GE GSC870 User manual

D
contents
ApplianceRegistration 2SafetyInstructions 3
CareandCleaning 17 Unicouple 13
China,Crystal,Sterling 11 UserMaintenanceInstructions 1’7
ConsumerServices 19 warranty BackCover
CycleFeatures 5WaterTemperature
DelavStart 4WinterStorage 1!
Detergent,DetergentGuide 6,’7 WoodTop 1’7
DispenserCups 7
ElectricalRequirements 12
Energy-SavingTips 2
Features 4
FrontPanelColorChange 17
Loading 8-10
ModelandSerialNumbers 2
OperatingGuide 4,5
CycleSelection 5
SoilLevel 7
POTSCRUBBERCycle 4,5
ProblemSolver
RinseAgent 14-16 GEAnswerCentera 6/??/70.Jw..wfin
(hlVt?d3h3 Model GSC87’OM

Help W!3heipyou...
BeforeUsingyour
dishwasher,Rwdthis
bookcarefuIlye
It is intendedto helpyou
operateandmaintainyournew
dishwasherproperly.
Keep ithandy for answersto
your questions.
If you don’tunderstandsomething
or need more help, write(include
yourphone number):
ConsumerAffairs
GE Appliances
AppliancePark
Louisville,KY 40225
Writedownthemodeland
serialmmbers.
You’llfind them on alabel
fastened to the tub walljust inside
the dishwasherdoor.
These numbers are also on the
Consumer Product Ownership
Registration Card that came with
your dishwasher.Before sending
in this card, please write these
numbers here:
ModelNumber
Savetimeand money.
Beforeyou It%xpst
Ser-viah
Check the Problem Solver(pages
12through 16).It listscauses of
minoroperatingproblemsthat you
can correctyourself.
Toobtain aSpanish language
version of this book,call
GE Answer Center@
800>626.2000
consumerinformation service.
Para obtener la versi6ncm
espa?iolde este manual,
name a
GE Answer Center?
servicio de informacibn
para el consurnidor,
tel;fono 800.626.2000.
Energy-savingtips
The power consumption of your
dishwasher can be minimized if
you follow these suggestions:
sOperate dishwasher only when
it’s full. Let the dishes accumulate
in dishwasher. When you put in
only apartial load, use the RINSE
&HOLD cycle to rinse off heavy
soils. Be sure to latch the door
when waiting for afull load.
This helps keep soilsmoist, easier
to remove.
~If yoLldon’tneed your dishes
right away, use your ENERGY
SAVER no-heat drying feature
that turns the drying heater off
automatically. Dishes dry
naturally over alonger period
such as overnight.
IZIAlways select the cycle that
uses least amount of water that
win remove the soil ii-ml the
hxd. See pages 4and 5.
Serial Number
Use these numbers in any
correspondence or service calls
concerning your dishwasher.
Hyou received a
damageddishwasher...
Immediately contact the dealer
(or builder) that sold you
the dishwasher.
~Turn your water heater down to
120”Fand use the WASH HEAT
BOOST Option. Make sure the
entering water temperature is no
less than 120°F (see page 6).
2
M’youneedservice
Toobtain service,see the
ConsumerServicespage in the =
back of thisbook.
We’reproudof our serviceand e
want you to be pleased.If for some
reason you are nothappy with the
serviceyou receive,here arethree
stepsto followfor furtherhelp.
FIRST,contactthe peoplewho
servicedyour appliance.Explain
why you are not pleased.In most
cases, this will solvethe problem.
NEXT, if you are stiHnot pleased,
write allthe details—including
your phone number—to:
Manager, ConsumerRelations
GE Appliances
Appliance Park
Louisville,Kentucky40225
FINALLY,if your problem is still
not resolved, write:
Major ApplianceConsumer
Action Panel
20 Nollh WackerDrive
Chicago, Illinois60606

