Dishwasher rack rust starts when the protective coating on the wire wears or chips away and exposes the metal underneath. KitchenAid explains that once the coating is damaged, the underlying metal can rust and bleed outward. How carefully the racks are loaded decides how fast that happens, since racks have no published lifespan in years.
Typical lifespan
Without a figure to go on, it helps to know what a rack is. Racks are steel wire covered with a vinyl or nylon coating, and they can last the life of the dishwasher if the coating stays intact. For the whole machine, InterNACHI lists dishwashers at 9 years; see how long dishwashers last.
KitchenAid describes how the coating wears. Sharp utensils placed against the tines can gouge or slice it. Forcing heavy items onto tines can scrape it off. Abrasive items gradually wear it away and expose the metal underneath.
What wears out first
| Part | Typical sign of wear |
|---|---|
| Tine tips | Bare metal or rust dots at the very ends |
| Tines in the lower rack | Rust where heavy pans and sheet pans rest |
| Rack rollers or wheels | A rack that drags, wobbles or jumps the track |
| Rack adjusters (upper rack) | A rack that drops on one side or won't stay at its height |
| Silverware basket | Cracks in the handle or bottom grid |
What shortens its life
- •Knives, skewers and other sharp items loaded tip-down against tines.
- •Heavy cookware forced between tines or dropped onto the rack.
- •Abrasive cookware rubbing the same tines load after load.
- •Rust that's left to spread after the coating is first breached.
- •Overloaded racks that push the rollers off their tracks.
What helps it last
- •Load sharp items so their points don't press against tines, as KitchenAid advises.
- •Set heavy pots and pans in place rather than forcing them.
- •Cover small chips early. KitchenAid says a rack repair kit can cover chips and scratches on tines.
- •Don't overload the racks, and roll them in and out gently.
Signs of age vs. signs of a fixable fault
Rust on the racks themselves is wear. GE notes that rust on the racks is not repairable and recommends replacing a rack once rusting becomes extensive. That wear stays with the rack and says nothing about the pumps, motor or seals.
Not every rust stain comes from the racks, though. GE lists three sources of rust inside a dishwasher: rust on the heating element, stainless screws and brackets, which is usually from surface iron and cosmetic; stains from rusty items such as pizza pans; and rust from the water supply, which GE says could mean a plumbing problem. If your racks are intact but you're seeing orange stains, look at your cookware and your water before blaming the racks.
Rack rollers and adjusters are single parts that can fail on their own on a machine of any age. Our dishwasher service can check anything that isn't just a rack.
Sources
- •KitchenAid Product Help: Tines Are Chipped, Scratched or Damaged
- •GE Appliances: Dishwasher, Interior Rust Staining
Takeaway: Rack rust is a coating problem, not a sign that the rest of the dishwasher is aging.
Orange stains you can't trace to the racks are worth a closer look; call True Fix Chicago at (312) 896-8111.