"It runs every other day and for the first few minutes of each run, there is a terrible stink."

Where exactly is the source of the odor? Could it be coming up from the sink drain? Or are you 100% certain it is coming from the DW's venting?

Either way, it makes me think this is more of a sewer gas venting problem than a DW problem, especially since you had this issue with your previous DW.

We had the same problem with our upstairs air-conditiong unit, many years ago. There would be a horrible odor from the vents when it cycled "on." Long story short, the condensation hose had been run to the sewer gas vent line, and over the years, mold & crud had built up in the sewer gas vent line. At that point, when the AC cycled on, a "backdraft" of sewer gas occurred that was blown back into the house. Gross . . . and toxic.

Hmmmm.... I think the smell is coming from the sink drain, but if there is a build up in the drain hoses -- isn't that where I'd smell it?

I don't know where the vent line would be or how to check it? We're on septic, but I'm assuming there would also be a vent line for it?

I swear, there is a plumbing curse on my hubby's family. The stories I could tell,,, but I digress.

In our 25+ year old house, a few years ago we would randomly get a terrible odor in our master bath. I never could track down where it came from, but sometimes it came from the vanity sink drains upon running water, first thing in the morning, Sometimes I could track it down to the shower stall drain. Some days, I could not tell where it was coming from. It was not a daily thing, but when it happened, it was awful.

I finally had our plumbers come out, since I was 100% certain it was sewer gases. They were appalled at how that bathroom sewer lines were plumbed (under the house). They went into the attic and could not find any problems with the sewer vent pipe.

They suggested I let them re-work all the sewer lines under the house, for that bath only. I completely trust them, so I did. After that, we've had no more problems. WHY it took almost 25 years for the problem to get bad, I don't know. Those MB vanity sink drains were always a little funky, for the 20 years we've lived in the house. They're fine now.

We don't have the problem since having the pipes under the house re-designed/re-done.

I really think yours is a plumbing problem and the odor is sewer gas. I only know of our own experiences and am not in the business nor an expert.

Even on septic, you'll have sewer gas vents coming up out of your roof - usually PVC spray-painted black. Have a really good and reputable plumber come take a look at it.

OMG!!!! I just bought a brand new Frigidaire gallery ss dishwasher and mine smells too! It stunk right away. After I wash my dishes the smell isn't there but a couple of days later when I open it back up, it smells terrible on the inside (and there are NOdirty dishes). WTH???

Have you seen this thread on the chowhound forum?

Here is a link that might be useful: Dishwasher smells like a wet swampy bird