How Do I Know If Something Is Dishwasher Safe?

So how do i know if something is dishwasher safe?

It is not always clear to everyone whether a piece of cookware or a plate or bowl is dishwasher safe.

That’s especially true if it’s older and a dishwasher safe logo cannot be found anywhere, and the product isn’t listed online either. Then you’re a bit stuck!

In this article, we look at what makes an item dishwasher safer and how to tell either way.

How Can I Make Sure That an Item Is Dishwasher Safe?

To confirm if an item can be washed in a dishwasher, you can check for a label or symbol on the item that indicates it is dishwasher safe.

This symbol typically features a plate or glass with water drops above it, while the label may include the text “dishwasher safe.”

Additionally, some pots and pans may have the dishwasher-safe symbol engraved on the handle.

Another way to check is to see if the manufacturer has stated that the item is dishwasher safe, meaning that it has been treated during the production process to withstand the high temperatures and detergents used in a dishwasher cycle.

What Makes Something Not Dishwasher-Safe?

The material used to make the item can be a factor.

For instance, wood can crack or warp due to the high heat during the dishwasher cycle, while thin plastic can melt.

Secondly, some non-stick cookware and ceramic pots and pans may not hold up well in the dishwasher, as the detergents can wear down their coatings over time.

It’s also important to keep cast iron pots, pans, and skillets out of the dishwasher, as the detergents and water pressure can cause them to rust and strip away their seasoning oils.

What Happens If I Put an Item That Isn’t Dishwasher-safe In the Dishwasher?

The high heat and water pressure can cause damage to the item, such as warping, cracking, or melting. The item’s finish or coating may also come off, and its design may fade or scrape off.

Adding non-dishwasher-safe items to the dishwasher can also cause damage to the dishwasher itself, such as clogging the drain or damaging the spray arm.

What’s the Difference Between Dishwasher-Safe and Dishwasher-Proof?

The terms “dishwasher-safe” and “dishwasher-proof” can be a little confusing.

In general, “dishwasher-safe” means that an item can be washed in the dishwasher without being damaged or causing damage to the dishwasher itself.

On the other hand, “dishwasher-proof” often means that an item is not only safe to wash in the dishwasher, but it is also specifically designed to withstand the high heat, water pressure, and detergents used in a dishwasher cycle.

Does the Dishwasher Safe Symbol Always Look the Same?

The dishwasher-safe symbol can vary depending on the manufacturer and the country, but it usually depicts a plate or glass with water drops above it.

Some symbols may also include the wording “dishwasher safe” or other related text.

It’s important to check the packaging or the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm if an item is dishwasher-safe, as some manufacturers may use their own symbols or labels to indicate this.

Confusion over Dishwasher Safe Logos

Unlike some other areas of the kitchen, there isn’t a single Dishwasher Safe logo to reliably look for and locate.

It differs from other standards where a standards body has usually developed a recognisable logo that is added to the design (or, at least, to the packaging) to confirm the status. This creates a bit of a dilemma for people.

Locating a Dishwasher Safe Logo

To find a dishwasher safe logo or symbol:

• Pots and pans – Inspect the handle because this the most likely place where a symbol will be located
• Plates and dishes – The undersides are the best place to look
• Packaging – The original product packaging might confirm it

Dishwasher Safe Under Certain Circumstances

It’s possible to have an item that’s suitable only for the top shelf of a freestanding or integrated dishwasher. Some symbol versions are indicating this.

Conversely, pots and pans often only fit on the bottom shelf or basket of the dishwasher. Common sense needs to be applied here (there may not be a recognisable symbol indicating this).

It’s also necessary to appreciate on a general basis what types of items are okay in the dishwasher and those that are not. This way, with or without any symbol, you’ll probably be doing the right thing.

Now let’s take a look at the different items and see if they can be dishwashed or not…

Are The Following Items Dishwasher Safe?

Pots and Pans

Verdict: Safe if it’s Steel, otherwise best to avoid the dishwasher.

Deciphering what’s dishwasher safe with your pots and pans is tricky. Most won’t have any symbol on the long-discarded product box and likely won’t have any symbols relating to this on the product either.

Steel Pans

A steel pan or cooking pot might be dishwasher safe.

The points of note are whether it has a handle or something else that may change that. Is there any symbol on the handle itself?

Does it have aluminium mixed in or some other materials that might get scratched?