IMPORTANTSAFETYmSTRUCTIONS
Readall instructionsh#i-m?Usingthis appliance
WARNING—When using this
appliance,always exercisebasic
safety precautions,including
the following:
~Use this applianceonlyfor its
intendedpurpose,as you willfind
describedin this Use and Care
Book.
eThis dishwasher must be
properly inst$m!d and
10M4?43hmxmikmce with
the Instahtion. Instructions
before it is used. If you did
notreceive an Installation
Instructionssheet with your
dishwasher,you can obtainone
by contactin~the service
location nearest you.
—This appliancemust be
connected to agrounded metal,
permanent wiring sys~ern;or an
equipment-groundingconductor
must be run with the circuit
conductors and connected to the
equipment-grounding terrnimd
or lead of the appliance.
—Connect to aproperly rated,
protectedand sizedpower-supply
circuit to avoid electrical
overload.
*Use only powder or liquid
detergents or wetting agents
recommended for use in a
dishwasher.
~Do not washplasticitemsunless
marked “dishwashersafe” or the
equivalent.Forplasticitemsnotso
marked,check the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
~Load lightplasticitems so
they will not becomedislodged
and drop to the bottomof the
dishwasher—they might come
into contactwith theheating
unit and be damaged.
TOminimize the possiMity
d’ injury,
*When loadingitems to be
washed:
A. Locate sharp items so that
they are not likelyto damage
the door seal, and
B. Load sharp knives with the
handles tip to reduce the risk
of cut-type injuries.
~Do not touch the heating
element during or immediately
after use.
~Do not operateyourdishwasher
unless aHenclosure panels are
properly in place.
*Do not tamper with controls.
@Do not abuse, sit on, or stand
on the door or dish rack of the
dishwasher.
~Close supervision is necessary
if this appliance is used by or
near children. Do not allow
children to play inside, on or
with this appliance or any ‘
discarded appliance. Dispose
of discarded appliances and
shipping or packing material
properly. Before discarding a
dishwasher, remove the door
of the washing compartment,
oKeep all washing detergents
and wetting agents out of the
reach of children, preferably in
alocked cabinet. Observe all
warnings on container
avoid personal injury.
*To minimize he possibility
of electric shock,disconnect
this appliancefrom the power
supply More attemptingany
maintenance.
Note: Turning the control dial
to the (NWpositiondoes not
disconnect the appliance
from the power supply,We
recommend having aqualified
technicianserviceyour ap#iance.
WAmmG–WDROGENGAS
is produced by the chemical
action within your water heater.
It can accumulate in the water
heater and/or water pipes if hot
water has not been used for a
period of two weeks or longer.
HYDROGEN GAS IS
EXPLOSIVE. To prevent the
possibility of damage or injury,
if you have not used hot water
for two weeks or more, or
moved into aresidence in which
the hot water system may not
have been used for some time,
turn on all hot water faucets and
allow them to nm for several
minutes before using any
electrical appliance which is
connected to the hot water
system. This will allow any
hydrogen gas to escape. Also,
since the gas is flammable, do
not smoke or use an open flame
or appliance during this process.
SAVETHESE
INSTRUCTIONS

.—
How ‘tooperateyour dishwasher
—
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*
STEP’1. Load your dishwasher
with dishes, silverware,pots,
pans, bowls, etc., accordingto
instructionson pages 8-10.
STEP 2. Add detergentto the
detergentdispenser.Make sure the
Cycle Indicator Dial is at OFF
position before addingdetergent.
(See pages 6and 7.)
Use rinse aid agent to help prevent
spotting.Occasionally check to
insure that rinse agent containeris
at least half full. (See page 6.)
STEP 3. Select drying option.
IDRYINGHEAT
ON OFF
IEEl
DRYING HEAT ON. Turns the
drying heater on for fast drying.
DRYIINGHEATOFF.Turnsthe
dryingheater offto saveenergy.
Disheswilldry naturallyovera
longerperiodsuchas overnight.
If you need your dishes sooner,
open the dishwasher door after the
cycle is complete to reduce the
natural drying time.
STEP 4. WASHHEAT’BOOST
Option.
WASHHEATBOOST
mOFF
an
When selected,the wash cycle will
be extendedfor 8minuteswhile
the dishwasherheatsthe water for
good washing and drying.The
entering water must be at least
120°F.
When this option is not selected
the entering water mustbe at least
140°F.To test water temperature,
see page 6.
STEP 5. Select the wash cycle and
start the dishwasher.(See Cycle
Selection Hints on next page.)
If your dishwasher drains into a
food waste disposer,operate the
disposer until it is empty before
starting the dishwasher.
~When NOT using DELAY
START (for all cycles):
a. Be sure door is tdatchd.
b. Push selected cycle button.
d. Latch the doorto start the
dishwasher.There is adelay
between start-upand water fill
so you will not hear any wash
actionright away.
“When using DELAYSTART
(for allcycles):
Note: STARTcan be delayed
automaticallyfor up to 6hours.
a. Be sure door is unlatched.
b. Push selected cycle button.
o
ORY
IwRINSING I
c.
d.
Slowly turn Cycle Indicator
Dial to desired delay time.
Latch door to start timer.
Dishwasherwillstartautomatically
at end of selected delay time.
c. Slowly turn Cycle Indicator
Dial to START.
4.
ii
.

