Dishwashers make it easy to wash dishes, saving you the effort of handwashing them.
Dishwashers can wash many kitchen items, but suitability depends on the specific product and its care instructions. The material alone is not enough to decide.
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.
Kitchen Items to Check Before Dishwashing
Only load items their manufacturers identify as dishwasher-safe. Do not use a food dishwasher for gardening tools or other objects contaminated with soil, pesticides or chemicals.
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.
Some drinking glasses are dishwasher-safe. Check the maker’s instructions, especially for crystal, decoration and delicate stems.
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: Check the stoneware maker’s instructions; glazes and construction differ.
- 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: Many stainless-steel dishes are dishwasher-safe, but follow the product’s care instructions, especially for coatings, decoration or mixed materials.
- 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: Stainless-steel cutlery may be dishwasher-safe if its manufacturer permits it. Handles, coatings and construction can change the care requirements.
- Silverware: Follow the maker’s instructions for silver or silver-plated cutlery. Handwashing is the safer choice when dishwasher suitability is uncertain.
- 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.
Check the knife maker’s care instructions rather than assuming stainless steel means dishwasher-safe. For example, WÜSTHOF recommends handwashing and immediate drying.
Handwash carbon-steel knives carefully and dry them immediately; a short dishwasher cycle does not prevent rust or edge damage.
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
Handwashing is often recommended for cookware, even when dishwashing is allowed. Do not assume that occasional dishwasher use is safe for an unapproved pan.
Check these care points when deciding whether a pot or pan can go in the dishwasher.
- Some stainless-steel pots and pans are dishwasher-safe, including some layered designs. Follow the specific cookware instructions; construction and exposed edges matter.
- Some nonstick pans are dishwasher-safe and others are handwash-only. The coating name alone does not settle this; follow the manufacturer’s care instructions.
- Use a dishwasher for glass or ceramic cookware only if its maker permits it. Decoration, glazes and construction can affect suitability.
- Check the care instructions for ovenware and roasting pans. Oven-safe does not automatically mean dishwasher-safe.
- Cast iron and carbon steel pots and pans are best kept out of the dishwasher since they are prone to rusting.
- Handwash aluminum cookware unless its manufacturer specifically allows dishwashing. Dishwasher detergent can discolor or damage some aluminum finishes.
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.
Check the manual separately for each of these air-fryer parts:
- Cooking basket: Dishwasher suitability depends on the model, not just whether the basket is stainless steel or nonstick.
- Detachable pan or drawer: Wash it in the dishwasher only if the manual permits this; a removable part is not automatically dishwasher-safe.
- Grill or roasting rack: Put it in the dishwasher only if the air-fryer manual lists that rack as dishwasher-safe.
- Other detachable parts: Check each accessory’s care instructions. Never put the air fryer’s electrical body, cord or plug in a dishwasher or immerse them in water.
7. Bowls
Check each bowl’s dishwasher instructions. Thick or heat-resistant glass is not automatically approved for a 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.
Check the care instructions for stainless-steel bowls and plastic bowls too. For approved plastic items, follow any top-rack or heated-dry restrictions.
Melamine bowls may also be suitable for dishwashers depending on their material quality. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure.
