Mother-in-law put my knife in the dish washer

Gadgetman7 said:
I am curious. I know that handles can be ruined and dishwashers can cause rust but how does it affect the temper of the blade?
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It does not ruin the temper of the blade, unless your dishwasher is in hell, or your knife is made of dried out play-dough.





I have knives that are not dishwasher safe.................is that a "FAIL"?

Wood, Bone, Stag are all a no go in the dishwasher. Carbon steel? Yup, no go in the dish washer.

In fact, just about any knife worth owing should not go in the dishwasher. Even my knives that are not going to be really hurt by the dishwasher are not going in the dishwasher.

I guess all my knives are "FAIL"

Here, let me add a few ##### to my post, that is what the hip kids are doing these days.

#knives#don'tputinthedishwasher#.......... (did that work help you understand?)
 
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I think I can help you.
Get a few rolls of the self-adhesive "rescue tape" (i.e. http://tinyurl.com/pdkcuex) and place a piece on every item they are likely to guess at when putting it away.
Then put a similar colored piece on the cabinet door all around your kitchen.
When they come over and inquire, you just tell them your kitchen items are color coded for them. You too can be "helpful". ;-)

They'll get the hint.

Joe Duder said:
You should have told your wife about the no dishwasher policy.

However...

My in-laws come over and insist on cleaning up after a meal. Like, they kinda give a passive aggressive attitude about it. So I usually take the bottle of brandy and chat it up, with my father-n-law. Well, for days after they leave I'm wondering where stuff is. If they (my mother and sister-n-laws) don't know where something goes, they just make their own place for it in my shelves and cupboards. I've discussed this with my wife because sometimes their ideas of how my kitchen should be arranged gets a little ridiculous, but my wife refuses to say anything. I can't say I blame her, it's her family and they're helping out. But if you insist on helping perhaps asking "where does this go", before placing the bisquick in with my china, or asking "Is this dishwasher safe..." would be better than just assuming. I think they call that being courteous and respectful.
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In summary: You screwed up!

Try being uncharacteristically understanding
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Lol,gotta go with the Wife on this one
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Yup-your bad on this one
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Sounds like a tempest in a tea cup
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The silver lining:

now you get to buy a brand new "dishwasher safe" knife!! You should thank her
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take the opportunity to order a better knife of your choosing
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An excellent opportunity/excuse for buying a custom kitchen knife
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Get yourself a better knife and you will come out ahead
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Being more than proficient at sharpening and a knife-nut for over 30 years, I've still put a lot of variously priced STAINLESS knives in dishwashers and while it is not recommended, the abrasive-detergent-thing and some hot water is honestly nothing to worry about; since your cutting board and any normal use will abrade an edge quicker than any detergent and the hot water doesn't seem to ruin the temper noticeably at least. Yes, you'll get discolorations, swollen wood handles and if the knife is not secured in place you'll get a banged up and dulled edge, but not a ruined knife due to less than boiling heat or any detergent. If detergents were that abrasive or otherwise terrible, a lot of expensive porcelain, eating utensils and glass would get ruined too, which they typically don't. Secure the knife in the dishwasher safely so that no one unbeknownsed to the fact that there is a hellishly sharp knife in the dishwasher will get injured and you, others, your knife and your dishwasher will be fine. A sharp edge will also cut the plastic coating in a diswasher rack though, which will expose any metal underneath to the water, which in turn will cause rusting and decay, so secure that sharp knife for everyones safety! Or, you could just wash it by hand if it proves to difficult to keep track of everything. It is worth mentioning that most high-end dishwashers have special racks for knives in them... so go figure. Just don't put any carbon steel knives in there or they will oxidize like crazy.
 
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stoffi said:
Being more than proficient at sharpening and a knife-nut for over 30 years, I've still put a lot of variously priced knives in dishwashers and while it is not recommended, the abrasive-detergent-thing and some hot water is honestly nothing to worry about; since your cutting board and any normal use will abrade an edge quicker than any detergent and the hot water doesn't seem to ruin the temper noticeably at least. Yes, you'll get discolorations, swollen wood handles and if the knife is not secured in place you'll get a banged up and dulled edge, but not a ruined knife due to less than boiling heat or any detergent. If detergents were that abrasive or otherwise terrible, a lot of expensive porcelain, eating utensils and glass would get ruined too, which they typically don't. Secure the knife in the dishwasher safely so that no one unbeknownsed to the fact that there is a hellishly sharp knife in the dishwasher will get injured and you, others, your knife and your dishwasher will be fine. A sharp edge will also cut the plastic coating in a diswasher rack though, which will expose any metal underneath to the water, which in turn will cause rusting and decay, so secure that sharp knife for everyones safety! Or, you could just wash it by hand if it proves to difficult to keep track of everything. It is worth mentioning that most high-end dishwashers have special racks for knives in them... so go figure.
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This sounds like the most real world non OCD truth. And to be blunt if you don't want those nice knives going in the dishwasher just assume the other person will toss it in there so wash it by hand yourself. The other suggestion that was good was to get a "nice knives" drawl or something like that and have a rule of if you use on of these they are used for food prep and hand wash only like that person said.

Beyond that let go of your anger she tried to help and you flipped out and are mad due to a mistake was made. A mistake that only really applies to knife enthusiasts and chefs with high end cutlery would probably care about. No ill intentions were there and this isn't widespread knowledge on knives so let it go $40 isn't worth creating a bad tension between you and your wife and her mother.
 
davek14 said:
1. Buy a new knife
2. You have a new knife *and* a beater
3. Apologize for losing your temper
4. She won't do it anymore, nor will your wife.



