Jerry Peck
Both thermostats should be set to 120 degrees.
It takes over 5 minutes to get 2nd and 3rd degree from water which is 120 degrees.
Water which is 130 degrees will produce 2nd and 3rd degree burns in about 30 seconds.
Water which is 140 degrees will produce 2nd and 3rd degree burns in less than 5 seconds.
Water which is 150 degrees will produce 2nd and 3rd degree burns in about 1 1/2 seconds.
Water which is 160 degrees will produce 2nd and 3rd degree burns in about 1/2 second
The above is from A. O. Smith literature and warning labels.
It should also be noted that dishwashers which do not preheat the water (most do not) require water which is minimum 125 degree before any sanitizing begins. As shown above, water at 125 degree water is getting close to the critical 130 degree / 30 second scald time.
[Edited by Jerry Peck on 13 October 2000]
