Can Pots Go In The Dishwasher? (What Brand Pots Can?)

Image of a pot in a dishwasher

The easiest way to clean the pots after cooking is to put them in a dishwasher. But can pots go in the dishwasher?

All pots that can go in the dishwasher will usually have the dishwasher-safe symbol on their base or packaging. Stainless steel pots will usually do fine in the dishwasher. Some non-stick pots are also dishwasher-safe. However, aluminum, copper, and cast-iron pots are usually not dishwasher-safe.

So now the question is…

How Do You Know If Your Pots Are Dishwasher-Safe?

A dishwasher is a useful kitchen appliance for home cooks.

It makes cleaning easy by eliminating food residue and leaving dishes sparkling clean.

Good dishwashers can even tackle tough stains and get rid of burnt food residue.

However, the dishwashing process doesn’t suit all types of cookware.

Dishwashers use strong jets of hot water to dislodge food residue.

They also use strong cleaning detergents and mechanical agitation during the cleaning process.

Such rough handling can cause damage to some types of cookware.

The hot water treatment by a dishwasher can tarnish metals and make them lose their luster.

The rough cleaning process can cause some surfaces to develop scratches.

The moist environment can prompt rusting in some materials.

So it’s important to check whether a pot is dishwasher-safe before cleaning it in a dishwasher.

Manufacturers will usually indicate if a pot is dishwasher-safe on the packaging.

Additionally, they will also add the dishwasher-safe symbol on the base or lid.

You can look for a stamp or label that says “dishwasher-safe” on the pot or the packaging it came in.

If your pot has the symbol of a box containing dishes with water droplets or lines, it’s dishwasher-safe.

You can safely wash such pots in a dishwasher.

However, refrain from dishwashing a pot if this symbol or label is absent.

Even if a pot is dishwasher-safe, it’s always better to handwash it.

Although the pot can withstand the rough and vigorous dishwashing process, it will undergo immense stress.

Continuously washing the pot in a dishwasher will effectively reduce its lifespan.

Meanwhile, it will hold up for much longer if you carefully handwash it each time.

Now, different materials react differently to heat and moisture.

Some materials are easily damaged by water.

Pots made of these materials should always stay out of a dishwasher.

We can generally decide if a pot is dishwasher-friendly or not by the material used for construction.

Let’s explore this in closer detail.

Can Stainless Steel Pots Go In The Dishwasher?

Stainless steel is water-resistant. It can also withstand high heat.

So stainless steel pots are generally dishwasher-friendly.

However, stainless steel is prone to scratches.

Vigorous scrubbing can make the surface lose its metallic luster and sheen.

So your stainless-steel pot can become dull and unattractive if you continuously wash it in a dishwasher.

It can also develop scratches on the surface from banging against other utensils and cutlery in a dishwasher.

To avoid these issues, always allow enough space around your stainless-steel pots when placing them in a dishwasher.

Also, reduce the frequency of washing them in a dishwasher.

Handwashing will help it retain its luster for much longer.

Recommended Further Reading:

Can Aluminum Pots Go In The Dishwasher?

Aluminum pot

Not all aluminum pots are dishwasher-safe. Aluminum is prone to scratching.

The metallic surface can also develop pits and become discolored when exposed to water.

Nonetheless, some manufacturers label their aluminum pots as dishwasher-friendly.

Hard-anodized aluminum pots are generally dishwasher-safe as they have a protective coating to withstand corrosion.

However, we would still recommend handwashing all aluminum pots to minimize damage.

It will help the metal retain its natural look and finish and extend its life much longer.

Can Cast Iron Pots Go In The Dishwasher?

Cast iron is a material that should stay out of a dishwasher.

Cast iron easily rusts, and the hot and humid environment of a dishwasher can speed up the process.

The rough cleaning method of a dishwasher will also strip the metal of its valuable natural seasoning.

You may already know that cast iron pots develop a beautiful and natural layer of seasoning with use.

This patina has a shiny black color. It makes the pot naturally non-sticky.

So you can minimize the usage of oil when cooking in a cast-iron pot.

However, hot water, harsh detergents, and vigorous scrubbing can dislodge this valuable layer of seasoning.

