Amana Distinctions User manual

Owner's Manual
Dishwasher
Keep instructions for future reference.
Be sure manual stays with dishwasher.
Part No. 6 917311 A
Contents
Important Safety Information ...................... 3
Washing the Dishes ................................... 4
Custom Features........................................ 6
Water, Detergents and Rinse Aids .............. 7
Dish ashing Recommendations ................ 8
Care and Cleaning ..................................... 9
Troubleshooting........................................ 10
Warranty................................................... 12
Manual del propietario .............................. 13

2
Please take the time to complete the registration card and return promptly.
If registration card is missing, call Amana Consumer Affairs Department.
When contacting Amana, provide product information from serial plate
found on the inside right edge of the dish asher:
Model Number _____________________________________________
Manufacturing (P) Number ___________________________________
Serial Number (S/N) ________________________________________
Purchase Date ____________________________________________
Dealer Name ______________________________________________
Dealer Address ____________________________________________
Dealer Phone _____________________________________________
Keep this manual and your sales receipt together in a safe place for
future reference or if arranty service is required.
For ans ers to questions or to locate an authorized servicer, call
1-800-843-0304. Warranty service must be performed by an authorized
servicer. Amana Appliances also recommends contacting an authorized
servicer if service is required after arranty expires.
What You Need to Know
about Safety Instructions
Warning and Important Safety
Instructions appearing in this manual
are not meant to cover all possible
conditions and situations that may occur.
Common sense, caution, and care must
be exercised when installing,
maintaining, or operating dishwasher.
Always contact your dealer, distributor,
service agent, or manufacturer about
problems or conditions you do not
understand.
Thank you for buying an dishwasher!
Asure Extended
Ser ice Plan
Amana Appliances offers long-term
service protection for this new
dishwasher. Asure™Extended Service
Plan, covering functional parts, labor,
and travel charges, is specially designed
to supplement a strong warranty.
Call 1-800-528-2682 for information.
Parts and Accessories
Purchase replacement parts and
additional accessories by phone.
To order accessories for your Amana
product, call 1-800-843-0304.
Sa e Time and Money
If something seems unusual, please
check Troubleshooting section,
which is designed to help you solve
problems before calling service. If you
have a question, write or call us
(include model number and daytime
phone number) at:
Consumer Affairs Department
Amana Appliances
2800 - 220th Trail
Amana, Iowa 52204
Ph# 1-800-843-0304
Recognize Safety Symbols, Words, Labels
DANGER
!
DANGERImmediate hazards hich WILL result in severe personal
injury or death.
WARNING
!
WARNINGHazards or unsafe practices hich C ULD result in severe
personal injury or death.
CAUTION
!
CAUTI NHazards or unsafe practices hich C ULD result in minor
personal injury or product or property damage.
Questions on cleaning or usage?
Refer to
Product Assistance at www.amana.com
or
call Consumer Affairs at 1-800-843-0304

3
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING
!
To avoid risk of fire, electric shock, serious injury, or death hen using your dish asher, follo these basic
precautions:
1. Read all instructions before using the dish asher.
2. Use the dish asher only for its intended function.
3. Disconnect electrical po er to dish asher before attempting to service.
4. To avoid electrical shock hazard, the sides and back must be enclosed and the front panels must be
attached before electrical po er is applied to the dish asher. Refer to the installation instructions for
proper grounding procedures.
5. Connect to a properly rated, protected and sized po er supply circuit to avoid electrical overload.
6. Children should never be permitted to operate, or play in, ith, or around this dish sher.
7. To reduce the risk of injury hen loading items to be ashed, sharp or pointed items should be located
ith the handles up. Also, load sharp items so they are not likely to damage the door seal.
8. Be careful not to touch the heating element on the bottom of the tub during or at the completion of a cycle.
It may be hot.
9. Use only detergents and rinse additives designed for an automatic dish asher. Never use soap, laundry
detergent, or hand ashing detergent in your dish asher. Keep these products out of reach of children.
10. Do not sit, stand on or abuse the door or dish racks of the dish asher.
11. Under certain conditions, hydrogen gas may be produced in a hot- ater system that has not been used
for t o eeks or more. HYDR GEN GAS IS EXPL SIVE. If the hot- ater system has not been used for
such a period, before using the dish asher turn on all hot- ater faucets and let the ater flo from each
for several minutes. This ill release any accumulated hydrogen gas. As the gas is flammable, do not
smoke or use an open flame during this time.
12. Do not ash plastic items unless marked "dish asher safe" or the equivalent. For plastic items not so
marked, check the manufacturer's recommendations.
13. Do not tamper ith controls.
14. To prevent accidental child entrapment and suffocation risk, al ays remove the door to the ashing
compartment hen removing an old dish asher from service or discarding it.
15. Use caution hen unloading the dish asher. Dishes ill be hot if unloaded shortly after a cycle has
completed.
Proper disposal of your appliance:
Important: Child entrapment and suffocation are not problems of the past.
Junked or abandoned appliances are still dangerouseven if they sit "just
for a fe days". If you are getting rid of your old appliance:
 Remove dish asher door completely from unit.
 Keep shelves or racks in place so that children may not easily climb
inside.

