GE GSD1250 User manual

lUse and Care Guidel
Dishwasher
Contents
Air Gap 14
Problem Solver 11-1:3
Appliance Registration
2
Rinse Agent
6
Care and Cleaning 14 Safety Instructions
3
China, Crystal, Sterling 5,10
User Maintenance Instructions 14
Consumer Services
15 Warranty Back Cover
Cycle Features
4,5 Wash Heat Boost
4-6
Detergent, Detergent Guide 6,7 water Temperature
6
Dispenser Cups 7
Winter Storage
14
Energy-Sating Tips
2
Features 4
Front Panel Color Change 14
Loading
8,9
Model and Serial Numbers
2
Operating Guide 4,5
Cycle Selection
5
Drvin~ O~tions 4,5
Soil Level
7 GEAnswer Centera
POTSCRUBBER Cycle 4,5 800.626.2000
Budt-in Model GSD1250 ~.
GE Appliances

Help us help you...
Before using your
dishwasher, read this
book carefully.
It is intended to help yOLI
operate and maintain yoLil” new
dishwasher properly.
Keep it handy for answers to
your questions.
If yoLl don’t understand something
or need more help, write (include
your phone
nU1llbel”):
Consumer Affairs
GE Appliances
Appliance
Park
Louisville, KY 40225
Write down the model and
serial numbers.
You’ II find them on a label
fastened to the tub wall just inside
the dishwasher door.
These numbers are also on the
Consumer product Ownership
Registration
Card that came with
vour dishwasher. Before sending
;n this card, please write these
numbers here:
Model Number
Serial Number
Use these numbers in any
correspondence or service cal Is
concerning your dishwasher.
If you received a
damaged dishwasher...
Immediately contac[ the dealer
(or builder) tha~ sold yoLl
(he dishwasher.
Save time and money.
Before you request
service...
Check the Problem Solver
section. 11 lists causes of minor
operating problems that you can
correct yourself.
2
To obtain a Spanish language
version of this book, cdl]
GE Answer Center”
800.626.2000”
consumer information service.
Para obtener la version en
Espafiol de este manual,
t lame a
GE Answer Center,’”
servicio de intormacitin
para et consurnidor,
te16fono 800.626.2000.
Energy-Saving tips
● Operate dishwasher only when
it’s
full. Let the dishes accumulate
in dishwasher. When you put in
onty a ptirtial load, use the RINSE
& HOLD
cyctc to rinse off heavy
soils. Be sure to
latch the door
when waiting for a full toad.
This hetps keep soils moist, easier
to remove.
● If you don ‘t need your dishes
right
away, use your energy
saving HEATED DRY OFF
drying option. This turns the
drying heater off
automatica]ty.
Dishes dry naturalty over a longer
period such
as overnight.
● Always select the cycle that
uses
least amount of water that
will remove the soil from the
load. (See the Operating section).
● TUrn your water heater down to
deliver t
20°F. water to your
dishwasher and use the WASH
HEAT BOOST Option. Make sure
the entering water temperature is
no less than
1200F. (See Water
Temperature section).
If you need service
To obtain service, see the
Consumer Services page in the
back of this book.
We’re proud of our service and
want you to be pleased. If for some
reason you are not happy with the
service you receive, here are three
steps to
follow for further help.
FIRST, contact the
people who
serviced your appliance. Explain
why you are not pleased. In most
cases, this will solve the
probtem.
NEXT, if you are still not pleased,
write
att the details—including
your phone number—to:
Manager, Consumer Relations
GE Appliances
Appli~nce Park
Louisville, KY 40225
FINALLY, if your problem is still
not resolved, write:
Major Appliance Consumer
Action Panel
20 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

