Dishes that Should Be Washed by Hand
So what kind of dishes should always be washed by hand?
Wooden items
Whether it’s a wooden salad bowl, wooden spoons, or a wooden handled Le Creuset saucepan, wood has no business being run through a dishwasher. The prolonged exposure to water and heat can cause the wood to expand, shrink, and dry out. Those wooden salad bowls and handles should always be wiped down with a clean cloth. Wooden spoons can be washed briefly in warm, sudsy water and allowed to air dry.
Cast iron
Cast iron, such as frying pans, corn pone, and aebleskiver pans will rust if washed in an automatic dishwasher. These pans are best wiped out with a dry paper cloth, then wiped again with cooking oil.
Sterling Silver and Silver plate
At $500 or more a place setting, I wouldn’t even risk ruining sterling silver tableware in the dishwasher. While the antique pieces are best washed by hand, most manufacturers tell us it is perfectly fine to run newer pieces through the dishwasher. Do read the manufacturer’s instructions before washing since instructions do seem to vary by company. Most manufacturers agree however, that sterling should never been washed in combination with stainless steel cookware or tableware.
Pewter
Pewter of any type can not be washed in a dishwasher. The high temperatures and other materials the pewter can come into contact with can dull the finish and create deep pits in the metal.
Antique glassware and crystal
Antique glassware, decorative glassware, satin glass, crystal stemware, and milk glass should never be placed in a dishwasher. The high temperatures of the heating element can crack the glass and ruin silver bands and decorative paint. An additional thing to consider is that the motion of spraying water may knock delicate glassware around, causing them to break.
On general principal, I’ve discovered that most glassware really doesn’t do well in a dishwasher. In addition to ruining decorative finishes and possibly cracking, the abrasives found in dishwashing detergent can scratch the glass surface. This scratching is what turns glasses cloudy with time. For Great Aunt Martha’s vintage stemware, hand washing will keep those glasses sparkling.
Cutlery and Bone Handled tableware
The very abrasives that scratch glassware can also dull knives over time. While some manufacturers suggest that their knives are dishwasher safe, the truth is that most knives aren’t safe for dishwashers! Knives can ruin the plastic coated racks and baskets, and a rogue knife can even pierce the dishwasher liner. Some folks suggest placing knives in the utensil basket point up, however, this practice is an accident waiting to happen. Hand washing is really the safest practice when it comes to washing knives.
Cutlery with a bone or antler handle should never be washed in an automatic dishwasher. The heat will destroy the bone and bleach it white.
Plastics and Bakelite
Most Tupperware plastics are dishwasher safe on the top rack, away from the heating element. For vintage plastics, such as Bakelite and pre 1970s Melamine or Melmac, Lustroware, and other poly styrenes, these should all be washed by hand. These vintage plastics can not take the prolonged exposure to heat and water, and will melt, fade or crack.
Fine China
Delicate porcelain and fine china must also be washed by hand. Like the vintage stemware, the extreme heat and water jet action can cause fine china to break. For decorative dishes, the abrasives in the detergent can remove hand painted designs and metallic trims.
Electrical appliances
You would think most people realize that an electrical appliance can never be run through a dishwasher. My roommate in college once threw an electric skillet in the dishwasher, thinking the electrical components were water tight. Whether it has a removable cord or not, appliances should always be washed by hand, taking great care not to submerse the plug-in unit.
Dishwashers are terrific, time saving appliances but unfortunately can’t be used for washing everything in the kitchen. They can be safely used for everyday dishes and drinking glasses, casseroles, saucepan and stainless tableware. When it comes to family collectibles however, it’s best to wash these items by hand.
