GE GSC902 Use and Care Manual

r

Useand Careof
ConvertibleModelGSC902

Energy-savingtips
Howtooperate

your dishwasher
Loadedright,

dishesgetcleaner
Whatisdishwashersafe? p10
Howtoconnect
Savetimeandmoney

Beforeyoucallforservice,

p2

p4

p8

pll

-1

usetheProblemSolver

y?-a!5A

Your Direct Line to General ‘Electric

GE NE RAL@EIECTRIC

_..—-——

——-+

——

—-.

——

p14

Contents

Help us
help you...

Operating Instructions . . . . ...4.5

Good dishwashing starts

with HOTwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..6

Howtotestwater . . . . . . . . . . . . ..(j

Usingarinseagent . . . . . . . . . . ...6

How to choose and use

therightdetergent . . . . . . . . . . ...6

How to prepare dishes

forwashing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...7

How to load your

dishwasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...8.9

Whatyoucanwashsafely . . . ...10

Howtoconnect electricity . . . ...11

How to connect Unicouple . . ...12

User maintenance

instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..13

Problem solving . . . . . . . .14.15.16

Consumer Services. . . . . . . . . ...19

Warranty . . . . . . . . . .. Back Cover

Energy-saving tips

The power consumption of your
dishwasher can be minimized if
you follow these suggestions:

Q Operate the dishwasher only
when it’s fuil. Let the dishes accu­mulate in the dishwasher. When
you put in only a partial load, use
the RINSE ONLY cycle to rinse
off heavy soils. Be sure to latch the
door when waiting for a full load.
This helps to keep soils moist,
easier to remove.

Read this Use and Care
Book carefully

It is intended to help you operate
and maintain your new dishwasher
properly.

Keep it handy for answers to your
questions.

If you don’t understand something
or need more help ...Call, toll free:

The GE Answer CenterTM

800.626.2000
consumer information service

or write (include your phone
number):
Consumer Affairs
General Electric Company
Appliance Park
Louisville, KY 40225

If you receiveda damaged
dishwasher, immediately contact

the dealer (or builder) that sold
you the dishwasher.

Save time and money .. .
before you call for service

Check the Problem Solver (pages

14-16).
operating problems that you can
correct yourself. It could save you
an unnecessary service call.

Itlists minor causes of

Write down the model and
serial numbers

You’ll find them on a label just
inside the dishwasher door.

These numbers are also on the
Consumer Product Ownership
Registration Card that came with
your dishwasher. Before sending
in this card, please write these
numbers here:

Model No.

Serial No.
Use these numbers in any

correspondence or service calls
concerning your dishwasher.

n

To obtain Hispanic version of
this book, call
The GE Answer CenterT~l

800.626.2000
consumer information service.
Toll-free.

Para obtener la version en
espafiol de este manual,
[lame gratis a

The GE Answer Center,
servicio de information
para el consumidor,
telefono 800.626.2000.

● If you don’t need your dishes

right away, use your ENERGY­SAVER no-heat feature that turns

the drying lae@er ~ auto~ati~y.
Dishes dry natura.l@ver ~on~q * - ~ * s.
period such as cNernight! . -

● Always select the cycle that uses

the least amount of water that will
remove the soil from the load. See

pages 4&5.

@a*

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Read all instructions before using this appliance

~’ WARNING—When using this

appliance, always exercise basic
safety precautions, including the
following:

● Use this appliance only for its

intended purpose as described in
this Use and Care Book.

● This dishwasher must be

properly installed and located in
accordance with the Installation
Instructions before it is used. If

you did not receive an Installation

Instructions sheet with your dish-

washer you can obtain one by

contacting the service location
nearest you. See page 11for addi­tional instructions.

—Connect to a properly rated,
protected and sized power-supply
circuit to avoid electrical overload.

—This appliance must be
grounded. In the event of a mal­function or breakdown, grounding
will reduce the risk of electric
shock by providing a path of least
resistance for electric current. This
appliance is equipped with a cord

having an equipment-grounding
conductor and a grounding plug.
The plug must be plugged into an

appropriate outlet that is installed

and grounded in accordance with

all local codes and ordinances.