MPORTANT SAFETY ~STRUCTIONS
Read all instructions before using this appliance
AWAWING–When
using this appliance, always
exercise basic safety
precautions, including the
following:
● Use this appliance otiy for its
intended purpow, as you wi~
find described in this Use and
Cam Guide.
o This dishwasher must be
properly instiled and
located in accordance with
the Instigation Instructions
before it is used.
If you did
not receive an Installation
Instructions sheet with your
dishwasher, you can obtain one
by calling, toll free, the GE
Answer Centefl 800.626.2000.
—This appliance must be
connected to a grounded
metal, permanent wiring
system; or an equipment-
grounding conductor must be
run with the circuit conductors
and connected to the
equipment-grounding terminal
or lead of the appliance.
—Connect to a properly rated,
protected and sized power-
supply circuit to avoid
electrical overload.
● Do not store or use
combustible materials, gasoline
or other flammable vapors and
liqaids in the vicinity of this or
any other appliance.
● Use only powder or liquid
detergents or wetting agents
recommended for use in a
dishwasher.
c Do not wash plastic items
utiess marked “dishwasher
safe” or tie quivdent. For
plastic items not so marked,
check the manufacturer’s
recommendations.
Q Load light plastic items so they
will not become dislodged and
drop to the bottom of the
dishwasher—they might come
into contact with the
Calrod@
heating element and be damaged.
To minimize the possibility
of injury.
● When loading items to be
washed:
A. Locate sharp items so
that they are not likely to
damage the door seal, and
B. Load sharp knives with
the handles up to reduce the
risk of cut-type injuries.
c Do not touch the Calrod@
heating element during or
immediately after use.
● Do not operate your dishwasher
unless all enclosure 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.
● Keep all washing detergents
and wetting agents out of the
reach of children, preferably in a
locked cabinet. Observe all
warnings on container labels to
avoid personal injury.
● To minimize the possibility
of electric shock, disconnect
this appliance from the power
supply before attempting any
maintenance. Note: Turning
the control dial to the OFF
position does not disconnect
tie appliance from the power
supply. We recommend having
a qualified technician service
your appliance.
Awmwmmm
GAS is produced by the
chemical action within your
water heater. It can accumulate
in the water heater andor
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 a residence in
which the hot water system
may not have been used for
some time, turn on all hot
water faucets and allow them
to run 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.
SAVE THESE
INSTRUCTIONS
—–

How to operate your dishwasher
STEP 1. Load your dishwasher
with dishes, silverware, pots, pans,
bowls, etc., according to the
Loading section.
STEP 2. Add detergent to the
detergent dispenser. Make sure the
Cycle Indicator Dial is at OFF
position before adding detergent.
(See Detergent Guide.)
Use rinse aid agent to help prevent
spotting. Occasionally check to
insure that rinse agent container is
at least half full. (See How to Use
a Rinse Agent section. )
STEP 3. Select HEATED DRY
Option.
I
HEATED DRY
ON OFF
I
HEATED DRY ON. Turns the
drying heater on for fast drying.
HEATED DRY OFF. Turns the
drying heater off to save energy.
Dishes will dry naturally over a
longer period such as overnight.
If you need your dishes sooner,
open the dishwasher door after the
cycle is complete to reduce the
natural drying time.
STEP 4. WASH HEAT BOOST
Option.
To test water temperature, see How
to Test Water Temperature section.
The entering water must be between
120°F. and 140°F. Use the wash
heat boost option when water is
less than
140°F.
When selected, the wash cycle will
be extended for 18 minutes while
the dishwasher heats the water for
good washing and drying.
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 unlatched.
b. Push selected Cycle and Option
buttons.
,,+ ~ . ■ START
*.$4. .
.*6..
.“,..
OFF ■
DRYING*
@
WASHING
I I
RINSING ■
c. Slowly turn Cycle Indicator Dial
to START.
d. Latch the door to start the
dishwasher. There is a time
delay between start-up and
water fill so you will not hear
any wash action right away.
● When using DELAY START
(for all cycles):
Note: START can be delayed
automatically for up to 8 hours.
a. Be sure door is unlatched.
b. Push selected Cycle and Option
buttons.
,,1 2. . ■ STAR,
.$,. .
..’6..
.“8:
OFF .
DRYING ●
a
Q
WASHING
D
RINSING ■
c. Slowly turn Cycle Indicator
Dial to desired delay time.
d. Latch door to start timer. The
DELAY START light wdl come on
and stay on until dishwasher starts.
Dishwasher will start automatically
at end of selected delay time.

