8 Reasons Why Your Whirlpool Dishwasher Leaves Dishes Wet

With a range of essential home appliances, one necessity that most houses have is a ‘Dishwasher.’ A Dishwasher is nothing less than a kitchen king that simplifies our daily lives by taking care of washing dishes. There are a range of dishwashers in the market, including the trendy ones by Whirlpool. However, individuals using Whirlpool dishwashers recently complained that their appliance isn’t drying dishes. Are you one of those who are curious about ‘Why Your Whirlpool Dishwasher Leaves Dishes Wet’? Join us as we enlighten you on the same.

Watching your dishwasher consistently leave your dishes wet and not achieving the desired level of dryness is frustrating and inconvenient. Understanding the underlying causes behind this issue is crucial to ensure optimal performance and achieve spotless, dry dishes. This article presents a comprehensive guide to identify the reasons behind this malfunctioning and their possible solutions. Let’s dive in and discover how to overcome this common inconvenience. Whether you’re a homeowner or a professional in the kitchen, these eight potential causes and their corresponding solutions will help you.

Reason 1: You Have Selected The Wrong Drying Option

The primary reason why your Whirlpool Dishwasher leaves dishes wet may be that you have selected the Wrong drying option. Different Whirlpool dishwasher models offer various cycle settings ranging from heat drying to extended drying and more. To achieve optimal drying results with your Whirlpool dishwasher, selecting the appropriate drying setting is a good practice. Before starting every dishwashing cycle, make sure you choose a Heat Dry or Extended Heat Dry setting. These settings will result in giving you dehydrated dishes with no signs of wetness.

Reason 2: You Haven’t Loaded The Dishes Properly

Two of the most common reasons why a Whirlpool dishwasher may not effectively dry are overloading and improper loading. When you overload the dishes in a dishwashing machine, the insufficient space left in between them impacts the air circulation. This, as a result, leaves the most cluttered dishes wet even after the entire drying cycle completes. Therefore, it is important to load the dishes properly, leaving sufficient space between each item. Here are some tips for the same:

•       Always place glass, bowls, and similar dishes upside-down on the topmost rack. Doing so will promote faster rinsing and better drying.
•       Use the bottom rack for large dishes, and make sure none touch each other. Also, make sure all the dishes face inward since it enhances rinsing operation and allows for adequate air circulation.
•       If your silverware basket has compartments, make sure you place one item in each for better drying results. While nesting utensils like spoons, forks, and knives next to each other, you may end up getting disappointing drying results.
•       Dishes such as glasses, cups, and bowls with concave bottoms have a tendency to retain excess water that cannot be completely evaporated during the drying cycle. This can result in wet dishes and the potential for water to spill onto other items when unloading the dishwasher. Therefore, it is recommended to unload the bottom rack first. This helps prevent any residual water from the top rack from spilling onto the already-cleaned dishes below, ensuring they remain dry.

Reason 3: Certain Type Of Dishes Do Not Dry Properly In A Dishwasher

Some individuals may experience Whirlpool Dishwasher leaving dishes wet with certain items, especially the ones made from Teflon or Plastic. If you are facing a similar issue, it is important to understand that these types of dishes don’t dry properly in a dishwasher. This isn’t particularly a malfunction, but the characteristics of these materials commonly cause the problem. Dishwashers these days use Condensation to dry dishes. During the final rinse, the dishwasher uses hot water, and the items in the dishwasher retain heat. However, since Teflon is less prone to effective water evaporation, it tends to stay wet. Similarly, plastic does not retain heat very effectively and thus potentially remains wet even when other dishes are dry.

If Plastic and Teflon dishes remain wet in your Whirlpool dishwasher, it is better to clean and dry them with your hands. Rather than a malfunction in your dishwasher, it is more of a limitation.

