The dishwasher is the savior of countless hours spent handwashing dishes–and arguments over whose turn it is! But have you ever wondered how this clever appliance keeps water in and air out?

In short, have you ever wondered if a dishwasher is airtight?

In this blog post, we’ll explore the truth about dishwasher seals by understanding their airtight and watertight capabilities. Let’s dive into the mechanics of a dishwasher and learn how these kitchen heroes work!

Are Dishwashers Airtight or Watertight?

The dishwasher uses water and produces steam during its cleaning process, making it natural to assume dishwashers are airtight. However, this is not the case. Dishwashers are not airtight.

Dishwashers are designed to be watertight – meaning they prevent water from entering or escaping an enclosed space – rather than airtight, which would mean that air could not escape.

Understanding Airtight and Watertight Design in Dishwashers

As dishwashers operate, their high heat produces steam and evaporates water. The steam and water vapor needs somewhere to go–it can’t just build up in the dishwasher’s chamber.

An airtight seal would trap steam, leading to pressure build-up and affecting the efficiency of the cleaning process, or causing damage to the dishwasher.

You can imagine a dishwasher filling up steam and then potentially rupturing! Or, imagine all that steam getting trapped inside, and then exploding in your face when you open the dishwasher’s door!

Venting the Steam

Modern dishwashers are engineered with a smart semi-airtight design that prevents water from leaking while allowing steam to escape.

The door seal or gasket, made from a durable, rubber-like material, plays a significant role in maintaining the integrity of the dishwasher. This gasket lines the outer edge of the door where it makes contact with the tub, ensuring a watertight seal.

Although the gasket prevents most of the air and steam from escaping the dishwasher, the dishwasher chamber isn’t entirely airtight.

Dishwashers come with tiny vents that allow steam to escape while preventing water from splashing or leaking out. These vents are strategically placed, and their number and location may differ depending on the make and model of a dishwasher.

I’ve often placed my hand near the top of my dishwasher as it’s cleaning. You can feel the heat and humidity of the vented air from these little vents.

Steam Vents & the Heated Dry Cycle

During the dry cycle, hot air is circulated around the dishes, which helps to evaporate any extra water off the dishes, leaving them clean and dry.

The moisture evaporating from the dishes needs an outlet to escape the enclosed space. Little vents placed near the top edge of the dishwasher allow the moisture to escape while keeping hot air within the appliance, continuing the drying process.

Conclusion

So that’s the final verdict: dishwashers are not airtight. Their intricate balance between watertight and semi-airtight seals proves to be the secret behind their effectiveness.

Next time you load those dirty dishes, you can appreciate the smart engineering and design that make this kitchen helper so indispensable.