As with just about any other dishwashers, KitchenAid dishwashers are meant to wash and rinse dishes, remove food debris and odor, and then drain the waste water and leave clean dishes and utensils when the cycle is finished. If a KitchenAid dishwasher does not drain and has a bad aroma, then one of several causes may be to blame.
Cycle Interruption
One factor that may leave water in the bottom of a KitchenAid dishwasher and eventually cause a bad aroma in the tub is an interruption in the middle of the dish washing cycle. The interruption may prevent dishes from being cleaned properly, which results in the tub's interior not being cleaned properly. If it is necessary to stop the cycle, such as to add a dish, do not press the appliance's "Cancel/Stop" button. Instead, simply open the dishwasher door, wait briefly for the water to pause and then place the dish inside the dishwasher. Close the door afterward, and press "Start/Resume" to allow the cycle to resume and finish.
Drain Hose Obstruction
An obstruction in the dishwasher's drain hose may prevent the dishwasher from draining and force waste water back into the dishwasher, which may result in a bad odor. If the dishwasher cycle completed but water with a bad odor is in the tub, disconnect power to the unit and then disconnect its drain hose. Obstructions, including residue and debris, that prevented the waste water from draining must be removed. Clean the drain hose and inlet screen, and then reconnect the hose, ensuring no kinks are in the hose. Selecting a new drain cycle and pushing the "Start/Resume" should resolve the problem.
Valve Obstruction
A valve obstruction could be the problem. After inspecting and cleaning the drain hose, take a good look inside the dishwasher. Items such as paper labels from new dishes or old food chunks may have fallen over the drain valve or the pump. They would prevent water from draining and create a bad scent while decomposing. Clean the filter, hard food disposer and the drain valve of debris to help restore proper drainage to the dishwasher.
Household Drains
Clogs or waste backups in a home's drain system also can affect the dishwasher's performance because most drain systems are interconnected in a home. If the KitchenAid dishwasher does not drain well, then run the kitchen sink's garbage disposer. If an air gap is on the sink, lift off the top and clean out the hoses with a toothpick. If the problem remains after the kitchen drains are cleared, then another drain in the home may have a blockages in drains throughout the house. Contact a plumber if the problem appears to affect the home's entire drainage system.
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