Hi All
Staggering that after 3 years and 13000 reads this is still an issue. I came here because of the same problem.

I have lived in 3 different locations within the UK, now reside in wales .

The problem seems to be the same across the world, so, logically it is unlikely to be a water issue, a plumbing problem (I accept some cases will be), a detergent issue. Many people say it smells like a dog bowl. Good description. It also stays on the plates after being washed.

So what does that really leave?
Design and Bacteria.

I doubt if Stainless steel is the problem, though I have noticed a slight increase in smell if I wash a SS pan up in the load. But that may be a conincedence.

In my mind it is probably a combination of the two, but not being an engineer or a micro biologist, I do not have an answer.
It would be extremely interesting to have the plates that smell after being washed, analysed to see what bacteria is present.

I would lay money bacteria being the cause. It isn't the only logial answer The problem, though is how to PERMENTANLY get rid of them. Their must be an inherent issue with the design.

Oh, don't knock Bosch, it affects ALL makes and models!

Regards
Woody

Okay, I purchased a BOSCH back in 2003 and all was fine for the first 4 years. We got our first whiff of smally dishes a little over a year ago. Now every month or two we get the putrid swamp smell. The dishes are visibly clean, but the smell is overpowering when you get the dishes/glassware wet. We've tried, beach, vinegar etc... and nothing works. With two small children running dishes every night, we cannot have cycles that leave the dishes unclean. In any event, we are sick and tired of the problem. I called BOSCH and explained that I had two different service calls and we still get the odor. I was very dis-satisfied with their response. Since the unit is off warranty, they want me to pay for a service tech visit. Typical large company response... In any event, we are NOT going to buy a BOSCH for our next washer. In fact I urge anyone who reads this to avoid BOSCH. Consider yourself forewarned! Now it is just a question of when we can afford a new unit from another company.

I would not blame Bosh for the problem. We install Bosh for over 20 years and I have never heard of such a problem. If your type of the problem is really a valid problem - then I guarantee you we in States would certainly hear about it via Lawsuit against Bosh. We have almost million attorneys here who are eager to sue companies like Bosh. But so far, so good...

It sounds like one of 2 things:

1. Your habits ( the type of food you eat, the way it is prepared, dish cleaning habits, DW cleaning habits, detergent used, type of dishes used - just to name a few... )
2. Improper drain connection ( no air gap, no high loop, drain venting problem, dirty GD, too long discharge hose sloped backwards, backing up GD - just to name a few... )

Question: When was the last time you cleaned your intake mesh cover that sits over DW pump ? How is your DW drain connected ? Via Air Gap ? Directly to Drain ? Do you have GD ?

Same issue here in GA. The Bosch dishwasher is older and the smell wasn't as much an issue previously, seems to have gotten worse. Looks like Sears has got me for a $200+ 1-year warranty to cover service and parts just to fix the issue. I hope it can be resolved. I have already checked and retested the drainage pipe and there seems to be no issue there. We'll see what happens. I would not be disappointed to be relieved of the product. Unfortunately, the retailer has gone out of business, so no swap outs for me. For the record, we did buy Bosch because of the brand. Looks like more scrutiny is necessary. If this is such a "known" issue, why has it not been addressed through customer notifications, product recalls, etc. Surely there is some hungry lawyer out there!

Hi all this problem has been around for years and is not a sign that something is wrong with yor machine,

The simple answer to this problem is keep your filters at the bottom of machine clean always make sure you have plenty of salt in and most important!! - empty your dishwasher immediately after the wash programme has finished... The smell only occurs if you leave the dishes in the dishwasher over night or until they have dried!
Try it and see : )