Reason 4: The Rinse Aid Isn’t Working Properly

Sometimes when the Rinse Aid Reservoir doesn’t work properly, it may leave dishes wet in your Whirlpool dishwasher. Rinse Aid is a small compartment that holds a liquid rinse aid solution in your dishwasher. During the final rinse cycle, it releases a small amount of the rinse aid. This component helps in improving drying, reducing spots, and enhancing the overall dish-cleaning outcome. However, there are chances that the Rinse Aid has run out or there is some buildup inside the dispenser, responsible for unsatisfied results.

To get through this, all you can do is, start by removing the cap of the rinse aid dispenser. Take a suction of a turkey baster and remove all the rinse aid from inside the dispenser. Now take a dishwasher-safe dish/container, fill it with 250ml white vinegar, and place it on the top rack of the dispenser. Next, without adding any more dishes, run a full cycle on the hottest setting. This will allow cleaning of the Rinse Aid. Once done with the process, refill the rinse aid dispenser with fresh rinse aid.

Reason 5: You Haven’t Set The Final Rinse With Heat Cycle

By not setting the Final Rinse with Heat Cycle, you may end up getting wet dishes at the end. This problem may arise if the drying process of your Whirlpool dishwasher relies on Condensation. Here, a hot final rinse is necessary for effective drying through Condensation.

All you need to do is, check your Whirlpool dishwasher’s manual or cycle specifications. Make sure that your selected washing and drying cycle includes a hot final rinse. If the cycle you are using does not provide a hot final rinse, it is obvious that your dishes will come out wet.

Reason 6: You Didn’t Left The Door Open After The Dishes Were Drained

Whirlpool dishwashers that employ Condensation for drying may end up leaving dishes wet if you haven’t left the door open after the draining process. As the draining process completes, the dishes inside the dishwasher can become moist after sometimes, due to the cooling air inside the appliance.

To prevent this process of recondensation, make sure you open the dishwasher door right after the cycle completes. It will keep the moisture from settling on the dishes. Doing so lets the humid air escape. While some modern Whirlpool dishwashers are equipped with an automatic door opening feature, where as in some old models, you may need to do it manually.

Reason 7: Any Of Your Whirlpool Dishwasher’s Parts Is Faulty

If none of the previously mentioned solutions result in improved drying performance, it is possible that one or more parts of your Whirlpool dishwasher are faulty. A defective component in your dishwasher is resulting in the malfunctioning of the drying feature. For instance:

•       Your dishwasher’s vent has failed to open properly, allowing the damp air to escape after completing the cycle. This leads to leaving moisture on the dishes.
•       The vent systems of many dishwashers usually incorporate a fan that helps propel moist air away from the dishes. Note if the dishes remain wet even after the cycle completes, there are chances that the fan blades are not rotating freely or the fan motor lacks continuity. In such a case, replace the faulty motor.
•       Test the heating element of your dishwasher with a multimeter. If it lacks continuity, replace it since its improper operations result in keeping the dishes wet even after the cycle completes.

Reason 8: The Hot Water Heater Can Be A Problem

Lastly there can be an issue with the hot water heater/ water temperature that results in keeping the dishes wet. Here’s what you need to know:

Before starting the dishwasher cycle, it is important to make sure that the hot water heater is set to the appropriate temperature. While some latest Whirlpool has this feature as automatic, some old models may require checking it manually. Ensure that the water entering the dishwasher is between 120 and 150ºF (49 to 66ºC). If not, adjust the temperature setting.

Hot water leads to faster evaporation and, thus, appropriate drying of dishes. Therefore, always check that your home’s hot water supply is working finely. By addressing the temperature of the water, you can enhance the drying performance of your Whirlpool dishwasher and achieve dryer dishes.

Bottom Line…

These were the top 8 reasons responsible for your Whirlpool dishwasher leaving dishes wet. However, these DIY solutions aren’t of any help; you should then consult Whirlpool Service and Repair Team. Or book an appointment with your nearest Whirlpool Outlet or dealer for professional assistance right at your home.

Ending Tip: Before jumping to any conclusion, ensure you allow enough time for the dishwasher to complete the cycle. If you are always in a hurry and switch off your dishwasher before the cycle completes, the fault is yours.