Dishwashers are incredibly handy appliances that can help to make any kitchen more efficient. They can be used to easily wash countless sets of dishes, to help remove the horrible chore of washing up! But this doesn’t mean that they can magically clean up absolutely everything you drop into them. Even dishwashers have their limits!

Dishwashers not only create an incredibly moist environment but also an incredibly hot one. As such, some materials simply can’t withstand these conditions, and run the risk of being damaged. But it can sometimes be difficult to keep up with what you should and shouldn’t be putting in your dishwasher. In fact, it’s likely you’ve found your way here because you’re wondering whether it’s safe to put stainless steel into your dishwasher.

Should you not put stainless steel in the dishwasher? What would happen if you did? Want to understand your dishwasher a little bit more? Then make sure to join us down below as we find some answers to these common questions!

Why Should You Not Put Stainless Steel In The Dishwasher?

Before we begin, it’s important to note that it is totally safe to put stainless steel products in the dishwasher. Stainless steel is specially designed not to tarnish and also has anti-corrosion qualities that make it suitable for prolonged exposure to water. You can safely wash your stainless steel products without the risk of rust!

However, not all stainless steel products are created equal. Some stainless steel products may, in turn, take better to being hand washed. For instance, stainless steel pots and pans are better off washed by hand. Stainless steel pots and pans often have non-stick coatings, to make them more efficient for cooking. The intense temperatures of the dishwasher can easily break down this coating and make your favourite pots and pans nowhere near as effective as they once were!

As such, it’s not that you should avoid putting any stainless steel products into the dishwasher. Instead, only specific stainless steel products should be placed there.

You totally can put stainless steel in the dishwasher. However, not all stainless steel products can go in the dishwasher. Stainless steel pots and pans, for instance, are better off washed by hand!

It’s also better to wash pots and pans by hand because of the space they take up. Pots and pans are naturally very large. Of course, this means that it’s much more difficult to find a suitable spot for them. As well as this, their large curved shapes also mean they run the risk of blocking water from travelling effectively around the tub. This will keep other products in the dishwasher from being cleaned!

How Do You Clean Stainless Steel Cutlery In The Dishwasher?

Stainless steel products like cutlery are totally safe for placing in the dishwasher. In fact, it’s one of the best places to ensure they receive a full and effective clean! But in order to make this the case, you’ll want to make sure they’re placed just right.

Stainless steel cutlery should be placed into the dedicated cutlery basket found in most dishwasher models. This helps to keep the cutlery from touching other metal products in the dishwasher. When two different types of metals are in direct contact, in the conditions of a dishwasher, they are at a much higher risk of corrosion.

When you drop your cutlery into the basket, be sure to space them out slightly. This helps to keep them from “Nesting”. Nesting occurs when two pieces of cutlery of the same shape hug so close together that the water cannot reach the dirt that is caked onto them!

How Do You Clean A Stainless Steel Bottle In The Dishwasher?

Stainless steel bottles are now incredibly popular. The stainless steel construction means they can be used time after time, and also helps to keep hot and cold drinks insulated! They’re also totally dishwasher safe, provided they don’t have extra elements such as plastic, or painted-on designs.

If your bottle is dishwasher safe, you’ll want to make sure to position it just right in your dishwasher. This ensures a truly effective clean.

Most stainless steel items like cutlery and bottles can be placed in the dishwasher. However, cutlery should be separated into the dedicated basket, and bottles should be inserted upside down. This helps to ensure effective water flow!

You can easily place the bottle into the dishwasher alongside extra elements like the lid. Just make sure that you place the bottle upside down. This not only ensures that water can get in, but crucially that it can get out! This ensures that the bottle is effectively cleaned, as well as everything else!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Shouldn’t You Put Stainless Steel In The Dishwasher?

You only need to avoid putting stainless steel in the dishwasher if the specific item is not dishwasher safe. Common stainless steel products like cutlery are totally safe to be placed in a dishwasher. However, coated stainless steel products, such as pots and pans are better off being hand washed!

Why Shouldn’t You Put Pots And Pans In The Dishwasher?

Many pots and pans are made from metals like cast iron and steel. Unfortunately, these metals are highly susceptible to rusting, which makes them totally unsuitable for dishwashers. As well as this, there’s also the fact that pots and pans are simply too large for the dishwasher. A large pot or pan could easily prevent water from effectively cycling around the tub, resulting in an unsatisfying and incomplete clean.

Can You Put Plastic In The Dishwasher?

Some plastic products can be safely inserted into the dishwasher. However, if you are ever in doubt, you should check to see if there is a “Dishwasher Safe” label attached to it. If not, simply hand wash it to save you the trouble. Some plastic products can actually melt in the dishwasher. Don’t forget how intense the temperature of your dishwasher can be!