Kenmore Kenmore 15161 User manual

Owner's
Manual
Model Nos.
15161
15165
Model and Serial
Number Plate
,/=
'ienmore
AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER
CAUTION: Read and follow all Safety
Rules and Operating Instructions
before first use of this product.
Sears, Roebuck Bnd Co., Hoffman Estates, IL 60179 UoSJ,.
165D359_P065
SR5564
3_ CG
Pri_t_ in U,S,A.

Warranty ................... Below
Important Safety Instructions ....... 3
Important Parts ofYour Dishwasher . .4
What Your Dishwasher Needs ....... 5
Special Tips .................... 6
Operating Instructions ........... 7-9
Detergent Dispenser ............. 10
Detergent Usage Guide .......... 10
Rinse Agent Dispenser ...' ....... :.
Proper Loading .............. 11, ,.-'
User Maintenance Instructions ..... 13
Care and Cleaning .............. 13
Air Gap ....................... 13
Color Panels ................... 14
Problems and Solutions ....... 15-18
Sears Service .................. 20
Full One-Year Warranty on
Dishwasher
For one year from the first day of use
in your home, Sears will repair, free of
charge, defects in material or workmanship
which appear in this dishwasher.
Full Ten-Year Warranty Against
Leaks in the Tub and Inner Door
Panel
For ten years from tl_e first day of use in
your home, if a leak should occur as a
result of failure of .the tub or inner door
panel due to cracking, chipping, or peeling,
Sears will replace, free of charge, the tub
or inner door panel.
If the dishwasher is subjected to other,than
private family use. the above warranty
coverage is effectivefor only 90 days.
Warranty service is available by
contacting the nearest Sears Service
Center/Department in the United States.
This warranty applies only while this
product is in use in the United States.
This warranty gives you specific legal
rights, and you may also have other rights
which vary from state to state.
t
The model number of your automatic
dishwasher is found on the serial plate
fastened to the tub wall just inside the
dishwasher door.
All repair parts are available for immediate
purchase or special order when you visit
your nearest Seam Service Center, or the
Service Department at most Sears
Stores. To request service or order parts
by phone, call the toll free numbers listed
on the back cover.
When requesting service or ordering F.,
always provide the following information:
• Product Type
•Part Number
•Model Number
•Part Description
Sears, Roebuck and Co.,
Dept. 817WA,
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

WARNING:
Please follow these basic precautions, including the following:
ii
Read all instructions before using your
dishwasher.
•Only use detergents and rinse agents
recommended for use in a dishwasher.
•Store detergents and rinse agentsin a
cool dry place out of children's reach.
• Do not tamperwithcontrols.
• Do not operatedishwasherunlessall
enclosurepanelsare properlyin place.
•Always disconnectelectricalpowerto
dishwasherbeforeattempting to service
it.We recommendhavinga qualified
technicianserviceyourappliance.
•Remember, usedishwasherfor its
intendedpurposeonly.
•Do not washplasticitemsunlessmarked
"DishwasherSafe"or equivalent.If
unmarked,checkmanufacturer's
recommendations.
•This dishwasher must be properly
installed in accorda_nce with the Instal-
lation Instructions before it is used.
r OUNDING
INSTRUCTIONS
." ,nnect to a properly rated,protected
and sizedpower-supply circuitto avoid
electricaloverload.
• Thisappliance mustbe connectedto
a grounded metal, permanent wiring
system;or anequipment-grounding
conductormustbe runwiththecircuit
conductorsand connectedtothe
equipment-groundingterminalor lead
oftheappliance.
AWARNING:
The improper connectionofthe
equipment-groundingconductorcan
resultin a riskofelectricshock.Check
witha qualifiedelectricianor service
representativeif youare indoubtwhether
theappliance is properlygrounded.
• To avoid risk of electrical shock,
the dishwashermustbe electrically
grounde_dbeforeitisoperated.
•Ifyou didnotreceiveInstallation
Instructionswithyourdishwasher,you
canget a copybycontactingyourSears
ServiceCenter.
• Do not touch heating unit during
or immediately after use. Allow time to
cool.
•Load sharp or pointed tableware with
handles up (points down) to avoid injury
when reaching into dishwasher.
•Load sharp items and knives so they
aren't likely to damage door seal.
•Do not sit or stand on or abuse
dishwasher door or dishracks.
•Do not allow children tO play in or on
dishwasher.
• Whendiscardingolddishwasher,
be sure toremovedoorto prevent
accidentalentrapment.
• Do not installthe dishwasheron
carpetedfloor.
AWARNING:
Undercertainconditions,hydrogengas
maybuildup ina hotwatersystemthat_
hasnotbeen usedfor twoweeksor more.
HYDROGEN GAS IS EXPLOSIVE. To
preventinjuryor damage,beforeusing
dishwasher,turnonall hotwaterfaucets
andallowwatertorun for several
minutes.Thiswillallowgasesto escape.
As thegasisflammable,do not smokeor
usean openflame or appliancenear
faucets whiletheyare open.
NOTE: Do notstoreor usecombustible
materials,gasolineor otherflammable
vaporsand liquidsinthe vicinityofthis
orany otherappliance.
SAVE THESE
3INSTRUCTIONS

