Chapter 1: The Dishwashing Dilemma

As holiday gatherings approach, families are gearing up for festive feasts. In the United States, these celebrations have already begun, complete with plenty of food and familial chaos.

Imagine the scene: dinner's done, and every pot, pan, and plate is piled high in the designated area. Long-standing family debates have been temporarily set aside, perhaps muffled by laughter or the clinking of glasses. Yet, one issue remains unresolved: the art of loading the dishwasher. Few topics ignite such passionate disagreements as the correct way to arrange dishes in this household appliance.

Wouldn’t it be great if a scientist could provide a definitive answer, putting an end to this age-old conflict? The good news is that Dr. Raúl Pérez-Mohedano and his team from Birmingham University have done just that. Although their research was published nearly ten years ago, it rarely makes an appearance in the ongoing discussions among dishwasher enthusiasts. This might be due to its unsettling conclusions for those who staunchly believe in their own stacking methods.

Dr. Pérez-Mohedano’s study tracked the flow of water inside dishwashers during the cleaning cycle, offering valuable insights into the best way to arrange dishes to effectively remove stubborn food particles. However, he does not endorse a single method as the ultimate solution.

According to Dr. Dish, the optimal way to load your dishwasher varies depending on the type of residue you’re tackling. For instance, protein-based messes like egg yolk need an initial hydration phase that thrives in high alkaline conditions at the start of the wash. In contrast, carbohydrate-based stains, such as those from tomato sauce, benefit from more mechanical action than chemistry.

The self-proclaimed dishwashing experts may argue that they consider all these factors in their loading strategies. But as I see it, that’s irrelevant—just think about fried eggs and ketchup! There’s no universally perfect way to load even the simplest of soiled dishes.

Dr. Pérez-Mohedano also points out an additional challenge with dishwasher design. Current models exhibit symmetry issues: while water is ejected in a circular motion, the arrangement of dishes is typically rectangular. This discrepancy creates areas where water impact is prolonged, leading to inefficient cleaning.

So, the common complaint of someone watching you load the dishwasher—“Are you sure that’s the best way?”—is actually valid, but it should be directed at the manufacturers rather than the users. Unless dishwashers are redesigned with circular racks around a central cutlery basket, achieving maximum efficiency will remain out of reach, regardless of how well we arrange our cups and plates.

This reminds me of an old Irish joke about a traveler lost on a rural road who asks a local how to reach Cork. The reply? “You shouldn’t be starting from here!” While this may seem like a jab at the confused traveler, it actually highlights a profound truth: we often find ourselves in less-than-ideal circumstances.

No strategy survives its initial contact with reality, as famously stated by Prussian Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke. In military planning, he believed that success lies in adaptability. So, in the context of dishwashing, the best way to stack your dishwasher is simply the method that results in clean dishes. Until you open the door and see the results, you won’t know if your plates were optimally placed.

If the water jets are so complex that they require advanced tracking methods to understand their movement, it’s unlikely that even the most skilled stacker can predict their paths. So, close the dishwasher door, grab a drink, and relax—whether it’s a glass of eggnog or a Bloody Mary, just keep them separate to avoid any family drama.

Chapter 2: Scientific Insights on Dishwashing

Discover techniques for effectively loading your dishwasher to maximize cleanliness and efficiency in this informative video.

Learn the essential steps for properly loading your dishwasher, ensuring sparkling results every time with expert guidance.

References:

• The original academic paper published in Science Direct.
• Fun facts about Helmuth Karl Bernhard Graf von Moltke (the Elder).
• Sydney Morning Herald article featuring insights from Dr. Pérez-Mohedano.