The KitchenAid Express Wash cycle and the standard Normal Wash cycle both clean everyday dishes, but they differ significantly in speed, cleaning intensity, and resource usage. The Express Wash cycle is designed for speed, cleaning lightly soiled loads in under an hour, while the Normal cycle provides a more thorough clean for moderately soiled dishes over a longer period of one and a half to two hours.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right wash cycle on your KitchenAid dishwasher for your specific needs.
KitchenAid Express Wash Cycle
The Express Wash cycle is KitchenAid's solution for those moments when you need clean dishes in a hurry. This short cycle is perfect for lightly soiled items, such as glasses, cups, and plates from a recent meal, giving you a quick turnaround without the wait of a full cycle.
- What it is: A fast, efficient wash cycle designed to quickly clean dishes with light soil loads.
- Key features: Extremely short cycle time, lower water and energy consumption.
- Cycle Duration: Typically lasts between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the dishwasher model.
- Pros: Cleans dishes in less than an hour, saves water and energy on smaller loads, perfect for entertaining or when you need a quick refresh on glassware.
- Cons: Not effective for greasy pots, pans, or dishes with stuck-on or baked-on food, may have a less effective drying phase compared to longer cycles.
The Express Wash cycle is for households that need maximum efficiency and speed for slightly dirty loads, making daily cleanup easy and fast.
Shop KitchenAid Dishwashers: kitchenaid.com/major-appliances/dishwashers/
The Normal Wash Cycle
The Normal cycle is the workhorse of any dishwasher and is designed to be the go-to setting for everyday dishwashing needs. It balances cleaning power, temperature, and duration to effectively clean a standard load of moderately soiled dishes, handling everything from breakfast bowls to dinner plates with baked-on food residue.
- What it is: The standard, all-purpose wash cycle for typical daily loads of dishes, bowls, and cutlery.
- Key features: Balances comprehensive cleaning with reasonable energy and water use, often includes more robust wash and rinse phases, allows for options like heated dry or sanitization.
- Cycle Duration: Around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours.
- Pros: Reliably cleans moderately soiled dishes, versatile enough for most daily loads, effectively removes common food residues and grease, pairs well with full heated drying cycles.
- Cons: Takes significantly longer than the Express Wash, uses more water and energy per cycle.
The Normal cycle offers the dependable cleaning performance needed to handle the average family’s daily meals, from start to finish.
Shop KitchenAid Dishwashers: kitchenaid.com/major-appliances/dishwashers/
KitchenAid Express Wash vs. Normal Cycle Comparison
Cycle Duration & Speed
The most obvious difference between the two cycles is time. The Express Wash cycle is built for pure speed, finishing a load in as little as 30 to 45 minutes. This is ideal when you're preparing for guests and need to quickly clean a set of wine glasses or if you just want to clear the sink after breakfast without waiting hours.
In contrast, the Normal cycle takes its time, running for about one and a half to a full two hours. This extended duration isn't for nothing - it allows for multiple water soaks, more intensive washing and rinsing, and a better drying process. This makes it perfect for running overnight or when time is not an immediate concern.
Cleaning Performance & Soil Level
The Express Wash uses shorter wash and rinse phases, making it highly effective for dishes that are only lightly soiled, such as cups with coffee rings, bowls with cereal remnants, or plates with crumbs. It struggles with grease, dried-on sauces, or baked-on food because it simply doesn't have the time or intensity to break them down.
The Normal cycle is designed specifically for those everyday messes. The longer contact time with hot water and detergent allows it to tackle tougher jobs, including slightly greasy pans, plates with dried food, and silverware with remnant starches. While it may not be as aggressive as a "Pots & Pans" or "Heavy Duty" cycle, it's more than capable of handling the remnants of a typical family dinner.
Water & Energy Usage
The Express Wash cycle is the more eco-friendly option for appropriate loads. By running for a shorter period and potentially using lower temperatures, it consumes less water and electricity than the Normal cycle. For users who rinse their dishes thoroughly or are just washing a few items, this can lead to tangible savings on utility bills over time.
The Normal cycle consumes more resources by design. The longer wash and heat cycles require more water and energy to ensure a deep, hygienic clean for a full and varied load. While modern KitchenAid dishwashers are highly efficient, this cycle prioritizes cleaning power over maximum resource conservation.
Who Each Cycle Works Best For
The Express Wash is perfect for smaller households, individuals, or couples who generate fewer dishes and don't let them sit for long. It’s also a great asset for those who entertain frequently and require a rapid turnaround for glassware, appetizer plates, and dessert dishes during an event.
The Normal cycle is the clear choice for families or anyone who runs their dishwasher once a day with a full load of mixed items from multiple meals. It's the set-it-and-forget-it option that delivers reliably clean dishes day after day, handling the typical grime of everyday cooking and eating without issue.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both cycles serve important functions in a kitchen, but they're best used in different scenarios.
Choose the Express Wash cycle if:
- You're cleaning lightly soiled items like glasses, cups, or salad plates.
- You need dishes clean in under an hour for guests or another meal.
- The dishes have little to no grease or baked-on food residue.
- You prioritize saving water and electricity on smaller, fresher loads.
Choose the Normal cycle if:
- You are washing a full load from a day's worth of meals.
- Your dishes have moderate soiling, such as dried-on sauce or a bit of grease.
- A thorough, reliable clean is more important than speed.
- You plan to run the dishwasher just once a day or overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between KitchenAid's Express Wash and Normal cycle?
The main difference is speed and cleaning power. The Express Wash cleans lightly soiled dishes in under one hour with less water and energy, while the Normal cycle takes 1.5-2 hours to provide a deeper clean for moderately soiled everyday loads.
Does the KitchenAid Express Wash cycle compromise on cleaning?
It can if used incorrectly. The Express Wash cycle effectively cleans lightly soiled items. However, if you use it on heavily soiled or greasy pots and pans, you will likely get disappointing results. It's designed for speed, not deep cleaning.
Does the Express Wash cycle dry the dishes as well as the Normal cycle?
Generally, no. To save time, Express Wash cycles often have a shorter or less intense drying phase. You may find that dishes, especially plastics, are still wet at the end of the cycle and may require hand-drying.
Is the Express Wash cycle more energy-efficient?
Yes, for the right type of load. Because it runs for a shorter duration and uses less hot water, the Express Wash is more energy-efficient than the Normal cycle for cleaning lightly soiled dishes.
Is "Express Wash" the same as "Quick Wash"?
Yes, different dishwasher brands use various names for their fast wash cycles, but "Express Wash" and "Quick Wash" typically refer to the same type of cycle: a time-saving option for light loads.
Can I wash pots and pans using the Express Wash cycle?
It's not recommended. Pots and pans usually have grease, oils, and baked-on food that the short Express Wash cycle isn't designed to handle. For best results, use the Normal cycle or a "Heavy Duty" setting for cookware.
When is the Normal cycle the best option to use?
The Normal cycle is the best choice for your typical daily dishwasher load that includes a mix of plates, bowls, cutlery, and cups with leftovers from throughout the day. Its balance of time, heat, and power makes it the most reliable "all-around" option.
Do I still need to scrape or rinse dishes before using the Normal cycle?
Modern KitchenAid dishwashers are powerful enough that you only need to scrape off large food particles. Pre-rinsing is generally unnecessary and wastes water. The detergent and cycle are designed to break down a normal amount of food soil.
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