Please teach me how to dishwasher!

[GoldilocksAndTheThreePears]

I got a dishwasher recently, having never had one. I think I'm using it wrong as the little holder for the tablet doesn't open during the cycle. A I supposed to leave it open? Or put can you put the tab somewhere else like putting liquid in the drawer or the drum of a washing machine, can I just chuck the tab in the dishwasher itself? I've only used it a few times but the little holder only opened once! The dishes look clean but feel slightly tacky after. Help!

read the instructions?

Have you got rinse aid and salt in there?

Rinse aid yes, salt no as the instructions say this is an area that doesn't need it? Instructions also say to put the tab into the little slot with a door on it and close it, but after a full wash the tab is still in there exactly the same. I think maybe I misunderstood and should leave the door open. I'm too stupid for technology.

You're not supposed to leave the door open. It pops open at the right time during the wash.

Are you loading it correctly? Large items should go at the back so that when the flap opens, there's nothing blocking it.

Make sure there's nothing blocking it being able to open but if it's new and has always been like that it might be faulty

Mine has the option of just putting the tablet in the cutlery basket - you don't necessarily have to use the special compartment. Is there any mention of that in your manual?

But if you put it in the cutlery basket, surely all the detergent disappears during the initial rinse, so there is none left for the actual wash?

A dishwasher repair man told me that the best place to put the tablet was in the cutlery basket.

A dishwasher repair man told me that the best place to put the tablet was in the cutlery basket.

It does work if you put the tablet in the cutlery basket. We did it for a couple of months, with no problems.

Try that and see if it works for you.

Is there any residue in the tablet compartment that would stop it from opening or is anything blocking it when you load it up?

Yes, the little door should be closed and it will pop open in the correct part of the wash, if it isn't

Check nothing is loaded on the top basket that is protruding out and thus stop it from opening

If not, the mechanism is faulty and you would need to call the retailer to arrange a service call/replacement.

Yes, you can put the tab in the cutlery basket (the initial phase of the program won't completely dissolve the tablet), and the official advice is to add the tablet to the cutlery basket if you can't use the dispenser. However, in your case you shouldn't have to be doing this as it is new.

Is it working, OP?

We need to know please

If you have made sure nothing is blocking it and it still sticks then yes, it could be faulty. If it is then with a new machine it should be covered under the manufacturer's guarantee.

Give the Customer Service line a call.

Mine has a small part of the top basket which is for catching and holding the tablet once the compartment door opens. Nothing must be placed in this part or protrude over it or the detergent door may not open.

I have a Bosch, which is admittedly a few years old now, but goes fine.

oh no oops people replied! MN seems to have lost all my 'threads your on'.

I haven't had need to use it since I posted this so not sure if it's still doing it, I wonder if like people have said the cutlery basket was too full or had overhang. I've used a few dishwashers (well, added to them over the day!) in my old job as nanny but all have had the slide out tray at the top so basket is new!

I think once I run it again if it's still doing it I'll contact customer support or something. It's the very cheapest slimline from Argos, the well known brand Proaction :\ so not very high tech. Only got it as I'm disabled and really struggle to wash up which puts me off even attempting anything but crackers/bread/occasional microwave food. Hence me hoping the thing isn't broken as the strain of getting it replaced, urgh.

I'd just throw the tablet in the bottom of the machine.

I use powder and chuck it over the bottom shelf