A portable dishwasher is a great addition to any kitchen. This dishwasher is convenient, not heavy, and can be used without fixing it in a permanent space. For that, this dishwasher is very favorite among bachelors, small families, and people who live in a rent space.
However, sometimes it is better to keep a portable dishwasher in a permanent space if you have planning to live in a house for a long time. Luckily this dishwasher is very easy to hook up. But it requires some additional work sometimes like connecting electricity and water supply.
Despite being an easy task, knowing the proper way is important to run the machine properly and increase its lifespan. In this article, we will learn how to hook up a portable dishwasher in a proper way.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Hooking Up a Portable Dishwasher
To make the installation process easier for you we have divided the process into some steps. Let’s see how you can hook your dishwasher on your own:
1. Gather Necessary Supplies:
Keeping everything near to hands is the best practice when working on a plan or project. It keeps the work running smoothly. For that, you must keep items like the dishwasher, screw, screwdriver, cable & socket, wrench, tread tape, etc. when working to hook up a dishwasher.
2. Prepare Dishwasher for Installation:
When you have all the necessary items nearby, it’s time to prepare your dishwasher for installation. So, unbox your dishwasher if it is brand new and boxed. And if you have an existing one that is also ok. After that, you have to measure your dishwasher to make sure it will fit in your desired space.
3. Measure installation spaces:
Before planning to install a dishwasher, it is very important to measure the space and make sure there is a water supply facility, an electric socket nearby, access to a drainage line, and proper space to keep the machine steady. So, make sure your dishwasher size is okay for the space where you are planning to hook up.
4. Install Dishwasher Drain Hose:
A dishwasher must have connected a drainage line. For that, it is very important to work with the drain line and connect the drain hose. To make sure the space you choose can be accessible to the drainage line, you have to complete this task first. And if it is not possible to connect the dishwasher drain water hose with the drainage line then you may need to change the line.
5. Connect Dishwasher Supply Hose:
Though a portable dishwasher can be used with a jar of water or, a direct water supply both, it is a better idea to connect a fixed water supply line to your dishwasher. Especially, when you are planning to fix it for a long time.
To connect your dishwasher to the direct water supply you have to use a hose pipe and connect it to the water supply point. To complete this task you may need professional help if you do not know how to deal with the pipeline.
And if you have confidence, then go for it. To do this, you have to turn off the water supply line for a certain time and connect the pipe with the supply line to the dishwasher. And then turn your supply line on again.
6. Connect Dishwasher Electric Cord:
To run the dishwasher you must have to connect your dishwasher plug with an active socket. So, if you have a socket where you are planning to fix your dishwasher, then it will be great. But for most cases, it requires doing some wiring work and making a socket point. Here, you may need to bring an electrician if you do not know how to install a socket point. And when you have connected your dishwasher with an electric cord, it’s time to run a test wash cycle.
7. Test Dishwasher:
When the installation process is done it’s time to run a wash cycle to make sure everything is working fine. But before running the wash cycle you have to connect the electricity cord well and your water supply line has enough water pressure. And after that simply turn your dishwasher on and run a test cycle. In most cases, your machine should work fine but if you did something wrong then you must find out and fix the problem to run the test cycle again.
8. Adjusting the legs for leveling:
Lastly, you have to make sure your dishwasher surface is level and the machine is not shaking during the wash cycle. As most portable dishwasher comes with adjustable legs, using this you can easily balance your dishwasher to keep it steady.
As you can see the process of hooking up a portable dishwasher is a very simple and straightforward process. So follow the instruction carefully to fix your dishwasher properly. However, sometimes a common problem arises as not every people have the expertise to install household machines. If you are one of them then some tips maybe help you a lot in completing the task very well.
Bonus Tips for a Successful Hook-Up
Installing a dishwasher requires proper planning as installing is a time-consuming task. Though it is easy but, who wants to do the same work again and again? To run your dishwasher smoothly and also to make a proper plan to install the dishwasher our tips may help you a lot.
- Choose the right location where the water supply and drainage line are nearby and the dishwasher electric cord can easily be accessible to the socket. Though all these options can be manageable but it will be great if there is an option.
- Installing space must be near the sink. It is important because sometimes it requires pre-clean extra food before putting dishes into the dishwasher.
- Properly measure the space where you are planning to install the dishwasher. Here, a lot of people do common mistakes. They measure height, and width but forget to measure depth. So, be careful when measuring spaces.
- Check the existing electric and water supply connection before start installing the machine. If there is any problem with the electric or water supply system then fix it before start installing the machine.
- If you do not have confidence and knowledge of electric and water supply line work then hire a professional. Woking with an electric line can be dangerous and sometimes cause accidents.
Maintenance and Care
It is very important to take care of your machine to keep it working smoothly. Though the dishwasher’s mechanism is very simple and lasts very long, using it in the wrong way can reduce its cleaning ability. Not only that, but regular maintenance is also necessary to keep the machine free from dirt and bacteria. See how can you maintain your dishwasher and take care of it:
Clean your dishwasher frequently:
Frequent cleaning is very necessary to prevent blockage on the water drain line. Not only that, proper cleaning help to kill any types of bacteria growth inside the machine. To clean your machine properly it is recommended to run an empty wash cycle before and after washing.
