One of the factors customers pay attention to when buying a dishwasher is the runtime.
If you already own or are planning to buy a Whirlpool dishwasher, you may wish to know how long it takes to complete a cycle.
The Runtime of Whirlpool Dishwashers
A Whirlpool dishwasher has a wide range of cycle settings. Depending on the setting that is chosen, the cycle time can last anywhere between 1.5 and 4 hours. However, Whirlpool dishwashers also have a quick wash cycle that lasts between thirty minutes and an hour.
New dishwashers usually have longer run cycles in the initial days since the sensors will be calibrating at this time.
However, subsequent cycles will be of shorter durations.
If your dishwasher continues to run for an extended time beyond what is mentioned in the manual, there could be some problems.
Finding the cause of the problem will help you rectify it sooner. Let’s look at this in closer detail.
8 Ways to Reduce the Runtime of A Whirlpool Dishwasher
The Whirlpool dishwasher user guide mentions the cycle times for each setting.
It will give you a fair idea of how long your dishwasher should run under normal conditions.
If your dishwasher seems to run too long, the following factors can help you reduce its runtime.
1. Check the Cleanliness of Your Dishes
Dishwashers need more time to clean dirty dishes.
So, if your dishes are extremely soiled or have food stuck on them, the appliance will default to a longer cleaning cycle.
This can add several minutes to the runtime.
You can save the extra minutes by merely scraping off the leftover food bits from your plate before placing them in the dishwasher.
Pre-rinsing the dishes will further help you reduce the runtime of your Whirlpool dishwasher.
However, if this seems like too much effort, stick to just removing any food residue from the plate, and you can still save time.
2. Inspect the Filtration System
Clogs and obstructions are one of the most common reasons for extended dishwasher cycles.
You may already know that all the food particles, dirt, and debris in the dishwasher accumulate in the filter system.
This gunk builds up over time, obstructing the filter and slowing the appliance.
So, the dishwasher will run for much longer. It can also affect the overall efficiency of the appliance.
To avoid such problems, regularly inspect the filter of your Whirlpool dishwasher.
If you see any trapped food, get rid of it, and clean the filter.
You can easily dislodge any gunk and simply clean the filter with soap and water to clear the blockage.
This should significantly improve the performance of the filter, and your dishwasher cycles should become shorter.
3. Look for Any Obstructions
There are several vents and pipes in your dishwasher, and the appliance will slow down if any of them are blocked.
If you believe that your Whirlpool dishwasher is taking too long to complete a cycle, check all the vents and pipes for potential obstructions.
Disconnect the hose pipe of the dishwasher and look for anything stuck in it.
Also, see if anything is lodged in the kinks or bends that could slow down the flow of water.
Apart from the water systems, check the air vent and make sure it’s not obstructed or dirty.
When water and air smoothly flow through the system, the cycle length should be optimum.
4. Set the Water Heater to The Correct Temperature
The water heater temperature should be between 120°F and 140°F for the dishwasher to operate correctly.
If the heater delivers water at a lower temperature, the dishwasher will take longer to heat the water before starting the cycle.
This will add several minutes to the cycle, and the dishwasher will run for a longer time.
To prevent any wastage of time, assess whether the temperature of the water going into the dishwasher is correct.
Adjust the thermostat setting if it’s too low.
You can also run the water in the sink for a few minutes to raise the temperature to the desired level before starting the dishwasher.
It will help the device start with the proper water temperature and reduce the overall cycle time.
5. Check for Mineral Buildup Issues
Hard water can be one of the reasons that your Whirlpool dishwasher takes longer to operate.
Hard water contains minerals that deposit on the surfaces of the appliance.
They can build up around the filter, on the spray arms, sensor systems, and the heating element.
Mineral buildup will reduce the efficiency of operation and make the sensors act erroneously.
Adding a water softener will reduce the extent of problems caused by limescale deposits.
You can also use lime descaler tablets to remove any buildup from the surfaces.
Use descaler tablets every month and run an empty dishwasher cycle to address this issue.
Alternatively, you can also use white vinegar, which is a natural limescale remover, to eliminate any hard water deposits that are interfering with the dishwasher’s operation.
6. Inspect the Spray Arms
Dishwashers use spray arms to target fine jets of water toward dirty dishes.
The force with which the water falls on the dishes plays an important role in cleaning the grime off the surfaces.
The spray arms also move around to ensure that water reaches all the nooks and crannies.
When the spray arms are functioning correctly, the Whirlpool dishwasher cycles don’t extend beyond the expected time.
However, if they are obstructed, the entire water flow is impeded.
This automatically increases their operation time.
Regularly inspect the spray arms of the dishwasher to check if they are affected by food or dirt deposits.
In case there is any obstruction, clean the spray arms without damaging the shape of the holes on them.
It will improve the flow of water and reduce the cycle lengths.
7. Select the Right Cycle Setting
By reading your manual properly and understanding the intent of each setting, you can choose cycles or adjust the load for optimized run cycles.
Whirlpool dishwashers have a wide range of settings, and each one has a different length.
The extra settings will usually take much longer to complete than normal settings.
However, normal settings are usually enough for most types of dishes.
Normal settings are optimized for water and energy usage, ensuring that your appliance is operating efficiently.
Meanwhile, the other settings usually require extra time to complete because they are usually heated cycles.
Avoid choosing extra-long cycles unless your load demands it.
By running normal cycles on most days, you can eliminate any extra time spent on cleaning the dishes.
Related Reading: Manufacturing Locations of 8 Types of Whirlpool Appliances
8. Inspect the Heating Element
The heating element in your Whirlpool dishwasher could be responsible for excessively long cycles if it has become faulty.
As we said earlier, the temperature of water affects the cycle duration.
If the water isn’t heated properly, it can impede normal operation.
Inspect the heating element to ensure that it’s operating as intended. If it’s faulty, get it repaired.
Call a professional service agent to inspect the heating element and fix any likely problems.
This should correct long cycles.
Additionally, it will also improve the overall efficiency of operation and ensure that your dishes come out sparkling clean.
