I would like an opinion on an idea that I have about winterizing a dishwasher which is in a mountain cabin. I am of the mind that if I rig a 75 watt light bulb with a clip and an electrical cord so that it would hang in the empty washing compartment that the heat from the lighted bulb would generate enough heat that no water would freeze in either the washing chamber or the lower units. If such an arrangement would work this would eliminate the need to keep the cabin temp. above 45 degrees and significantly save propane.

Why waste electic. Simply disonnect the hose to the dishwasher and lower it so the water drains out. Keeping the dishwasher warm with a light bulb is a fire waiting to happen. As with most cabins you get your share of mice. Who like to chew on wires. And also like warm places to hide. See my point? Besides the light would have to be on the outside of the washer by the pump, not in the inside where its insulated for sound away from the pump which is below the box in order for it to work. I assume your putting anti-freeze into the toilets as well.

My suggestion is not to shut off the heat. Keep it at 45 degrees. When turning off heat in a building that has been insulated causes condensation on the walls behind the sheetrock once the heat is turned back on. The result is mold growth. Also any attempt to remove water from the supply pipes may prove to be impossible.
Putting anti-freeze is not suggested in the toilets which is something I think your going to do. While it is often done in closed up properties, I assume you may be on a well for water and perhaps septic. You do not want to be putting any chemicals into the septic system that could make it to the water supply system.
Also if you have a clothes washer in the cabin, it to would have to be drained or heated.

First I will tell you that we once tried to make a welding rod storage cabinet by putting a 60 watt light bulb in an old refrigerator. It got too warm and melted part of the interior before the bulb shattered, so I suspect the same might happen with a dishwasher. I think I would get some swimming pool anti-freeze and pour it into the bottom of the machine, shut off the water and run it on the rinse hold cycle for a few seconds to run it through the pump. Then pour a little more in the bottom to keep the drain covered. swimming pool anti-freeze is not made of ethylene glycol and won't harm your septic system or you either. Use it in your toilets and sink drains as well.