Cascade Complete powder and Jet Dry rinse aid.

In my Miele I use the Cascade 2-in-1 Action Packs and Cascade Rinse Aid. The Cascade action packs are individual packets and dissolve pretty fast. I haven't had any problem with them and everything has come out clean. I don't use any detergent for pre-wash.

We've been using Method "Smarty Dish Pink Grapefruit" for several months and we are very happy. Consumer Reports gave Method dishwasher tablets a good review. Plus: No phosphates, no bleach and all in a pretty pink bag. Our dishes now smell clean, not chemically.

We have had our Bosch DW a with stainless inside for about 4 months. We are on a well and have hard water. During that time, it developed a thick white layer on the stainless walls and a white powdery dust on the racks. I tried vinegar and jet dry to remove it and nothing worked. This past weekend, after reading about it on GW, I tried Lemi-shine! My DW looks brand new! I use it combined with Cascade gel-packs and Jet Dry liquid in the holder. I can't say enough about it!!

Our last two dishwashers have both required a powdered detergent. No tablets and no liquid detergents permitted per the manufacturer. We used Finish (Electrasol) brand.

We have not found any difference in the major brands of rinse aids, except for prices. Where we shop, Jet Dry costs more than the other brands, so we don't buy it.

Another vote for Finish tabs in our 6 year old Bosch. We don't even bother with the rinse aid. Everthing dries fine except plastic which rinse aid didn't help with anyway.

Sometimes I even break the tabs in half if I'm running a top only load.

I do not rinse and I barely scrape. Even dried on batter and lasagne pans come out spotless.

I do rinse out my filter once a week or so. Takes 30 seconds.

My husband detests the way anything washed by Cascade makes things smell. It's very subtle but it's there.

So with Miele you can use other tabs other than Persil? Good to know, I'm getting a Miele as a second dw in our remodel...

What's the gentlest detergent to use on china/crystal in the Miele with their special cycle?

We have the LG with hidden controls (non-steam) for a little over a year. It replaced a 12-year-old very noisy GE.

I use Seventh Generation Powder and liquid rinse aid. It is recommended to use a rinse aid for all-stainless tubs.

We've had no problems with it. I had a period where it wasn't turning on and latching, but it turns out that was due to the install. The techician said to run the hot water before turning it on, only fill the dispenser about half full for the normal cycle, and use the rinse cycle if we're going several days between running it.

zillapgh,

In the three weeks that we've been using the Miele, I've been using the Cascade 2-in-1 action packs and Cascade Rinse Aid that was left over from our last dishwasher (Electrolux). As I said, it cleans well, but I've noticed that plastic cups have a slight chemical smell on them (I haven't smelled this on dishware or real glass-glasses). I'm not sure if that smell is from the Action Packs or the Rinse Aid, but I did open the rinse aid bottle, and it did have a bit of a chemical smell to it. Maybe I should change to something else? There is Miele's own brand Tablets and Rinse Aid, but it's more expensive as Miele 60 tablets (2 month supply) are $30 (0.50 cents each), opposed to the 120-count Cascade packs that cost $28 at BJs (4 month supply @ 0.23 cents each). The Miele rinse aid is $11 for a 500ml bottle while the Cascade rinse aid is about $4.50 for a 250ml bottle (so 2 of them would be 500ml and cost $9, which is only 2 less than the Miele rinse aid).

Fauguy,

I can't help with the usage cost evaluation too much but the Miele tabs sound very pricey. Maybe just use them for special wash cycles? I just use the Finish tabs when I stock up at Costco. I do most of my shopping on foot so heavy/bulky things like this are rarely bought.

In any case, the Cascade smell was figured out using the boxes of powdered Cascade... probably 10 years ago. It was even on our glassware and flatware. My in-laws only use Cascade and we definitely notice it at their house. My husband dislikes this faint odor so much that I didn't buy it again, and besides, I was looking for non-chlorine detergent. I don't know anything about new formulas of Cascade. I did think that rinse aid (jet-dry?) when I bought it added some chemical smell and for us little added value.

I guess what I'm worried about is if you want to wash fine china and crystal in the Miele with the special cycle, wouldn't something like the Finish tabs (which really eat every speck off my dishes) be too harsh? Do you think it's worth the Miele tabs for those special times?

zillapgh,

We probably only do china/crystal about 2-3 times a year for holidays, but since we've only had the Miele for 3 weeks, we haven't used that yet...and probably wont until later this year (Thanksgiving).

