Patent ID: 7941884

Claim:
A method for operating a washing machine having a heating unit for generating steam, wherein said heating unit has a carrier having a top side and a bottom side, and at least one heating element, wherein said at least one heating element is attached to said carrier, wherein said carrier has a central region and in said central region a recess runs lengthways, wherein said washing machine has a washing machine barrel with an inside barrel bottom and a drum inside said washing machine barrel, wherein said heating unit is arranged above said inside barrel bottom, and outside and below said drum, such that said top side faces up, wherein said one heating element is provided on said bottom side of said carrier in a region along said recess, wherein said at least one heating element in said region of said recess is operated for steam generation inside said washing machine, wherein said heating unit is positioned in said washing machine barrel at a slope and said heating unit has a longitudinal direction, said method comprising the steps of: heating said at least one heating element; and providing water from a supply line over said heating element, such that said water flows along said longitudinal direction of said heating unit at said slope thereby generating steam.