KitchenAid 24-Inch 4-Cycle/6-Option Dishwasher, Hard Water Softener, Architect® Series II Data Sheet
W10321614B
Dishwasher Water
Softener System
User Instructions
IMPORTANT: You must prepare your water softener unit for the first use. Please read all of these instructions.
The level of your water hardness directly affects your dishwasher’s performance. The dishwasher is
equipped with a built-in water softener that uses special salt to adjust wash water to the optimal
hardness level. Optimal water hardness level is important to help avoid hard water buildup
(calcium and lime scale deposits) throughout the wash system, and to provide ideal water
conditions to deliver outstanding results.
equipped with a built-in water softener that uses special salt to adjust wash water to the optimal
hardness level. Optimal water hardness level is important to help avoid hard water buildup
(calcium and lime scale deposits) throughout the wash system, and to provide ideal water
conditions to deliver outstanding results.
USE ONLY WATER SOFTENER SALT SPECIALLY FORMULATED FOR DISHWASHERS.
Soft Spring
TM
dishwasher salt can be purchased at www.kitchenaid.com/accessories.
Testing Your Water
After 1 minute, the red discoloration of
the test area on the strip will show the
water hardness level
Water Hardness Level
Dishwasher Water
Softener Setting
Salt Needed in
Salt Container
4 green
1 red
2 red
3 red
4 red
<70 ppm soft
71-124 ppm moderately hard
125-249 ppm hard
250-380 ppm very hard
>380 ppm extremely hard
1
2
3
4
5*
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
*If you think your water is much harder than the highest setting, you can set the dishwasher water softener to 6 (>500 ppm) or 7 (>625 ppm).
1. Dip the test area of the strip into HOT water from your kitchen
sink for 1 second (or pass under a gentle water stream), and
shake off any excess water.
shake off any excess water.
2. After 1 minute, compare the result on the test strip to the
table above.
NOTE: Water hardness can vary according to season.
Adjustment of the dishwasher water softener setting may be
necessary to maintain peak performance.
Adjustment of the dishwasher water softener setting may be
necessary to maintain peak performance.
Setting the Dishwasher Water Softener
Based on your water hardness results, if your dishwasher water
softener setting is “3” (2 red squares) then no further action is
required since this is the factory default setting. Continue to
“Filling the Salt Container” section.
1. Make sure the dishwasher is in Programming or Standby
softener setting is “3” (2 red squares) then no further action is
required since this is the factory default setting. Continue to
“Filling the Salt Container” section.
1. Make sure the dishwasher is in Programming or Standby
Mode. This means that the dishwasher is not running a cycle.
All lights are off.
All lights are off.
2. Press and hold NORMAL WASH and CANCEL buttons at the
same time for 3 seconds to enter Dishwasher Setting Mode.
These are the only 2 buttons that will work in this setting
mode.
These are the only 2 buttons that will work in this setting
mode.
3. After 3 seconds, the following button lights will begin to flash:
Normal Wash, Hi-Temp Scrub, Heat Dry or ProDry. Once these
lights begin to flash, release the Normal Wash and Cancel
buttons.
lights begin to flash, release the Normal Wash and Cancel
buttons.
4. Press the NORMAL WASH button until you see the 3-light
configuration appear that matches your desired dishwasher
water softener setting. Refer to the table below (solid
circle indicates that the button light is on). The dishwasher
will automatically default to a setting of “3.” Pressing the
“NORMAL” button will advance to the next setting, from 3 to
4, then 5, then 6, then 7, and back to 1.
water softener setting. Refer to the table below (solid
circle indicates that the button light is on). The dishwasher
will automatically default to a setting of “3.” Pressing the
“NORMAL” button will advance to the next setting, from 3 to
4, then 5, then 6, then 7, and back to 1.
5. When finished, press START to exit the Setting Mode. If
you do not press START within 30 seconds, the dishwasher
controls has a time-out that reverts to Stand-by Mode and
your setting will still be saved. The setting will also be saved
in the event of a power loss.
controls has a time-out that reverts to Stand-by Mode and
your setting will still be saved. The setting will also be saved
in the event of a power loss.
The correct setting of the dishwasher’s water softener depends on your local water hardness. This can be determined by using the test
strip that is included with these instructions.
strip that is included with these instructions.