Viking Range Corporation introduced its first lineup of commercial-type appliances in 1987. It was developed by the company’s founder and CEO, Fred Carl, Jr., in collaboration with the former president of Capital Cooking Equipment Surjit Kalsi.
The idea of creating a range of white goods came to Carl several years earlier, when he failed to install commercial appliances in the house where his family lived. He discovered several flaws in appliances made by other brands and decided to develop his own range. Today the company produces a diverse variety of cookware, dishwashers, washing machines, cutlery, and commercial counter tops.
The tables below deal with dishwasher repair and washer repair. Find the symptom your appliance is experiencing (for instance, it is not spinning) in the list of dishwasher problems and read what to do in this case.
| PROBLEM | POSSIBLE CAUSE | SUGGESTED REMEDY |
|---|---|---|
| Spotting and filming | Hard water | Use the maximum recommended amount (3 tablespoons) of dishwasher detergent. |
| To remove hard water spots, try a vinegar rinse: | ||
| •Wash and rinse load as usual. | ||
| •Remove all metal items from dishwasher. | ||
| •Do not add detergent. | ||
| •Pour two cups of vinegar into a bowl and set it on the bottom rack of the dishwasher. | ||
| •Run the dishes through an entire wash program. | ||
| If the vinegar rinse doesn't work, repeat the above process substituting 1/4 cup citric acid crystals (available at most drug stores) for the vinegar. | ||
| Wiping with a damp cloth should remove spots from metal items. For sterling silver and silver plated flatware, rub with a towel, or use a good cream silver polish. | ||
| Filter system | Check filter system to be sure it is clean and properly installed. | |
| No rinse aid | Does the rinse aid dispenser need to be filled? (NOTE: Use only in hard water areas). | |
| Too little water | Check that the water valve is fully opened. Make sure that the water pressure is between 18 and 176 psi. | |
| Check the filter inlet valve. | ||
| Dishwasher detergent | Use only the correct amount of dishwasher detergent according to the hardness of the water and the wash program you have selected. Do not use old or caked detergent. Store the dishwasher detergent in a dry place and in a closed container. | |
| Change the dishwasher detergent if the result is still unsatisfactory. | ||
| Items not loaded properly | Check that you loaded the items according. Do not overload. Make sure water can reach all soiled surfaces. | |
| Wash arms rotate poorly or stand still | Check that both wash arms can rotate freely and that items do not obstruct the movement of the wash arms. Lift the arms and make sure that no grains of dirt, etc., retard the rotation of the wash arms. If necessary, clear the obstruction, refit the arms and check that they rotate freely. | |
| Make sure that the holes in the wash arms are not blocked by dirt. If necessary, clear the holes with a pointed object. | ||
| Strainer blocked | Check the strainer. Clean if necessary. | |
| Excessive foam in the machine | Use only dishwasher detergent. | |
| Flatware incorrectly loaded | Pay particular attention to spoons so that they do not nest in each other and prevent water penetration. | |
| Marks and discoloration | Aluminum utensils rubbing against items during washing | Be sure aluminum utensils, especially light weight foil-type pans, do not touch dishes. |
| To remove spots, use a non-abrasive cleaner. | ||
| Small particles deposited on items | Wash arm or arms not rotating freely | Be sure a utensil or handle has not prevented their turning. |
| Detergent | Use only fresh detergent, store in a tightly closed container in a cool dry place. Fill dispenser only when ready to start the dishwasher. Use the recommended amount of detergent, especially with hard water. | |
| Low water pressure Improper loading of dishes | Check that the water valve is fully open. Make sure that the water pressure is between 18 and 1/6 psi. | |
| Load dishes to prevent water and detergent from being trapped in or between items. Water should circulate freely. | ||
| Yellow or brown marks | Iron or manganese in water | Temporary solution: Pour 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of citric acid crystals in instead of the prewash detergent directly on the inside of the door. Follow this prewash with a full detergent wash. Use the pots/pans or normal wash cycle. Permanent solution: Install an iron removal system in the water supply. |
| Copper with sterling silver | Yellow film on sterling silver results when washing copper items in the same load. Silver polish usually removes the stain. | |
| Tea or coffee (tannic acid) | Tea or coffee can stain cups. Remove stains by hand, using a solution of 1/2 cup bleach and 3 cups warm water. (Do not use on sterling silver or silverplate.) | |
| Discoloration of stainless steel, silverplate, or sterling silver | Allowing salty or acidic foods to remain on flatware | Rinse flatware that is to stand several hours before washing. |
| Stainless steel contacting silver | Do not put stainless steel and silver flatware in the same silverware basket compartment. Direct contact between these metals can cause permanent damage to silver. | |
| Clean stained items with silver polish. | ||
| Do not use abrasives on stainless steel or silver. | ||
| Distortion of plastics | Plastic item has low heat tolerance | Plastics vary in their ability to tolerate heat. Check washing instructions for all plastic items to be sure they are dishwasher safe. If they are, place in upper rack away from the heating element. |
| Marks on melamine and plastics | Porous material | Use a special cleaner for plastic. |
| DO NOT use bleach or scouring powder on these materials. | ||
| Detergent left in Detergent compartment | Compartment cover blocked Old detergent | The cover may not be opening because of improperly loaded items. Move dishes that may be blocking it. |
| If detergent is hard or caked in the box, throw away. Use only fresh detergent. Add detergent just before starting the dishwasher. | ||
| Cloudy film on glassware- etching of glass | Too much detergent, especially in soft water | If vinegar or citric acid rinse doesn't remove film, the cloudiness is "etching". This is permanent. To prevent etching, use the least amount (one teaspoon) of recommended dishwasher detergent if you have soft water. |
| Use a good quality of dishwashing detergent and rinse aid. | ||
| Do not overload the machine. Water should circulate freely to assure adequate rinsing and draining. | ||
| Use drying without heat. | ||
| Dishes not dry | Non-heat drying | Be sure to select heated drying for best results. Allow more drying time when using non-heat drying. |
| No rinse aid | Fill rinse aid dispenser. Rinse aid helps dishes to dry faster. | |
| Plastic items | Certain plastic materials are difficult to dry. Plastics may need towel drying. | |
| Improper loading or unloading | Do not overload or nest items. Be sure all surfaces drain well. Load items with concave bases so as much water as possible can run off. Unload the lower rack first. Water from dishes in the upper rack may be spilling onto the lower rack. | |
| Dry cycle interrupted | If the door is opened during the heated dry cycle, the heating element comes back on after the door is closed. If the dishwasher door is opened immediately after the dry cycle is completed and then shut again, the vent door is closed, trapping warm humid air. It is best then to leave door open slightly. | |
| Chipping or breaking of glassware | Improper loading | Do not overload. Load between prongs, not over them. Glasses loaded over prongs are not supported and may break. Make sure glassware is secure. Always use upper rack for delicate items. Use the light/china cycle. |
| Unusual noise | Improper loading | Utensils may not be secure or may have dropped from the rack. Water may cause utensils to rattles. Make sure everything is securely placed in dishwasher. |