Help with cleaning a portable dishwasher!

Are you using any jet dry? You can try running a light cycle with orange juice if there is odor,or white vinegar if that is mold.How old is this unit?

It seems that your water is the issue. Can you use a filter perhaps?

Looks similar to our local hard water type buildup. Try running it with vinegar and no dishes. After it's better, I add a sprinkle of "Lemi Shine" to my normal loads. It comes in a little bottle, found in the dishwasher detergent aisle. Use loose, just sprinkle inside the body of the dishwasher, in addition to your normal detergent. Also, I've found that the citrus- scented detergents work best to combat hard water if that's your issue.

i use a special dishwasher cleaner twice a year and monthly I add one cup of white vinegar to the washing cycle. Works great

Oxcylic (sp) acid will clean stains like iron from your dishwasher. You have lime scale on the heating element. It's harmless and comes from the water. Every time the element comes on to boost the temp. of the water, lime is cooked out and onto the element. I'm an appliance servicer and can say that it won't harm your appliance. The minerals will etch your dishes and is most noticeable on glasses.

Try running it with vinegar & baking soda. Thats my recipe I go to when I do a heavy duty cleaning. Do a full cycle like your washing your dishes

Use Tang in soap dispenser run full cycle. Looks hard water buildup.

Is it the water? If so, I would try a water softener in with the dish load. We had a similar problem with our washing machine, and mum used to add a water softener to the washing load, but then we had hard water. There are special dish washer descaling products on the market to, but I tend to use Bi carb of Soda, it works every time. and leaves a refreshing smell. Hope this helps. Kay Adelaide Australia

It is a powder or crystals and you put it in the detergent dispenser just like detergent. Use about the same amount as you would of detergent. You should be able to locate it at a local drug store or on line at Amazon or eBay. This will not help your glasses that are etched. Untill you get the water quality problem taken care of, you are just spinning your wheels. I wouldn't worry about the heating element and the interior of the dishwasher looks pretty good from your pictures.

CLR...It may take a couple of cycles if it is really bad. Then maintain once in a while with citric acid, or any lemon powdered drink.

No, the element is just the same as the one in your oven. I'm still not sure why you want to clean it. As soon as you use it again, it will start building up again. I believe the correct spelling is oxalic. You aren't going to hurt the element as long as you don't sand through the outside metal sheath. At that point the element is ruined because it will short out due to the water. Again, I stress you are not going to correct this situation until the lime content in your water supply is under control. I wouldn't be worried about the dishwasher looks as much as the mechanical parts of your appliances and water heater for your home. Heavy lime will cause the lower element in the water heater to burn out early and the minerals are going to clog your water valves on the clothes washer, ice maker and fountain,as well as the valve on your dishwasher. If you are just wanting to clean the dishwasher element, The product "CLR or Lime-Away" will do that for you. But you still have the problem of a shortened life span of their parts i mentioned before. I would be looking into a whole house warer filter system for your home. I would stay away from the reverse osmosis systems as they introduce salts into your water, even though the salesman will say differently. Trust me on this.

Thank you all!!!