Dishwasher Thermostats

Much like any thermostat, a dishwasher thermostat is used to gauge temperature. In a dishwashing unit, the dime-sized thermostat controls the water and drying temperature by alerting the heating element to turn off when the water or air has reached the set temperature. A dishwasher may one or more thermostats.

Before Buying a Dishwasher Thermostat

Be aware that often a dishwasher might have two thermostats. Generally, one is a hi-limit thermostat. Some dishwashers, however, operate with a temp boost thermostat that kicks in when that a certain options are selected on the dishwasher. When replacing your thermostat, if you have a temp boost option on your dishwasher, check both thermostats to determine which is malfunctioning. A call to your manufacturer or looking in the manual should tell you how many thermostats your dishwasher has.

How to Buy a Dishwasher Thermostat

Dishwasher thermostats can start as low as $10 and go up to around $20. The prices vary both because of manufacturer and model. Some dishwasher models make thermostats that are good only for their dishwashers. Others, however, like some thermostats made by Whirlpool, can be used on Kenmore, Roper, and Whirlpool dishwashers. It's best to check the individual thermostats you are looking at to be sure they will work with the particular make and model of your dishwasher.

Who Makes Dishwasher Thermostats

Some manufacturers that make dishwasher thermostats are: