How Long Does A Dishwasher Run? Ultimate Guide

Last Updated on September 3, 2022

Dishwashers can prove your ideal companion; whether you are planning to clean the mess created after a Thanksgiving party or weekend dinner, you will easily get your dishes, pots, glasses, and cups cleaned in no time with these great helpers.

However, a dishwasher cycle can take a longer time than expected for cleaning in certain circumstances, making you wonder if something is right. How long does a dishwasher run is a question frequently asked by people who are not sure about the run time of their dishwasher.

If the same question is revolving in your head, then don’t worry. We are here to answer all your queries related to run time, dishwasher cycles, and the overall age of a dishwasher in detail.

Most professionals and experts have revealed the run time of the dishwasher per cycle after testing it. In some reports, the dishwasher cycle reached up to three hours, which seems unusual. However, reports have also found the exceeded duration from three hours to even more.

During testing, our team loaded some well-known dishwasher brands, including Bosch and Frigidaire, with dirty utensils and adjusted the run time to a normal cycle setting. The results showed that three hours is just an average run time for a normal cycle setting.

However, an average dishwasher runs for almost one to four hours per cycle. Several tips and tricks are also suggested to run the cycles accurately.

The following four cycles are involved in an average dishwasher:

• Light
• Normal
• Heavy
• Rapid

While some dishwashers also have an extra cycle known as the Rinsing or Sanitize cycle. Each cycle is used for doing a different job, such as for lightly soiled dishes light cycle works efficiently, and for heavily greased utensils, a rapid cycle will do the task properly.

During the rinse cycle, food particles and some residues will remove from dishes to make them bacteria free. The rinse cycle usually takes 15 minutes to get the job done for you. This time duration varies for different dishwashers.

This one is the shortest and most time-saving dishwasher cycle, which is useful for cleaning fewer dishes. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to clean lightly soiled utensils. In some dishwashers, this cycle runs for about 20 minutes.

The Smart or auto dishwasher cycle has an automatic system that helps to adjust the time, temperature, and pressure of water depending on the types of dishes being washed. This cycle takes 30 to 60 minutes to rinse, clean, wash, and dry dishes.

Though this is a normal cycle, it is one of the longest washing cycles that perform all the activities within 2 to 4 hours. You can reduce the timing with a better dishwasher having Eco mode. It will clean baked-on dishes, oily, dirty, and greasy dishes, baby bottles, and residual meat plates.

The heavy-duty cycle is one of the most powerful to remove hard, dried, and greased food materials on dishes. The duration of this cycle is 90 minutes, and during this period, the dirtiest dishes will clean by using less amount of water.

This phase does the task by reaching 150 degrees Fahrenheit to kill dangerous bacteria using bleach detergents. The average time sanitizing cycle takes is 90 minutes.

After sanitizing, you need to turn on the prewash cycle for 15 minutes to spray the dishes with washing detergent and water.

Most dishwashers also have an eco cycle to save as much energy and water as possible. This cycle is great in crying out all the cleaning activities within 2 to 4 hours, from rinsing to draining and refilling the dishwasher with clean water.

Several other cycles are also present in different models, including varying stages to accomplish tasks in the best possible way.

The following four stages are involved in each dishwasher cycle:

• Pre-wash

At this stage, water with detergent is pushed inside the dishwasher to release dirt and dried food.

• Wash

Cleaning is done at this stage by making a soapy solution to spray on dishes. Leftover junk will clean this way.

• Rinse

During rinsing, water pressure removes detergent and food parts from the dishes.

• Dry

With the help of hot air, dishes are dried out to remove water droplets.

Find out how to load dishes in a dishwasher.

How Many Times Should I Run My Dishwasher?

It is recommended to run a dishwasher once a week. The timings differ for different people; some use it more often, and some run it twice a month. If you have to wash dishes for a large family, you need to run the dishwasher more often than a single living person.

You can reduce the usage and timing by using disposable plates or hand washing the dishes to cut the costs. By these methods, you will reduce energy costs.

What If Someone Opens the Dishwasher During Running Cycle?

It is not good to open the dishwasher during the cycle. Wait until the process completes; otherwise, water will drain out of the door by, creating a huge mess in your kitchen. The chances of appliance damage will also be higher.

What is the estimated lifespan of a dishwasher?

The average lifespan of a dishwasher is ten years. This life expectancy has been estimated by calculating the average run time in a year which will be almost 215 times in a year. This duration consists of four times running a dishwasher in a week. However, for smooth and continuous running, you might need to repair or replace some of its parts after some time.