Samsung Dishwasher Modes & Settings Explained

The Samsung dishwasher is an intelligent appliance that cleans dishware, cookware, and cutlery. It saves time and energy as it washes, cleans, and drys your kitchen equipment.

But, it would help if you believe you’re not exploring your machine to its maximum capability. The Samsung dishwasher has many other modes, cycles, and settings that go beyond the regular “Wash” you’re familiar with.

You must get familiar with these features to ensure your dishes come out in the possible form. This article will explain the different modes and settings in the Samsung dishwasher and when and how you can use them.

samsung dishwasher settings modes

Are you ready?

Samsung Dishwasher Modes (Cycles) Explained

Your Samsung dishwasher has many different cycles you can explore for washing your kitchen apparatus. These cycles/modes vary by model, and you might need to check your user manual to ensure the ones that come with your machine. However, we’ll discuss some standard dishwasher cycles in Samsung dishwashers.

Auto

If you’re unsure of the mode best for your washing, the Auto mode can help you decide. Also called the Smart Auto in older dishwasher models, this cycle automatically detects the soil level in the wash load and chooses the best settings. The Auto cycle uses the water level, temperature, and duration to select the most appropriate wash cycle for that specific load.

Delicate

As the name implies, the delicate cycle is ideal for washing fragile kitchen tools such as glassware. The cycle uses a low temperature to wash the delicate items gently. The temperature will ensure these items pass through less stress, thus minimizing the breakage risk. If you’re using this cycle, you must avoid chipping by providing the glass items are not resting on each other while loading the dishwasher.

Normal

This cycle is best for moderately soiled dishes. It is an all-purpose setting and the most popular mode for many households. It offers reliable cleaning power for a regular household dishwasher load. It requires less water, time, and temperature, so the dishwasher’s energy usage label depends on it. In summary, this cycle is the best for cleaning daily household dirt and grime without excessive soiling.

Heavy

This cycle is also self-explanatory. It’s programmed for washing heavily soiled dishes. It’s the best cycle for cookwares with caked-on grime and heavily soiled loads. This cycle requires extra water at a higher temperature to clean away heavy food particles because they need to be soaked in the sink. The spray is more potent, so it’s the best for sturdy dishware and heavy-duty dishes.

Express 60

In older Samsung dishwashers, this cycle is known as Quick+. It’s a go-to mode when you need to wash your dishes hastily. The cycle is most ideal for cleaning lightly soiled dishes, and it uses about an hour to complete the wash. However, this cycle does not include drying time.

Pots & Pans

The Pots & Pans mode/cycle is used for cleaning hard-to-wash and heavily soiled pots and pans. It uses extra water, temperature, and time to wash these rigorous dishes so they can come out clean.

Rinse Only

The rinse-only cycle is used for rinsing dishes, glasses, and silverware you do not want to wash at the moment. It requires minimal effort and energy to rinse this equipment. This cycle does not need detergent.

Self Clean

Some dishwasher model allows for cleaning to remove dirt and clean the inside of the tub. When the dishwasher needs cleaning, the self-clean indicator will automatically blink for some seconds when the machine switches on.

The self-clean function is used to clean the dishwasher tub. This function can be used every few months to keep the machine in good condition and minimize the draining problem. It is used for cleaning the tub and should never be used to wash dishes. It’s also recommended to always use the self-clean function when the dishwasher is empty.

Chef

The chef program is ideal for cleaning both lightly soiled and stubborn dishes simultaneously. You will have to load the heavily soiled dishes in the Zone Booster and the lightly soiled items in different areas. The program creates a balance that accommodates washing both types of dishes despite their differences.

Samsung Dishwasher Settings Guide

Samsung dishwashers have a menu that you can use to adjust the system settings. You can access the settings menu by pressing and holding specific buttons for a few seconds. For most models, the buttons are the Sanitize/Delay Start button. Then the Sanitize button is used to navigate the settings and the Delay Start button to confirm a specific setting.

Below are some specific settings you can adjust in a Samsung dishwasher:

A1/A0: The settings adjust the Auto Release Dry function to improve drying performance. The process opens the dishwasher door some minutes before the cycle ends. The A1 settings can switch the function on while the A0 button is used to turn it off.

B0-B5: You can use this setting to adjust the brightness of the LED on the dishwasher. B0 means off, and B5 is the highest brightness setting.

F1- F6: This setting is used to adjust the rinse aid. You can improve drying performance by increasing the number. F1 is the lowest, and F6 is the highest.

S on/SoFF: This setting is used for adjusting the dishwasher sounds. S on enables the sound, and S oFF is for muting.

J1/J0: This setting adjusts the Auto Release Dry alert. J0 is used for turning it off, and J1 for turning it on.