Thermador dishwasher terminology is a short list once you separate the three tiers, the drying systems and the named features. The tiers on this site are Star Sapphire, Emerald and Sapphire, plus a Professional Benchmark model; the drying systems are CrystalDry and condensation drying; and the named features include StarSpeed, AquaSensor, AquaStop Plus and FlexRack, plus the precision wash system the Sapphire page mentions. This glossary defines each term in plain language, using what our model pages and guides say about it, so you can read a spec sheet or a quote without guessing.
What do Star Sapphire, Emerald and Sapphire mean?
These are Thermador’s dishwasher tiers. Our Thermador dishwasher buying guide describes Star Sapphire as the flagship, with CrystalDry drying, the StarSpeed cycle and a dedicated third-rack spray nozzle at 39 dBA. Emerald shares CrystalDry but drops StarSpeed and the dedicated third-rack spray, with a flexible third rack at 42 dBA. Sapphire is the entry point, using condensation drying and a standard third rack at 44 dBA. All three are described as panel-ready, with Home Connect Wi-Fi.
The model pages also list a Professional Benchmark dishwasher, the DWHD870WFP, described as a Professional series model with an advanced wash system and a maximum-capacity third rack. On the model pages, for example, the DWHD770WFP is a Star Sapphire, the DWHD660WFP an Emerald and the DWHD560WFP a Sapphire. The letters and digits in a model number are not decoded on our pages, so use the collection name on the model page.
What is CrystalDry, and how does it differ from condensation drying?
CrystalDry is Thermador’s name for zeolite-based drying. Our guide to how Thermador CrystalDry works explains that a cassette of zeolite, a natural mineral, absorbs moisture from the warm, damp air in the tub and releases heat, which helps dry the dishes without a heated dry element, even plastics. Condensation drying, on the entry Sapphire tier, relies on hot dishes giving off moisture that condenses on the cooler tub walls and drains away. It works well on china and glass, while plastics may keep some moisture, per the buying guide. For more detail see our CrystalDry guide.
What are StarSpeed, the precision wash system and FlexRack?
StarSpeed is the quick cycle on Star Sapphire models; the DWHD770WFP page calls it the StarSpeed 20-minute wash cycle, and the buying guide says it completes a full wash in 20 minutes. The entry-level DWHD560WFP page mentions a precision wash system, which is a description of its wash action, not a separate named feature on our pages. FlexRack is the adjustable third rack, listed for example on the DWHD650WFP Emerald, which lets you move parts of the rack to fit taller items below. Check your own model, because the feature set changes by tier and by year.
The third rack itself is the shallow top tray for utensils and small items. The Star Sapphire adds a dedicated spray nozzle for it, while Emerald and Sapphire do not, according to the buying guide, so loading the top tray matters more on those tiers. Our dishwasher loading tips show how to use it well.
What do AquaSensor and AquaStop Plus do?
AquaSensor is a turbidity sensor that reads how cloudy the wash water is and adjusts the cycle length and water changes. It is the reason two loads that look the same can finish at different times, and our AquaSensor glossary covers it in depth. The maintenance guide notes that the sensor lens sits at the bottom of the tub and is part of its routine cleaning checks.
AquaStop Plus is leak protection. Per our safety guide, a sensor in the base pan detects water outside the tub and triggers an automatic shutoff and drain, and the supply hose has a double wall with an electric shutoff valve. Our AquaStop guide explains the rest. Neither feature replaces regular checks of the hoses and the floor around the machine.
What do dBA, panel-ready and custom panel mean?
dBA is a sound level scale; lower is quieter. The pages list 39 dBA for Star Sapphire, 42 for Emerald and 44 for Sapphire, and describe them all as quiet. Panel-ready, or custom panel, means the door is designed to accept a cabinet panel that matches your kitchen, so the dishwasher disappears into the cabinets. Our maintenance guide says custom panels add weight, so the door hinge and latch deserve a look for wear on panel-ready installations; follow the manufacturer’s panel instructions. If a dishwasher is noisy, read our dishwasher noise guide before assuming a fault.
What do Home Connect and the child lock do?
Home Connect is the Wi-Fi connection that lets the dishwasher report status to a phone app. The child lock disables the control panel buttons so a cycle cannot be changed by accident; our safety guide says it locks the panel only and does not physically lock the door, and that the way to activate it varies by model. Check your manual for the exact steps.
When a code appears on the display, our Thermador dishwasher error codes guide lists what each one means. Do not open the base or touch the wiring: switch the breaker off from a dry spot and call a technician if you see water near electrical parts.
We are an independent repair company, not the manufacturer. Our Thermador dishwasher repair page explains how a visit works, and you can schedule a visit online.