—
Cycleselectionhints
It is importantto followtheloading
instructionsonpages8-10.
POTSCRLJBBER-For itemssuch
as pots, pans and casseroleswith
dried-onor baked-on soils.
Everydaydishes may beincluded,
NORMAL WASH—Forloadsof
everydaydishes, glassesand
cookware with mediumsoils.
Designed to yield high
performance on normalsoils.
LIGHT WASH—--Formostloads of
everyday dishes with lightsoilsor
soilsthat have not dried on. It
saves hot water over thehigher
performance cycles, savingenergy.
RINSE &HOLD—For rinsing
partial loadswhich will be washed
later.Do not use detergent.It is best
not to use the DELAY START
option with this cycle.
WhtRthappensineachcycle
~You’11hear occasional clicking
sounds:
—Soft food dis~oser shreddinz
Lu
action.
—Drain valve opening to pump
water out.
—Timer control as cycle
progresses.
—Detergent cup opening.
eDuring the dryingperiod:
—The motor stops.
—Water vapor comes through the
vent by the door latch during
drying and when water is being
pumped out.
WashCyck% lEi:!;lMrnl
CycleSequence
I I I
POTSCRIJBIIER 11.1 ““ EIEIEEIEIIEIEIEEI
NORMALWM51-I 11.1 ““ EIEEIEIEIEIE3EI
—— —— —
LIGHT VVASH 8.2 S,* b-JlN4!&_lHM
M%63E&130LII 2.9 1() mm
“Unextendedtimes.Thesecycletimeswillbeincreasedapproximately8minutesifWASH
HEATBOOSTOptionison.
Drying options:
m. -DRYINGHEATOhJ.Availableon allwashcyclesexceptRINSE&HOLD.Add30minutesto
~~$’ washcycletime.
DRYINGHEATOFF,Dryingheateristurnedoff.Dishesdrynaturally.
.4%.?..
k“- 3:,,:.::T=~j”—
....1
,.,,..,
.#q
—————.—-—.— ———

