If you’ve purchased a second-hand Hotpoint dishwasher, have 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 Hotpoint 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 any model of Hotpoint dishwasher, so you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Hotpoint Dishwasher Control Panel
To begin, this guide will identify every symbol you’ll find on your Hotpoint dishwasher’s control panel. Once you know what these symbols mean, you’ll be able to use them to choose the right settings, and identify when you need to refill certain cleaning agents.
Each of these symbols is useful and performs a specific function to help you get the most out of your appliance by knowing exactly what your options are, and what type of cleaning cycle you can select.
Here are the symbols on a Hotpoint dishwasher control panel:
On/Off/Reset Button with Indicator Light
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:
Some models of Hotpoint 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.
Program Selection Button with Indicator Light
Overview:
This program selection symbol is simply a capital letter ‘P’ and allows you to choose the program and customize the cycle. 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.
Best Used For:
Choosing the right program for your load of dishes.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
The indicator light will allow you to clearly and easily see which program has been selected, before starting the cycle.
Half Load
Overview:
This symbol shows what resembles the top and bottom rack of the dishwasher, followed by a _. This indicates a smaller (half) load of dishes to be washed. This can save on electricity, water, and detergent.
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.
In these cases, you can quickly wash those items without wasting resources.
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.
Salt Refill Indicator Light
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 this indicator light is on or flashing, it means that you need to refill the salt in your dishwasher. Makes sure not to ignore it too long before refilling.
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 Refill Indicator Light
Overview:
This symbol looks like a star because it indicates that you need to refill your Rinse Aid, a cleaning agent that helps ensure your dishes come out shiny and sparkling.
Rinse Aid also ensures that your dishes dry thoroughly, evenly, and without streaks.
Best Used For:
When the indicator light turns on or flashes, simply refill the designated Rinse Aid container with the cleaning agent and then close it. The light should then turn off and the appliance will be able to correctly distribute it between washes.
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.
Programme Indicator Lights
Overview:
On your control panel, you will see a series of indicator lights with different symbols above them. Each of these represents a different program that your machine can run. When a light flashes below a specific symbol, it indicates that that program has been selected. Each program symbol will be explained in the next section.
Best Used For:
Each different program has its own specific functions and purposes.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
Each different program has its own specific benefits and drawbacks.
Delay Indicator Light
Overview:
On your control panel, you will see the numbers ‘2’, ‘4’, and ‘8’ with indicator lights below them. These each represent how many hours have been selected for a delayed start on your dishwashing cycle.
For example, if the ‘4’ indicator light is on, it means that your cycle will start in four hours’ time.
Keep in mind that different models might have different delay start times to choose from, so consult your user manual to be sure.
Best Used For:
When you want to start your dishwasher at a specific time, using the delayed start function is helpful.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
One drawback is that most Hotpoint dishwasher models don’t allow you to set a specific time for your cycle to start, only a certain amount of hours by which to delay the start.
Delay Button with Indicator Light
Overview:
The symbol of the clock with an arrow pointing inwards towards a lowercase ‘h’ to represent ‘hours’ is the delayed start symbol. This symbol should be used in conjunction with the delay indicator to know how many hours the delay has been set for.
Best Used For:
When you want to start a dishwashing cycle, but perhaps only after you’ve gone to bed, or after you’ve left the house, so that the sound doesn’t bother you, you can delay the start of your cycle by a few hours.
This symbol has an indicator light to show you when a delay has been set. The light helps you remember that your cycle is set to start in a few hours, which can be useful.
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.
Tablet (Tab) Button with Indicator Light
Overview:
This symbol looks like a dishwasher tablet – a three-dimensional rectangular block. That’s because it represents a dishwasher tab, which is a specific type of dishwasher detergent. This symbol also has an indicator light to inform you whether the function has been selected.
Best Used For:
Select this function when you have used a dishwasher tablet instead of powder in your appliance. This will help the machine to optimise the performance of the program according to the type of detergent you have used.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This function helps you to get more out of your detergent, because it alerts the appliance of the type of cleaning agent used and how it should be used for optimal efficiency. This can prevent your detergent from clumping or not being distributed evenly throughout the cycle.
