Okay - here is the deal. If it not water soluble or emulusifiable - it goes in the bin. No wood or knives, aluminium only the pieces you don't care. Order them so any piece has at least some waterflow and arms spin. Small stuff - top basket. Throw some detergent in the container and a dash outside for the pre rinse cycle. Here is the most important part - ignore the auto/eco and other planet saving or smart programs. Put it on big pots and pans heavily soiled - instead of 60C those programs operate on 75 to 80C degrees. If you can't fit everything in one go - the sink makes good temporary storage area.

You have to special kind of person to obsess over dishwasher.

> Here is the most important part - ignore the auto/eco and other planet saving or smart programs.

I've never had any problems with cleanliness with either the "normal" or "energy saver" modes on my dishwasher. (For that matter "energy saver" on mine trades more water for less energy - which given the cost for the energy/water is a good deal for me.)