DANGER—Improper connection

of the equipment-grounding con-

ductor can result in a risk of elec-

tric shock. Check with a qualified

electrician or service technician if

you are in doubt as to whether the

appliance is properly grounded.
Do not modify the plug provided
with the appliance; if it will not fit
the outlet, have a proper outlet
installed by a qualified electrician.

● Use only detergents or wetting

agents recommended for use in a
dishwasher. -

● Do not wash plastic items unless

marked “dishwasher safe” or the
equivalent. For plastic items not so
marked, check the manufacturer’s
recommendations.

● Load light plastic items so they

will not become dislodged and
drop to the bottom of the dish­washer-they might come into
contact with the heating unit and
be darnaged.

To minimize the possibility
of injury.

● When loading items to be

washed:

A. Locate sharp items so that
they are not likely to damage the
door seal, and

B. Load sharp knives with the
handles up to reduce a risk of
cut-type injuries.

● Do not touch the heating

element during or immediately
after use.

● Do not operate your dishwasher

unless all enclosure panels are”
properly in place.

● Do not tamper with controls.

● Do not abuse, sit on, or stand

on the door or dish rack of the
dishwasher.

● Close supervision is necessary

if this appliance isused by or near
children. Do not allow children to
play inside, on or with this appli­ance or any discarded appliance.
Dispose of discarded appliances
and shipping or packing material
properly. Before discarding a
dishwasher, remove the door of
the washing compartment.

● Keep all washing detergents and

wetting agents out of the reach of
children, preferably in a locked
cabinet. Observe all warnings on
container labels to avoid personal
injury.

● To prevent dishwasher from

tipping over, do not lean or push
down on:
—open door
—upper rack when fully extended.

● HYDROGEN GAS is produced

by the chemical action within your
water heater and the gas can
accumulate in the water heater
and/or water pipes if hot water has

not been used for a period of two

weeks or longer. HYDROGEN

GAS IS EXPLOSIVE. So to pre­vent the possibility of darnage or
injury, if you have not used hot
water for two weeks or more, or
move into a residence in which the
hot water system may not have
been used for some time, turn on
all hot water faucets and allow
them to run for several minutes
before using any electrical appli­ance which is connected to the hot

water system. This will allow any
hydrogen gas to escape. Of course,
since the gas is flammable, do not
smoke or use an open flame or
appliance during this process.

.9

SAVETHESE INSTRUCTIONS

3

~ How to operate your dishwasher Door Latch

(Locked)

)

@

ct#cnA1

ttfclnlc

c1

Y

1““‘b‘ ‘

I Ii (i

I I I

t

SAM mm

SC%R t?~ C%%%%? w W}

*&o WI?

6XIIEIEIImlml

il

Commrtii ‘

.,. ,---- —

1

J

Cycle Indicator Dial

LffiHT ●
WASH

. . . q,

!r. @

●

,.,

m , .--; . . @ WASHWG& RI-

[1

● DRY

\

. RINSE

Indicator Lights

&,,,1 ClT_,,

0NL%

f) OR”,,,

J

Before using your dishwasher

the first time, install the Faucet
Adapter according to instructions
on page 12. This is a one-time only
chore.

STEP 1. Load your dishwasher
with dishes, silverware, pots, pans,
bowls, etc. according to instruc­tions on pages 8 and 9.

STEP 2. Add detergent to the

detergent dispenser. Make sure the
Cycle Indicator Dial is at OFF
position before adding detergent.
See pages 6 and 7.

Use rinse aid agent to help prevent
spotting. Occasionally check to
insure that rinse agent dispenser is

at least half full. See page 6.
Connect Unicouple and electricity

according to instructions on pages

11and 12.

STEP 3. Select Drying Heat
Option

HEATED ENERGY
DRYING SAVER

Inn

HEATED DRYING. Turns the

drying heater on for fast drying.
ENERGY SAVER (no-heat

drying). Turns the drying heater
off to save energy. Dishes dry
naturally over a longer period such

as overnight.

If you need your dishes sooner,
open the dishwasher door after the
cycle is complete to reduce the
natural drying time.

Use of this option reduces the elec-

trical energy used by this model
approximately

!W’Ofor Normal

cycle.

Estimated yearly savings, depend­ing on your local electrical rates,
are as follows:

r

Electric Rate

(per Kwh)
Estimated

Yearly Savings

$.05 $.08 $ .11

$5.35 !$8.55

$11.75

STEP 4. Select SANI-CYCLE
Option

SANI - CYCLE

OFF

lb

SANI-CYCLE maybe used with
any wash cycle. It raises the water
temperature in the final rinse
portion of the cycle selected. When

SANI-CYCLE is selected: The
timer will not advance until the
water temperature is raised to the
proper temperature for SANI­CYCLE rinsing.

STEP 5. Select the Cycle and start

dishwasher.

If your dishwasher drains into a
food waste disposer, operate the

disposer until it is empty before
starting the dishwasher. (See Cycle
selection hints on next page.)

To obtain the benefits of a com-

plete cycle, be careful that you do
not turn the dial any further than
necessary to start the dishwasher.

● For all cycles except LIGHT

WASH and RINSE ONLY:

POT-

SCRUBBER WASH CRYSTAL WASH

HEAVY CHIN4 NORMAL

❑aml

a. Push selected cycle button.
b. Latch the door.

1

c.

Slowly turn Cycle Indicator Dial

● DRY

to ON position to start the
cycle.

. For LIGHT WASH cycle:

RINSE

●

ONLY

DRY

●

a. Be sure door is unlatched.
b. Push NORMAL WASH

button.

c. Slowly turn Cycle Indicator Dial

to LIGHT WASH position.

d. Latch door to start the cycle.

● FOR RINSE ONLY cycle:

LIGHT

~m

WASH

,*IRC. ,A, [n

(>N ● // - ‘o

C)FF ●

/-

>

e

I

Be sure door is unlatched.

a.
b.

Select ENERGY SAVER drying

RINSE

.

ONLY
, ,%1%..

u,,, -“”

● DRY I

option.
Slowly turn Cycle Indicator Dial

c.

to RINSE ONLY position.
Latch the door to start the

d.

cycle.

4

Cycle selection hints

POTSCRUBBER—
For items such as pots, pans and

casseroles with dried-on or baked-

on soils. Everyday dishes may be
included.

It is important to follow the
loading instructions on pages 8
and 9.

HEAVY WASH—
For loads of everyday dishes,
glasses and cookware with heavy
soils. Designed to yield high
performance on normal loads.

CHINA-CRYSTAL—
For normally-soiled china and
crystal.

This cycle is similar to Heavy
Wash-except the wash action is
softened by pumping air along
with the water to protect your
delicate items. Be sure you have
followed the loading instructions
on page 8.

NORMAL WASH—

For most loads of everyday dishes,
glasses and cookware with medium
soils. It saves hot water over the
higher performance cycles.

What Haix)ens in Each Cycle

Minimum

Wash
Cycles

POTSCRUBBER 11.4

t

HEAVY WASH 11.4

CHINA-CRYSTAL 11.4

p.
‘*”’ NORMAL WASH 9.5

LIGHT WASH 5.8

RINSE ONLY

Water Use

Gallons

(approx.)

I

3.8

Drying Cycle Options:

HEATED DRYING. Available on all wash cycles except RINSE ONLY.
Add 22 minutes to wash cycle time.

ENERGY SAVER. Calrod Heater is turned off. Dishes dry naturally.

*Unextended times. These cycle times may be increased up to 9 minutes

if necessary for your dishwasher to heat the water to proper temperature

for good washability. If you select SANI-CYCLE Option the timer will
not advance until water reaches proper temperature. (See SANI-CYCLE

Option on previous page.)

Wash

Cycle Time

(approx.

minutes)

59* ~~s~’ Rinse Rinse [~~h Rinse

44* ~~~]’

44* Rinse Rinse Rinse ~~~h Rinse” Rinse

44* ~~s~’ Rinse wash

31 ‘

15

Cycle Sequence

Rinse Rinse wash

Main Rinse

Main Rinse Rinse.

Main Rinse Rinse

Wash .,

....

.

Rinse

Rinse

..

.

Rinse Rinse

. .

LIGHT WASH—
For dishes that have been pre-
rinsed before loading. Also, for
washing very iightfy soiled dishes
with soils that have not dried on.

RINSE ONLY—
For rinsing partial loads which will
be washed later. Do not use

detergent.

. You’11hear occasional clicking
sounds:
—Soft food disposer shredding

action.

—Drain valve opening to pump

water out.

—Timer control as cycle

progresses.

—Detergent cup opening.

● The SANI-CYCLE indicator

light comes on when SANI­CYCLE is selected.

● During the drying period:

—the motor stops.
—the WASHING/RINSING

indicator light goes off.

—the DRYING indicator light

comes on with HEATED
DRYING.

—water vapor is released through

the vent under the door handle.
It maybe visible.

,.

4

5-

Good dishwashing
starts with HOT water

To get dishes clean and dry you
need hot water. To help you get
water of the proper temperature,
your General Electric dishwasher
has a water heating feature that

automatically senses the tempera-

ture of the water in the wash cycle
and heats it, if necessary, to the
proper temperature. This water
heating feature may allow you to
turn down your household water
heater and save energy if you’re
willing to let the dishwasher run a
little longer while it heats water to
the proper temperature. For good
washing and drying, the entering
water must be at least 120°F.To
prevent dish damage, inlet water
should not exceed 150”F.

Check your water temperature
with a candy or meat thermome­ter. Turn on the hot water faucet

nearest the dishwasher. Put the
thermometer in a glass and let the
water run continuously into the

glass until the temperature stops

rising. If the water temperature is
below 120”F.adjust your water
heater.

Helpful hints: If outside tempera­tures are unusually low or if your
water travels a long distance from
heater to dishwasher you may need
to set your heater’s thermostat up.
If you have not used hot water for
some time, the water in the pipes
will be cold. Turn on the hot water
faucet at the sink and allow it to
run until the water is hot. Then
start the dishwasher. If you’ve
recently done laundry or run hot
water for showers, give your water
heater time to recover before
operating the dishwasher.

You can help prevent
spotting with a rinse
agent

A rinse agent makes water flow off
dishes quicker than usual. This
lessens water spotting. Makes
drying faster, too.

For best dishwashing perform-

ance, use of a rinse agent is

recommended.

Rinse agents come in either liquid
or solid form. Your dishwasher’s
dispenser uses the liquid form.

Here’s how to fill the rinse agent
dispenser. Unscrew the cap. Add
the liquid rinse agent until it just
reaches the bottom of the lip inside
the dispenser opening. Replace the
cap. The dispenser automatically
releases the rinse agent into the
final rinse water.

If you accidentally spill: Wipe up
the rinse agent with a damp cloth.
Don’t leave the spill in the
dishwasher. It can keep your
detergent from working.

If you can’t find any rinse agent,

write:
ECONOMICS LABORATORY,
INC.
(“JET DRY”)

Osborn Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55102

Your dishwasher’s rinse agent
container holds 4Y2ounces. This
should last about 3 months. Fill
as needed. Do not overfill, add
only 4‘/zounces.

How to choose and use
detergent

First, use only detergent
specifically made for use in
dishwashers. Other types will
cause oversudsing.

Second, check the phosphate

content. Phosphate helps prevent

hard-water materials from forming
spots or film on your dishes. If
your water is hard (7 grains or
more), your detergent has to work
harder. Detergents with a higher
phosphate level will probably work
better. If the phosphate content is
low (8.7070or less), you’ll have to
use extra detergent with hard

water.

Your water department can tell
you how hard your water is. So

can your rural county agent. Or
your area’s water softener com­pany. Just call and ask them how
many “grains” of hardness is in
your water.

How much detergent should you

use? That depends. Is your water

“hard” or “soft?” With hard
water, you need extra detergent to
get dishes clean. With soft water,
you need less detergent.

Too much detergent with soft
water not only wastes money, it
can be harmful. It can cause a
permanent cloudiness of glass­ware, called “etching:’ An outside
layer of glass is etched away! Of
course, this takes some time. But
why take a chance when it’s easy
to find out the hardness of your
water.

Keep your detergent fresh and

dry. Under the sink isn’t a good

place to store detergent. Too much
moisture. Don’t put detergent into
the dispenser until you’re ready to
wash dishes, either. (It won’t be

fresh OR dry.)

6