4
Washing the Dishes
1. Prepare dishes for washing
 Scrape off bones or large food particles. Remove excessive quantities
of greasy/oily substances.
 Scrape or soak items ith burnt on foods as they require more energy
than the rest of the load to clean.
 Scrape off tomato based food soils.
 If connected to a food aste disposer, make certain the disposer is
empty before starting the dish asher. This allo s proper draining.
 Mustard, mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon and other acidic foods can cause
rust or discoloration on stainless steel. Rinse these pieces as soon as
possible.
 Starch from foods like potatoes, pasta, rice and oatmeal require more
energy to clean than the rest of the load.
3. Load upper rack
 This rack is designed to hold glasses, cups, small plates,
bo ls, cook are, etc.
 Small plates or bo ls should be loaded ith soiled surfaces
facing the center of the rack.
 The t in shelf (select models) on the right side of the upper
rack folds up or do n. Fold it do n to hold long-handled knives,
spatulas and spoons or short items like cups or juice glasses.
Fold it up for taller items like bo ls, plates, etc.
 Place glasses in any ro of the upper rack for proper cleaning
and rinsing. Do not load glasses over tines.
 Upper rack can be removed hen tall or oversized items need
to be loaded into the lo er rack.
2. Load lower rack
To ensure best cleaning:
 Place all items in the racks so they are separated and facing the center
of the racks.
 Wedge flat, light eight items next to the silver are basket or along the
sides and back of the racks.
 Load items so they do not rest over the ash to er located in the center
of the lo er rack.
 Avoid blocking the upper and lo er spray arms by not allo ing items to
extend beyond the racks.
 Large items may be placed in any convenient location in this rack.
 Keep soiled surfaces facing the center of the rack.
 The back of this rack accommodates a ro of dinner plates or t o ro s
of smaller plates. Serving bo ls and large pans fit across the front of the
rack or on the left side.

5
Washing the Dishes (cont'd)
4. Load Silverware Basket
 For best cleaning results, prevent items from nesting together by placing
some items in the basket ith handles up and some ith handles do n.
 Load knives, handles up, through the slots in the covered section hen
closed (select models).
 Be sure that thin, finely pointed items do not extend through the basket.
This could block the lo er ash arm.
 Small, light eight items like baby spoons and plastic measuring spoons
should be placed in the covered section (select models) of the basket for
ashing.
5. Check rinse aid dispenser
Regular use of a rinse aid improves drying, reduces spotting and
filming, and reduces moisture left on the dish asher interior.
. Add dishwashing detergent
Use detergent designed specifically for use in an automatic dish asher.
Be sure it is fresh and stored in a cool, dry place (not under the sink).
7. Run hot water & check food disposer
Before starting the dish asher, turn on the hot ater faucet and let it
run until the ater is hot. This assures that the initial fill of ater is hot.
If connected to a food aste disposer, make certain the disposer is
empty before starting the dish asher.
8. Select wash cycle
After loading the dish asher and adding detergent, set the control knob to
the desired cycle and press the appropriate buttons.
9. Close door
Press the door until it latches. The cycle ill begin ith a drain prior to a fill.
Forget something?
For best cleaning, the forgotten
item should be added early in the
cycle.
1. Unlatch the door.
2. Wait for the water circulation to stop.
3. Open the door and add the item.
4. Close and latch the door.
5. The cycle resumes automatically.
CAUTION
!
To avoid risk of personal injury
hen opening dish asher door
during a cycle, ait a fe
seconds to allo cold air to
slo ly expand inside dish asher.
Dish asher may be hot.