Appearanceswillvaryaccordingtothe modelnumber
/
Upper rack
Lowersprayarm
Heating unit
Wash tower
Lowerrack
Right Side View
Door latch
Controlpanel
Doorpanel
Bottompanel
t==.=
LFront View
Inner Door
Rinseagent
dispenser
Detergentii
dispensers

:Water
lo get dishes clean and dry you need hot
water. To help you get water of the proper
temperature, your dishwasher
automatically heats the water in the wash
cycle. Higher water temperature is needed
to dissolve grease and activate powder
detergents. For good washing and drying,
the entering water must be at least 120°F.
To prevent dish damage, inlet water
should not exceed 150°F.
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.
Do not operate the dishwasher during or
right after other heavy use of hot water,
such as for laundry or bathing.
Water Pressure
Water supply pressure must be between
15 and 120 pounds per square inch.To
determine if you have enough pressure,
p'" a1 quart container under a fully
ed hot water faucet nearest the
eJ_nwasher. If the container fills in less
:" 9 seconds, water pressure is within
.cceptable range. Be sure all other
faucets are turned off during this test.
Water ConditiOns
Inareas wherewaterisveryhard (12
grains or more), itmay be necessaryto
installa watersoftener to assureproper
performancefrom yourdishwasher.If you
do not knowthe hardnessofyourwater
supply,contactyourlocalwater
•departmentor bringa sampleintoyour
Sears storefor testing.
Detergents "
Only use detergents labeled for use in
automatic dishwashers. NEVER use
laundry de'_ergents, liquid soaps or other
household cleaners in your dishwasher.
Some detergents will be more effective
with your water conditions than others.
Store detergent in a cool, dry place.
Rinse Agents
Rinse agents make water flow off dishes
quicker than usual. This lessens water
spotting and makes drying faster, too.
Rinse agents come in either liquid or solid
form. Your dishwasher's dispenser uses •
the liquid form..

Mostutensils and dishware can be safely
washed in your dishwasher. However,
some materials may require special
handling.
Aluminum: Some darkening may take
place. Colored aluminum may fade. Do
not place aluminum items directly in front
of detergent dispensers where contact
with undissolved detergent could cause
pitting, spotting or discoloration.
Cast Iron: Cast iron utensils should be
handwashed.
.,.°
China: Antique, hand-painted china and
those with gold or platinum rings should
be handwashed.
Crystal: Loadcarefullyin upper rack
only.Topreventchipping,itemsshould
nottouch.Handwashdelicateitems.
SelectHOT DRYOFF optiontffair-dry
crystalitems.
Flatware: Sterling,silverplateand
stainlesssteelare normallydishwasher
safe. Flatwarewith,darkdecorative
shadingand/ornon-metallichandles
shouldbe handwashed.
Pewter: Pewter orpewter-likematerials
should be handwashed.
Plastic: Plastic items should be placed in
upper rack only. Wash only those items
marked "Dishwasher Safe."
Wood: Wood items should be
handwashed.
Glass: Milk glass should be handwashed.
Non-Stick Coatings: After washing, wipe
the non-stick coating area with vegetable
oil to keep it from losing its non-stick
quality.
Non-Dishware Items- DO NOT wash
items such as electronic air cleaner filters,
furnace filters and paint brushes in your
dishwasher. Damage to dishwasher and
discoloration or staining of dishwasher
may result.

: _.arance may vary.
IIIIIiill
mmm it
II ,
STARTING YOUR DISHWASHER
• Load the dishwasher (see pages 11
and 12).
• Add detergent (see page 10).
• Close the door but do not latch it.
• If dishwasher drains into a food waste
disposer, operate disposer until it is
empty.
• Turn on hot water faucet nearest
dishwasher and let if run until the water
is hot.
• Push selector buttons for desired cycles
and options.
• For all cycles but LIGHT WASH and
RINSE & HOLD, slowly turrmthe Dial
to START. Then latch the door to start
the dishwasher.
• If you plan to use the LIGHT WASH
or RINSE &.HOLD cycle, push the
NORMAL WASH button and turn the
Dial to the desired cycle. Then latch
the door to start the dishwasher.
j/
-€':LECT THE CYCLE
:S PANS
For heavily soiled dis_es__nd
Cycle Time: Approx. 93 _inu
Water Usage: Apprc_. 9._ g;
NORMAL WASH i
For hormally soiled dishes.
Cycle Time: Approx. 93 minutes
Water Usage: Approx. 8.0 gallons
)ots and pans. ,,,,
}S m_r
OBS

