Dishwasher with a pre-conditioning steam cycle

Abstract

A dishwasher is provided that performs a pre-conditioning steam cycle. The dishwasher includes a washing compartment for receiving dishware to be subjected to a dishwashing program and a wash water assembly for introducing a selected one of wash water and rinse water into the washing compartment. The wash water assembly is controllable to perform a wash/rinse/dry program and a rinse and hold program. The dishwasher also includes a vapor generator assembly for introducing steam vapor into the washing compartment and a control arrangement for controlling the vapor generator assembly to perform a rinse and hold cycle wherein steam vapor is introduced into the washing compartment at selected intervals.

1 . A dishwasher having a pre-conditioning steam cycle, the dishwasher comprising:
 a washing compartment for receiving dishware to be subjected to a dishwashing program;   a wash water assembly for introducing a selected one of wash water and rinse water into the washing compartment, the wash water assembly being controllable to perform at least one of a wash/rinse/dry program and a rinse and hold program;   a vapor generator assembly for introducing steam vapor into the washing compartment; and   a control arrangement for controlling the vapor generator assembly to perform a steam and hold cycle wherein steam vapor is introduced into the washing compartment at selected intervals.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the control arrangement controls the vapor generator assembly to perform a steam and hold cycle in lieu of a rinse and hold cycle. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the control arrangement controls the vapor generator assembly to perform a modified rinse and hold cycle in coordination with a steam and hold cycle.