6
Custom Features
Dishwasher Wash Cycles
NOTE: Not all cycles available on all models
Wash Cycle Pot/Soil Type Water Used
(approx.) Washes/Rinses
Pots & Pans For heavily soiled dishes, pots and pans. 10.0 gallons 3 prewashes, main wash, purge,
rinse
Normal Wash For normally soiled dishes. 8.0 gallons 2 prewashes, main wash, purge,
rinse
Light Wash For lightly soiled dishes. 6.0 gallons Prewash, main wash, purge, rinse
Rinse Only For rinsing dishes waiting for a full load. 2.0 gallons Rinse, off
If These Features are
Different from Yours
These features are intended to
show the variety that is available
in the product line. If your dishwasher
does not have all the options that are
shown, it is not a mistake. The
information provided applies to several
of the models in the product line.
Delay/Hours
The Delay/Hours option can be used to automatically start the
cycle at a later time, such as during off-peak hours for reduced
energy cost or to reduce daytime heat buildup in the home.
To set up a delay:
1. Select the appropriate options for the load.
2. Turn knob to the amount of hours to delay the cycle.
3. The Delay/Start indicator light ill remain lit until the delay time has
counted do n.
4. The cycle ill automatically start as soon as the delay time expires.

High Temp Rinse
High Temp Rinse provides a ater temperature check early in the main ash
and also in the final rinse of the cycle. If necessary, the heating element turns on
and the cycle extends until the ater is heated to the proper temperature. Select
High Temp Rinse for best results hen ashing loads ith tough food soils.
High Temp Wash
High Temp Wash checks the main ash and final rinse ater temperatures
and ill extend the heating and ater circulation until proper ater
temperature is reached. Select High Temp Wash to ensure proper ater
temperature for activating detergent and dissolving greasy foods.
Indicator Lights
The WATER HEATING PAUSE indicator light (some models) illuminates hen
the cycle is being extended to heat the ater to the proper temperature.
The DELAY START indicator light glo s hen the dish asher is set for a
delay start.

7
Water Detergents and Rinse Aids
How Much Detergent to Use
Too little detergent results in poor cleaning, hard ater filming/spotting and
poor drying. Too much detergent can cause permanent etching/cloudiness.
Use a detergent designed specifically for use in an automatic dish asher.
Other types (laundry, hand soap, etc.,) ill cause oversudsing. Be sure to
use fresh detergent and store it in a cool, dry place (not under the sink). The
amount of detergent to use depends on the ater hardness measured in
grains per gallon* (gpg) and the amount of soil on the dishes. Generally
detergent amounts should be increased for harder ater and heavier soil.
Refer to the follo ing chart for detergent usage recommendations.
If the ater hardness is 13 gpg or harder, it is difficult to achieve good results
ith any dish asher. The solution is a mechanical ater softener to improve
ater quality, detergent effectiveness, and to protect the dish asher parts
from the damage that hard ater deposits may cause.
* Your local ater utility or state university extension service can tell you
the degree of ater hardness in your area.
** Add recommended amount of detergent to both compartments for
Pots and Pans or Normal ash cycles, and to the main cup only for the
Light ash cycle.
Water Hardness* Soil Residue Detergent amount**
(teaspoons)
Light Soil 5
Normal Soil 6
Soft
(0-4 gpg)
Heavy Soil 8
Light Soil 7
Normal Soil 8
Medium
(5-9 gpg)
Heavy Soil 10
Light Soil 9
Normal Soil 10
Hard
(10-12 gpg)
Heavy Soil 12
Hot
Water
For best results, the
incoming ater
temperature should be 120140°F.
Check the ater temperature by
turning on the hot ater faucet
nearest the dish asher and letting it
run into a glass in the sink. Place a
candy thermometer in the glass and
check the temperature once it has
stopped rising. If it is belo 120°F
have a qualified person raise the
ater heater setting.
If the outside temperature is
unusually lo , or if your ater travels
a long distance from the ater
heater to the dish asher, you may
ant to turn on the hot ater faucet
at the sink and allo it to run until the
ater is hot. This assures that the
initial fill of ater is hot.
Rinse Aids
Regular use of a rinse aid
improves drying, reduces
spotting and filming, and
reduces moisture left on
the dish asher interior.
A liquid rinse aid
dispenser automatically releases a
measured amount of rinse aid into
the final rinse portion of each cycle.
To fill the dispenser, turn the cap
counterclock ise to open. Pour the
rinse aid into the reservoir. Replace
the cap and be sure it is securely in
place before closing the dish asher
door. Check the dispenser monthly
and refill as needed.