Cast Iron Pans

Cast iron is not dishwasher safe regardless if you can find a symbol or not.

The protective seasoning applied to a cast iron pan will be lost if washing it in the dishwasher. It will also rust out too.

Non-stick Pans

A non-stick pan is coated with a protective coating that lets food glide around easily during the cooking process. Just like with cast iron, this will be ruined if the pan is placed in the dishwasher.

Aluminium Pans

A lightweight aluminium pan will scratch in a dishwasher due to the corrosive nature of the cleaning solution(s) used.

This also applies to aluminium colanders, sieves, or cheese graters.

Note: Cutlery, when made from stainless steel, is generally safe in the dishwasher.

Cookware and Bakeware

Verdict: Most likely safe.

Here we’re referring to things like clear Pyrex bowls, jugs and so forth. Also, other similar items typically placed in the oven to cook a pasta bake dish, etc.

If it’s something similar to Pyrex, then it’s usually dishwasher safe. These types of cookware are quite good at making that fact clear.

Cooking trays and cake trays perhaps to make cupcakes, however, may be produced using aluminium, are too flimsy, and so won’t likely be suitable.

Ceramics

Verdict: Safe.

Dishware ceramics such as plates and bowls are produced in a certain way which makes them safe in the dishwasher.

Their durability is extended through their manufacturing process. Also, they usually received a glaze finish which helps with that too.

China Mugs

Verdict: Safe, but beware the decoration!

You might think that a china coffee mug is perfectly safe in a dishwasher.

Well, sure, the mug itself will survive simply fine!

However, the image on the side is vacuum-sealed to stay in place and won’t survive the strong detergent and cleaning action.

Think of it a bit like a t-shirt being washed at high temperature in the washing machine where the logo on the front gets slowly worn away or fades over time. It’s basically the same thing with the vacuum seal on a coffee mug to protect its design.

Wooden Chopping Boards

Verdict: Don’t place in the dishwasher.

Wood has several issues in the dishwasher making it something to wash by hand.

It will change size and shape from the humidity and heat levels during a dishwashing cycle.

Also, if it’s intended to be a flat, usable surface like a chopping block, it likely will get scratched all to hell leaving it looking far less beautiful.

Crystal and Glassware

Verdict: Add glasses, but avoid high quality crystal glassware.

Crystal glassware should never be placed in the dishwasher.

With glassware, the tougher ones that should survive will likely be fine. However, the more delicate the item, the more risk it is. Nevertheless, the slower production rate helps to make the glass tougher than it looks considering how thin glasses usually are.

Some of the higher quality dishwashers (like Miele and Bosch) have a special glass protection feature.

Plastics

Verdict: Mixed opinions.

Plastics is a difficult one.

Tupperware if carefully produced may indeed be dishwasher safe, however, that’s quite unusual. There will commonly be indicators of this.

Nevertheless, in general, plastics haven’t been treated to handle higher temperature washes. They’re often not strong, on the thin side, and will warp or break under heat and pressure.

Inferior plastic products may also contain chemicals (especially older ones) which a dishwasher can cause to leak from the finished product.

To this end, it certainly makes sense to replace any plastics in the kitchen with Phthalate and BPA free versions. However, it’s still probably ill-advised to put plastics in the dishwasher anyway.

Ultimately, it requires a bit of amateur sleuthing and an ample dose of common sense to know all the items that are dishwasher safe and those that are not – there won’t always be a logo or symbol to rely upon (especially for older items).

Kitchen Knives

Verdict: Avoid if you want to keep them sharp!

You may think kitchen knives mistakenly go in the dishwasher because forks and knives go in, but what’s important with kitchen knives is that they need to maintain their sharp edge for cutting.

When putting good quality chef knives into the wash, it blunts that edge requiring re-sharpening them every time. Don’t do it!

Dishwasher safe symbol UK?

The dishwasher-safe symbol in the UK is not officially regulated, so it can vary depending on the manufacturer.

However, the symbol typically features a plate or glass with water droplets above it, and it may also include the wording “dishwasher safe” or other related text.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to assume that all glassware is dishwasher safe?

No, not all glassware is dishwasher-safe. Some delicate or antique glassware may be damaged by the high heat and water pressure of a dishwasher cycle.

What does it mean if an item doesn’t have a dishwasher-safe symbol?

If an item doesn’t have a dishwasher-safe symbol, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it can’t be washed in the dishwasher.

However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and hand wash the item to avoid any potential damage.