Gooddishwashing sm%$
withHOTwater
Togetdishescleananddryyouneed
hotwater.Tohelpyougetwaterof
thepropertemperature,your
dishwasherhasaWASHHEAT
BOOSTfeature.Whenselected(see
page4),thiswaterheatingfeature
allowsyouto turndownyour
householdwaterheaterandsave
energyif you’rewillingtoletthe
dishwasherrunalittlelongerwhileit
heatswater.Forgoodwashingand
drying,theenteringwatermustbe
between120”Fand 140”F.Toprevent
dishdamage,inletwatershouldnot
exceed150°F.
How to test water temperature:
Check the water temperatureinside
your dishwasher with acandy or
meat thermometer.
Let the dishwasher run through one
fill and pump out cycle, then let the
dishwasher fill with water the
second time, approximately 5
minutes after starting the machine.
When you hear the water stop
filling, unlatch the door and slowly
open it.
Measure the temperature of the
water in the bottom of the tub this
way: ..
Remove the silverware basket and
p]ace acandy or meat thermometer
in the water towards the middle of
the tub. If the temperature is less
than 120”F,you will not get good
washing results. Raise your water
heater temperature, wait 30 minutes
and test again. Higher water
temperature is needeclto dissolve
grease and activate powder
detergents. Mthe water temperature
is less than 140°F,usetheWASH
HEAT 1300ST Option (see page 4).
6
IIe@ful hints:If outside
temperaturesare unusuallylow,or
if yourwater travelsalong distance
from water heaterto dishwasher,
you may need to setyour water
heater’sthermostatup. If you have
notused hot waterfor sometime,
the waterin the pipes will becold.
Turn on the hot water faucet at the
sink and allow it to run untilthe
wateris hot. Then start the
dishwasher.If you’verecently done
laundry or run hotwater for
showers,give your water heater
time to recover before operatingthe
dishwasher.
Howtouse aRinseAgent
Arinse agentmakes water flow off
dishesquicker than usual. This
lessens water spottingand makes
drying faster, too.
For best dishwashingperformance,
use of arinse agent such as J13T-
DRY brand is recommended.
Rinse agents come in either liquid
or solid form. Yourdishwasher’s
dispenser uses the liquid form.
How to fill the rinse agent
dispenser. Unscrew the cap. Add
the liquid rinse agentuntil itjust
reaches the bottom of the lip inside
the dispenser opening. Replace the
cap. The dispenser automatically
releases the rinse agent into the
final rinse water.
If you accidentally spih Wipe up
the rinse agent with adamp cloth.
Don’t leave the spill in the
dishwasher. It can keep your
detergent from working.
If you can’t find any rinse agent,
write:
B13NCKISERCONSUMER
PRODUCTS, INC.
(“JET DRY”)
411 W. Putnam Ave.
Greenwich, CT 06830
Your dishwasher’s rinse agent
container holds 4X ounces. This
shou~dlast about 3months. Fill as
needed. Do not overfill.
Howtochine anduse
fik!terfy?nt ---
w:
First,me only powder or Iliquid —
detergentsspecificallymade for
use in dishwashers.Othertypes
will causeoversudsing.
Second,check the phosphate
content.Phosphattihelpsprevent
hard-watermaterialsfromforming
spotsor filmonyourdishes.If your
waterishard (7grainsor more),
yourdetergenthasto workharder.
Detergentswithahigherphosphate
levelwillprobablyworkbetter.If
thephosphatecontentislow (8.770
or less),you’llhaveto useextra
detergentwithhardwater,
Yourwater department can tell
you how hardyour water is. So
canyour countyextensionagent
or your area’swater softener
company.Just call and ask them
how many “grains of hardness”
there are in your water.
How much detergent should you
use? That depend~.Is your water
“hard” or “soft”? With hard water,
you need extra detergentto get
dishes clean. With soft water, you
need less detergent.
Toomuch detergentwith softwater
notonly wastesmoney,itcan be
harmful It can causeapermanent
cloudinessof glassware,called
“etching.” An outsidelayer of glass
is etched away!Of course,thistakes
sometime. Butwhy take achance
when it’seasy to find outthe
hardnessof yourwater.
Keep your detergent fresh and
dry. Under the sink isn’t agood
place to store detergent. Too much
moisture. Don’t put powder
detergent into the dispenser until
you’re ready to wash dishes, either.
(It won’t be fresh OR dry.)
If your powder detergent gets ok!
or hmpy9 throw it away.Rwon’t
wash well, Old detergentoften
won’t dissolve.
If you use aliquiddishwasher
detergent, theseprecautions are not ~~
(
necessary because liquiddetergents -‘“w
don’t %mp” as they age or come ~<z%
in contact with water. @$
v
——.——..— —— ————.———+.

—
You’llfind two detergent
dispenserson the insidedoor of
your dishwasher.TWO,because
somecycles use two washes.
r
OPEN
CUP
See “DetergentUsageGuide”
below.(Bejui-ethe CycleIndicator
Dial isat OFFpositionbefore
addingdetergent.Otherwise,the
detergentcup willnotcloseand
latchproperly)
Close the main cup.
NOTE: Detergent cup i-naybe
opened manually with no harm,
Turnhandle counterclockwise
until it releases.Asnapping sound
is normal when it opens.
Howto preparethedishes
forwashing
If thisisyourfwstdishwasher,or
ifyou’rereplacingamucholder
model,you may wonderhowmuch
preparationyourdishesneed,
Actuallyverylittle.Pre-rinsingof
normalfood soilsisnotnecessary.
Withcommonsenseandalittle
practiceyou’llsoonknowwhat
foodsto remove.Hereare some
guidelines:
1.Scrapeoffbones,seeds,skins,
toothpicksandotherhardsolids.It
is alsobestto removehardshelled
vegetables,meattrimmings,leafy
vegetablesand crusts.Remove
excessivequantitiesof oilorgrease.
20Removelargequantitiesof any
food.Yourdishwasherhas abuilt-in
softfood disposerthatpulverizes
softfood bitsand flushesthem
away.It can handlesmallamounts
of softfoods,but largeamountswill
be difficultto handle.
llt%tx~en~ US~~e GRMe (powder or liquid)
3.T1yto removefoodscrapsarid
placedishesindishwasherbefore
soilhasachanceto dly andbecome
hard.Disheswithdried-onsoilare
moredifficultto washandmay not
comecleanin theNORMAL
WASHcycle.Rememberto use
yourRINSE&HOLD cyclefor
small“holding”loads.
Note: Thefoodsmentionedabove
areforexamplesonly.Otherfoods
notmentionedmay alsoneedto be
removedfromyourdishes.Youmay
alsowant toconsiderremoving
foodssuchasmustard,mayonnaise,
vinegar,lemonjuice and otherfoods
thatcan causediscolorationof
stainlesssteelifallowedto remain
on dishesfor alongperiodof time.
When usingthePOTSCR~BER
cyde~lesspreparationisrequired
beforeloading.ThePOTSCRU13BER
cyclecanwashheavily-soileddishes.
Itemswithburned-onandbaked-on
soilsmaynotcomeclean.Andthe
dishwashercannotremoveburn
marksorrestorefadingcausedby
overheatingduringcoo~king.
ISOFT WATER MEDIUM WATER HARD WATER
(O-3grains hardness) (3-7 grains) (7-12 grains*)
CYCLES MainCup OpenCup MainCup OpenCup MainCup~ OpenCup*
POTSCRUBBER 1Tablespoon 1Tablespoon HalfFull HalfFull Completely Completely
and minimum minimum Full Full
NORMALWASH +-1- +
cycles III
LIGHTWASHcycle I1Tablespoon
minimum None IEIalfFull INone ICompletely INone
IIFull - -
I
RINSE&HOLDcycleIuse no detergent Iuse no detergent Iuse no detergent
IIIiE
‘K12 grainsandup isextremelyhardwater,Awatersoftenerisrecommended.Withoutit, lime WA
can buildup inthewatervalve.Thewatervalvemaystickwhileopenandcauseflooding. $$)
:[FilIedMainCupholds3tablespoons;FilledOpenCupholds2tablespoons. ~-p
xc
-
-.iLzCz:.

