Drying complaints are among the most common for any dishwasher. Many energy-efficient dishwashers do not rely on a large exposed heating element for drying, and instead use residual heat, condensation and rinse aid. That makes drying performance sensitive to how the machine is loaded and used.
What Is Normal
- Plastic items staying damp. Plastic does not hold heat the way glass and ceramic do, so water does not evaporate from it as readily.
- A few drops on the inside of the door or tub walls.
- Water pooled in the concave bottoms of cups or bowls placed upright.
Improvements You Can Make
- Use rinse aid. It helps water sheet off instead of beading. Refill the dispenser when the indicator shows low, and adjust the setting if your manual allows.
- Choose a heated or extra dry option if your model has one. Frigidaire names these options differently across models, so check the control panel and manual.
- Load at an angle so cups and bowls can drain, and avoid nesting items together.
- Unload the bottom rack first so water on the upper rack does not drip onto dry dishes.
- Open the door a little after the cycle finishes and the dishes have cooled slightly, which lets steam escape.
When It Is Worth a Service Call
If glass and ceramic items are coming out wet on a heated dry setting with rinse aid in use, or if dishes are also not getting hot or clean, the heating or vent components may not be working as intended. A dishwasher that no longer heats water can also affect cleaning results. Book a dishwasher repair visit and mention which options you have tried.