I switched my dishwasher to the air dry setting instead of heated dry for 14 days this March. This is what happened

From the very first load, I noticed that the kitchen was cooler after the dishwasher completed its cycle. With heated dry, a noticeable warmth often lingered in the surrounding area, especially if I opened the dishwasher door immediately. With air dry, this was not the case.

Another immediate observation was the extra moisture on the dishes when I opened the dishwasher. While not drenched, there was a thin layer of water on some items, particularly those made of plastic. This led me to question how effective the air dry setting would be in making dishes truly dry.

Dishes made of glass and metal were mostly dry with just a few droplets, which could be easily wiped away with a towel. However, plastic items, like storage containers and lids, retained more moisture. I found myself spending a few extra minutes hand-drying these items after each cycle.

Overall, while the dishes were not completely dry, they were not significantly wetter than after a heated dry cycle. The real difference was the drying time and the occasional need for a quick towel off.