A dishwasher’s drying function often goes unnoticed, until wet dishes leave you reaching for the dish towel. Wondering why does my GE dishwasher not dry dishes sufficiently? Overloading may be limiting air circulation that’s crucial to drying. Avoid overcrowding the dishwasher and position dishes correctly on the right racks. Troubleshoot a GE dishwasher not drying dishes and find the right solutions for better results.
5 Reasons for a GE Dryer Not Drying Dishes
Most dishwasher drying problems aren’t due to a malfunction but are caused by common user mistakes. Our GE dishwasher troubleshooting includes the most likely reasons for drying issues and the simple adjustments that can resolve them.
1. Unloading Out of Order
Simply unloading the top rack before the bottom may be the reason your GE dishwasher leaves dishes wet. When you unload dishes from the top rack first, any residual water falls below, wetting dry items. Make sure you unload dishware on the bottom first so that any dripping water from above falls on an empty rack.
2. Dishes Are Overcrowded
When too many items are crowded in the dishwasher, hot airflow is limited and dishes may not dry completely. Our dishwasher maintenance tips suggest that loading dishes correctly in each rack prevents overcrowding, leading to both cleaner and dryer results.
Follow these rack-by-rack loading tips for improved drying:
- Top rack: Reserve for bowls, small plates, glassware and cups. Place items upside down and at an angle for better rinsing and airflow.
- Bottom rack: Designed for dinner plates and cookware, load one item per slot to avoid touching that restricts airflow.
- Silverware basket: Prevent nesting and improve air circulation by alternating forks, spoons, and knives next to each other. Place larger serveware on the top rack.
3. Problem With Hot Water Supply
If you find your GE dishwasher not drying dishes, you may need to check your hot water supply. Hot water is essential to proper drying, as it evaporates faster, leaving fewer droplets behind.
Here’s how to evaluate your dishwasher’s access to hot water:
- Make sure the dishwasher is properly connected to a hot water supply.
- Check your water heater to make sure your home’s water is hot enough. A dishwasher’s water temperature should reach at least 120℉ for optimum drying.
- Try running the hot water in your kitchen faucet before beginning a wash cycle so it’s immediately available to the dishwasher.
4. Not Using Heated Dry Functions
Some dishwashers have heated dry functions that can improve drying performance. If you notice your GE dishwasher not drying dishes as well, make sure a heated dry option is selected. “Power Dry” is another drying option that increases the wash cycle by 65 minutes, allowing the dishwasher’s fan to operate longer.
If you prefer not to use a heated dry function you can still promote better drying. Open the dishwasher a few inches as soon as the wash cycle ends to allow moist air to escape. You can also let dishes dry overnight before unloading.
5. Not Using a Rinse Aid
While rinse aid may make dishes and glassware sparkle, it’s main function is to promote better rinsing, creating dryer dishes. Rinse aid works by breaking the surface tension of water droplets, enabling them to fall off dishes and glassware with greater ease. This leads to improved evaporation and dryer dishes. Add rinse aid to your dishwasher’s rinse aid dispenser before every wash cycle to optimize drying performance.
Is your GE dishwasher not drying appropriately even after these interventions? You may need a dishwasher repair service to evaluate the problem. Schedule your service with Maughanster Appliance Repair today!
