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With barbecue season upon us, do not let your trusty dishwasher fail you

- says SAM WYLIE-HARRIS

MUCH as we love dining al fresco, our favourite condiments can be harder to shift from the crockery, putting more pressure on the poor dishwasher.

As Michael Forbes, lead product trainer at AEG, puts it: "Gatherings bring a never-ending stream of dishes!"

From loading techniques to handy do's and don'ts, the product specialist shares his top tips to keep your dishwasher running efficiently... so you can spend more time with your family and friends.

Let the dishwasher do the work: "Many dishwashers now have an 'auto' function where the machine automatically measures the water clarity, helping to ensure you always get a perfect result," advises Michael.

Master the placement: How you load the dishwasher matters. Some dishwashers have a MaxiFlex drawer for cutlery.

"This ensures better water circulation for thorough cleaning, making unloading cutlery quicker," explains Michael.