Our KitchenAid smells like fish after we run it. We have cleaned it, run Clorox through it, you name it. It lasts a day or two then smells. The drain is functioning properly, so we are most likely replacing it soon. It is maybe two years old. What do you folks like or recommend with all the energy efficiency requirements that have destroyed quality products? Thanks folks.

I hate to hear that. KitchenAid would have been my recommendation. We had one for at least 10 years and never had issues. I wonder, though, the smell would make me think either there’s another filter or something that needs changing/cleaning OR something not in the washer is causing the problem. Know any appliance gurus?

quote:

Originally posted by jbcummings:
I hate to hear that. KitchenAid would have been my recommendation. We had one for at least 10 years and never had issues. I wonder, though, the smell would make me think either there’s another filter or something that needs changing/cleaning OR something not in the washer is causing the problem. Know any appliance gurus?

We have tried everything. No other filters or anything to clean. It was serviced 6-8 months back due to a recall, and was given clean bill of health.

Are you keeping the door closed long term while it' still damp inside?

Did it stink at the time of service?

Did you pull the unit out and clean out the discharge/drain hose?
They are usually corrugated and crap can accumulate in it over time, may need to be replaced if too nasty.

Also like these front load washers you can’t really leave the door closed when not in use because they seal up so tight and the least amount of moisture makes them stink.

Did you clean under the bottom door gasket? Be amazed at the gunk that traps in that gap

At only 2 years old, replacement shouldn't be needed. Gotta be some rancid grease/food in there somewhere. Keep looking. Bleach not a good idea. Vinegar better or dishwasher cleaner.

Ours was doing the same (4 yr old dw). Wife cut a small piece of pool noodle, ran string through it and tied it to the dw handle. Uses it to keep the door propped open 1 1/2 in. or so after emptying it. Boom! No more nasty odors.


Rick

quote:

Originally posted by Nismo:
Are you keeping the door closed long term while it' still damp inside?

Yep, We have a Bosch, and occasionally we'll get some odor if we leave it closed up, these things seal up like a submarine, found that once a cycle is done, we crack the door to let out the heat/steam and the dishes to cool this lets the inside dry, we don't shut it 100% between washes, just let the door lightly close but not lock so its cracked open and voila no more odor.

We've got a KitchenAid and have had it for about 14 years now. No problems at all. So far.

Rather than buying a new one, have you considered getting a service guy to come and check it out? There's obviously something wrong inside that is causing the odor, but the machine itself, as I understand it, is working perfectly. I would expect he will know pretty quickly what is causing this.

Bob

Have you contacted KitchenAid about your problem? I would think they would want to help correct this condition. Is it still under warrantee? Could there be a piece of meet or other food stuck in one of the rotating water spray arms? Our KitchenAid is over twelve years old and still works fine. I do rinse off any residue on dishes before I load them. I sure would exhaust all solutions before replacing an appliance that new.

Prop the door open a bit between uses would be my normal response. Our Bosch can get a smelly if we seal it up like a drum and never open it.

No to bleach.

Yes to Vinegar.
Yes to Lemon juice.

Back in my days at Sears I used to sell a lot of dishwashers.

Of most importance to customers was how quiet they were. Each dishwasher has a decibel rating.

A technique I would use to demonstrate how quiet my better dishwashers were, was to put music on my iPhone with the volume up and then put it inside the dishwasher and close the door.

I would do one on a cheaper dishwasher where there was almost no change, and then at a higher quality dishwasher where you could barely hear the music anymore.

If you are hell bent on replacing it, check Costco, they have a sale on appliances going on, several models for every budget from $600 to $1800 to choose from.

In addition the purchase includes, delivery, uninstalling and removing the old unit, installing the new one at no additional charge. Plus if you buy it on your costco visa it increases the warranty.

Link

Me, I'd stop closing the door and buy a new gun with the $1800 savings...

This is an interesting thread as both we are in the market for a new dishwasher and learning about how to keep the nasty smells at bay. We initially had this problem with our front load washer and learned to keep the door open a bit between washes.

Try OH YUK It's for hot tubs, dishwashers and washing machines. It loosened the crap that was in mine and flushed it out. Nothing else worked prior to using this stuff.

https://a.co/d/3uvAzLv

quote:

Originally posted by teombe:
Miele Dishwashers

Ditto Miele. We love ours. It gets everything clean, better than any other dishwasher I've owned. And the door has an automatic prop that holds the door open after the cycle is done. (After the door has been manually opened the prop retracts so it will close all the way).

But, I am with all the others who think there is something that needs to be cleaned. It could be a spill under the machine, or it could be the drain line.

Could it be the drain valve is staying open after the cycle finishes and you're getting sewer gases into the tub?

Two picks are Miele for high end and Kitchen Aid for medium grade.

Have to check the lights to see if the Miele is running. Very quiet.

We keep the door open. We have tried vinegar, cleaned it multiple times. Cleaned the drain line. Wife is really frustrated. Maybe the pump has issues. But that was part of the recall repair they performed. Thanks for all the suggestions.