Stainless steel in the dishwasher: yes or no? Well, this depends on a few factors
The dishwasher is one of the most useful household appliances ever invented. It makes cleaning the dishes after meals much easier and helps us save time. But are you sure about what should not be put into a dishwasher?
What about stainless steel - is this metal dishwasher-safe?
Stainless steel in the dishwasher - yes or no?
Frank C. Müller/Wikimedia commons - CC BY-SA 2.5 DEED
Many of us love classic stainless steel pots and pans, as they do not discolor or get damaged and scratched easily over time. But can this cookware go into the dishwasher without running the risk of them getting rusted or damaged?
The answer in most cases is "yes". Steel is a robust material and holds up very well in high temperatures, exposed to water and "shocks" of all kinds. Items made entirely of stainless steel, therefore, will have no problems being washed in the dishwasher. These items are often stamped with the numbers 18/10, i.e. they have a chromium and nickel layering. This layering protects the cookware and ensures that the material does not corrode over time, even in the dishwasher.
But there are exceptions...
What should not be put in the dishwasher?
WestportWiki/Wikimedia commons - CC BY-SA 3.0 DEED
As stated, stainless steel is generally dishwasher-safe.That said, some pots and pans are not made entirely of stainless steel, but rather have alternating layers of aluminum and steel. Stamped 18/0, this cookware is more vulnerable to the rigours of machine-washing.
In high-quality 18/0 cookware, the aluminum will be completely sealed by the steel, but some joint spots and seams may still be imperfectly sealed/covered by the steel, making these items vulnerable.
How to make the distinction?
Determing which cookware items can go in the dishwasher and those that cannot is not difficult - just read the manufacturers' instructions that came with the product. These instructions will advise you on whether the item is dishwasher-safe or not.
Of course, you also need to pay attention as to whether or not your items of cookware have plastic and/or wooden parts (which are generally not dishwasher-safe).
Do you know which items of your cookware are dishwasher-safe (and those that aren't)?
