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Dishwasher

technology Maturity 7-9 Next article →

A dishwasher is a machine that cleans dishes, pots, and silverware automatically.

Dishwasher open for loading
Dishwasher open for loading

Instead of scrubbing by hand, it uses hot water to do the work. The water is usually very warm, between 120 and 155 degrees Fahrenheit.

Detergent tablet
Detergent tablet

This machine is a big help in many homes and businesses. It makes cleaning up after meals much faster and easier. Some machines are even built into kitchen counters to save space.

To clean, the machine follows a specific set of steps. First, it might perform a pre-rinse to wash away loose food. Then, it pumps a mixture of water and detergent to spinning sprayers. These sprayers rotate to spread the soapy water over everything inside. The machine often recycles this mixture to save water and energy.

After the main wash, the dirty water drains away. Next, fresh hot water enters through a special valve to rinse the dishes. Finally, the machine uses a drying method to finish the job.

People have been working on these machines for a long time. Joel Houghton first patented a device in the United States in 1850. His machine was made of wood and had to be cranked by hand. It was quite slow and did not work very well. Later, in 1886, Josephine Cochrane invented a much better version. She worked with a mechanic named George Butters in Illinois.

The Faultless Quaker Dishwasher (1896 advertisement)
The Faultless Quaker Dishwasher (1896 advertisement)

She wanted a machine that would not break her fine china.

Dishwashers have changed a lot since they were first made. In 1924, William Howard Livens made a small model in the United Kingdom. It had a door and a rack, much like modern ones. By 1929, Miele created the first domestic dishwasher with an electric motor. In the United States, many homes had them by the 1970s. By 2012, over 75 percent of homes in Germany and the U.S. owned one.

Countertop dishwasher (cropped)
Countertop dishwasher (cropped)

Today, they come in many sizes, including small ones for counters.

Modern machines can even think for themselves using sensors. Some have soil sensors that look for food particles in the water. If the sensor sees the water is clean, the machine stops early. This helps save both water and electricity.

Uwx1
Uwx1

Large restaurants use even bigger versions called industrial dishwashers. These machines are very powerful and can clean many plates every hour.

Tunnel industrial dishwasher
Tunnel industrial dishwasher

Whether they are small or huge, these machines keep our tools clean.

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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:The Faultless Quaker Dishwasher (1896 advertisement).jpg
The Faultless Quaker Dishwasher (1896...
File:Countertop dishwasher (cropped).jpg
Countertop dishwasher (cropped).jpg
File:Dishwasher open for loading.jpg
Dishwasher open for loading.jpg
Geschirrspuelertv.ogg
File:Detergent tablet.jpg
Detergent tablet.jpg
File:Uwx1.jpg
Uwx1.jpg
File:Jackson Commercial Dishwasher.jpg
Jackson Commercial Dishwasher.jpg
File:Commercial Dishwasher Wash Arms.jpg
Commercial Dishwasher Wash Arms.jpg
File:Tunnel industrial dishwasher.jpg
Tunnel industrial dishwasher.jpg
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