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A Kenmore dishwasher stays fresh when its filter is cleaned before food builds up and its door seal and tub are kept free of residue. One Kenmore dishwasher guide says to remove, inspect and clean the filter system once a month for best performance, and more often when the soil load or water hardness calls for it. Smells, grit and slow draining are usually the first signs the filter is overdue.
What does the dishwasher filter system do?
The guide for one Kenmore dishwasher describes two parts. An assembled inner filter keeps oversized items and fine food particles out of the pump, and a stainless steel filter keeps food from being recirculated onto the dishes. When both are clogged, water cannot move freely, so dishes come out gritty and the tub can start to smell.
The guide says the filter may need cleaning when you can see objects or soil on it, or when dishes feel gritty. It also warns that food left in the filter may cause an odor, and that food residue can lead to odor-causing bacteria and possible drainage problems.
How often should the filter be cleaned?
That guide includes a table that depends on loads per week and whether you pre-rinse. With 1 to 3 loads a week and no scraping or rinsing, cleaning once a month is enough. With 8 to 12 loads a week and no scraping or rinsing, it calls for every week. If you wash dishes before loading, every 6 months can be enough. In hard water, above 15 grains, the guide says to clean the filter at least once a month. White residue on surfaces is the sign of hard water.
These figures come from one model’s guide, so check your own manual for the interval that fits your dishwasher.
How do you clean the dishwasher filter?
Turn the filter assembly counterclockwise and lift it out, then pull the stainless steel filter forward. Clean both with a soft brush under running water and reinstall them in their holder.
- Turn the filter assembly counterclockwise and lift it out.
- Lift slightly and pull forward on the stainless steel filter.
- Clean with a soft brush under running water.
- Reinstall by fitting it into its holder and turning the inner filter until it clicks.
Be careful with the stainless filter, since its edges can be sharp. Run the dishwasher only with the filter assembled correctly.
Tub, seal and mineral film
Hard water minerals can leave a white film, especially beneath the door. The guide says to wipe it with a paste of powdered dishwasher detergent on a damp sponge, or with liquid dishwasher detergent, then run a normal cycle. Do not use cleansers other than dishwasher detergent, because they can foam. The guide also recommends running a dishwasher cleaner tablet monthly as routine maintenance for hard-water residue.
For the seal, the guide’s safety notes say to place sharp items so they are not likely to damage the door seal. Wipe the seal and the area under the door with a damp cloth when you clean the tub, since soil there contributes to smells even when the filter is clean.
How can you tell smell, grit, and drainage problems apart?
Cleaning the filter and seal settles the smell and grit if residue was the cause. Water that remains after a clean filter points to the drain hose, air gap, or disposal.
| What you notice | What it can point to | What you can check |
|---|---|---|
| Musty smell on opening | Food left in the filter | Clean the filter assembly and the seal area |
| Gritty dishes | A clogged filter | Clean the filter and run a normal cycle |
| White film on surfaces | Hard water minerals | Detergent paste on the film, then a normal cycle |
| Water left in the tub | A kinked or clogged drain hose | Check the hose, the air gap or disposal, and the filters |
| OE on the display | A drainage problem, per the guide | Hose, air gap or disposal, filters |
| Cloudy glassware | Too much detergent with hard water | Use less detergent and a rinse aid |
What these checks do and do not prove
If the smell fades after cleaning the filter and seal, residue was the cause. If water remains after a clean filter, the filter is ruled out but the drain hose, air gap or disposal are still open. The guide says some local codes require an air gap, usually on top of the sink or counter, and that it is an external plumbing device, not part of the dishwasher. A clean filter does not prove the pump or valve is healthy. Those parts are not owner checks.
Making the routine easy to keep
Pick a trigger you will notice, such as the first of the month, and do the filter, the seal wipe and the cleaner tablet together. Households that run many loads or skip pre-rinsing can move the filter to a weekly check, as the guide’s table suggests. A quick look when you unload is enough to catch visible soil. Dry the seal edge, leave the door ajar briefly after the last cycle, and keep a note of the date so you can see whether a smell is returning sooner than before. That pattern is useful information if a visit is ever needed.
When should you book a dishwasher service visit?
Book a diagnosis if the dishwasher still drains poorly after a clean filter and a clear hose and air gap, if OE keeps returning, if the AE leak code appears, or if the machine will not start. For AE, the guide says to turn off the water supply and call. Note the code, the model number and what you cleaned. Hot water that has not been used for two weeks or more can build up hydrogen gas, and the guide says to run the hot faucets for several minutes before using the dishwasher. Protect supply lines from freezing when the home is closed up for a long stay.
Frequently asked questions
Can I skip pre-rinsing?
The guide’s cleaning table accounts for it. Skipping the pre-rinse means the filter needs cleaning more often.
What cleaner is safe for the tub?
The guide says not to use cleansers other than dishwasher detergent, since others can foam. It does recommend a monthly dishwasher cleaner tablet.
Why is there a white film under the door?
The guide attributes it to hard water minerals. Wipe it with a detergent paste, then run a normal cycle.
Does food in the filter cause drainage problems?
The guide warns that food residue can lead to odor and possible drainage problems, so cleaning the filter is the first step.
Need help now? Visit our services page or contact us.
Official manuals and support notes are available on Kenmore Support.