When the pot loses its seasoning, it will not be non-sticky.

Losing the seasoning will also reveal the inner layer of iron.

Iron is highly prone to rust.

So your pot can end up with large rust patches if you continuously wash it in a dishwasher.

This will compromise the integrity of the metal.

Continuous dishwashing can also reduce the efficiency of your pot.

All cast iron cookware should always be washed by hand for long life.

You should also wipe it dry and store it carefully after washing to avoid any chance of damage.

Can Copper Pots Go In The Dishwasher?

It’s not recommended to use a dishwasher for cleaning copper pots.

Copper has a beautiful earthy color and lustrous finish.

Unfortunately, exposure to heat and moisture can make it lose its color.

Strong dishwashing detergents will also dull a copper pot.

Gentle handwashing is the ideal way to keep copper pots fresh and new.

Clean the pot with a mild detergent and normal water to get rid of any food residue.

Also, wipe the surface dry immediately after washing it to eliminate any moisture that can discolor the metal.

Related Further Reading:

Can Non-Stick Pots Go In The Dishwasher?

Some non-stick pots are dishwasher-safe, while others aren’t.

We can’t generalize whether a non-stick pan is dishwasher-safe or not by the brand or material used for construction.

It varies from case to case.

The best way to find if you can place a non-stick pot in the dishwasher is to check the manufacturer’s instructions.

The manufacturer will include a label, symbol, or stamp on the pot if it’s dishwasher-friendly.

In the absence of this label, you should assume that the pot is not dishwasher-friendly.

Let’s now look at some of the most popular cookware brands to find out whether their pots are dishwasher-safe or not.

Can Calphalon Pots Go In The Dishwasher?

Calphalon has various product lines with versatile hard-anodized non-stick pots and stainless-steel pots.

The care instructions for these pots will be mentioned on the packaging and the company website.

Calphalon mentions that all their pots are dishwasher-safe on their website.

So, you can safely wash them in the dishwasher.

The pots are also metal-utensil safe, which means they are less prone to dents and scratches.

Nonetheless, to keep your Calphalon pots in top working condition for longer, it’s best to avoid a dishwasher.

Handwashing will prolong their life and keep them looking good as new.

Can Cuisinart Pots Go In The Dishwasher?

Cuisinart has a beautiful collection of stainless steel, hard anodized, and enamel-coated stock pots and pots of different sizes for various uses.

While some of them are dishwasher-safe, other models must always be washed by hand.

Most of the stainless-steel pots from Cuisinart are dishwasher-friendly.

However, the company doesn’t recommend dishwashing their hard-anodized pots and stock pots.

Check for the dishwasher-safe symbol on the pot or its packaging to determine if a specific Cuisinart pot is dishwasher-friendly.

Unless specified, avoid putting them through a dishwasher cycle as it may damage the inner surface and destroy the pot.

Interesting Further Reading:

Can Lagostina Pots Go In The Dishwasher?

Lagostina has a wide range of pots made of materials like stainless steel, non-stick, and copper-coated non-stick.

The cleaning and care instructions for these pots will depend on the material used for construction.

So, it’s not the same for all Lagostina pots.

Copper-coated Lagostina pots and those belonging to the Lagostina’s Rossella range are not dishwasher-friendly.

Other Lagostina pots made of stainless steel and with non-stick coatings are usually dishwasher-safe.

Nonetheless, the company suggests handwashing their dishwasher-safe pots as well.

Washing it by hand will prolong their life and keep them looking better for longer.

Dishwashing with strong, abrasive cleaners can corrode the metallic surface and reduce their aesthetic quality.

It can dull the metallic luster of stainless-steel surfaces and knobs and handles and age the cookware faster.

When dishwashing Lagostina cookware, place the pots away from any other cookware and cutlery in the dishwasher.

The pots can develop dents and scratches if they bang against other items during the dishwashing process.

Lagostina also recommends removing the pots from the dishwasher immediately after the cycle ends.

Take it out promptly and dry the surface before putting it away.

Leaving the pot in the dishwasher for several hours and allowing these pots to dry naturally can tarnish the metal.

It will lose its fine metallic sheen and look dull.

References

About The Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *