A method for executing a washing program in a dishwasher includes a spray system for spraying a washing liquid within a dishwasher onto crockery that has been disposed in the dishwasher as a washing program is executed. Before such spraying of the washing liquid, the washing liquid is heated to a predetermined temperature in a flow section that is separate from the spray system to an extent such that the washing liquid does not substantially impinge on crockery in the dishwasher as it is being heated in the flow section, whereupon the washing liquid is heated without substantially wetting crockery in the dishwasher. After the washing liquid has been heated to the predetermined temperature, the washing liquid is sprayed onto crockery, whereupon crockery in the dishwasher that essentially has not been heated is heated by the washing liquid.