Next pour about a half gallon of white vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher so that it completely covers the heating element. Try to get all of the plastic off that you possibly can scrape off.
Be sure to remove it from the underside of the element as well. Then scrape off all of the plastic that has melted onto the heating element. Here is something that you can try, that will hopefully work for you.
I assume that you are referring to the heating element of your dishwasher, where you were washing your Nalgene bottle and that somehow the plastic cap came in contact with the heating element. If you are finding that your scale problem continues despite regular treatments with vinegar or Tang, then your hard water problem may be severe enough that you might want consider a water softener or filtration system. If neither of these are successful in loosening up and removing the build-up on your heating element, then you might want to try using a product called CLR (calcium-lime-rust remover). An alternative to vinegar is baking soda.
You can also try placing a cupful of white vinegar in your dishwasher and then run it for a full cycle. The citric acid in the Tang helps to loosen hard water deposits and cleans the scale from your dishwasher. and with NO detergent in your dishwasher, place about half of a small container of Tang brand orange-flavored drink mix and then run it for a regular hot cycle.
After removing all of dishes, pans, silverware etc. When hard water is heated, it causes minerals to come out of solution and deposit on your heating element (because it is the hottest area inside your dishwasher), but also causes minerals to deposit on your dishes which have been heated up.ĭepending on how hard your water is, you can help control this by regularly treating your dishwasher regularly with vinegar or Tang (yes, the powdered breakfast drink). If you notice any of these signs, it is time to start looking up that model number so you can buy a replacement heating element and make the replacement in your dishwasher.It sounds like the scale problem that you are having with your dishwasher is likely due to your house having hard water. One of the most concrete signs that the heating element is out is if you open your dishwasher after the dry cycle completes only to find dishes that are both wet and cold. It heats the air that helps evaporate the water off your dishes. While the heating element in your dishwasher is responsible for heating the water, it also plays a crucial role in the dry cycle. If your dishwasher is connected to the hot water line, you will want to check after the cycle finishes as the hot water will still make the dishes somewhat warm during the wash. If you open up your dishwasher and find your dishes wet and cold, then the heating element is faulty. If you open the dishwasher at any point, your dishes should be pretty warm if they are being washed with a heating element that works. You may notice more food particles stuck onto your dishes. Dirty DishesĪs the wash water is not heated up properly by the heating element, even if it comes in from the hot water line, it may not be hot enough to wash and sanitize your dishes. If any of the below are manifesting in your dishwasher, it may be time to replace the heating element. However, there may come a day when your dishwasher starts throwing out some peculiar symposiums. Found in the bottom of the tub, you may recognize the heating element if you have an electric oven as they serve the same function, in a way. While your dishwasher may be hooked up to the hot water line, every dishwasher uses a heating element to heat the wash water up to the appropriate temperature.