Dishwasher final steam rinse method

• Main Authors: OAKES MICHELLE L, ROTH RYAN K, MOREIRA JULIO C, LAU BROOKE L
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.03.2011
• Subjects: CLEANING; CLEANING IN GENERAL; COFFEE MILLS; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; FURNITURE; HUMAN NECESSITIES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL; TRANSPORTING

An overall dishwasher operation cycle includes a washing cycle and a final rinse cycle including steam generation. During the final rinse cycle, a dishwasher tub is filled with fluid, heated and utilized to rinse dishware within the dishwasher. After partially draining the tub, a heating element is actuated so as to transform fluid in the tub into steam for cleansing dishware within the dishwasher. After the steam cycle, the final rinse cycle is completed, with the dishwasher being drained. Optionally, when a heated dry cycle is actuated, the heating element continues to operate to provide drying heat to dishware for a period of time before being deactivated. With this arrangement, a single heating element is utilized for heating washing fluid for washing, rinsing and steam generation, as well as for the heated dry cycle.