Abstract: A multiple-fill dishwasher and method includes a wash chamber having a sump at the bottom thereof, a remotely controlled inlet valve for supplying cleansing liquid into the sump, a drain for draining liquid and entrained soil from the sump, and a recirculating pump having a spraying system receiving the output thereof for spraying liquid onto soiled ware contained within the chamber. A control circuit controls the valve, drain means, and pump to perform a selected one of a plurality of different cleansing cycles which are automatically selected according to the extent of soil on the ware. An operator-actuated switch for commencing operating of the control circuit, and a chamber for collecting soil particles in a concentrated fashion during liquid recirculation, are also provided.