8
Most table are, cook are and flat are can safely be ashed in your dish asher. If you have any doubts about an
item, check ith the manufacturer.
Dishwashing Recommendations
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Material Usually Safe Special Instructions
Aluminum Yes, except anodized High water temperature and detergents may affect finish.
Cast Iron No Seasoning will be removed, iron will rust.
China or
Stoneware No, if antique or
hand-painted Always check manufacturer’s recommendation before washing. Antique, hand- painted or over-the-glaze patterns may fade. Gold leaf may discolor.
Crystal No, if antique or
delicate crystal
Always check manufacturer’s recommendation before washing. Some types of
leaded crystal may etch with repeated washings.
Furnace Filters Not recommended May leave a dingy deposit or stain on dishwasher interior.
Glass Yes Milkglass can yellow with repeated dishwasher washings.
Gold-Plated
Flatware No Will discolor.
Pewter, Tin No Not considered dishwasher safe.
Plastics Yes, top rack Always check manufacturer’s recommendation before washing. Plastics vary in
their capacity to withstand high water temperatures and detergents. Disposable
plastic items are not dishwasher safe for this reason.
Stainless Steel Yes Run a Rinse Only cycle if not washing immediately. Prolonged contact with foods
containing salt, vinegar, milk products or juice could damage finish.
Sterling silver
Silver plate No, if has commercial
‘darkening’
Always check manufacturer’s recommendation before washing. Run a Rinse Only
cycle if not washing immediately. Prolonged contact with food containing salt, acid
or sulfide (eggs, mayonnaise and seafood) could damage finish. Commercial
‘darkening’ may be removed by detergent.
Wooden Item No Wood may warp, crack or discolor.
Removing the Upper Rac
The upper rack can be removed hen tall or oversized items need to be loaded into the lo er rack.
N TE: Avoid resting items over the center ash to er.
To remove:
 Roll the upper rack 1/3 to 1/2 of the ay out.
 Remove the plastic rack stop from the end of each track. To remove each
plastic rack stop, push in ard (to ard the rack) on the ridged area of the
rack stop. The rack stop ill snap open and can be easily removed by
pulling straight out. Take care to support the track hile removing rack
stops.
 Roll the rack all the ay out of the track and remove from the dish asher.
 Reverse the above procedure to replace the upper rack into the
dish asher.