How toload your dishwasher
This is arandommixed load,the most common type
you willhave.
Make suredishes are properly loaded to insure that
water can reach the soiledsurfaces. The wash arm in
the bottomsprays water up. The tower that rises in the
center sendswater out over the dishes to wash the
items in theupper rack. Aspray arm in the top washes
down also.Make sure to place tall items to the outside
so the upperwash arm is not blocked.
How toloadtheTOPMCK
The top rack is best for glasses, cups and saucers. Two
rows of cups can be washed when using the folding
shelf. Load the bottom row first, then fold down the
shelf and load the top row. Cups and glasses fit best
along the sides. This is the place for dishwasher-safe
plastics, too. Make sure small plastic items are lodged
in tightly so they can’t fall onto Calrod[”heating unit.
Arrange stemware so that it canno~move easily. Don’t
let thtiglasses touch each other.
WATCHOUT FOR THIS.
The wash tower rises through the center of the bottom
rack during the wash and rinse portionsof the cycle.
Don’t block it or load tall things nextto it. Also, be
careful not to let aportion of an item such as apot or
dish handle extend through the bottom rack. This could
block the wash arm and cause poor washing results.
($J —. ——
Sauce pans, mixing bowls and other small items may
be placed—face down—in the top rack. The top rack is
handy for all kinds of odd shapes.

11
shelf up
Fold the folding shelfup for glasses and tall things.
Place tall items to the outsideso the upper wash arm is
not blocked.
How toload the BOTTOMmcK
How toload the TOPmcK
shelf Down
The folding shelfgives you extra spacefor cups and
long utensilson two levels. Load the lower level first,
then fold the shelfdown.
I.. ...
~.,
Fit plates and saucers between the pins. Load platters,
pots and bowls along the sides, in corners or in the
back.
As shown here, this plate is being placed with the
soiled side facing the center of the rack so water and
detergent from wash arm can reach soiled surfaces.
(cor~tinuednext page)

——.—
w’
Heavily soiledpots, pans and casserolesmustbe loaded
Pots, pans, casseroles, salad bowls,mixing bowls and
lidsmust be loaded in the bottomrack, facing down. in the bottom rack, facing down. Prop broiler pans and
racks along the edge. Shallow items may be angled
providedthe lower side does not shield the soiled
surfaceinsidefrom the water.
Put flatware in the removable basket with handles up to
protect your hands. Mix knives, forks and spoons so
they don’t nest together. Distribute evenly.
The security cell cover, hinged in the handle, can be
lowered to either side to secure light-weight items from
the effects of the vigorous wash action. When it is not
needed, this cover can remain upright.
Precaution!
Take out anything that may fall or extend through the
bottom of the basket.