You may have seen ads for dishwasher safe cookware and wondered if you could put your pots and pans in the dishwasher. It seems like a great idea, but is it really? In this blog post we will discuss whether or not you can put pots and pans in the dishwasher!
It is very tempting after cooking up a great meal and looking at all the washing up that has been generated to be tempted to put everything in to the dishwasher and out of sight. However, some pots and pans can be irreversibly ruined by doing this, so take a moment to check before going ahead.
Firstly, always read the man
ufacturer’s recommendations, you can’t go wrong with doing that.
If you are still not sure, or you cannot find any instructions, read below.
Can you put cast iron pot and pans in a dishwasher?
No, do not place your cast iron cookware into the dishwasher. When pots are placed into a high heat source such as a dishwasher or oven they will begin to rust from the inside out. The intense water pressure on these appliances can force harmful minerals past their protective coating causing them to rust even faster than usual! If this happens, there is no way to restore it back to its original state because once you remove that layer of seasoning all those goodies seeped deep down through the pores onto the surface of the metal itself, making it unusable for cooking purposes. To preserve your favorite kitchen cast iron cookware avoid putting it in anything other than hot soapy water if needed.
Also make sure not to use any soap that contains lemon juice because it will eat away at your seasoned layer faster than normal! Soap made from lye (powdered wood ash) works best here. Always wash your cast iron pots and pans by hand.
What about non-stick cookware?
Is it possible or even recommended?
The answer is yes, but there are some guidelines. Some manufacturers will say it is OK, but if you are in any doubt, don’t do it. Nothing worse than ruining a perfectly good non-stick pan because you put it in the dishwasher. Often the harsh chemicals found in most detergents will strip away its protective coating.
We recommend soaking your non-stick cookware in warm, soapy water and using a non-abrasive cloth to wipe over.
What about cleaning your stainless steel pots and pans?
These are great in the dishwasher.
Again, check for the manufacturer’s instructions, but most times theses are fine in the dishwasher, however there are some things to consider.
The excessive heat and humidity inside the dishwasher could corrode the metal, so washing by hand may be a better option, especially if they are excessively dirty.
However you wash them, make sure they don’t get scratched by other utensils, and always ensure they are dried off properly.
What about copper pots?
There are a number of things to remember when you have copper pots.
Firstly, they will tarnish if not cared for properly and can be cleaned with salt or vinegar, which is best done by hand rather than in the dishwasher.
If your pot gets scratched it’s important that this doesn’t get into the food itself as scratches allow bacteria to grow inside.
If your copper pot has a burnt bottom try sprinkling some salt on it, then cover with white vinegar and let the solution get to work for 15 seconds before scrubbing.
Because of these reasons plus their high price tag, I would recommend avoiding putting them in the machine unless absolutely necessary!
The Bottom line
Next time you are asking yourself “can this cooking pot or frying pan go in the dishwasher?” just remember to check what the manufacturer says.
If you are unsure, be safe and handwash, you can’t go wrong, and you will be grateful you didn’t ruin your favorite pan.
