of the dark dot decreases.

As the rinse aid diminishes, the size of the black dot on the rinse aid level indicator changes, The volume of the rinse aid container is about 110ml.

NOTE: If water spots are not visible and you are satisfied with the drying results, using a rinse aid is optional.

4. Filling the Rinse Aid Dispenser

1 – To open the dispenser, turn the cap to the “open” (left) arrow and lift it out.

2 – Pour the rinse aid into the dispenser, being careful not to overfill.

3 – Replace the cap by inserting it aligned with the “open” arrow and turning it to the closed (right) arrow.

Note: Clean up any rinse aid spilled during filling with an absorbent cloth to avoid excessive foaming during the next wash. Do not forget to replace the cap before you close the dishwasher door.

5. Adjusting Rinse Aid

The amount of rinse aid released into the final wash can be adjusted. The rinse aid dispenser has four settings and the recommended setting is “3”.

If the dishes still are not drying properly or are spotted, adjust the rinse aid lever to the next higher number on “4”.

NOTE:

• Increase the dose if there are drops of water or lime spots on the dishes after washing. Reduce it if there are sticky whitish stains on your dishes or a bluish film on glassware or knife blades.

• If water spots are not visible and you are satisfied with the drying results, using a rinse aid is optional.

Step4. Check the Water Temperature

The recommended entering water should be at least 120°F (49°C) and not more than 150°F (66°C) for effective cleaning.

The water temperature can be checked using a meat thermometer.

1. Turn on the hot water faucet.

2. Place the thermometer in a glass and let the water run continuously into the glass until the temperature stops rising.

Step5. Starting a program

Press the “P” program button to select the desired wash program on the control panel.

Wash Cycle Table:

Program	Cycle Description	Cycle Breakdown	Detergent (pre/main)	Running Time (minutes)	Energy Use (kWh)	Water Use (Liters)
Heavy	For heavily soiled loads such as pots and pans	Pre-Wash Pre-Wash (50°C) Wash (55°C) Wash (50°C) Rinse Rinse (68°C) Drying	3/25 grams	100 minutes	0.47 kWh	14.5 liters
Normal	For normally soiled loads; the standard daily cycle	Pre-Wash Pre-Wash Wash (52°C) Rinse Rinse (65°C) Drying	3/25 grams	110 minutes	0.38 kWh	10.8 liters
Light	For lightly soiled loads	Pre-Wash Pre-Wash (50°C) Wash (55°C) Rinse Rinse (60°C) Drying	3/25 grams	75 minutes	0.32 kWh	12 liters
Glass	For lightly soiled glassware	Wash (45°C) Rinse Rinse (50°C)	15 grams	20 minutes	0.22 kWh	7 liters
Speed	A fast cycle for lightly soiled loads	Pre-wash Pre-wash (50°C) Wash (50°C) Rinse Rinse (55°C)	15 grams	45 minutes	0.29 kWh	12 liters
Rinse	Rinse cycle only	Pre-Wash Rinse	N / A	24 minutes	0.02 kWh	5 liters

NOTE:

• Some cycles repeat depending on the program.

• Heavy wash program has a shorter running time compared to Normal Wash, as the dishwasher increases the water temperature to 131°F for more efficient cleaning.

Step6. Turning On the portable dishwasher

1. Pull out the basket and load the dishwasher.

2. Ensure the unit is connected to the power supply.

3. Ensure the water supply is turned on to full pressure.

4. Fill with detergent and rinse aid.

5. Close the door and press the Power button to turn on the dishwasher.

6. Press the “P” program button to select the desired wash program. (Heavy > Normal > BabyCare > ECO > Glass > Speed > Rinse > Mini-party)

7. Press the Start/Pause button to start the washing cycle.

Step7. Changing the wash program in a portable dishwasher

The wash program can be changed at any time. If the detergent dispenser has already opened, it is recommended to add more detergent before starting the new cycle.

To change the program:

1. Press the Start/Pause button to pause the current program.

2. Refill the detergent dispenser if necessary.

3. Press and hold the Program button for 3 seconds to clear the program memory.

4. Press the Program button to choose a new program.

5. Press the Start/Pause button to begin the cycle.

Step8. Delaying a cycle in a portable dishwasher

A program can be set to start after a delay of up to 8 hours.

To set a time delay:

1. Load the dishwasher, add detergent and ensure the appliance is connected to a water supply and that the water is turned on.

2. Press the Program button to choose the desired wash program.

3. Press the delay button to choose the number of hours to delay before beginning the program.

4. Press the Start/Pause button to confirm the cycle.

Step9. Ending a wash cycle in a portable dishwasher

When a wash cycle is completed, a buzzer will sound for 8 seconds, then stop. The appliance will automatically turn off after 30 minutes of inactivity.

To turn off and unload a portable dishwasher:

1. Press the power button to turn the appliance off.

2. Turn off the water supply and unplug the appliance from the power source.

3. Allow the appliance to remain undisturbed with the door closed for approximately 5-10 minutes at the end of a cycle.

• Opening the door too quickly while the internal temperature is still very hot can cause fl ash drying which can leave spots and streaks on dishes.

4. Open the door carefully as the air inside the appliance can still be hot. Leave the door ajar for a few minutes before removing dishes to allow them to cool and dry.

• Hot dishes can be sensitive to knocks and may break; they should be allowed to cool before removing from the appliance.

Note: It is normal for a small amount of water to remain inside the appliance at the end of a cycle. This water will evaporate and does not need to be manually drained.

How to add a forgotten dish to a portable dishwasher?

A forgotten dish can be added to a running cycle any time before the detergent dispenser has opened.

If the detergent has already been released into the appliance, it is recommended not to add more dishes as they will not receive adequate cleaning.

To add a dish:

1. Press the Start/Pause button to pause the cycle.

2. Open the door slowly as the spray arm may still be turning.

3. Add the forgotten dishes.

4. Close the door.

5. Press the Start/Pause button to resume the cycle.

The appliance can take up to 10 seconds to restart.

How to unlock portable dishwasher?

You can lock the controls to prevent selections from being made. You can also lock the controls after you have started a cycle to prevent cycle changes.

For example, children cannot accidentally start the dishwasher by pressing pads with this option selected.

To LOCK the dishwasher control:

Press and hold the Program Lock button for 3 seconds.

The Program Lock light will turn on to indicate the control is locked.

Can I clean baby bottles in portable dishwasher?

If your baby bottles are glass or dishwasher-safe plastic then you have the option of using the dishwasher to clean them. Just like cleaning by hand, you will need to separate the baby bottle into its individual parts.

Placing your baby bottle lids and nipples in the dishwasher may cause them to slip between the gaps in the tray and become destroyed. A dishwasher basket is a great way to keep your nipples and sippy cup lids in one place.

Avoid cleaning your baby bottles with dishes that contained food capable of staining. For example, pasta sauce can get splattered over your baby’s feeding equipment during the cleaning process.

The high temperature will then cause the pigment to set, resulting in stained nipples and bottles.

What Does the water faucet indicator indicate in portable dishwasher?

When the dishwasher detects that water pressure is low, the water faucet indicator will illuminate and the dishwasher will stop temporarily.

Make sure that the incoming water pressure should be between 15 and 20 pounds per square inch (psi).

1. Turn off the dishwasher.

2. Remove the inlet hose from the dishwasher.

3. Check water pressure.

4. Once water pressure is corrected, install the inlet hose onto the dishwasher.

Final thoughts

Do you want your dishes clean till they shine you may follow the steps above and don’t skip cleaning your dishes clearly and run your portable dishwasher correctly, the instructions above will help you to use your portable dishwasher the right way.