Blakeslee Commercial Dishwasher Error Code E3: Tank Heating Alarm
E3 TANK HEATING ALARM is the manual's alarm for a wash tank that is not heating as expected. The manual says to contact Technical Service. A service technician should check the tank heater and its switching.
High: the wash tank cannot heat, so the machine cannot clean to standard.
- Code
- E3
- Maker
- Blakeslee
- Equipment
- Dish machines
- Applies to
- D-18D / D-18V digital-control door-type
What does Blakeslee error code E3 mean?
The wash tank is heated so that detergent works at the temperature the cycle is designed for. When the tank is filled, the control switches the tank heater on and watches the probe reading climb toward the set value. If the temperature does not rise within the time the control allows, it raises the alarm and displays E3 TANK HEATING ALARM. The manual lists it as a wash tank heating alarm and sends the operator to Technical Service, with no operator step. Behind it can be a burned-out element, a relay that does not close, a safety thermostat that has opened or a missing phase at the supply. Because the probe is not named in the alarm, the control believes the tank is simply too cold; a probe that fails outright reports E2 instead. Washing without heat leaves grease and starch on the dishes, which is why the machine will not carry on as usual.
Affected models and control systems
Blakeslee D-18D / D-18V digital-control hood-type dishwasher. The manual's cover prints D-19 L and D-19 LRS and names no D-18 model, so the alarm list is read as covering this hood-type family.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- E3 TANK HEATING ALARM on the display
- Wash water stays lukewarm
- Greasy film left on plates and glasses
- Cycle takes much longer than normal
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind error code E3 on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Wash tank heating element burned out
- Heater contactor not closing when called
- Safety thermostat on the tank heater open
- Loss of one phase at the machine's electrical supply
Safe checks before calling for service
- Check that the machine's disconnect and breaker are on.
- Turn the machine off and on once to see whether E3 comes back.
- Do not keep washing with cold water; dishes will not clean or sanitize properly.
- Do not open panels or reach into the tank while it holds water.
- Write down how long the tank ran before the alarm and whether the rinse heated normally.
How a technician diagnoses error code E3
- Read the alarm record and confirm E3 stands alone, not with a tank probe alarm.
- Measure supply voltage on every phase at the machine while the heater is called.
- Check the tank element for continuity and leakage to ground with power locked out.
- Test the heater contactor and the tank safety thermostat.
- Compare the probe reading with a reference thermometer before replacing the element.
- Tank heaters draw high current at 208 to 240 volts or more and tests are made on live circuits.
- The tank holds hot, treated water above the wiring.
- Choosing between element, contactor, thermostat and supply needs a meter and the wiring diagram.
How error code E3 differs from similar codes
E3 is the wash tank not heating. B3 is the same kind of alarm for the rinse boiler, and E5 is the tank overheating.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- Blakeslee owner support
- Edition
- COD. 3100ET_U, Ed. 06 - 09/2018
- Models / control
- D-18D / D-18V digital-control door-type
- Section
- Chapter 8.2 Alarms, table 3 (p. 39)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related Blakeslee dish machine error codes
Why is the water cold when the machine is switched on?
E3 means the tank heater is not bringing the water up to temperature. The cause is in the heating circuit.
Can I wash only the rinse side?
No. Without a hot wash the cycle cannot do its job.
Could the breaker be tripped?
A tripped breaker or a lost phase can mimic a failed element. Check the disconnect first, then call if E3 stays.
Need help with Blakeslee error code E3?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.