LIGHT WASH
For prerinsed or lightly soiled dishes and
dishes that have been stored.
Cycle Time: Approx. 86 minutes
Water Usage: Approx. 6.6 gallons
RINSE & HOLD
For rinsing dishes that will be washed later.
DO NOT use detergent. Select HOT DRY OFF
no-heat drying option.
Cycle Time: Approx. 12 minutes
Water Usage: Approx. 3.9 gallons
SELECT OPTIONS
HOT DRY ON Optiorl
Turns heating unit on for fast
drying.
HOT DRY OFF Option
Cancels the heating unit for entire
drying period. To shorten drying
time, open the dishwasher door
slightly.

RMAL SIGHTS AND
,_UNDS
J'll see watervapor coming through
me ventsbythe doorlatch duringdrying
andwhen wateris beingpumpedout.
You'llhear occasionalsounds whileyour
dishwasheris running:
•Softfooddisposershredding action.
•DrainvalveopeningtOpumpwater
out.
•Timercontrolas cycleprogresses.
•Detergent.cup.opening.
• Pumpmotorstarting.
• The motorstopsduringdrying.
ENERGY AND WATER SAVING
TIPS
,Wash full loads.
•Use yourdishwasherduringoff-peak
hours.
• Use the LIGHT WASHcyclewhenever
possible.
,'ectHOT DRY OFF optionwhenyou
•;'tneed drydishesin a hurry.
T-_n'tprerinsenormallysoileddishes.
:ad correctlytoensuregoodwashing
action.
HOW TO ADD A DISH DURING
A CYCLE
•Add dishesanytimeduringRINSE &
HOLDcycle.
•Withotherwashcycles,you canadd
dishesat anytimeBEFOREthe
detergentcuphasopened.
Here's how to add a forgotten dish:
1.Pushdoorlatchtotheleft.Washingwill
stop.
2.Wait a few secondsuntilthewater
calms.Then openthedoor.
3.Adddishes you'veforgotten.
PREPARING DISHES FOR
WASHING
•Prerinsingof normal food soilis not
necessary.
•Scrapeoffbones, seeds, skins,
toothpicksandotherhardsoils.
• Removehardshelledvegetables,
meattrimmings,leafyvegetables,and
excessiveamountso!oilor grease.
•Removefoods withhighacidcontent--
theycandiscolorstainlesssteel.
•Removelargequantitiesof anyfood.
• Whenusingthe POTSPANS cycle,le_.
preparationisrequired.TNs cyclecan
washheavily-soileddishesand remove
dried-onand baked-onsoilsfrom pots,
pansand casseroles. However,items
withburned-onsoilsmaynot come
cleari.

You'll find two detergent dispensers on
the inside door of your dishwasher.
Open cup
(Main cup
D6"not adddetergent until you are ready
to start the cycle. Use fresh detergent.
The dispenser will automatically release
detergent at the correct times during the
cycle.
Always close the main CUll'tightly.Whe .... ...
isfirmly latched you will hear a clickin[ /
sound. It is not necessary to overtighten_
Grasp handle, rotate ._
_y_;andclose tightly
Close the main cup.
NOTE: To open the detergent dispenser
after it has been closed, unlatch the door
and rotate the 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 position before rotating the
Dial. This will help reduce the amount of
detergent and rinse aid agent spillage into
the tub.
•Detergent Usage Guide (powder or liquid)
Moderately
Cycles Soft Water Hard Water
(0 to 3 grains) (4 to 8 grains)
Hard Water
19 to 12 grains) Very Hard Water (over 12 grains)
LightWash Main Cup Main Cup Main Cup Water Softenr
1tablespoon Half.Full -Completely Full Recommend_
Pots Pans Each Cup Each Cup Each Cup" Water Softener
NormalWash 1 tablespoon Half Full Completely Ful! Recommende ..
Rinse& Hold No Detergent No Detergent No Detergent Water Softener
Recommended
To fill the dispenser=
Unscrew the cap. Note the FULL line
on the tip of the cap. Add the liquid rinse
agent until itjust reaches the top of
the FULL line. Replace the cap. The
dispenser automatically releases the
rinse agent into the final rinse water.
Fu,ITI
Fill as needed, but do not overfill.
10