9
Care and Cleaning
WARNING
!
To avoid risk of burns, allo
heating element to cool before
cleaning the interior.
Storage
Fill both detergent
cups ith a fresh-
scented dish asher
detergent or baking soda and select
the Normal Wash cycle. Allo the
dish asher to complete the cycle.
Then turn the ater supply off and
drain the dish asher. To drain,
1. Start any cycle as all cycles
begin ith a drain.
2. Listen for the drain to complete,
then open the door to interrupt
the cycle prior to the fill.
3. Operate the drain t ice to
ensure most of the ater is
removed.
4. Last, disconnect the electrical
supply and prop open the door.
General Dishwasher Care:
The dish asher interior is normally self-cleaning. Periodically
check the bottom of the dish asher tub to see if any large
particles have not gone through the strainer portion of the
module.
Wipe the edge of the inner door liner to remove any food soil splashes hich
occurred during loading.
The color from some tomato-based food soils has been kno n to
occasionally adhere to today's dish asher tubs, causing a temporary
discoloration. To help prevent this, hen ashing a load of dishes soiled ith
tomato sauce:
 Scrape excess tomato-based food soils off of dishes, prior to loading.
Do not pre ash the dishes, ho ever.
 Run the Pots and Pans cycle.
The front of the dish asher can be cleaned ith a soft damp cloth and liquid
spray cleaner. Do not use abrasive po ders or cleaning pads.
For a strong odor try placing baking soda in both sides of
the detergent cup. Select Light Wash and allo the ater to
circulate for about 10 minutes. Interrupt the cycle by
unlatching the door and let it stand overnight. Restart the
dish asher by latching the door and allo it to complete the
cycle. You can also try a citric acid containing dish asher cleaning product
such as Glisten (Part No. R0131566) or a commercially available dish asher
cleaning product.
Cleaning Stainless Steel (some models)
Stainless steel appliances have been factory finished for high shine and
luster. To maintain this quality appearance:
Damage to stainless steel finish due to improper use of cleaning
products, or using non-recommended cleaning products, is not
covered under warranty. For stainless steel cleaner, call our Consumer
Affairs division at [phone] and request part number 31960801.
D USE:
 Warm soapy ater for routine
cleaning.
 Dry ith soft, clean cloth.
 For heavy soil, NLY a stainless
steel cleaner designed for
kitchen appliance use.
D N T USE:
 Abrasive po ders or liquids
 Citrus based cleaners
 Ammonia
 Steel ool pads
 Abrasive cloths
 Oven cleansers
 Acidic or vinegar based cleaners
Citric Acid
To prevent damage to the
finish of your stainless
steel appliance, do not
allo mustard, tomato juice, marinara
sauce, or other citrus based sauces
or products to remain on stainless
steel surface. Citric acid permanently
discolors stainless steel.

10
You may save time and money by checking items belo before calling for service. List includes common concerns
that are not the result of defective orkmanship or materials. If your question is not explained belo , contact Amana
Consumer Affairs Department at 800-843-0304.
Troubleshooting
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NOISE
Water valve hiss during fill Normal.
Water circulation Normal.
Ticking sound Normal. From timer.
Thumping sound Normal. May be a wash arm bumping an item that extends
beyond the rack. Rearrange.
Chopping or grinding sounds Normal. May be heard as the internal food disposer chops up
hard items like fruit seeds, nuts, etc.
Humming Normal. Occurs during the drain.
Snap noise Normal. Noise is the detergent cup lid hitting the door liner when
the dishwasher door is opened at the end of a cycle.
Dishwasher seems noisy
Improper installation Verify dishwasher installation is correct.
OPERATION
Incomplete cycle Allow cycle to complete.
Dispenser is blocked by a utensil Move utensil.
Detergent cup is not empty
Stale, old detergent Use fresh detergent stored in a cool, dry place.
Cycle takes too long Low water temperature Verify incoming water temperature is 120–140°F (49–60°C)
Dishes being held in dishwasher Run dishes through a Rinse Only cycle.
New smell Normal. Will dissipate with use.
Improper draining See Troubleshooting-Water.
Dishwasher has an odor
Lingering scent
Use baking soda in both detergent cups and run through a
Light Wash cycle. Interrupt 10 minutes into wash cycle and
allow water to stand overnight. Restart the dishwasher by
latching the door and allow cycle to complete. You can also try a
citric acid containing dishwasher cleaning product such as
Glisten (part no. R0131566) or a commercially available
dishwasher cleaning product.
Low water temperature
Check water temperature. Water temperature needs to be at
least 120°F (49°C).
Run hot water at sink before starting dishwasher.
Select High Temp Wash if available.
High water hardness Check water hardness and adjust detergent amount accordingly.
Stale, old detergent Use fresh detergent stored in a cool, dry place.
Improper cycle Select proper cycle for the soil level.
Improper loading
Load items so they do not block the wash arms or center tower.
Load the utensil basket with some handles up and some down
to prevent nesting.
Do not place glasses over tines.
Food soil remains on dishes
Burnt on residue Prior to loading, scrape off burnt on foods and wipe the starchy
film from utensils used with pasta, rice and oatmeal. These soils
require more energy than the rest of the load to clean.
No rinse aid Use a rinse aid.
Low water temperature Verify incoming water temperature is 120–140°F (49–60°C).
Hard water See Stains and Films.
Glasses are cloudy/spotted
Etching See Stains and Films.