If the amount of water left in your dishwasher after a cycle is no more than two cups, then this is normal.
Some water (standing water), usually one to two cups, remaining in the bottom of the dishwasher tub is normal. If dirty water is building up over time in the bottom of the dishwasher and your installation does not have an air gap, make sure you have a high drain loop.
You're likely noticing this water as you're going to remove your dishwasher filters for regular cleaning. Water in this area is actually perfectly normal, useful even. It's there to keep the seals from drying up. It drains when a cycle starts and is replaced with fresh water at the end of the cycle.
When water fills up a dishwasher during a wash cycle, a small plastic piece will float upward. Under the float, in the bottom of the dishwasher tub, is the float switch that signals the water inlet.
For all plastic tub models the water should measure 3/8 of an inch to one inch above the hub. (The hub is the raised portion the wash arm turns on.) For porcelain and metal tub models the water should measure 1/2 inch below the heating element.
When the dishwasher begins the cycle, open the door and see where the water level is at. The water level SHOULD be just under the heating elements. If the water level is below the heating elements, fill a small bucket with water and manually fill up the dishwasher water level to just below the heating elements.
Water in the bottom of the dishwasher results from clogs in the filter, garbage disposal, drain hose, drain pump, or air gap. When food or sediment build up within these systems, the dishwasher won't drain properly. Locating the blockage and clearing the debris will solve the problem.
It is normal for there to be a small amount of standing water in the dishwasher filter area (about half way up to the top of the filter area). You may notice this water when you remove your dishwasher filters for regular cleaning. The water is there to keep the seals in that area from drying up.
You open the door for the first time and notice it is wet inside. That's normal, it's not "used" and nothing to be concerned about. Most dishwashers (and also washing machines) are tested in the factory with water before they are packaged up and shipped out to our customers and consumers.
Plastic and Teflon don't dry like other materials
After the final rinse, which uses hot water, the items in the machine retain heat. The stainless steel walls of the dishwasher don't retain as much and so the moisture that evaporates from the wash load condenses on the dishwasher's walls.
What happens is that opening the dishwasher allows a burst of cooler air to enter. When met with the hot air inside, this causes steam and that will re-condensate. This condensation will land on your dishes and is likely to stay there even after the dry cycle is done. This is not a problem that needs to be repaired.
Condensation occurs when the moist air in the dishwasher comes into contact with the cooler stainless steel tub, and turns into water droplets. These water droplets trickle down to the bottom of the dishwashers and are drained. For extra drying assistance, select the SANITIZE or EXTRA DRY options.
It is quite common for a dishwasher to not drain because either the drain hose or the air gap (if the unit has one) is clogged up. Drain hose clogs commonly occur where the hose is attached to the main household drain line, or where the hose connects with the garbage disposer.
Check the Drain Hose
Loosen the dishwasher drain hose clamp and disconnect the drain hose (usually it's the one with ridges) from the pump. Try to blow through the hose to make sure it's clear. Note: If the hose is blocked, look for any kinks in the hose and straighten them.
The loop should be installed as close as possible to the underside of the cabinet for maximum effectiveness. It is recommended that the discharge end of the drain hose is attached to the vertical sink drain pipe right before the P-trap (never on or after the P-trap).
Just as overloading can leave dishes wet, improper unloading can also be responsible for why your Bosch dishwasher doesn't dry like it should. Unloading the top rack first permits any trapped water to fall on the dishes below. Make sure you unload the bottom rack before the top so your dishes stay dry.
Bosch dishwashers' flow-through water heaters increase water temperature inside the appliances, eliminating the need to pump hot water into them. The heaters can raise water temperature as high as 162 degrees Fahrenheit.
That's where a dishwasher's heat setting comes into play. Dishwashers dry dishes in several ways: with an electric coil that heats the air, a fan that blows hot air around, an increase in water temperature near the end of a cycle—or a combination of all these methods.
“I think there are other things that are more important to worry about, in terms of hygiene,” says Lisa Ackerley, a food-safety expert. “Bacteria on [dirty dishes] will breed overnight, but if they go into the dishwasher the next day and they're thoroughly washed then there won't be a problem.
When shopping for a dishwasher, you probably will want to make sure that it is going to dry your dishes. Not all dishwashers are going to completely dry the plastics, but all other dishes should be. Bosch, Kitchen-Aid, Thermador, and Maytag are known for how well their dishwashers operate.
When properly functioning and using a heated dry cycle, your dishes should come out of the dishwasher spotless and dry enough to put away. However, if recently they have started coming out covered in puddles and water droplets, it is time to troubleshoot because your dishwasher is having a problem.
What Exactly Does a Rinse Aid Do? First off, rinse aids should probably be renamed “drying aids.” That's because they actually help your dishes dry faster. Premium rinse aids contain surfactants, which lower the surface tension of water.
Clean your dishwasher monthly to prevent a buildup of germs and maintain the efficiency of the machine — you want to make sure your dishes are clean! Pour distilled white vinegar into a dishwasher-safe cup (I usually use a two-cup Pyrex measuring cup), and place the cup upright on an empty dishwasher's top rack.