Dishwashers have become necessary in modern times, not only because they are time-saving but also because they wash and sanitize your plates better than your hands. Good dishwashers are better cleaners because kitchen sponges often contain germs.
Samsung dishwashers are some of the best in the market today, and that’s not just because Samsung is a household name. Not only do they have some of the most aesthetically pleasing machines, but they are also quiet and often more efficient than many other dishwashers.
If you just recently purchased a Samsung dishwasher, you might be itching to know more about the parts of the dishwasher and how they operate. This short guide will go through the parts of a typical Samsung dishwasher and all its functions. Remember that the model covered in this guide may be slightly different from your own.
Samsung Dishwasher Parts Diagram
Samsung Dishwasher Parts (as Seen on the Diagram)
Heating Element: The heating element is located at the bottom of the dishwasher. Its job is to heat the water coming in for washing the dishes before it is sent to the different parts of the dishwasher during the wash cycle. Dishwashers use hot water and detergents to wash and sanitize dishes so that they are cleaner than regular handwashing.
Another job of the heating element is to dry the air around the dishes during the dry cycle so that the dishes dry faster.
- Top rack: Located at the top of the dishwasher is the top rack, which holds your flat and deep dishes for washing.
- Bottom rack: The bottom rack is similar to the top rack but is located at the bottom of the dishwasher.
- Silverware basket: The silverware basket or cutlery rack might not be in all models, but its job is to hold cutlery in the dishwasher. You will often find it close to the bottom rack, but you can take it out and rearrange it to create more space for other stuff.
- Upper Spray Arm: You may not find the upper spray arm in all models, but many Samsung models have it. Often, most dishwasher models come with just the middle and lower spray arms. The middle spray arm sprays water on the top rack, while the lower spray arm sprays water on the bottom rack. It is located at the ceiling of the dishwasher, and its job is to spray water on the upper rack of dishes.
- Middle Spray Arm: The middle spray arm is located just below the top rack. Its job is to spray water on the upper rack of dishes.
- Lower Spray Arm: The lower spray arm is located on the floor of the dishwasher, just below the bottom rack. Its job is to spray water on the bottom rack of dishes.
- Detergent and Rinse Aid Dispenser: The detergent and rinse aid dispenser holds the detergent and rinse aid before the start of the wash, rinse, and dry cycle. Detergents and hot water are sprayed on the plates during the wash cycle to better clean and sanitize the dishes. You can use liquid or powder detergents or detergent pods.
The job of the rinse aid is to make your dishes dry faster. Rinse aids contain surfactants, chemicals that reduce the surface tension of water. By doing this, water doesn’t form droplets on the dishes but forms thinner sheets that roll off easily.
The detergent and rinse aid dispenser is located inside the dishwasher door. There are two compartments, one for detergent and the other for rinse aid. Ensure you clean this compartment often, as it is more prone to clogging than other dishwasher parts.
- Filtration System: Most dishes contain food particles that can clog the drain. The filtration system holds the large food particles, so the drain doesn’t get clogged. It is often located at the bottom corner of the dishwasher.
- Water Inlet Valve: The water inlet valve controls water flow through the tubes to the spray arms in the dishwasher. It opens and closes in different cycles. You will find it inside the dishwasher, usually at the bottom, close to the lower spray arm.
- Door Latch: The job of the door latch is to ensure the dishwasher is closed correctly so there is no spillage. The door latch turns on the safety lock as soon as the wash cycle begins, so you can’t open it at will. It is located inside the plastic door of the dishwasher.
- Circulation pump: The circulation pump transfers water from the inlet valve to all the spray arms in the dishwasher.
- Motor: Each spray arm has a small motor to make it rotate. The rotation of the spray arm increases the pressure of the water released for more efficient cleaning during the wash cycle.
Samsung dishwashers often come with other accessories not mentioned in this guide, but these are the main parts you will find.