But I did run the dishwasher today with the Cascade action packs, but this time turned off the rinse aid dispenser to see what would happen. When it was done, everything was still soaking wet (since it didn't add any rinse aid) but there was no chemical smell on the plastic cups like there was before. So the Cascade rinse aid must be what's adding the chemical smell. So I guess that when the rinse aid in the dispenser runs dry, that I'll try a different brand of rinse aid...maybe the one Miele makes...and hope that doesn't leave behind a chemical smell.

Last week we stopped by the local Miele showroom and purcahsed a box of Miele Salt and Rinse Aid for the Dishwasher. We weren't sure about buying the Miele tabs (60 for $30), so the guy gave us a few demo tabs to try out.

First off, I adjusted the rinse aid setting on the dishwasher to the highest setting (6ml) and did a few Express Washes to use up and get rid of the Cascade rinse aid that was in the unit. After about 8 times, the Rinse Aid light came on, so I ran it 3 more times to make sure it was used up. Then I added the Miele rinse aid, ran it twice, and then adjusted the setting from 6ml back to 1ml.
Next added the Salt to the water softener.

That night we had a full load of dishes and pans. I used the Miele dishwasher tab, but broke it in half (as there is a perforation line) and set the unit on Pots & Pans program. Everything came out clean and there was no chemical smell. The next night I used my Cascade Action Pack detergent and had similar results with not chemical smell.

So it appears that the chemical smell that I was experiencing was due to the Cascade rinse aid and not the detergent. As once I used it up and replaced it with the Miele rinse aid, the smell stopped.

Once I use up the Cascade Action Packs that are left (about 3 weeks), I'm not sure if I'll buy another box of them at BJs (110 count for $24, $0.22 each), or go with the Cascade Complete packs (48 for $12, $0.25), or the Miele tabs (60 for $30) but those can be broke in half which would give 120 loads at $0.25 each.

Has anyone noticed any difference between using the Miele tabs and the Cascade Auction Packs or Cascade Complete Packs?

I have a SS interior/exterior Bosch dishwasher and also noticed a funky smell sometimes, which I could not distinguish between soured food left on the dishes and a chemical smell emitting from the detergent itself. Since I've started using Melaleuca's detergent (liquid)which does not contain phosphates I have no longer noticed that smell. So, I believe it had to be the Cascade action packs since that's what I used previously. The only downside to Melaleuca is that you either have to be a member or know someone who is (in my case) to order their detergent on a regular basis. Just my two cents on detergents!

I've used Finish (previously Electrosol) for eons & have always been much happier than Cascade. Perhaps there was a smell, but I also felt a film on my glass & plasticware.

I use JetDry & am pleased with that. I think JD may be something like quinine since my 9-month old once opened the compartment (learning the twisting motion)& stuck in his mouth -- he was NOT happy. I checked & was going to call poison control, but it appeared there was no need/directions to do that -- after I tasted myself I was pretty sure it was something like quinine.

For years I would only use Cascade Complete, but then I wanted to convert to products that were earth friendly. Most of the ones I tried were as good as most of the 'normal' detergents, but just not quite as good as Cascade. I've since discovered Method Smarty Dish tabs and I think it's every bit as good as Cascade. The bonus is I think Method tabs are easier to use (you don't have to worry as much about getting them wet and sticking together) and are good for the fish and animals with no sacrifice.

I am definitely going to give Lemi-Shine a try. Especially after reading the kudos; have attached a link. Also, I noted that it can be purchased at WalMart.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lemi-Shine

I've tried several brands of tabs and Smarty Dish tabs are the best I've used so far and they don't pollute! I break them in half when I have a light load and they still clean everything well. Sometimes I use a rinse aid but usually don't. I have a SS interior Bosch.

Hi All, I just wanted to chime in and say that we also break our Smarty Dish tabs in half and for most loads, except the very heaviest, the half tablet works great.

For Memorial Day we did some BBQ ribs and chicken for dinner, so I knew there would be alot of messy stuff to go in the dishwasher. I didn't rinse any of the pots and pans, but did lightly rinse some of the plates just to remove large food particles (such as chicken skin). Everything went into the Miele Diamante and since I still had one demo Miele Tab left, I broke it in half (which is what I did with the other two tabs) and used it, as I wanted to see if half a tab would be strong enough to clean such a dirty load. I put the dishwasher on the Pots & Pans mode and let it do its thing. Today when I opened it up, everything was perfectly clean. All the dishes, pots, pans, glasses, silverware and cooking utensils were clean.

