The ease and convenience of a dishwasher are two of the features many of us value most. So when you find yourself drying your dishes and glassware after a wash cycle, it’s likely something is amiss. Fortunately, there are some easy tips to implement when you have a Thermador dishwasher not drying properly. Whether it’s an incorrect cycle or the need for rinse aid, we have some simple tricks to solve the problem.
Tips and Tricks When You Have a Thermador Dishwasher Not Drying Properly
Your dishwasher was expertly designed to perform both cleaning and drying functions for the utmost in performance and convenience. That’s why some simple fine-tuning techniques are typically all it takes when your Thermador dishwasher doesn’t dry well.
Select the Proper Cycle
If your Thermador dishwasher doesn’t dry dishes to your liking, you may need to confirm that you’re using the right cycle. The wash cycles on your dishwasher have specific functions and not all offer a drying feature. Conversely, some models come with an Extra Dry feature that offers higher drying temperatures and longer drying cycles.
We suggest reviewing your use and care manual to make sure you select a wash cycle with a drying feature that suits your needs.
Adjust Your Loading Technique
Tempting though it may be, overloading can be a factor in a Thermador dishwasher not drying dishes properly. This is because the heated air temperatures of the drying cycle need space to adequately circulate and dry. We suggest separating each item in the dishwasher and avoiding overlapping to better enable the drying cycle to function properly.
Even if you avoid overloading, some simple adjustments to how you load a dishwasher can better its drying capabilities. Here are some rack-by-rack loading tips for dryer dishes:
- Bottom rack: Face plates inwards and place bowls on their sides. Avoid nesting utensils in the cutlery rack.
- Middle rack: Place glassware upside down and use tines for securing plates
- Top rack/silverware tray: Place each utensil in its own slot, alternating end to end to avoid nesting. Place larger utensils on top of the rack.
Use a Rinse Aid
Rinse aid is a vital component to your dishwasher’s drying cycle. This liquid breaks up water molecules, better enabling water to bead up and run off dishes. When this happens, water is less able to remain on dishes and glassware and they emerge dryer with virtually no spotting. To add rinse aid to your Thermador dishwasher follow these steps:
- Consult your use and care manual to determine the right amount of rinse aid for your model dishwasher and the wash cycle of your choosing
- Open the rinse aid dispenser cover in your dishwasher and add the rinse aid
- Set the amount of rinse aid that should be dispensed according to your chosen wash cycle
Assess for a Defective Heating Element
If the above measures don’t improve the drying cycle on your dishwasher then it’s possible that your Thermador dishwasher heating element is damaged. Given the sophisticated technology of your dishwasher, professional service is recommended to assess a Thermador dishwasher not heating.
We hope you find that these simple tips do the trick when you have a Thermador dishwasher not drying dishes. As the Seattle area’s premier Thermador dishwasher service, Appliance Service Station is happy to answer any question and address any repair needs!
19 Responses
Worst dishwasher I’ve ever owned. Doesn’t dry at all! One of the top of the line dishwashers and now we’re stuck with it in our brand new home! We should have gone with a cheaper one that dries properly! I’ve owned many dishwashers in my life and this is by far the worst purchase we’ve had in our custom home
Kelly, have you solved the issue?
I agree 100% my Don’t buy this dishwasher
I came here looking for a solution for the worst performing dishwasher I have ever owned. I completely concur with the comments and frustrations by Kelly Pyper and Marian Gombos. When you buy a high end appliance for your kitchen you have an expectation of it performing well. When you look at their website and other resources for help it says everywhere to “consult your user manual”. The user manual has zero useful information on how to operate this.
Should have done more research before buying this. It matches the other Thermador appliances we have been slowly replacing our original appliances with, but the first load was just soaked, both the dishes and the interior of the washer and it wasn’t really that full. It looks good and there is an “extra dry” setting that I will try next time but not expecting miracles. If you have to towel dry your dishes after running them through the washer, it kind of defeats the purpose, so beware.
My new dishwasher is not drying sufficiently. Upsetting. My sister has the same dishwasher and LOVES it. Is there something I am doing wrong? Please help!
