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How Water Temperature Affects Cycle Time
How Water Temperature Affects Cycle Time of Your KitchenAid Dishwasher
To minimize cycle time, run the hot water faucet at the sink closest to the dishwasher until the water is hot; as part of normal operation, the dishwasher pauses two or three times during the cycle to heat the water to the proper cleaning temperature. Once the temperature is met, the cycle will advance. Having hot water enter the dishwasher right when the cycle begins can eliminate the need for long heating pauses, decreasing the time it takes to complete the cycle.
The water should be 120°F as it enters the dishwasher for best results. Loads may not wash as well if the water temperature is too low. Water that is too hot can make some soils harder to remove and cause certain detergent ingredients not to function.
Understanding Dishwasher Water Temperature
Water temperature is central to cleaning performance and cycle length. In KitchenAid dishwashers, hotter water helps dissolve detergent efficiently, break down grease and baked-on soils, and support sanitisation where applicable. When the incoming water is cooler than expected, the appliance will typically spend longer heating it to the target range before moving on to the next phase. That additional heating time can extend the overall cycle length and affect dishwasher cycle times.
For most models, KitchenAid recommends a hot water supply of about 120°F (49°C). This temperature promotes proper detergent activation, thorough soil removal, and consistent drying performance. If your home’s hot water supply is much below 120°F, expect the dishwasher to heat the water internally, which may lengthen the cycle and influence the average dishwasher cycle time. A simple best practice is to run the hot water at the kitchen sink until it’s warm before starting the dishwasher, so the appliance receives water near the recommended temperature right from the first fill.
KitchenAid dishwashers manage temperature using onboard sensors and thermostats. During certain phases, an internal heater may activate to boost water to the required temperature for cleaning and, on select cycles, sanitisation. If the appliance detects that the water hasn’t reached the target range, it will extend the heating period before advancing. That behaviour explains why water temperature is a key variable in both cleaning quality and cycle timing, and why understanding how long do dishwashers run depends on inlet temperature and load soil.
If you would like to download or view product literature for your appliance, please visit our Manuals and Literature page.