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FAQ

1.  Q:  What are the best uses of a portable dishwasher?

A: Portable dishwashers are ideal in many of the following situations: a unit smaller than your standard built-in dishwasher may be needed because of limited kitchen space, paying for an apartment/condo without a built-in unit and purchasing a portable dishwasher may be cheaper in the long run than renting an higher-priced apartment with a built-in unit, a person living by themselves may not produce enough dirty dishes to warrant using a standard built-in unit, etc.

2. Q:  What makes these dishwashers portable?

A: While the standard dishwasher is built into the cabinetry in your kitchen, these are considered portable because they are either (1) small enough to be stored on top of your kitchen counters and moved from place to place, or (2) placed on caster wheels so that they can be rolled around the kitchen and placed wherever you prefer.

3. Q: Does a portable dishwasher produce different results than a normal dishwasher?

A: Compact portable dishwashers usually clean just as well as full-size models. If you are interested in the best cleaning performance you can get, invest in a model with two spray arms, which will spray water at the dishes from the top and the bottom of the machine. This crisscrossing of water jets will clean better than models that only use a single spray arm.

As you might expect, countertops use less water and detergent than their full-sized rivals, and they often have significantly shorter cycle times. However, most models of countertop on the market lack a true dry cycle.

4. Q:  What is the advantage to purchasing a machine with two spray arms as opposed to one?  Is this really necessary?

A: Most models with two arms will clean dishes more thoroughly than those with one.  In some models, this could result in faster wash cycle time.  Most countertop portable dishwashers will only have 1 spray arm because there is only one full rack for dishes. One spray arm is efficient enough in countertop models, whether or not it is for larger dishwashers depends on the buyer’s preferences and habits. (Ex: If the buyer pre-washes dishes by hand, he/she may only need to buy a one-armed unit.)

5. Q: How do I hook up my portable/compact dishwasher to the sink?

A: Many models come with a faucet-to-unit adapter.  This should be attached to the sink’s faucet, and the unit’s hose should screw into the adapter.  WARNING: The above instructions may not pertain to your specific model.  See your model’s owner’s manual for a detailed description of the sink installation process.  If you do not have your unit’s manual, you can search for it online at the manufacturer’s website or from the website for the store where you made your purchase.

6. Q: How do I disconnect my portable dishwasher from the sink?

A: In many models (but not all), the process is as follows:  First, you should unplug the electrical cord of the dishwasher and store it into its storage location.  Then, release the pressure from the water hose before disconnecting it from the faucet by pushing the pressure release button.  Only after releasing the pressure should you disconnect the hose, empty the excess water from it, and then store it in its storage location.  WARNING: The above instructions may not pertain to your specific model.  See your model’s owner’s manual for a detailed description of the process for disconnecting your dishwasher.  If you do not have your unit’s manual, you can search for it online at the manufacturer’s website or from the website for the store where you made your purchase.

7. Q: What should I do if my portable dishwasher leaks where the hook ups connect to it?

A: While this issue does cause a mess, it does not necessarily mean your portable dishwasher is damaged. To stop the leaking, wrap plumber’s tape around the male connector. The tape will tighten the hook ups so there are no small holes that water can leak through.  The amount of plumber’s tape needed will vary and must be tested through trial and error.

8. Q: Can I put my countertop portable dishwasher under my sink, draining to my garbage disposal?

A: Most countertops can be put under a sink, to drain to the garbage disposal. However, make sure the unit you buy comes with an internal pump that is strong enough to expel the drainage water high enough to drain into the garbage disposal.

9. Q: Can I install my countertop portable dishwasher permanently?

A: Some types of countertops can be installed permanently, but no models are specifically designed for permanent installation. If a model can be installed permanently, you may have to alter the unit and do some custom installation. If you go this route please be aware that you may be voiding the dishwasher's warranty.

10. Q: Why do I have to load my portable/compact dishwasher in the way prescribed in the manual?

A: Many models will not run properly if dishes are not loaded in the way described in the manual.  For example, improperly loaded items can cause the spray arms to be blocked or at the very least lead to an inefficient use of space.

11. Q:  Do I need to use a rinse aid agent in my portable dishwasher?

A: While not all portable dishwashers require a rinse aid agent for sufficient cleaning, using a rinse aid agent will increase the performance of your unit considerably.  See your owner’s manual for whether your model requires this.

12. Q: Is there a way to make the wash cycle faster?

A: On many models, you can choose a quicker cycle, often labeled as “Rapid” or “Eco”.  This can reduce the wash cycle often by 10 minutes or more, but keep in mind that with a shorter cycle, dishes may need to be pre-rinsed of any caked-on debris. Also, some faster cycles may not fully dry the dishes.