RINSING ■
WASHING
The CYCLE INDICATOR
DISPLAY shows where the
dishwasher is in the
cycle. The
indicator will
uause during the
Cycle selection hints
It is important to follow the loading
instructions.
POTSCRUBBER—For items such
as pots, pans and casseroles with
dried-on or baked-on soils.
Everyday dishes may be included,
NORMAL WASH—For loads of
everyday dishes, glasses and
cookware with medium soils.
Designed to yield high
main detergent wash portion of the performance-on normal
soils.
cycles. This occurs only for the
POTSCRUBBER cycle and when LIGHT WASH—For dishes with
light soils that have not been dried
the WASH HEAT BOOST option is .
.
selected. If using the WASH HEAT ““.
BOOST option, the indicator will
pause during the final rinse also.
What happens in each cycle
● You’11 hear occasional clicking
● During the drying period:
sounds:
—The motor stops.
—Soft food disposer shredding —Water vapor comes through the
action.
vent by the door latch during
—Drain valve opening to pump drying and when water is being
water out. pumped out.
—Timer control as cycle
progresses.
—Detergent cup opening.
WATER SAVER—For dishes with
light soils that have not dried on,
or that have had extra preparation
before loading. It saves water, and
saves energy.
CHINA CRYSTAL—For lightly
soiled china and crystal. The wash
action is softened by pumping air
along with the water to protect
your delicate items. Pre-rinse
dishware before loading.
RINSE & HOLD—For rinsing
partial loads which will be washed
later. Do not use detergent. Delay
Start is not recommended for this
cycle.
o
Wash Cycles
POTSCRITBBER
NORMAL WASH
LIGHT WASH
WATER SAVER
Wash Cycle
Water Use Time
Gallons Minutes
(approx.) (approx.) Cycle Sequence
13.8
8’* mBEEBmBB
I 2.1
63*
mBmmEBm
8.7 63*
mamma
6.8 63*
BmHB
CHINA CRYSTAL
6.2 63
RINSE & HOLD
3.5
12
*Unextended times. These cycle times will be increased approximately 18 minutes if
WASH HEAT BOOST option is selected.
Drying Options:
HEATED DRY ON. Available on all wash cycles except RINSE& HOLD. Add 32
minutes to wash cycle time.
HEATED DRY OFF. Drying heater is turned off. Dishes dry naturally.
5

Good dishwashing starts
with HOT water
To get dishes clean and dry you
need hot water. To help you get
water of the proper temperature,
your dishwasher has a WASH
HEAT BOOST option. When
selected (see Operating section),
this water heating feature allows
you to turn down your household
water heater and save energy if
you’re willing to let the dishwasher
run a little longer
while it heats
water. For good washing and drying,
the entering water must be between
120°F. and 140°F. To prevent dish
damage, inlet water
should not
exceed 1500F.
How to test water temperature:
Higher water temperature is
needed to dissolve grease and
activate powder detergents. lf
the water temperature is less
than 1400
F
., use the WASH
HEAT BOOST option. See
Operating section.
Check your water temperature with
a
candy or meat thermometer. Turn
on the hot water
faucet nearest the
dishwasher. Put the thermometer in
a glass and let the water run
continuously into the glass
until
the temperature stops rising. If the
water temperature is below 120°F.,
adjust your water heater.
Helpful hints: If outside
temperatures
are unusually
low, or
if your water travels a
long distance
from water heater
to dishwasher, you may need to
set your water heater’s thermostat
up. If you have not used hot
water for some time, the water
in the pipes will be cold. Turn
on the hot water faucet at the
sink and allow it to run until
the water is hot. Then start the
dishwasher.
If you’ve recently
done laundry or run hot water for
showers, give your water heater
time to recover before operating
the dishwasher.
How to use a Rinse Agent
A rinse agent makes water flow
off dishes quicker than usual.
This lessens water spotting
and makes drying faster, too.
For best dishwashing performance,
use of a rinse agent such as JET-
DRY brand is recommended.
Rinse agents come in either liquid
or solid form. Your dishwasher’s
dispenser uses the liquid form.
How to fill rinse
1- 1, “1 1’ (VIII*
agent dispenser.
Unscrew the cap.
Note the FULL
v
“?
line on the tip of
‘k
FULL
the cap. Add the
liquid rinse agent until it just reaches
the top of the FULL line. Replace the
cap. The dispenser automatically
releases the rinse agent into the final
rinse water.
If you accidentally spill: Wipe up
the rinse agent with a damp 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:
BENCKISER CONSUMER
PRODUCTS, INC.
(“JET DRY”)
55 Federal Road
P.O. Box 1991
Danbury, CT 06813-1991
Your dishwasher’s rinse agent
container holds 47z ounces. This
should last about 3 months. Fill
as needed. Do not overfill.
How to choose and use
detergent
First, use only powder or liquid
detergents specifically made for
use in dishwashers. Other types
will cause
oversudsing.
Second, check the phosphate
content.
Phosphate helps prevent
hard-water materials from forming
spots or film on your dishes. If your
water is hard (7 grains or more),
your detergent has to work harder.
Detergents with a higher phosphate
level will probably work better. If
the phosphate content is low
(8.7Y0
or less), you’ll have to use extra
detergent with hard water.
Your water department can tell
you the hardness of your water.
So can your county extension
agent or your area’s water softener
company. Just call and ask them
how many “grains of hardness”
there are in your water.
How much detergent should you
use? That depends. 1s your water
“hard” or “soft”? With hard
water, you need extra detergent to
get dishes clean. With soft water,
you need less detergent.
Too much detergent with soft water
not only wastes money, it can be
harmful. It can cause a permanent
cloudiness of glassware, called
“etching.” An outside layer of
glass is etched away! Of course,
this takes some time. But why take
a chance when it’s easy to find out
the hardness of your water.
Keep your detergent fresh and
dry. Under the sink isn’t a good
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
old or lumpy, throw it away.
It
won’t wash well. Old detergent
often won’t dissolve.
If you use a liquid dishwasher
detergent, these precautions are not
necessary because liquid detergents
don’t “lump” as they age or come
in contact with moisture.
6