Start/Pause Button with Indicator Light/Drain Out
Overview:
The Start/Pause/Drain Out symbol features two symbols in one. On top you will see the standard universal symbol for ‘Start’ and ‘Pause’. These look like a triangle and two vertical lines next to it. This button will start or pause the dishwashing cycle you have selected.
Below this you will see another symbol that shows a drum filled with water and an arrow pointing down and out of it. Next to that is a number ‘3’. This is the ‘drain out symbol which allows you to stop and cancel an active cycle.
Best Used For:
You can use a single press of the ‘Start/Pause’ button to start a cycle when you are ready to wash. A single press, while it is running, will pause the cycle in case the sound is bothering you, or you want to avoid shorting your circuits while you use another electrical appliance.
A long press of this button will start the ‘Drain Out’ function, which will cancel an active cycle, stop it completely and drain all the water out.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
These functions allow you to take full control of your cycle, pausing it or stopping it for whatever reason you might need to do so.
Hotpoint Dishwasher Programmes
Now that the entire control panel has been covered, let’s dive into the details of the different programs on your Hotpoint dishwasher.
Each program will perform a different function and is best suited to different types of items and loads. Here’s everything you need to know to help you select the best one.
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Eco
Overview:
The ‘Eco’ symbol is straightforward as the simple word ‘Eco’ followed by ’50°’. This indicates that it is an eco-friendly cycle that runs the water at 50°.
Best Used For:
This program is best used for normally soiled crockery. It’s a standard program, and it’s the most efficient in terms of its combined 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.
2. Intensive
Overview:
This symbol shows a large pot with a lid on it and a ’65°’ next to it. This indicates an intensive cycle which is better for big, heavy, and thoroughly soiled pots and pans and other dishes. This cycle runs the water at 65°.
Best Used For:
The intensive program is recommended for heavily soiled crockery, especially suitable for pots, pans, and saucepans, and items that might have become greasy or has dried food or oil on them.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This program will allow you to thoroughly clean even the toughest grease out of your cookware and ensure it’s not left stained or oily after the wash.
However, this program is not recommended for more delicate items like wine glasses, as the program is quite intense and there is a chance they may become damaged in the wash.
3. Normal
Overview:
This symbol shows a dinner plate with a knife and fork next to it, followed by a ’55°’ symbol. This indicates a normal cycle that runs at 55° degrees.
Best Used For:
This program is recommended for normal, everyday use. Plates, bowls, and glasses that have been soiled to normal levels will be cleaned at optimal performance in a short period of time.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This is a quick and efficient cycle for your everyday use. However, it isn’t optimized for efficient energy use, and it won’t be able to get your more heavily soiled pots and pans clean.
4. Rapid 30′
Overview:
This symbol shows a clock with three horizontal lines in the bottom left corner, indicating speed. Next to this is a ’50°’ symbol. This symbol indicates a rapid, 30-minute wash that runs at 50°.
Best Used For:
This program is recommended only for lightly-soiled dishes and glasses that have been rinsed well already and have no dried food residue on them.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This is the perfect program for a speedy wash before your dinner guests arrive. However, you will only be able to clean items that aren’t very soiled at all, which means you might need to do some washing up by hand too, for dirtier items.
5. Pre-Wash
Overview:
This symbol shows a dinner plate with water spraying onto it. This symbolizes the ‘Pre-Wash’ program and essentially implies a rinse cycle. No detergent will be used in this cycle.
Best Used For:
You can use this program for heavily soiled dishes that need a rinse before a normal wash cycle. This program is for crockery to be washed later.
Benefits/Drawbacks:
This is a great program to use if your dishes are extra soiled and need to be rinsed of food and grease first in order to ensure that a normal wash cycle gets them clean.
Of course, this program cannot be used to actually clean your dishes, as no detergent is used during the cycle.
