The dishwasher is one of the greatest modern conveniences, especially when you are cooking hearty, hands-off meals and want to minimize cleanup. But while it’s a miracle worker for everyday plates and glasses, the combination of scalding hot water, high-pressure spray, and highly alkaline detergents is actually quite harsh.
Since you appreciate the science behind how things work (and likely have some wonderful, well-loved kitchen tools from your years of cooking), here are 8 things you should always pull out of the dishwasher line, and exactly why they need a gentle hand-wash instead.
🍳 1. Cast Iron Skillets
The "Why": The harsh, alkaline chemicals in dishwasher detergent are designed to strip away baked-on food, which means they will also strip away the polymerized oil (the seasoning) that gives your cast iron its natural non-stick surface. Furthermore, leaving cast iron in the humid environment of a dishwasher guarantees it will flash-rust within minutes.
- The Fix: Wipe it out with a paper towel, rinse with hot water (use a tiny drop of soap if needed, it won't ruin a well-seasoned pan!), dry it immediately on a warm stove, and rub it with a drop of oil.
🥄 2. Wooden Spoons, Spatulas, and Cutting Boards
The "Why": Wood is a porous, natural material. The prolonged soaking and scalding heat of the dishwasher cause the wood fibers to swell and expand. When they dry out rapidly in the heated drying cycle, they shrink back down. This rapid expansion and contraction causes the wood to warp, crack, and splinter. It also strips away the natural oils, leaving the wood dry and brittle.
- The Fix: Hand wash with warm soapy water, dry immediately with a towel, and rub them with food-grade mineral oil or butcher block wax once a month to keep them supple.
🔪 3. Your Good, Sharp Chef’s Knives
