Experimenting is probably a good idea. I threw out my highly rated Cascade Gel Packs (or whatever they're called) because I thought they left a film. An estimated two tablespoons or less of Cascade Complete Powder (way less than the recepticle holds) seems to clean 99.9% of everything in my Miele.

I don't know the answer to your "low or empty" question. I'd just consider it a good time to fill up the Jet Dry when the light comes on. If you're concerned about flushing out the vinegar, then I'd just run several cycles after the light comes on before adding Jet Dry. What's the worst that can happen, you need to dry off an extra couple items by hand?

Thanks for the suggestion ya think. Do you know if your water tested similarly to mine?

I do not know how my water would test. In all my life I've never heard of anyone locally talk about hard water, water softeners, etc. so I'm very sure it's not an issue here.

We use 1/2 teaspoon of powder in our Miele. Seems like very little, but it also seems to work great.

My Bosch was one of the ones with the controlboard recall: I asked the guy who did the replacement about detergent and he said use only the minimum amount. He explained that they're designed to work more by spray power than large amounts of detergent, and it needs to 'read' how dirty the water is, to determine how to do the wash programme. With too much detergent, it can't.

Well, I cut right back, and I would say it works better, or at any rate, it works perfectly well, and I save by using less detergent!

With the tabs, it's kinda hard to change the amount. Looking at Consumer Reports, they like the Cascade Complete all-in-1 packets.

I'm trying to find Cascade Complete powder locally and try that. At least I can change the amount used that way.

Since our water seems to be pretty good (no salt required), I'll start with 1 TBSP (15ml) and work up from there. I'll try Jet-Dry (on a medium setting) for the rinse aid once the vinegar is gone.

we have very soft water and a half-tab of Miele, Somat or Ecover would work wonder for our always over-loaded Miele DW!! :)

I have try some Electrasol tabs from my sister, even half tab seem to be too much.....

And Cascade powder do not work too well as well....

I've looked in several stores (Food Lion, Harris Teeter, and Wal-Mart) and can't find Cascade Complete powder. I can find Complete liquid and packets and Cascade/Dawn powder (which is not the same as the Complete all-in-one powder).

Guess I'll keep looking.

They don't even brother to sell those Cascade Complete all-in-one powder here in Canada.... =.="

All we have here are those "unbreakable" Cascade Complete all-in-one tabs.....

So far, I think since our European DW use so little water, American style DW detergents do not seem to work too well....

When we rented a flat in Copenhagen for 2 weeks (more than 5 years ago), there was a note to break the Electrosol tabs in 1/2 for DW. Before than, we did not use Electrosol tabs in the US. Since then, when we get Electrosol tabs when they are on sale 2 for 1 and break them in 1/2. More than enough on my Asko.

Otherwise, powder degergent, less than 1 teaspoon and Jet dry in the filler.

I only use 1/2 of the Electrosol tabs with powerball and my dishes come out clean in a 3 year old GE Profile. Don't worry about trying to cut the little ball in half. I just stick it in when I have a really dirty load. When using Cascade gel I only fill one of the 2 detergent containers.

I've found that normally you can use less than the recommended amount with dishwashers and washing machines.