Dishwasher smell and salt chamber full

redser7

Hi - we don't use our dishwasher often, we inherited it when we moved into the house. There is rancid/stagnant water filling the salt chamber. I'm not sure how this even works. Should we add dishwasher salt and should that clear this stinking water out?
We've already tried a dishwasher cleaning liquid on a cycle and I checked that the filter is empty. So it is definitely the water in the salt chamber.
Thanks!

coylemj

It may be set not to use salt - this would be appropriate if the water in the area is soft so maybe there's no water flow through the salt container. That would also explain why the cleaning cycle didn't go near the salt container.

What's the make and model?

redser7

Thanks for that. It is a whirlpool ADG 937. Would it be an option to sponge the water out?

coylemj

Yes, sponging the water out is an option.

Check the current salt setting, it's a dial which is inside the door and will be down by your left knee with the door open, what is it currently set to?

Is the water in your area hard or soft? As you're recently moved in you may not be able to answer so check your local authority website though they may have removed all reference to water with the setting up of Irish Water.

redser7

Hi - it is set to 3. The water here is supposed to be fairly average. We've been here 10 years actually Really dont use the machine much at all!
Thanks