What to put or not in the dishwasher?

Nowadays, because of the popularity of dishwashers, most glasses, plates, utensils and even common kitchen tools are washable in this machine. However, take a moment to read the manufacturer’s notices and the few rules to follow to take care of your dishes, the ones you use every day as much as the ones you use on special occasions.

Glassware

The majority of ordinary glasses and glass dishes that go in the oven such as Pyrex can go in the dishwasher. However, it happens that they scratch and that the corrosion or the chalky residues make them more opaque with time. Keep yourself from putting crystal glasses in the dishwasher unless the manufacturer has advised otherwise.

Dishes and porcelain

The great majority of daily used dishes is washable in the machine. Motifs on fine porcelain are usually coated with a varnish and so they could be put in the dishwasher; but old porcelain or hand-painted should always be hand-washed. You can tell that an article is old or not varnished by passing your finger over the motif that will have a certain relief if it is varnished. If they are washed by hand, the non-protected motifs will erase themselves, so it is preferable to limit the use of this kind of porcelain.

Silverware

Usually, silverware machine-washing isn’t a problem, but unfortunately it sometimes happens that they lose their colour. Avoid their tarnish by rinsing them well first to get rid of the salt or of the acidic foods before putting them into the dishwasher. Also, take them out right after the cycle is over so that they aren’t kept in a humid environment too long for nothing. Be careful, you can never place stainless steel articles with silverware in the same basket. For silver veneered pots, these ones are often coated with a thin silver sheet and, because of this they cannot go in the dishwasher.

Stainless Steel

Quality stainless steel is washable in the dishwasher. However, sometimes the stainless steel discolours and turns blue. It is possible to get rid of this discolouration with a cleaning product for stainless steel.

Aluminum

There are a few aluminum articles treated to go in the dishwasher, but generally, whether they are massive or veneered, these ones will blacken with the contact of air or water. So unless that it is clearly indicated that the article is machine-washable, you should hand-wash it.

Cast

Cast iron pots do not go in the dishwasher solely because their surface disappears and that they will eventually rust.

Wood

Articles entirely made of wood or ones possessing only some wooden parts such as a handle must be hand-washed.

Plastic

Only plastic articles that are guaranteed machine-washable should be washed in the dishwasher. Otherwise, the elevated water temperature could deform these objects.

• Fisher and Paykel’s appliances
• A dishwasher that you won’t hear
• The dishwasher – to each kitchen its integration solution
• How to choose your dishwasher
• How does your dishwasher work?

1. 1.

   Consumer

   By Phil on November 1st, 2008
   is it true you can not put knifes in dishwasher because it dull's the blades. My mother say's she read that some where
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