The Essential Guide to Dishwasher's Sanitize Cycle: Usage, Benefits, And Tips
Introduction
Having a dishwasher makes life immensely more convenient. The device saves us time, energy, and the drudgery of hand-washing dishes. Many modern dishwashers come with unique features—one of them is the 'sanitize cycle.' But what does the sanitize cycle on a dishwasher do, and how can you best utilize it? We will guide you through the answers, touching upon the benefits, usage tips, and highlighting situations when it's best to use this feature.
What Is the Sanitize Cycle on a Dishwasher?
The 'sanitize cycle' in a dishwasher essentially constitutes a sterilizing process that exterminates more than 99% of bacteria through elevated water temperatures. This handy feature that comes baked in most modern dishwashers does a lot more beneath the surface:
- NSF/ANSI Certified: This standard 184 certification signifies that the sanitize cycle meets stringent public health and safety standards.
- Temperature Spike: Activating the sanitize feature sees the water temperature going as high as 150°F, considerably more significant than the average cleaning cycles.
- A Safer Environment: It has immense value for households with kids, elderly members, or anyone with a compromised immune system. The elevated temperature kills bacteria, providing a safer environment.
- Purification: Beyond leaving your utensils gleaming, the sanitize cycle ensures they are hygienically safe to use.
In essence, the sanitize cycle in a dishwasher is a specialized setting that not only cleans your dishes but meticulously purifies them, safeguarding cleanliness and health simultaneously.
How does the Sanitize Cycle Work in a Dishwasher?
The effectiveness of the sanitize cycle in a dishwasher is largely a result of its ability to use heated water to achieve a bacteria-free clean. This cycle works through a series of carefully coordinated stages:
• Pre-washing: This stage involves a preliminary wash to remove visible food particles and stains. It sets the stage for the thorough cleaning that follows.
• Rinsing & Cleaning: Post pre-washing, the dishwasher proceeds with a comprehensive rinse and clean. This stage uses warm water and detergent to remove grease and tougher debris.
• Heat Elevation: During the final rinse stage, a critical shift happens. The water’s temperature is considerably elevated to reach up to 150°F or higher. This increase in temperature is much higher than standard cleaning processes.
• Bacteria Elimination: The high heat at this stage is lethal to bacteria and other microorganisms present on your dishes. This ensures a clinically clean finish, eliminating over 99% of bacteria.
• Extended Heat Drying: The sanitize cycle doesn't stop at cleaning. It extends the drying phase as well, maintaining the high temperature for a longer duration. This added heat period promotes further sterilization, ensuring that your dishes are not just cleaned, but thoroughly sanitized.
Through these steps, the dishwasher maintains a strict control over the water temperature, ensuring it's hot enough to eliminate bacteria but controlled enough to prevent harm to your dishes. As a result, your dishwasher-safe items, stainless steel interior surfaces, and seals come out unscathed and spotlessly clean.
Why is the Sanitize Cycle an Important Feature in a Dishwasher?
The sanitize cycle, an advanced feature in modern dishwashers, serves a crucial purpose that transcends the baseline task of merely washing dishes. This feature ensures that your utensils and cooking equipment undergo a scientifically validated process designed to eliminate almost all bacteria and viruses. There are several compelling reasons supporting the importance of this feature:
1. Optimal Sterilization: The sanitize cycle can destroy up to 99.99% of bacteria using intense heat, ensuring optimal hygiene for your dishes. An ordinary wash cycle may not provide such thorough sterilization.
2. Health and Safety Compliance: The sanitize cycle meets the NSF/ANSI Standard 184 certification, providing reassurances that it adheres to stringent public health and safety benchmarks.
3. Eliminates Hidden Threats: NSF studies underline that common kitchen items like sponges and rags often harbor E.coli, Salmonella, and other harmful bacteria. These hidden pathogens can be effectively eliminated using the sanitize cycle.
4. Increased Health Protection: More than just convenience, it offers a level of protection, especially for households with young children, elderly individuals, or those with compromised immune systems. The higher temperatures and extended drying time of the sanitize cycle help to destroy bacteria and significantly reduce the risk of food-borne illnesses.
