Owning a dishwasher can be a huge time-saver for people who cook a lot and eat at home on a regular basis. Whether you live alone or have a large family, it is refreshing to be able to simply put your dishes in the dishwasher and set the load off when it is full. Most common kitchen items can be cleaned in a dishwasher, but there are a few items that you should not put in the dishwasher. The challenge is telling what is and is not dishwasher safe if there’s no label on the bottom of the pot to warn you.
Learning what you should and should not put in the dishwasher is important because it will help you to avoid the stress, and expense, of accidentally damaging your favorite knife or skillet.
Is it Safe to Put a Copper Pot in the Dishwasher?
If you want your pot to last then you should not put them in the dishwasher. Copper is a good conductor, which makes it great for cookware. When you put a copper pot in the dishwasher, you may shorten its lifespan significantly and dull its shine. Wash gently, by hand, instead.
Will Stainless Steel Survive the Dishwasher?
The answer to this question is “it depends” some stainless steel products such as mixing bowls might survive. Stainless steel cookware is likely to get damaged in the dishwasher. In general, if you don’t want to take the risk of damaging your best cookware you should hand wash all of your stainless steel items. This will help to prolong their life. Some people take the risk with stainless steel silverware, but others prefer to just hand wash everything made from stainless steel.
Is a Cast Iron Skillet Dishwasher Safe?
There is no debate with this one. Cast iron can rust if it is not cared for properly. In addition, cast iron is supposed to be seasoned. This is what gives it the non-stick characteristics that people love so much. Why use a dishwasher instead of taking advantage of the biggest benefit of cast iron? Some people would go so far as to say that it would be a travesty to use a dishwasher on quality cast iron. Learn how to correctly season and care for your pans for best results.
Are there Other Things to Keep Out of The Dishwasher
There are, unfortunately, a number of things that you should not put in the dishwasher. The items that are listed above are some of the biggest ‘surprises’, but there are other things and you should be mindful of what the items in your kitchen are made of when you are making washing decisions. You might want to save your best products for occasional use, and have dishwasher safe plates, cups and bowls for day to day use.
Hand Wash:
– Aluminum items
– Enameled cast iron products
– Crystal dishes or gold-plated dishes, China, expensive glassware and other heirlooms
– Chef’s knives
– Steak knives
– Insulated mugs
– Anything with a non-stick coating
– Plastic containers that have not been marked as dishwasher safe
– Wooden utensils and cutting boards, and knives that have a wooden handle
You can put most other things in the dishwasher. If you are not sure, then double check with the manufacturer first. Also, be sure to clean your dishwasher periodically so that you are not unwittingly spreading bacteria when you use it.
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