There’s nothing more frustrating than opening your dishwasher after a full cycle, only to find your plates still slick with grease. You loaded it properly, used a decent tablet, and ran the normal cycle — so what gives? While it’s easy to blame the detergent or assume you just need to rinse better, the real issue usually comes down to one thing: your dishwasher’s performance. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to upgrade — and if you’re going to do it, do it properly: purchase Smeg dishwasher models that are specifically designed to solve exactly this problem.
Why Your Dishes Aren’t Coming Out Clean
There are several reasons your dishes might still feel greasy after a full wash, and many of them are tied to how well your dishwasher handles the basics — heat, pressure, and water flow.
1. Low Water Temperature
Grease needs hot water to break down properly — at least 60°C or higher. Many standard dishwashers struggle to consistently reach or maintain this temperature.
If your machine cuts off too early or doesn’t heat water enough, you’re left with a layer of grime, especially on plastic or lightly soiled items.
2. Poor Water Pressure
Dishwashers work by blasting water jets through rotating arms to hit all surfaces. If these jets are weak or clogged — or if your dishwasher doesn’t offer enough power — the grease simply doesn’t budge.
3. Ineffective Spray Arm Coverage
Not all dishwashers are designed equally. Some have limited coverage areas or awkward spray arm designs that fail to reach upper racks or the backs of deep dishes. Over time, this leads to uneven cleaning — particularly on pans and dinnerware that tend to trap oily residue.
4. Detergent and Rinse Aid Misuse
Sometimes, the issue is as simple as using too much (or too little) detergent, or forgetting to top up rinse aid. Greasy dishes need a detergent that can break down fat, and rinse aid helps lift that residue away — especially during the drying cycle.
The Role a Better Dishwasher Plays
If you’ve tried switching detergents, scrubbing more beforehand, and running longer cycles with little to no improvement, the problem may not be you — it’s the machine. An outdated or budget model may not be able to cope with modern cooking demands, especially if you regularly cook with oils or roast in the oven.
Here’s what you should look for in a dishwasher that actually leaves your dishes spotless:
- High-temperature wash cycles: These ensure grease is melted off properly, not just swirled around.
- Targeted spray zones: Modern designs, like those in premium dishwashers, offer multiple spray arms and specific settings for greasy pans or heavily soiled items.
- Energy-efficient heating elements: The trick is getting dishes clean and dry, without using excessive power or water.
- Flexible rack systems: So you can angle dishes properly for maximum exposure to water jets.
These aren’t just marketing features — they make a noticeable difference in your daily routine. No more re-washing the pan. No more towelling off slippery plates.
Little Habits That Help (Even With a Good Dishwasher)
Even with a top-tier model, a few small habits go a long way:
- Don’t overcrowd the racks — leave space between items so water can circulate.
- Face dishes inward and downward — to avoid water pooling or getting blocked.
- Use rinse aid regularly — it boosts drying and helps prevent watermarks and film.
- Clean your filters every few weeks — built-up food or grease can block water flow.
If you’re still pre-rinsing everything before loading, stop. Modern dishwashers are designed to detect and tackle food residue — scrubbing beforehand can actually confuse the sensors and reduce performance.
At the end of the day, greasy dishes aren’t just annoying — they’re a sign your kitchen tech isn’t keeping up. If you’re ready to stop rewashing by hand, stop second-guessing your settings, and start trusting your appliance again, then it’s probably time to upgrade. And when you do, choose something that’s built to solve real-world problems, not just look nice on the kitchen bench. Because clean should mean clean — the first time.