Is there a correct way to fill a dishwasher to maximise capacity and cleanliness? (continued)
Keith Macpherson
Clevedon, Somerset, UK
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Ra煤l P茅rez Mohedano (10 June) suggests opening the dishwasher immediately after it has finished. I caution against this without first checking the materials and construction of the surrounding countertops.
The hot, moist efflux from the dishwasher will, over time, degrade any fibreboard in the vicinity, resulting in a possible collapse of the worktop.
W. Richard Hencke
Scotts Valley, California, US
The problem with placing like with like in the cutlery basket, as previously suggested, is that they love to nestle on top of one another, impairing the cleaning process.
I take pains to do the opposite, so that all surfaces are exposed to the jets. An exercise in applied topography I suppose.
Hillary Shaw
Newport, Shropshire, UK
Given the energy, water and raw materials that go into its manufacture and transport, then its usage when most households consists of five people or less, then any repairs and, finally, its disposal, surely the correct way to load a dishwasher is onto the back of a van to take to the scrap metal dealer, and to use traditional kitchen sink washing up thereafter.
Mick Micklethwaite
Petersfield, Hampshire, UK
Your previous correspondent (8 July) is absolutely right that two dishwashers is the solution, and we have recently set up our new kitchen just so.
There is a problem, however. It means emptying two dishwashers instead of one, neither of which has been stacked correctly.
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