I have exactly the same problem here – not drying sufficiently. I tried with extra dry option, half load, rinse in but still wet all over the dishwasher. i have to wipe interior every time I use dishwasher because is dripping wet! How crazy is that??
I can’t figure out what I’m doing it wrong….
I just googled this and brought me to this page. I just had installed the Topaz and my first load on Auto everything was wet. The door and interior of the unit was filled with condensate. I’m have a chat session with someone at Thermador and they confirm that this is normal. The unit does not have a heating element, rather it uses the hot water to heat up the inside thus drying the dishes. I’m really disappointed.
I had the same issue , Topaz not drying dishes and interior all wet. I don’t know what to do, even Thermador don’t have an answer!!. Very disappointed indeed. I might return it and buy a different brand.
I bought this as a high-end appliance from a local dealer. I thought the Thermador brand would represent quality and reliability. More the fool I. I literally hate, loather, and despise this dishwasher. I hold myself responsible for being sucked in by a slick-talking salesperson and my failure to really study the rack layout. Damn near impossible to load properly. It has so many issues it’s hard to recount them all. On occasion, after it has run for hours you open the door, and the detergent dispenser is open but the detergent tab is still sitting in the holder. Other times you open the door and you see flecks of white detergent everywhere. That requires running a rinse cycle. Early on we had a problem with water standing in the base of the dishwasher. A technician fumbled with that forever and ended up replacing the water pump. I wish I had purchased a reliable dishwasher and not been concerned about it matching my other aplliances. If the damn thing actually worked I would at this juncture be glad if it was red, white, and blue. I take the blame for buying what I supposed was a high-end dishwasher. It qualifies based on price but it is the epitome of poor performance. I have to decide if I want to fool with another service tech or just bite the bullet and buy another brand. If the reader of this note can suggest a really dependable dishwasher I would welcome a suggestion.
Help! I have the same problems… dishes all wet even using extra dry function. Is there any fix?
My dishwasher still not drying even though I used extra dry cycle. Called Thermador technician, he checked the heat element and it was fine. He said to dry dishes I need to have the water temperature 130 degrees at least !!
I called the sales person who I bought the dishwasher from, told him I am not happy with it and will return, he said just use jet dry and it should dry it!!!!, I have to try this but I don’t believe that it will work.
We just bought a house with Thermador appliances. The dishwasher does not dry, despite using the extra dry feature. Very disappointed.
I have the same problem as everyone else… dishwasher does not dry, even with jet dry and using extra dry cycle… will not buy anything from thermador ever again… fridge is disappointing and oven is super loud because the fan runs when you turn it on. Oh, and the range hood we ordered 9 months ago still hasn’t come in so… I can’t say I’m happy with ANY of their appliances
Totally agree with all of the previous comments. This is has been the worst dishwasher I have ever owned! I have to wash silverware thoroughly or it does not get clean and it never dries the dishes, glasses or silverware. The same with the plates which I rinse off before I load. They come out partially cleaned and I have to hand wash afterwards unless I only put 3 or 4 dishes in. I have to towel dry each time. It’s ridiculous.
Omg I hate hate hate this dishwasher!!!! Makes me want to scream! Dishes to not dry, nor will it connect to the WiFi network as the 100 other devices on my network. I need to return this POS!!!
WORST dishwasher! It doesn’t dry at all! I even select the Extra Dry option. No choice on the appliances since this was a new build and the builder got to choose. After researching found out that the reason why these are being placed in houses is because the builders got a deal. If they purchased another Thermador appliance they got a free dishwasher, saving them money.
I bought a condo with all Themador appliance and I have the same problem even with extra dry option.
Why Themador is not doing the fix needed.
We also have the microwave and it’s a nightmare, never saw a microwave that complicated.
I had the same problem with the unit not drying. After inspection I found that the tiny holes in the rinse aid compartment had all clogged with a hard white substance which I poked out with a fork tine.
The liquid rinse aid had not been releasing into the wash water properly.
After unclogging the rinse aid vent holes the dishes were much drier!