While there is no denying that food processors make food prep easy, they wouldn’t be convenient if the parts were difficult to clean. So, can food processors go in the dishwasher?
You may be able to wash the removable parts of a food processor in the dishwasher depending on the make and model of the food processor. Except for the motor and base, most parts of a food processor can go in the dishwasher. However, handwashing the food processor parts would extend their lifespan.
Let’s dig into this a bit more.
- Is It Safe To Clean Food Processors In Dishwashers?
- Pros And Cons Of Washing Food Processor Parts In The Dishwasher
- Why Should You Handwash The Food Processor Parts?
- Can Cuisinart Food Processors Go In The Dishwasher?
- Can Ninja Food Processors Go In The Dishwasher?
- Can Breville Food Processors Go In The Dishwasher?
- Can KitchenAid Food Processor Go In The Dishwasher?
- References
Is It Safe To Clean Food Processors In Dishwashers?
Food processors have three main parts:
- Base motor unit,
- Food processor bowl, and
- Removable discs and blades.
The different blades and attachments will allow you to use this single appliance in different ways.
However, this also means that you will end up with many parts to clean.
Fortunately, most food processor brands have dishwasher-safe parts.
However, just to be sure, you may want to check the instructions manual of the device.
In most cases, the bowl, blades, and discs of a food processor are dishwasher-safe.
The base unit houses the motor, and this part is sensitive to water.
So you can’t wash it. However, wiping it down with a clean cloth should be enough to keep it clean.
Although most of the removable parts of a food processor are dishwasher-safe, the best way to clean it is by handwashing the different parts.
Running the parts through a dishwasher cycle will seldom damage the blades, bowl, or discs. However, it can reduce their lifespan.
By handwashing these parts, you can clean the parts thoroughly and keep them in top condition for much longer.
Recommended Further Reading:
- Leaving a Rice Cooker On Overnight: Is It Possible?
- All About Deep Fryers: Types, Oils, and Use
- What Parts of a Rice Cooker are Safe for the Dishwasher?
Pros And Cons Of Washing Food Processor Parts In The Dishwasher
Here are the pros and cons of washing your food processor parts in a dishwasher.
Advantages
- Washing the different parts of a food processor in a dishwasher is more convenient than handwashing them. When you don’t have time for handwashing each part or don’t want to go through the trouble of handwashing the parts separately, it’s easy and hassle-free to use a dishwasher.
- Dishwashers run their contents through hot water and rinse out the soap completely. Heat eliminates germs and prevents mold formation. Hence, dishwashers will not only clean your food processor parts but also sterilize them.
Disadvantages
- Although a dishwasher will do the hard work, you will still have to rinse the food processor to get rid of the food residue before putting it in the dishwasher. Hence, it’s not entirely effort-free.
- Exposure to hot water for a long duration affects the quality and sharpness of the blades of a food processor. Heat dulls the blades and compromises the efficiency of the appliance over time.
- During the wash cycle, the contents of a dishwasher undergo rough treatment. Physical banging and exposure to harsh dishwashing soaps can affect the different parts of the food processor. Moreover, if the bowl is plastic, it can become cloudy and fade after a few cycles.
Why Should You Handwash The Food Processor Parts?
Although you can always use the dishwasher to clean the parts of your food processor, we don’t recommend doing it always.
You can clean the parts thoroughly by handwashing them.
Gentle, non-abrasive cleaning tools will prevent the blades from becoming dull.
Although handwashing is laborious and time-consuming, it will keep your food processor in top condition for a much longer time.
Additionally, you need not wait for your dishwasher to be full to clean the food processor.
Handwashing allows you to clean it up after use and put it away promptly.
But remember that the blades and discs of food processors are very sharp.
So be careful while washing them to avoid cuts and injuries.
Related Further Reading:
- Preventing an Explosion from a Deep Fryer
- Are Food Processors Used by Chefs?
- How Many Amps Does An Electric Oven Use? + Amps Rating Effects
- Does a Grill Pan Give Off Smoke?
Can Cuisinart Food Processors Go In The Dishwasher?
Cuisinart has confirmed that all removable parts of their food processors can go in the dishwasher. Except for the motorized base, all the other parts of this appliance like the bowl, lid, and blade are removable. Hence, you can wash them in the dishwasher.
When cleaning a Cuisinart food processor in the dishwasher, remove any leftover scraps from the inside of the bowl.
Then, place the components on the top rack of the dishwasher.
You can also wash the different parts by hand using a suitable brush and soapy water.
After cleaning the parts thoroughly, rinse them to get rid of any moisture before storing them away.
Can Ninja Food Processors Go In The Dishwasher?
The removable parts of Ninja food processors are dishwasher-safe. So, you can place the main container, lids, and blade in the dishwasher. However, always wash them in the top rack of the dishwasher only.
While washing, don’t place the food processor container with the blade attachments within the bowl as it can damage the container.
Remove all the attachments and place the parts separately inside the dishwasher.
If you prefer to handwash the parts, use a gentle brush with a handle to scrub the bowl and blades thoroughly.
Avoid direct contact with the blades since they have sharp edges that will cause cuts and serious injuries.
Can Breville Food Processors Go In The Dishwasher?
Breville doesn’t recommend regularly washing the food processor parts in the dishwasher. However, you can occasionally wash the processing bowl and lid in the dishwasher.
Regularly washing the parts in the dishwasher can damage and shorten the life of the appliance.
Prolonged exposure to hot water and harsh dishwashing solutions can adversely affect the integrity of the plastic and interlock components.
Hence, it’s better to handwash the parts and use the dishwasher less frequently.
Breville also doesn’t recommend soaking the parts of the food processor in soapy water for too long.
The plastic will fade, and its lifespan will reduce if you continuously expose it to heat and water.
You must handwash the blades and the interlocking components of the food processor to keep them sharp.
Interesting Further Reading:
- Is it Possible for Rice Cookers to Explode or Catch Fire?
- How Long Does It Take For An Oven To Cool Down? (And Self-Clean)
- What Food Processors Can Spiralize?
Can KitchenAid Food Processor Go In The Dishwasher?
It’s safe to wash the lid, bowl, and blades of KitchenAid food processors in the dishwasher. However, the motorized base is not washable. It contains the electric circuitry of the device. So, you should keep it away from water. However, you can wipe it down with a damp cloth after unplugging it to keep it clean.
Continuously subjecting the food processor blades to rough dishwashing cycles will wear them down and make them rust.
Handwashing will help you extend the life of a KitchenAid food processor and keep the blade assembly sharp and functional.
With gentle handwashing, you don’t expose the device to harsh abrasives nor too much heat.
You can rinse the appliance with soap and water between uses to keep it clean and free of odors.
After rinsing, wipe it thoroughly to eliminate the moisture and prevent the build-up of mold.
When placing the different parts of a food processor in the dishwasher, keep the lid, bowl, and blades only in the top rack.
Place the different parts apart to ensure thorough cleaning.
If the blades are inside the bowl during the cleaning process, they can scratch and damage the bowl.