Always remove large food scraps from your dishes before loading into the dishwasher.
Dishwashers are helpful time- and energy-saving devices, using less water than washing dishes manually and saving a homeowner additional cleanup time in the kitchen. Over time, however, dishwashers will require maintenance just like any other home appliance. A stainless steel dishwasher that is emitting a fishy smell may be due to a few potential causes.
Food Trap
The first thing to check in a dishwasher emitting a foul odor is the food trap. The food trap is a small plastic or metal mesh screen that fits over the drain in the bottom of the dishwasher. Over time, these traps can become clogged by larger pieces of food debris from dishes. Pull out the trap and clean it thoroughly before running the unit without any dishes in it.
Mold or Mildew
One of the advantages of a stainless steel dishwasher is the material's durability and resistance to corrosion. This enables you to use more caustic cleaning methods than a plastic model would allow. Over time, the consistently damp environment of the dishwasher can host mold and mildew. A citric acid wash can reduce or eliminate this problem. Citric acid can be bought in most home improvement stores in the form of crystals and placed on the floor of the unit before running the dishwasher through one cycle to spread the crystals around. Run the unit one more time without any dishes and see if the odor problem is eliminated.
Drain Hose
Dishwashers have relatively small drain hoses. These hoses emerge from the back of the unit and are tied in to a drain pipe under your counter. Pull the dishwasher out and ensure that the drain hose has not become kinked or bent. Over time, a kink in the hose can lead to an accumulation of debris in the hose and eventual clogging. This clog can cause a fish-like smell as bacteria feeds on the debris in the hose. Repair or replace the hose and run the unit once without dishes to ensure the problem is resolved.
Drain Trap
All household drains have what is called a drain trap. A drain trap is a small piece of elbow pipe that stays filled with water and prevents sewer gas from backing up through a drain and leaking into the house. Sewer gas can have a sulfur-like smell, but it can also be quite fishy. Ensure your drain trap is installed properly, sitting between the dishwasher hose and the main drain line in your home. Also make sure the elbow is facing down, like the letter U, and has not become bent or twisted. Repair or replace a faulty drain trap as needed.
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