What is a half load dishwasher and how is it characterized?

We can say about the half load dishwasher that this is a convenient option, thanks to which you can put about half of the dishes in the unit and run a short cycle. Moreover, not only time is saved, but also resources. These and other advantages of the function and its correct use are described in the presented article.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Half Loading

Understanding what a half load means in a dishwasher is not difficult. This is the name for a special option that allows you to save water and electricity due to an incomplete load of dishes. For example, many models can hold 10 place settings. If you put only 5 sets and select the appropriate half-load mode of the dishwasher, the cycle will go much faster.

Advantages

Thanks to this, users receive several benefits at once:

• less water is consumed;
• less electricity is consumed;
• you can avoid overloading the unit once again;
• the program works in accelerated mode - you can get clean dishes in less time;
• there is no need to hoard as many dishes as possible to fully load the machine.

When considering what a half load is in a dishwasher, it should be noted that many models do not have this function. However, this does not mean that they cannot be loaded at half capacity.In fact, you can put as many dishes as you want. But if it is not possible to turn on half load, you will not be able to save water and electricity. In addition, the unit will work as long as when fully loaded.

The use of a half load is made possible thanks to special sensors that estimate the quantity and weight of the supplied dishes. They send a signal to the electronic control module, which selects and runs the optimal program.

In this regard, we can say about the third load level in the dishwasher that it is a very convenient insert in which forks, spoons and other utensils are placed. It is a horizontal pull-out box for small items. It allows you to use all the available space so that as many dishes as possible can fit into the chamber itself, including large ones.

Flaws

There are quite a lot of advantages to such a useful addition as a half-load Bosch dishwasher. But there are also some disadvantages associated with the peculiarities of using detergents. Tablets and powder, especially those with different components (“3 in 1”) are more difficult to divide. Therefore, you have to do this either “by eye” or using scales.

If the product is available in powder, measuring out a half dose is quite simple. If you need to add a tablet to a half-load dishwasher, proceed as follows:

1. Wrap it in a small sheet of paper or plastic.
2. Using a knife, carefully cut in half.
3. Place one half in the tray.
4. Leave the second one for storage in paper or polyethylene.

How to use half load

Loading the dishwasher halfway, at first glance, is not difficult. But this procedure has its own characteristics, which are useful to know about in advance.In order for the half load to work as efficiently as possible, you need to read the instructions for your specific model. There may be different options:

1. In many cases, underloading a dishwasher involves filling only the top rack with dishes.
2. Some models provide for loading only the lower basket.
3. If there is a third loading level in the form of a retractable box, forks, spoons and other utensils are evenly distributed into it.
4. If there is no such level, small items are evenly distributed into 2 baskets.

The half load function in the dishwasher will be beneficial, but only if you follow simple rules:

1. It is better to place long objects, for example, a ladle or spatula, horizontally in the front zone of the basket where the dishes are placed.
2. Spoons, knives, forks are distributed into special cells.
3. All fragile products are fixed and placed so that they do not come into contact with other objects, because the unit vibrates during operation.
4. If there is not a lot of dishes, they are distributed as freely as possible, filling the empty parts evenly.

Half Load Dishwashers Review

There is no doubt about whether a half load is necessary in your dishwasher. This is a very useful option that allows you to save resources, and most importantly, time. Therefore, when purchasing a unit, it is better to pay attention to modern models that already have this function:

1. BOSCH SMS 53N12 - Spacious, half-load dishwasher. Can process up to 13 place settings during one cycle. It has 5 programs and has a full protection system in case of possible leakage.
2. Hotpoint-Ariston HSIO 3O23 WFE – another model that implements half-load mode.It can simultaneously process up to 10 sets and has an additional third-level tray for all kinds of devices. The upper basket can be adjusted in height and can be used, for example, for wine glasses.
3. Beko AquaIntense DIN 28420 has several benefits, including a half-load mode in the dishwasher. Allows you to choose from 8 programs and processes dishes of any degree of soiling. If necessary, you can turn on accelerated washing (30 minutes).
4. Weissgauff BDW 6138 D – another model that has a half-load function. Very spacious, can process up to 14 sets in one cycle. Thanks to the electronic system, the device automatically selects both the temperature and the intensity level of the process.
5. MAUNFELD MLP-08B – compact dishwasher with half load. Works in 6 modes, including fast processing for 30 minutes at a temperature of 50 degrees. Up to 10 sets can be processed in one cycle.

Thus, half loading is a rather important and convenient feature. Instead of waiting for a lot of dishes to accumulate, you can load them in small batches and wash them in less time. This results in less water, electricity and detergents being wasted.