5. Advanced Heat Regulation: The dishwasher carefully manages water temperature during the sanitize cycle, ensuring the heat is sufficient to sterilize utensils without causing harm to the dishes or internal parts of the machine.
Hence, the sanitize cycle is an essential feature in dishwashers that ensures both cleanliness and safety.
How Can You Utilize the Sanitize Cycle in Your Dishwasher Most Effectively?
To achieve the best results and top efficiency with your dishwasher's sanitize cycle, here are some key tips and practices to keep in mind:
1. Check Dishwasher Safety: Before using the sanitize cycle, ensure that all items you want cleaned can safely endure the high-temperature process. Delicate dishes or non-dishwasher safe items could potentially be damaged by the hot water.
2. Avoid Overloading: An overstuffed dishwasher inhibits the effective circulation of water and heat. For optimal sanitation, avoid overcrowding and ensure all items are well-spaced.
3. Use Quality Detergent: Enhance sanitation by using a high-quality dishwasher detergent. This helps in effectively breaking down food debris and further improving the cleaning process.
4. Cycle Selection: Keep in mind that the sanitize cycle extends the duration of the wash. Hence, it's advisable to use the functionality when it's particularly necessary for extra cleaning or sterilization.
By following these recommendations, you can ensure you're making the most of your dishwasher's sanitize cycle, improving the hygiene and cleanliness levels of your dishware. With smart usage, this feature can serve as an invaluable asset in maintaining a healthy and safe kitchen environment.
When Should You Use the Dishwasher's Sanitize Cycle and When Not?
Utilizing the sanitize cycle in your dishwasher is largely reliant on individual circumstances and specific requirements. This cycle, which works at higher temperatures for eliminating bacteria, shouldn't be applied for all scenarios. Here's when you should and shouldn't consider using the sanitize cycle:
When to use:
1. Illness in the household: After a family member has been unwell, the sanitize cycle can help prevent the spread of germs by thoroughly cleaning the dishes.
2. Handling raw or undercooked meat: If your dishes, utensils or cookware have been exposed to raw or undercooked meat, using the sanitize cycle eliminates the risk of cross-contamination.
3. Delayed dish washing: If dishes have been sitting dirty for a while, this cycle proves handy. It thoroughly cleans and sanitizes dishes even when food has been stuck on them for prolonged periods.
When not to use:
1. Regular cleaning: Daily washing of dishes doesn't necessitate the use of the sanitize cycle. Standard cleaning cycles suffice to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
2. Non-dishwasher safe items: The high temperature may damage non-dishwasher safe or delicate items. Always confirm whether an item is dishwasher safe before exposing it to the sanitize cycle.
Balancing the use of the sanitize cycle can help maintain hygiene without prematurely wearing out your dishware or the dishwasher itself. It's all about discerning when to use it — and when not to.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the sanitize cycle is a unique and beneficial feature in dishwashers that enhances hygiene and safety in your kitchen. By using it wisely and appropriately, you can ensure sparkling clean and bacteria-free dishes in your home while preserving the durability of your dishware.
Related FAQs about what does the sanitize cycle on a dishwasher do
Can the sanitize cycle replace usual cleaning methods?
While the sanitize cycle ensures deep sterilization, it doesn't replace regular cleaning cycles. It is a supplementary step designed for enhanced cleaning. For routine dish washing, normal cleaning cycles suffice, but when maximum hygiene is required, the sanitize cycle offers a significant advantage.
Is it safe to use the sanitize cycle for all kinds of utensils?
Not all utensils are safe for the sanitize cycle due to the high temperatures used. Before using this cycle, you should confirm whether the utensils are dishwasher-safe and can endure these high heats to avoid any potential damage.
How often should I use the sanitize cycle on my dishwasher?
There's no hard and fast rule. You should use the sanitize cycle when you need enhanced cleaning, such as after illness in the household, exposure of dishes to raw meat, or when dishes have sat dirty for a while. Remember, regular cleaning does not necessitate use of the sanitize cycle.
