Patent ID: 7909936

Claim:
A method of operating a dishwasher including a tub defining a wash chamber having a bottom wall, a door mounted for movement relative to the tub to selectively close the wash chamber, a heating element supported in the wash chamber above the bottom wall, and a washing assembly for supplying fluid to dishware placed within the wash chamber, the method comprising the steps of: initiating a washing cycle including at least partially filling the tub with fluid, actuating the heating element to heat the fluid, spraying the heated fluid to the wash chamber through the washing assembly, and draining the tub of fluid; and initiating a final rinse cycle including filling the tub with fluid to a level substantially at or above the heating element, circulating and heating the fluid, rinsing the wash chamber with the heated fluid utilizing the washing assembly, partially draining the tub until the fluid within the tub is at a level below a lower surface of the heating element, actuating the heating element for steam generation within the wash chamber, and subsequently draining the tub in completing the final rinse cycle.