Plastic item melted or warped in dishwasher

Symptoms

• Plastic item is misshapen after a cycle
• Melted plastic residue on the heating element or tub bottom
• Burning plastic smell during or after a cycle
• Item was placed on the bottom rack

Likely causes

• CommonPlastic item touching the heating elementThe bottom rack sits close to the heating element, and lightweight plastic can shift onto it during the wash.
• CommonItem not labeled dishwasher-safeSome plastics can't tolerate dishwasher heat even without touching the element.
• PossibleHeat-dry cycle used with heat-sensitive plasticEven without touching the element, high heat-dry settings can warp thin plastic.
• PossibleItem fell through the rack during the cycleSmall or lightweight items can shift position as the spray arm rotates and water moves items around.

What to do

1. Turn off and unplug the dishwasher before reaching in to remove melted plastic.
2. Check the heating element (usually a metal coil or hidden element on the tub floor) for melted residue.
3. Once cool, scrape off hardened plastic with a plastic scraper, being careful not to damage the element.
4. Run an empty cycle afterward to clear any residual odor or small plastic bits.
5. Going forward, place small or lightweight plastic items on the top rack, away from the heating element.
6. Check that items are labeled dishwasher-safe before including them in future loads, and use air-dry mode for delicate plastics.

Tools and parts

• Plastic scraper
• Towel

When to call a pro

If melted plastic has damaged or exposed wiring on the heating element, have a technician inspect it before running the dishwasher again.

Safety