So this tells me that half of a Miele Tab is still strong enough for a large dirty load when using the Pots & Pans wash cycle. I still have the other half tab left to use, and about 2 weeks worth of Cascade Action Packs in the box. I think when I run out, I'll buy just a small bag of the Cascade Complete Packs (just to try those out) but might end up going with the Miele Tabs. There are 60 Miele Tabs in a box for $30, which is $0.50 a tab, but when broken in half, that gives 120 at $0.25, which is the same price per-piece as the Cascade Complete Packs.

Ok..18 follow-ups....and nobody has yet enquired about water quality at this install-location?

OP just wants "the best". No clue about water quality or other DW habits. Obviously, I don't know the answer to the question. How could I...or anyone? Because this basic information -- a primary issue -- not provided.

Basically, I agree with Weisman's first response. Those are the best products. Next item for consideration is how much? Guess what that depends upon.

The thing I most dislike about the various packets is that they utterly ignore dosage requirements. Well, they know the market better than I do -- buy this packet and throw it in and everything will be wonderful. If it's an overdose they won't notice the etched glasses for months. If it's not enough, they'll throw in another one.

Sorry. I'm over it. Bye.

Asolo is correct, Different water conditions are going to make a detergent that someone raves about not work so good for a user in a different area with different minerals in the water.
Sometime a customer need to experiment with a few different detergents to find one that works good for them. What might have worked good in the old D/W may not work as well in the new one. Buy the smallest box available until you find the product that works best for YOU.

Another Method Smarty Dish user over here. I started using them in our old DW about a year ago, and have been using them in our Bosch since we bought it (3-4 months ago?). I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the Method tabs.

Last night we had 4 extra people over for dinner, and the Miele Diamante was completely full to the max with dishes, bowls, pots/pans, glasses, cups, silverware and cutlery. We used the last half of the Miele Tab that was left over from the few demo tabs we had and ran the unit on the Pots & Pans program. Once again, everything came out clean and spotless. There are about 1-2 weeks worth of the Cascade Action Packs in the container, but I think once they are used up, I'll just get the box of Miele Tabs. Even though there are 60 tabs in the box, they are scored in the center so are easily broken in half, which really gives you 120 loads. I don't understand why they just don't make the Miele Tabs half the size to begin with, since it cleans just fine. That way you'd have 120 in the box (at the smaller size) and it would "look" to be better price, even though it is $30. The way it is now, you have 60 large tabs for $30, which seems expensive ($0.50 a tab). But when they are in half, you get 120 tabs at $0.25 each. You would of thought their marketing people would have realized this and made the boxes with 120 smaller tabs instead of 60 large tabs that can be broken in half.

I like the Cascade Complete packs - they've alway worked well for me, but with our very hard water, the only rinse agent that works at all is the Lemi-Shine.
However,I have found that if I dump about a cup of vinegar in the heavy wash cycle, everything comes out sparkling clean with no hard water residue & no chemical smell - and no expensive rinse agent.

A few years ago we switched to Electrosol when Consumer Reports rated it higher than the then Cascade and highest of all they tested. We have an old Maytag DW. Since then the product changed to little tabs that I doubted could work as well because I usually filled both the wash and pre-rinse dispensers with the powder. It did work and continues to work in the current Finish configuration. Our water is soft (50 grains) so we don't have the problems some have.

I purchased Solat on Amazon for my Mielle Optima II but the kitchen isn't finished and I haven't even installed it yet. So I can't really tell you the results. I only know the reviews on Amazon were good for that product with Miele. I just needed to have something on hand when it gets finished in a few weeks. I got the salt, dishwasher tablets, and rinse aid. I did NOT buy the cases of 8 (much cheaper overall) in case I want to try something else.

ahem.. cough.. make that "Somat"

With my many visits from the Miele repair people, I've been programmed to use 1 tablespoon of Cascade complete. I also use Jet dry and the Miele salt. Our water isn't particularly hard, but the cleaning process seems to work better with the salt. It only uses a tiny amt, I fill the container maybe twice a year.

I'm pretty sure LemiShine is simply "citric acid"

Citric acid does a great job on hard water.....But based on what I have read, it shouldn't be used in combination with the dish detergent as citric acid may lessen the cleaning of this dish detergent........It's best to use citric acid (or LemiShine) when running an empty cycle to clean the dishwasher. But hey, if you're getting great results adding LemiShine with the detergent, then I guess if it aint' broke, don't fix it. :)