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During dishwasher usage, users might encounter the problem of plastic melting inside the appliance. This issue occurs when plastic utensils fall onto the heating element of the dishwasher. If you're facing this problem too, read on to find out more details.
1. Causes of Plastic Melting in Dishwasher
Dishwashers are primarily used for washing dishes. The operating principle of a dishwasher involves placing dishes and detergent in a dish rack. After several cycles, the dishes become clean and shiny. However, if your household uses plastic utensils, you may encounter the issue of plastic melting inside.
Plastic melts at a temperature of 212°F (100°C), but for some types of plastic, this temperature may be much lower. When the dishwasher sprays plastic and hot water, it can lead to small droplets of material falling to the bottom of the appliance.
In some cases, plastic drinkware and utensils may shift position, causing them to lean towards the dishwasher's heating element. In such situations, ensure that the heating element is still functioning effectively.
2. How to Fix Melting Plastic Issue in Dishwasher
First, run a different heating program on the dishwasher, such as a complete wash cycle or rinse cycle. However, if plastic on the heating coil of the dishwasher melts, it can lead to a foul smell in the kitchen or damage to the heating element. If the dishwasher accidentally melts plastic during the wash cycle, follow these steps to fix it:
Materials Needed:
Plastic scraping tool
Ziplock bag containing ice cubes or an ice pack
3 small fiber cloths
Dishwashing Soap
Water
Dish Rack
Procedure:
First, to ensure safety during dishwashing, turn off the dishwasher. This will cancel any ongoing cycles in case your dishwasher is running. Wait for about 20 minutes until the dishwasher cools down.
Next, unplug the dishwasher from the power source. If your household appliance is hardwired, switch off the main circuit breaker leading to the dishwasher.
First, remove your dishwasher. You can also just remove the final rack, but for thorough inspection, it's advisable to remove the entire dishwasher.
Then, locate the melted plastic. Observe on the heating coil or under the dishwasher tub to see if there's any residual plastic.
Place a bag of ice over the melted plastic and wait about 20 minutes for the plastic to harden. Then, remove the bag of ice.
Use a scraping tool or spoon to carefully scrape off hardened plastic from the dishwasher, avoiding scratching the machine. Pour acetone nail polish remover into a bowl and soak a soft cloth in it. Then, place the cloth on the heating coil of the dishwasher and maintain that condition for 5 minutes. Be careful not to pour acetone directly into the dishwasher to avoid damage.
Use the acetone-soaked cloth to scrub off all the melted plastic until there's no residue left. Then, soak another cloth in clean water to wipe off the heating coils until completely dry.
Mix 3 drops of dishwashing liquid into a gallon of water and wipe off with another clean cloth. Use clean water to rinse the heating coils before plugging the dishwasher back in and operating it.
Here are the tips to deal with melted plastic in your dishwasher that you need to know. Save it for reference and application. Don't forget to follow Mytour for quick updates on the most useful information.
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