OK, here's what you want........ You're right. Of course you're right, no question. You're wife knows you're right but it's her mom. Now do you want the best outcome or to prove you're right?
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Wrong! They will keep doing it because they are not interested in your problem. We don't use our dishwasher, so that won't be a problem, but I have told my wife over and over and over
not to put a knife point up in the cup on the dish rack. If I don't do the dishes, she will invariably put a sharp knife in the cup handle first. Last night she put my 8" chef knife in the cup
point up. I asked her why she did that. She said that it wouldn't stay in the cup point first. :rolleyes: So what don't you wipe it off and put in the block? Really! I'm supposed to do that?
It's hopeless. Just make sure that you have a knife that they can use and get to the good knives before anyone else does.
 
In the OP's case it seemed to be an oversight. I would guess he has made his point. If not, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Of course you can catch the most with horse manure and I'm full of that.:rolleyes:


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UffDa said:
Wrong! They will keep doing it because they are not interested in your problem. We don't use our dishwasher, so that won't be a problem, but I have told my wife over and over and over
not to put a knife point up in the cup on the dish rack. If I don't do the dishes, she will invariably put a sharp knife in the cup handle first. Last night she put my 8" chef knife in the cup
point up. I asked her why she did that. She said that it wouldn't stay in the cup point first. :rolleyes: So what don't you wipe it off and put in the block? Really! I'm supposed to do that?
It's hopeless. Just make sure that you have a knife that they can use and get to the good knives before anyone else does.
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Request permission to date.
 
Dish washers don't get hot enough to take your temper out of your knife steel.I let my wife abuse everything i make.The kitchen is a tough place.If your knife won't stand up to it buy something tougher and use the junker for a abuse knife and the new one for serious use.Oh my mother in law was one of the best women I ever met. so keep the peace .Tell her how sorry you are.No knife is worth that much it's just a piece of steel with some handles on it. It can be replaced easily.But peace in your home is priceless
 
Ok, thanks for your comments. I didn't speak with the mil. I will say the knife has an extremely thin hollow grind. The edge was ruined. This knife was washed and dried by me and then placed in the dishwasher by the mil. We already don't get along which is probably my real issue.
 
HotSteel said:
I totally agree with this. How would she know, unless you told her before ? Cleaning knives in the dishwasher is SOP.

This is your fault, not hers.

Please apologize to your wife for making your wife feel bad. :cool:

In my house I have a separate drawer for the "good" knives (mostly Victorinox) and another drawer for the knives we acquired before I got into knives.

Some of the Omaha Steaks specials include a cheap cutting board and a set of about six kitchen knives. I think I've seen the same set at a discount store for $6. I've got two of those sets. :grumpy:

The "good" drawer has a horizontal knife rack (holds 6 or 8) that keeps the knives from banging into each other.

The rules are: 1) Do not use the knives in the "good" drawer for anything other than food preparation. No cutting cardboard with them. 2) Always hand wash the knives from the "good" drawer as soon as you are done with them and return them to the good drawer. 3) If you're not willing to hand wash the knives immediately after using them, then take a knife from the other knife drawer.

Surprisingly, this has worked out. I think it has helped keep the good knives to stay sharp longer, because I always use those and I'm the one who on the weekend prepares food for grilling outside and a few things we cook inside. If I can't have sharp knives available when I cook (I also sharpen all the knives) then I will either hide the good knives or let someone else cook. I cook about once every three weeks outside of barbecue season and about once a week during barbecue season.

Interestingly, they almost always choose a knife from the cheap knife drawer.
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I use similar strategy and seem to work well. I even sharpen their 'cheap drawer' knives albeit only to revive some working edges, no refinement, thank you ;).
All the good/customs are hand washed & stored right away by my wife everytime she cooks:) She now appreciates good sharp edges:D
 
Resharpen the knife. Be nicer to your mother-in-law. Your wife will be happier and so will you.
 
LibbyD said:
I think I can help you.
Get a few rolls of the self-adhesive "rescue tape" (i.e. http://tinyurl.com/pdkcuex) and place a piece on every item they are likely to guess at when putting it away.
Then put a similar colored piece on the cabinet door all around your kitchen.
When they come over and inquire, you just tell them your kitchen items are color coded for them. You too can be "helpful". ;-)

They'll get the hint.
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Tried it dude, my kitchen ended up looking like a "skittles, taste the rainbow" commercial.

Being helpful ain't my thang.
 
Crackcase said:
Ok, thanks for your comments. I didn't speak with the mil. I will say the knife has an extremely thin hollow grind. The edge was ruined. This knife was washed and dried by me and then placed in the dishwasher by the mil. We already don't get along which is probably my real issue.
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You're wife is caught between two people she loves who are fighting.

I'm getting pretty preachy here so I'll preface by saying I also have a temper and could end up feeling like you are if I was in the same situation. But in those moments when you have perspective remember to be kind. Kind to the wife, not the MIL.

Ya know the wifey can make you happy too.
 
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Crackcase said:
Ok, thanks for your comments. I didn't speak with the mil. I will say the knife has an extremely thin hollow grind. The edge was ruined. This knife was washed and dried by me and then placed in the dishwasher by the mil. We already don't get along which is probably my real issue.
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Resharpen knife and apologize to wife. Maybe the reason you and your MIL don't get along is she sees this type of behavior in you. She probably wonders how her daughter is being treated on a daily basis. For a fifty dollar knife I would just re sharpen it, now becomes a beater kitchen knife. After 38 yrs of marriage ( to same woman) I can tell you one thing they remember incidences like this and your response to them. I never really got along with my MIL either, however I always took the high ground and it paid dividends in my relationship,with the wife, my two cents.
 
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