Patent ID: 8778090

Claim:
Method for operating a dishwasher, comprising the following consecutive steps: (A) adding detergent to a cleaning liquid which is circulated within the dishwasher; (B) measuring the conductivity of the cleaning liquid and determining the rate of change in conductivity caused by dissolution of the detergent in the cleaning liquid; (C) comparing the rate of change in conductivity with a predetermined threshold value so as to determine the dissolution rate of the detergent that has been added in step (A) to the cleaning liquid; and (D) adjusting operating parameters based on the determination of step (C); if in step (C) it is determined that the dissolution rate is below said predetermined threshold value, in step (D) a longer program duration is selected for the washing step in which the detergent added in step (A) is to be used; and if in step (D) a longer program duration is selected, heating in said washing step is delayed, so as to provide for intervals with substantially constant temperature.