Dishwasher question: brown coating peeling off heating element at bottom of dishwasher (cold, replace)

[missik999]

This morning when I unloaded the dishwasher I noticed some hard, dark brown pieces in the bottom of my dishwasher. Upon closer inspection, I saw where one side of the heating element is losing the coating and leaving the heating element bare.

What causes this coating to break off? It appears to be intact on most of the element, but a section of about 4 to 6 inches is now bare.

Should I get the element replaced? The dishwasher is a Kenmore, age unknown, as it was here when I purchased my home four years ago.

[old_cold]

Are you sure it's not a coating of soap/hard water minerals that is flaking off?

[missik999]

Originally Posted by old_cold

Are you sure it's not a coating of soap/hard water minerals that is flaking off?

No, definitely falling off the heating element. When I ran my fingers over it, some fell off into my hand.