Findings stack up to peace in dishwasher wars

Filling the dishwasher can be a touchy subject in the home, but the trick is to get properly loaded, and make sure the force is with you.

That’s how to end the family dishwasher wars, according to an expert, who says that the current design of machines is a washout.

Dishwashers should be filled in a circular fashion - not in straight rows, advises Dr Raul Pérez-Mohedano from the University of Birmingham.

Filling a dishwasher is not rocket science; it’s far more complex than that, according to Dr Pérez-Mohedano, who led a study on the subject and will probably be knighted for it.

His findings are published in Britain’s Chemical Engineering Journal and show that following manufacturers’ instructions won’t always lead to the best results. After studying numerous cycles, his team concluded that the best way to fill your washer is in a circle around the cutlery basket.

He said: “Current commercial dishwashers also show a problem of symmetry. While the ejection of water is produced in a circular movement, the distribution of the crockery follows a rectangular pattern. This automatically produces areas where the impact of water is going to occur for longer.”

His findings could now have major consequences for manufacturers and force them into a total redesign of dishwashers that can be loaded up in a circle.

“In my personal opinion a redesign of the way of distribution of water is necessary. There are some ideas out there that have been, or are ready to be, commercialised,” he said.

Dirty dishes should also be grouped together according to their type of stain.

“Depending on the soil type to remove, the best procedure to follow varies. For example, cleaning of protein-based soils, such as egg yolk, requires an initial swelling/hydration stage which is typically driven by high alkaline conditions at the beginning of the wash-cycle. Other types of soils based on carbohydrates, like tomato paste, require less chemistry and more mechanical action.”

Dr Pérez-Mohedano also warned against the mostly-male affliction of over-packing. Your lady was right all along, guys: Overloading the dishwasher is not smart and will lead to poor results.

Now, if he could come up with a machine that automatically empties itself, peace would reign forever in the family home.