Last night we smell something burning badly in the kitchen. After searching around in panic, we found out a lid of a plastic container had fallen from the top rack, and got caught by the metal heating bar at the bottom of the dishwasher. The dishwasher was running in the heated dry mode, so the plastic lid was melted by the metal bar.
This morning when I examined the dishwasher, I found melted plastic residue on the metal heating bar. I tried to scrape it, but I couldn't get it cleaned off. I don't know if I need to replace this metal heating bar in the dishwasher, or if the plastic residue will just melt away itself. I also don't know if there is a possibility of me damaging the heating bar while I was scraping off the melted plastic.
I have called Sears but they couldn't tell me anything. They were even surprised that the metal bar in my model was exposed. I guess the newer dishwashers have it covered or something. They told me to call GE, but it's Sunday so I have to wait. I am just wondering if anyone has any thoughts?
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Comments: 13
This has happened to me a few times, and was fairly easy to remedy. I would also urge you to NOT scrape the heating element!
The best way to remove melted plastic is to melt it again, and then wipe it off with a damp rag. Be careful to rotate the rag as you wipe, so that you do not put any removed plastic residue back onto the element.
Remove all dishes from the washer, and then place the unit directly on to the drying cycle. Wait a few minutes (or until you can smell the plastic heating up), and then wipe off using long single strokes (make certain that the rag is very damp!).
That should work well, with minimal mess.
Let me know how it works out!
The first 10 or so times that the heating element was used it still strongly stank like melted plastic but did not smell like something was on fire.
Also wanted to add, make sure to use a junk towel or a RAG. The plastic will not come out of whatever you use. I know it is obvious, but sometimes when you are on a mission to get things done these thoughts slip by.
Good luck.
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