Dishwashers make it easy to wash dishes, saving you the effort of handwashing them.
You can use dishwashers for washing glassware, crockery, cutlery, knives, pots and pans, air-fryer parts, plastic dishes, oven racks, baking dishes, and bowls.
Nonetheless, it’s always best to look for the dishwasher-safe symbol on the base of the item to determine if it’s safe to wash it in the dishwasher.
Things You Can Safely Wash in A Dishwasher
Apart from most items used in a kitchen, you can wash a few other things safely in the dishwasher. These include crystalware, cleaning, and gardening tools.
Let’s look at all these items in closer detail.
1. Glassware
Glass is delicate, and it breaks easily. So all glassware may not be dishwasher-friendly.
Glassware that can go in a dishwasher will have the dishwasher-safe symbol on the packaging.
Wine glasses, beer glasses, shot glasses, and stemless wine glasses usually go in the dishwasher. However, you should be careful about where and how you place them.
Since they are fragile, it’s best to place them in the top rack. Place them at an angle so that the water can fall or drip out of the glass easily during the washing cycle.
2. Crockery
Most crockery is dishwasher-safe. However, some items will not hold up well in a dishwasher.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can place safely in a dishwasher.
- Porcelain or China: Crockery made of China or porcelain is typically dishwasher-safe. However, check the manufacturer’s instructions to be safe. Avoid placing porcelain or China bowls and vessels in the dishwasher if they have any metallic etching or other intricate work on the surface. They can turn black and lose their shine if you do.
- Stoneware: Most stoneware crockery is dishwasher-safe.
- Glassware: Glass dishes, bowls, and cups are usually safe for dishwashers. This type of crockery is usually made of thick and hard glass that can withstand washing with hot water. Hence, it will not crack or break easily. However, you should be careful about placing cups and drinking glasses made of thin glass.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel crockery can withstand the washing cycle of a dishwasher. You can safely place them in the dishwasher. However, prolonged washing in a dishwasher will reduce the original luster of thinner stainless-steel crockery.
- Melamine: All melamine crockery can’t go in the dishwasher. Hence, it’s important to check for the dishwasher-safe symbol on the crockery before placing it.
- Ceramic: Handcrafted ceramics should not ideally be washed in a dishwasher. Fine details like metallic paint or raised designs can get damaged due to long and hot dishwashing cycles. However, you can safely wash most regularly used ceramic dishes without special details in a dishwasher.
3. Cutlery
Like crockery, all cutlery can’t go in the dishwasher. Let’s look at the different options and whether they are suitable or not.
- Stainless Steel: Since stainless steel is durable, corrosion-resistant, and it can withstand heat and pressure, you can safely wash stainless steel cutlery in the dishwasher.
- Silverware: Silverware can go in the dishwasher. However, it will tarnish and lose its original luster due to prolonged exposure to heat and moisture. Hence, it’s better to handwash silverware.
- Plastic: Plastic cutlery may or may not be dishwasher-safe. It will depend on the grade and make of plastic. Check the product information to be sure.
- Bamboo and Wooden Cutlery: We recommend handwashing bamboo and wooden cutlery. Though they may be able to withstand dishwasher use, they may warp or become dull and damaged when washed in the dishwasher.
- Flatware with Decorative Handles: Cutlery made of bone, resin, and other delicate materials is best kept out of the dishwasher since these have specific care instructions.
4. Knives
It’s always recommended to handwash knives to retain their sharpness. The hot and moist environment of the dishwasher will reduce their sharpness with continuous washing.
However, you can wash most knives in the dishwasher, including stainless steel knives.
When washing iron or carbon steel knives, use a short washing cycle. Immediately dry the knife after washing it to prevent rusting.
Some knives should not be put in a dishwasher at all. These include:
- Fine knives with specialty blades like Santoku knives.
- Knives with wooden handles since the handles can get damaged.
- Knives with delicate handles made of bone, resin, or with intricate designs.
- Knives made of composite materials may not be dishwasher-friendly.
5. Pots and Pans
Pots and pans last longer when washed by hand. Nevertheless, most of them can withstand occasional dishwasher use.
Here are some dishwasher-friendly pots and pans materials.
- Stainless steel pots and pans are dishwasher-safe. However, it’s best to keep those with copper or aluminum cores away from the dishwasher.
- Some non-stick pots and pans are dishwasher-safe. But those with a non-durable non-stick coating like PTFE can undergo damage in the dishwasher. Hence, always check the manufacturer’s instructions before placing any pot or pan in the dishwasher.
- Glass and ceramic pots and pans can safely go in the dishwasher. The only exception is if they have any metallic details that may tarnish upon exposure to heat and moisture.
- Ovenware and roasting pans are generally dishwasher-safe unless they have a lightweight, non-stick coating that gets damaged easily.
- Cast iron and carbon steel pots and pans are best kept out of the dishwasher since they are prone to rusting.
- Aluminum pots and pans can be washed in the dishwasher. However, they can corrode or develop pits and cracks if you continuously wash them in the dishwasher.
6. Air Fryer Parts
It’s easy to clean many parts of an air fryer because they are dishwasher-friendly.
However, you should always check the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm. It can vary according to the model.
Some of the air fryer parts that are generally dishwasher-friendly include the following:
- Cooking basket: The cooking basket is typically dishwasher-friendly if it’s constructed using stainless steel or non-stick material.
- Detachable pan or drawer: Some air fryer models have a pan to collect the drippings or oil from the food. These parts can go in the dishwasher.
- Grill or roasting rack: Some air fryers come with a stainless-steel grill or roasting rack. You can usually wash them in an air fryer.
- Other detachable parts: If the air fryer has detachable accessories like skewers, dishwasher pans, baking trays, or pizza trays, you can wash them in the air fryer.
7. Bowls
Bowls are an integral part of every kitchen, and most of them can be washed in a dishwasher. Glass bowls made of thick, heat-resistant glass can go in the dishwasher.
But you should be careful about where you place glass bowls in the dishwasher. They are prone to chipping and cracks if they collide with other dishes. The same applies to ceramic bowls too.
It’s best to place these items in the top rack of a dishwasher for safe washing.
Stainless steel bowls and heat-resistant plastic bowls are also dishwasher-friendly. However, plastic bowls can become faded and dull if you continuously wash them in the dishwasher.
Melamine bowls may also be suitable for dishwashers depending on their material quality. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure.
