Dishwasher Cycle Definitions

GE Appliances dishwashers are designed to clean dishes ranging from light soiling to dried-on and baked-on soiling. Below are typical cycle options you may find on your dishwasher and general descriptions of each. For specific information about a cycle, check out the Owner's Manual for your specific model.
 

Cycle Definitions

  • Anti-Bacteria: By reaching temperatures as high as 160 degrees, this cycle is NSF-certified to sanitize and reduce bacteria by 99.99%. NSF certification signifies this dishwasher has met established guidelines when using.
    • Note: The 160-degree temperature is met at the end of the cycle.
  • AutoSense: This cycle automatically senses the soil level and adjusts the wash cycle accordingly.
  • Auto wash cycle: This cycle automatically adjusts to soil level to maximize energy savings and ensure clean dishes. This cycle is meant for light to heavily soiled dishes.
  • China/Crystal: This cycle is similar to Normal Wash except that it uses less hot water and provides a more gentle wash action to protect delicate items.
    • The dishwasher fills for approximately 60 seconds rather than the normal 90 seconds for a lighter wash. The wash action is softened by pumping air along with the water. (Pre-rinse before loading.)
    • Note: This is the same as the "Plastic" cycle on the RCA models.
  • Cookware: This cycle is meant for heavily soiled dishes or cookware with dried-on or baked-on soils. This cycle may not remove burned-on foods. Everyday dishes are safe to be used in this cycle. (Note: Also see Pots & Pans)
  • Delay Start: This cycle lets you run dishwasher when its hot water demands won't conflict with those of the family.
  • Express: This cycle quickly washes lightly soiled dishes in approximately 30 minutes.
    • On models with Power Dry, selecting Power Dry increases the final rinse temperature and will add 15 minutes to the cycle time.
    • To dry the dishes, open the door and pull the racks out when the Clean light comes on. This will “flash” dry the dishes in approximately five minutes.
  • ExtraScrub: For use with heavily soiled and/or dried-on, baked-on soils. This option adds 16 minutes of clean time. Note: Cannot be selected with Rinse Only.
  • Glasses Cycle: Glasses normally do not get as soiled as other dishes, so it is not always necessary to have the same level of wash as you would with pots and pans. Therefore, the Glasses cycle has been developed. The cycle time may be shorter than other cycles, depending on soil levels.
  • Heavy Wash: This cycle provides a vigorous wash action to get "unscraped" dish loads clean (longer wash time than Normal Wash).
  • Light Wash: This is the cycle for everyday loads with soils that have not dried on, or for lightly soiled loads. It is similar to a Normal wash except that it has one less pre-rinse, saving about 2 gallons of water.
  • Normal Wash: This cycle provides a vigorous wash action to get everyday dish loads clean.
  • Plastics: The Plastics Cycle is an extended built-in drying time to reduce the risk of melting plastic items and improve plastic drying.
  • Pots and Pans: The Pots and Pans Cycle is an extended-time wash for better cleaning. This cycle has a temperature sensor in the circuitry that is automatically turned on and heats the water during the cycle.
  • Potscrubber: This cycle provides approximately twice the wash of a normal cycle to remove dried-on and baked-on (but not burned-on) soils. This is the cycle that cleans those dirty pots, pans, and casserole dishes.
  • Quick Cycle: This cycle is for everyday dishes and glassware.
  • Rinse and Hold: This cycle rinses only and holds the dishes of a partial load until you have a full load to wash. Washing only full loads saves hot water and energy. The Rinse and Hold Cycle fills, rinses, drains then fills, rinses and drains again. Heated Dry option should be OFF. Timer will advance to the Off position.
  • Rinse Only: This cycle is the same as Rinse and Hold, found usually on touch control models. This is a sensor-driven cycle that may use as little as 1.4 gallons of water.
  • Sani Rinse: The Sani-Rinse heats water during the entire final rinse to ensure a good, hot final rinse. This option will heat the water to 145 degrees (+ or - 5 degrees), and may extend the cycle up to approximately 20 minutes. Check specific model features for models so equipped.
  • SaniWash: The SaniWash cycle has a National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)-certified sanitation cycle, which reduces 99.999% of the bacteria found on dishes. It is ideal for sanitizing baby bottles, cutting boards, glasses, and dishes.
    • The Saniwash cycle reaches up to 155 degrees Fahrenheit in the final rinse and holds it there long enough to meet and exceed the NSF requirements to sanitize.
  • Speed Wash: Speed cycles cut a full half hour off wash and dry times, based on GE standard normal cycles. SpeedWash™and SpeedDry​​​​​™ can make a big difference when you are pressed for time.
For information on possible options that can be used with these dishwasher cycles, see Dishwasher - Option Definitions.