Load dish properly:
Generally, the dishwasher cleans dishes using water force and it comes from mainly one way. That’s why all plates, glasses, and other dishes must be kept in the right order to clean them properly. In that case, the built-in rack helps a lot to put everything in the right order. If you struggling to decide how to put dishes properly then read the user manual or contact the dishwasher company’s hotline.
Use the Right detergen:
In a portable dishwasher, it is recommended to use liquid detergent to have the best cleaning. For a normal washer 1 tablespoon of liquid detergen considers being enough. However, you can also use powder detergen but sometimes it won’t melt well, and stick it on the dishes. Do not use a dishwasher pod/ capsule for a portable dishwasher as it is made for a single wash for a bigger regular dishwasher. If you do, you will end up with a bubbling mess on dishes.
Do not let your machine off for long periods of time:
You must use your dishwasher a couple of times a month to keep everything functioning well. A fewer uses dishwasher can bring a lot of problems and if it is tuned off for a long time, the water sprayer could be cogged. Not only that, many internal issues can take place if a machine is turned off for a long time. So, even if it is not necessary to use the dishwasher, run an empty wash cycle at least once a week
Make sure your dishwasher is getting enough voltage:
Due to faulty wiring or loose connection sometimes the dishwasher can have low voltage. This can cause serious damage to your machine. For that, it is very important to make your machine is connected with a good electric socket.
Check water supply frequently:
It is very common to have slow water flow from the supply line to the dishwasher. If this happens it can negatively affect the machine. Not only that, slow or imbalanced water flow can bring dirt from the supply pipe to the machine which can clog the machine’s spray system. So you have to make sure your water supply line has enough water pressure before running a wash cycle.
Taking care of a machine is extremely important to keep the machine functioning well for longer periods of time. The care and maintenance tips we provide here can help you a lot. So, make sure to follow the upper tips with your dishwasher.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Using a dishwasher in a proper way, work smoothly for a very long period of time. But it is not uncommon to have problems with it. Mostly, problems come to from improper installation and sometimes they occur due to the machine’s fault and not maintaining properly. Let’s see some of the very common problems and see how can you fix them.
Leaking Hoses:
For not tightening the hoses well or not using tread tape water can leak from the connection pipe. So, make sure to use tread tape while working with the pipe connection and tighten it properly. And if the problem persists, call a plumber to fix this simple issue.
Low Water Pressure:
Low-pressure water can reduce cleaning performance and reduce machines’ ability day by day. For that, it is very important to figure out the reason and fix it. If your low-pressure problem is coming from the water supply system fault then you have to wash your dishes when the water supply has a good flow. And if there is no problem with the water supply then remove the connecting pipe, clean it and reinstall it.
Electrical Issues:
If the dishwasher is not starting or not working properly, check the electric cord and ensure that it is properly connected. And if there is no problem with the electric connection then maybe there is a problem with the dishwasher’s circuit. In such cases, it will be better to connect with a warranty provider or a mechanic.
The dishwasher not draining properly:
it usually takes place when you do not clean your drainage pipe’s filter frequently after use. This filter gets cogged day by day when you do not clean it and cause problems.
The dishwasher not cleaning dishes effectively:
This problem can take place for many reasons but the core cause is cogged water sprayer. So, if you notice your machine is not cleaning dishes well, make sure to clean the dishwasher’s built-in sprayer using a brush. In addition, this problem can take place to slow the water supply as well. As this problem can take place for various reasons you must keep attention on your machine to figure out the problem and solve it.
Factors to consider before purchasing a portable dishwasher
There are so many types of dishwasher that comes with different size, features, and price option. So, you must make sure you have done research on which size and feature you need. To make this easier for you, we have made this shortlist.
- Size: You must measure the space where you want to keep your dishwasher. It can help you to purchase the perfect one that can fit well in your desired space.
- Capacity: Generally, the portable dishwasher is small and won’t be able to wash dishes for a big family. So, make sure to purchase a portable or regular one depending on your needs.
- Features: Depending on your needs you can choose a dishwasher. Features actually depend on price point but some model offers cool features on a budget. So, look for the features you need before buying one. Common useful features include adjustable racks, delay start, energy efficiency, etc.
- Price: Portable dishwashers can vary greatly in price, so consider your budget and the features that are most important to you before making a purchase. Here, if you do not need so many features then consider a cheaper one with fewer features. But do not buy a dishwasher from non-reputed bands.
- Brand and Warranty: A good product always comes with a warranty. It assures users that the product will last long and if not the company will provide service. For that, you must consider a product from a reputed brand which provides a warranty.
By following these factors you can choose the best product as per your requirement.
Final Words
Though a portable dishwasher can be used without installing it in a fixed space, you can hook it up if you are planning to use it regularly for a long time. After reading this complete blog we hope you get how to hook up a portable dishwasher accurately.
We also discussed troubleshooting, and maintenance and give some tips which may help you a lot in operating your dishwasher smoothly. So, how was this article? How much do you get help from our blog? Let us know in the comment section.
