If you’ve purchased a second-hand Electra dishwasher, moved into a new home where one is already installed, or have simply lost your user manual, you might be feeling clueless as to what all the dishwasher’s symbols mean and how to use them.
Your Electra dishwasher will have many different symbols that you’ll need to be able to identify in order to run it properly, choose the correct settings, maintain the machine, and identify potential errors.
That’s what this guide is here for. While many symbols found on dishwashers, ovens, and other kitchen appliances are often universal and simple to understand, there are always functions/symbols unique to each manufacturer and appliance too.
This guide will cover all of the symbols and functions you could potentially find on your Electra dishwasher, so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
The Control Panel
On the control panel of your Electra dishwasher, you will notice the following symbols with indicator lights. Here’s what they mean.
On/Off
Overview:
The power symbol is labeled with the standard “I” and “O” with the “I” representing power and the “O” representing power off. This is a very straightforward and universally recognized symbol which makes it easy to use. Pressing the button with this symbol will turn your dishwasher on or off.
Best Used For:
Turning your appliance on or off.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This symbol is easy to identify and easy to use. Some models of Electra dishwashers are fitted with indicator lights. In this case, a light will turn on above this symbol to indicate that the appliance is turned on. When the light is off, you know that the dishwasher is off.
Programme Selection
Overview:
The Programme Selection symbol on your Electra dishwasher is a collection of four squares positioned in another square pattern. These represent the different programmes you can choose to run.
Best Used For:
You can press this button to select the most appropriate program in accordance with the type of crockery and its soiling level. Simply press the button until the correct program has been selected.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
The Programme Selection button works in conjunction with the Programme LED indicator light, which will indicate which programme has been selected. Once selected, the programme will start automatically as soon as the door is closed.
Half Load
Overview:
The Half Load symbol is a “half” fraction – a number 1 and a number 2 separated by a diagonal line, as such: _. This indicates a smaller (half) load of dishes to be washed. When the corresponding Half Load LED is illuminated, you will know that the Half Load function is selected.
Best Used For:
You can select this function when you don’t have a lot of dishes to be washed but you need some things washed right away. Perhaps you’re having people over for dinner, or want to cook a recipe that requires some of your items that are dirty.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
A great benefit of this function is that you can reduce your utility bills when you need only a few items to be washed. This is also more eco-friendly and better for the environment than simply running a normal cycle on just a few dishes.
Delay
Overview:
The Delay symbol, which is used in conjunction with the Delay LED light, looks like a clock wih two hands.
Best Used For:
You can use this button to delay the start time of a programme by 3, 6, or 9 hours. You can press it once for 3 hours, twice for 6 hours, or 3 times for 9 hours. The LED light with the corresponding number will illuminate when it has been selected.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This is a really useful function for when you want to take advantage of off-peak energy rates, or avoid a noisy appliance while you’re busy at home, or hosting people, but you don’t want to forget to start your dishwasher either.
Salt Lack Warning Indicator
Overview:
This symbol is easy to recognize because it looks like the capital letter ‘S’, which stands for salt. Your dishwasher always needs to be topped up with enough course dishwasher salt in order to soften the hard water and protect your dishes (and the machine itself) from limescale buildup.
Best Used For:
When there is insufficient softening salt, the Salt Lack Warning Indicator will illuminate for indicate that the salt chamber needs filling.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This symbol is a useful way to help you stay on top of your appliance maintenance. If you don’t put salt in your dishwasher, a limescale buildup can potentially damage your appliance. This is a good way to remember to take care of your dishwasher as well as your dishes.
Rinse Aid Lack Warning Indicator
Overview:
This symbol looks like a star made up of dotted lines because it indicates that you need to refill your Rinse Aid, a cleaning agent that helps ensure your dishes come out shiny and sparkling.
Best Used For:
When there is insufficient rinse aid, the Rinse Aid Lack Warning Indicator will illuminate to indicate the rinse aid chamber needs filling
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This is another symbol and indicator light that will help you know exactly when to refill the container, so you won’t need to worry. Rinse Aid is not imperative to the maintenance of your machine or dishes, but it helps give your crockery a cleaner, shinier look.
End of Programme Indicator
Overview:
The End of Programme Indicator symbol looks like a circle with a star at the top right corner. This represents a clean, shiny plate to show that your dishes are finished being washed.
Best Used For:
This indicator light will show you when your appliance is on, and when your programme has ended.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This is useful to know when your programme is over and your dishes are ready to be taken out so that you can start filling up the next load and stay on top of your chores.
Programme Symbols
The following three symbols are representative of special programmes available on your dishwasher. This is what they look like, what they mean, and how to use them effectively.
Eco
Overview:
The Eco programme symbol is a leaf with the word “eco” at the bottom right of it.
Best Used For:
This is a standard programme for normally soiled dishes. This programme can be used for daily use with reduced energy and water consumption.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This program is ideal for normal, everyday loads and is perfect for those who are more environmentally conscious or looking to reduce their own energy consumption and save some money.
However, this program is not ideal for heavily soiled crockery or big pots or pans that have excessive grease on them, as the program is not particularly intensive.
Intensive
Overview:
The Intensive programme symbol is a large pot with a lid and a 65-degree symbol at the bottom right of it.
Best Used For:
This programme is suitable for heavily soiled dishes.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This programme is ideal for greasy pots and pans, or dishes with food that has become stuck to them. It runs at 65 degrees which is a higher temperature, making it a less eco-friendly programme, and is further not suitable for delicate items like wine glasses.
Super 50′
Overview:
The Super 50′ programme symbol is a circle with a star in the top left corner and a “50′” in the middle of it.
Best Used For:
This programme is suitable for normally soiled dishes with a faster programme.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This programme is ideal for when you are on a time crunch and need your normally soiled dishes washed a little quicker. This works well for when you’re planning on cooking with the items in the dishwasher, or are about to serve dinner guests and need your plates washed fast.
