My GE Profile Dishwasher Has Problems With Overheating

Possible Fire Hazard

• If your GE Profile dishwasher overheats, it may be a fire hazard. Material inside the dishwasher can melt and catch on fire, and the fire may spread to other areas of the house. Don't leave your dishwasher unattended, and if you smell smoke, turn the dishwasher off right away. Unplug it and call GE for service. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and G.E. jointly announced the recall of some models have been recalled because of the risk of fire, so GE may offer you a replacement dishwasher instead of sending a service technician.

Possible Cause

• Some GE Profile dishwashers overheat because of a problem with the rinse agent dispenser. In these dishwashers, rinse agent liquid leaks from the dispenser onto the internal wires powering the dishwasher. This causes the electricity to short out. As a result, the thermostat and other heating controls don't work properly and the dishwasher overheats.

Steam

• Don't panic if steam comes out of your dishwasher when you run it. Steam is not necessarily a sign of overheating. During normal use, steam comes out of the dishwasher vents to remove moisture from the air inside the dishwasher and to stop the dishwasher from overheating. If something smells like it is burning or melting, however, your dishwasher is probably overheating and you should turn it off and call for service.

What to Do

• If your dishwasher overheats, turn it off and unplug it before calling for service. You should also check GE's website to determine whether there are any current recalls on GE Profile machines due to overheating issues. If you aren't sure of your model number, open the dishwasher and look on the tub. If your machine has been recalled, contact GE immediately and request a rebate towards a replacement machine.