You’ll find two detergent
dispensers on the inside door
of your dishwasher. Two, because
some cycles use two washes.
See “Detergent Usage Guide”
below. (Be sure the Cycle indicator
Dial is at OFF position before
adding detergent. Otherwise, the
detergent cup will not close and
latch properly.)
GRASP HANDLE,
ROTATE AND
CLOSE TIGHTLY
/
Close the main cup.
NOTE: To open the detergent cup
after it has been closed, unlatch the
door and rotate the Cycle Indicator
Dial a full turn to the OFF position.
When the closed cup contains soap
it is best that the door be in a
partially open po~ition before
rotating the Cycle Indicator Dial.
This will help reduce the amount
of detergent and rinse aid
agent
spillage into the tub.
How to prepare the dishes
for washing
If this is your first dishwasher, or
if you’re replacing a much older
model, you may wonder how much
preparation your dishes need.
Actually very little. Pre-rinsing of
normal food soils is not necessary.
With common sense and a little
practice you’ll soon know what
foods to remove. Here are some
guidelines:
1. Scrape off bones, seeds, skins,
toothpicks and other hard solids. It
is also best to remove hard-shelled
vegetables, meat trimmings, leafy
vegetables and crusts. Remove
excessive quantities of oil or grease.
2. Remove large quantities of any
food. Your dishwasher has a built-in
soft food disposer that pulverizes
soft food bits and flushes them
away. It can handle
small amounts
of soft foods, but large amounts will
be difficult to handle.
3. Try to remove food scraps and
place dishes in dishwasher before
soil has a chance to dry and become
hind. Dishes with dried-on soil are
more difficult to wash and may not
come
clean in the NORMAL
WASH cycle. Remember to use
your RINSE & HOLD cycle for
small “holding” loads.
Detergent Usage Guide (powder or liquid)
SOFT WATER
(O-3 grains hardness)
CYCLES
Main Cup
Open Cup
POTSCRUBBER Half Full
I Ha]f Fu]]
NORMAL WASH
+
I
LIGHT WASH Half Full None
WATER SAVER
CHINA CRYSTAL
I
RINSE& HOLD
Use no detergent
Note: The foods mentioned above
are for examples only. Other foods
not mentioned may also need to be
removed from your dishes. You may
also want to consider removing
foods such as mustard, mayonnaise,
vinegar, lemon juice and other foods
that can cause discoloration of
stainless steel if allowed to remain
on dishes for a long period of time.
When using the POTSCRUBBER
cycle, less
preparation is required
before loading. The POTSCRUBBER
cycle can wash heavily-soiled dishes.
Items with burned-on and baked-on
soils may not come clean. And the
dishwasher cannot remove bum
marks or restore fading caused by
overheating during cooking.
1
MEDIUM WATER HARD WATER
(3-7 grains) (7- 12 grains*)
Main Cup Open Cup
Main Cup~ Open Cup*
Completely + Half Full Completely Completely
Full Full
; Full
I
Half Fuli
None Completely
None
Full
Use no detergent
I
Use no detergent
* 12 grains and up is cxtrcrnely hard w~tcr. A water sol’[ener is rccolnlllendcd. Wi[ho~][ i[, Iin]c
$l:illcd Mtlirl [:up holds 3 [tablespoons;”
c:ln build up in the w>iter VJIVC. The w:i[cr VUIVC Inay stick while open :Lnd C: LLISC Ilooding.”
t;illcd open (.11P holds 2 (ablespnons
7

