[sinamin]

Does everyone else rinse their dishes first?

Is this a waste of time considering the dishwasher is supposed to save time?

Are there any real direct benefits like conserving energy and money when you rinse the dishes before loading up the dish washer?

[wingnut]

You mean like get-off the grease and left-overs from the plates? We do that but am not sure if we are saving money. I like to think though that I'm prolonging the useful life of the machine.

[sinamin]

You're probably right about prolonging the life. Mine is an older model so scraping the plates is most likely better.

I see that some of the newer models have some kind of garburator which smash up the leftovers.

[ss1129]

No way. thats what the machine is for. As long as I dont put a whole steak or chunks of food in there, I do nothing to the plate. The dishwasher detergent is designed to break down the grease for you. Let her do her job man.

[HomeGirl]

The last dishwasher I used was one that was in a rented apartment - the machine had been there many years and through many tenants. I *tried* to restrain myself from the scrape-and-rinse, but the machine just wasn't efficient enough to do the job - or maybe there was something wrong with it; if I didn't rinse I got little sticky particulates everywhere on my dishes.

[wingnut]

I just want to be sure that everything comes out squeaky clean. Besides, it's not that much added work and I use the left-over for my compost. I also save on the detergent by diluting it.

[mambro1]

the is a new product out called the dishwasher filtration system. it actually filters the water going into your dishwasher and leaves your dishes spot free. after the first load i was amazed that the white film was gone and my dishes were sparkling. you can get it at Dishwasher Filter . com - No More Cloudy, Spotty Dishes or Leftover Residue

[Craig Sache]

Hello, at least take big solids off the plate. Bones, toothpicks, paper, etc need not be put into ther dishwaher.
The newer machines have a device that looks at the water to see if solids are swishing around. That detection increase the wash time AND YOU PAY FOR THAT!
At least kick the cow off the plate.