How to load your dishwasher
Thi.~ iv u r[lndom mixed lc~ud, the m{~.~t ({~mm~~?l type
y{~u will have.
Make sure dishes are properly loaded to insure that
water can reach the soiled surfaces. The wash arm in
the bottom sprays water up. The tower that rises in the
center sends water out over the dishes to wash the
items in the upper rack. A spray
arm in the top washes
down also. Make sure to place
tall items to the outside
so the upper wash
arm is not blocked.
How to load the TOP MCK
Below is the special upper rack that comes with
this model.
WATCH OUT FOR THIS.
The wash tower rises through the center of the bottom
rack during the wash and rinse portions of the cycle.
Don’t block it or load tall things next to it. Also, be
careful not to let a portion of an item such as a pot or
dish handle extend through the bottom rack. This could
block the wash arm and cause poor washing results.
The top rack is best for glasses, cups and saucers.
Cups and utensils 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
Calrodo) heating element. Arrange stemware
so that it cannot move easily. Don’t let the glasses
touch each other.
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. Be sure the force
of water and detergent can reach soiled surfaces.
8

How to load the BOTTOM WCK
Fit plates and saucers between the pins. Load platters,
pots and bowls along the sides, in corners or in the back.
Pots, pans, casseroles, salad bowls, mixing bowls and
lids must be loaded in the bottom rack, facing down.
. . .
-.-.--w.”” , ,
Load platters, pots and bowls along the sides, in
corners or in the back.
All large plastic items, such as
pitchers, salad bowls and mixing bowls, should be
washed in the lower rack.
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 securitv cell cover, hinged in the handle, can be
A
lowered to ~ither side to se;ure light-weight “items
from the effects of the vigorous wash action. When
it is not needed, this cover can remain upright.
v
Precaution!
Take out anything that may fall or extend through the
bottom of the basket.
Heavily soiled pots, pans and casseroles MUST be
loaded in the bottom rack, facing down. Prop broiler
pans and racks along the edge.
.——

What you can usually wash safely in your dishwasher.
And what you
can’t.
Usually
Safe
Material Exceptions (not safe)
Some colored anodized aluminum can
fade.
SpecialInstructions
Aluminum
ChintiStoneware
YES Some darkening or spotting possible. Remove by
scouring with soap-filled steel wool pads,
Antique, metal-trimmed, hand-painted
or over-the-glaze patterns fade. Gold
leaf will discolor.
Antique, metal-trimmed or hand-
painted patterns fade. Gold leaf will
discolor.
If in doubt, check with the manufacturer. Or test wash
one piece daily for
at least a month. Compare with the
rest of the set.
YES
Load securely to prevent movement. Check
manufacturer’s instructions for your crystal.
Crystal
YES
Non-dishwasher
items-such as
electronicaircleaner
filters,furnacefilters,
paint brushes, etc.
NO
Do not wash in dishwasher. Damage to dishwasher and
discoloration or stfiining of dishw~sher may result.
YES
NO
NO
YES
Milk glass may yellow.
Iron will rust.
Pewter tarnishes,
Glass
Iron
Pewter
Plastics
If it doesn’t say DISHWASHER SAFE, test one piece in
the top rack before dishwashing an entire set. Wash in
top rack only.
Stainless steel
YES
Rinse if not washing immediately. Salty or acid foods
can stain if left on.
Sterling Silver
and Silver plate
Rinse if not washing immediately. Salty or acid foods
can stain if left on. Dry detergent can cause difficult-to-
remove black spots. Place in back section of silverware
basket to avoid exposure to detergent from the detergent
cup.
YES
Don’t put in same silverware basket
with stainless
steel. Contact between
metals can
damage silver. Don’t wash
copper utensils in the same load. Silver
may get a brown film. Adhesive used
to attach some hollow-handle knives
can loosen.
Non-stick
coatings
YES
After washing, wipe the non-stick coating area with
vegetable oil to keep it from losing its non-stick quality,
Tin
NO Tin can rust,
Wood
NO
Wood can warp, crack or lose its
finish with any type of washing.
Forget a dish? Here’s
when you can add it.
Add dishes any time during the
RINSE & HOLD cycle or wash
cycles.
Here’s how to add a forgotten dish:
3. Add dishes you’ve forgotten.
1. Push the door latch to the left.
4. Close the door and push the
Washing will stop.
latch to the far right. When the
2. Wait a few seconds until the door is locked, washing will
water calms. Then open the door.
continue.
WARNING: Hot vapor may rise
However, opening the door during from opened door. ‘ -
any cycle lessens cleaning power.
So
-
try to load everything a~ the
beginning.
10