My friend loaded stainless in a dishwasher, and this happened…

[EngrSorenson]

He put his three brand new Dexter Russell knives in the dishwasher last night and told me this morning that 2/3 of them rusted. These are the dex steel, which I’ve never had a problem with, and I find it odd only 2/3 had this problem.

I don’t put knives in the dishwasher, I’m a little superstitious about it, but it’s hard to imagine these knives rusting. They’re a feature of many professional kitchens where I imagine they get pretty neglected.

The fact that his bread knife came out just fine made me question if something else happened, like maybe they ground carbon steel shortly before grinding the other two stainless on the same grinder. I’ve heard of carbon steel imbedding in stainless and rusting. Note the strange pattern in the rust… not uniform across the blade.

He’s gonna call them and see what they say. For S’s and G’s I told him I’d “ask the forum what they thought”. So what do you think?

 

[dirc]

wow, that doesn't seem like stainless at all.... don't they use something close to 4116? ... it should be much more resistant

 

[EngrSorenson]

wow, that doesn't seem like stainless at all.... don't they use something close to 4116? ... it should be much more resistant

I’m not sure what it is, but in my opinion the stuff’s pretty fool proof. I felt so bad because I talked up the product. I even went to the factory store with him and helped him pick them out.

I guess every company is allowed to have a bad day, so I’m hoping they make good on it.

 

[Danke42]

Who's he suing? The dishwasher folks, the soap maker, or the city water? Or is he throwing the blanket over everyone?

 

[EngrSorenson]

Who's he suing? The dishwasher folks, the soap maker, or the city water? Or is he throwing the blanket over everyone?

I told him go for anyone with a dime to their name. This isn’t over until he owns the factory.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Or… whatever you Canadians use. Canada dimes.

#highCulture

 

[Lesknife]

Only thing I’ve seen to do something like that is using bleach or a detergent with vocs. Depending on the knife blade elements and Using heated water there can be reactions with some chemicals. That’s why I hand wash my knives as the manufacture suggests.

 

[Lesknife]

Also stainless doesn’t mean rust proof depending on what particular stainless it is. Some are more corrosion resistant than others.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Only thing I’ve seen to do something like that is using bleach or a detergent with vocs. Depending on the knife blade elements and Using heated water there can be reactions with some chemicals. That’s why I hand wash my knives as the manufacture suggests.

Yeah, I’m just surprised they wouldn’t say that in their actual rationale for hand washing.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Also stainless doesn’t mean rust proof depending on what particular stainless it is. Some are more corrosion resistant than others.

Yeah, tatonka, but 2 knives rusting and one not? They’re supposedly made from the same stuff. You have to admit this is weird.

 

[toker]

Sometimes a forced patina doesn't turn out the way you were hoping.

 

[sadmin]

if the detergent has any type of lemon scent or lemon anything, its death on metals.

 

[Sharpoholic]

Detergent and steam combined basically creates a rust accelerator. Some quick research shows ”dex steel” is medium carbon so putting them in the dishwasher isn’t exactly the brightest idea. One of the knives not rusting probably has to do with where it was placed in the dishwasher.

 

[Danke42]

Or… whatever you Canadians use. Canada dimes.

#highCulture

We call them "Blueies".

 

[nhobo]

A search reveals that this is not an uncommon problem. DEXSTEEL is mystery meat.

 

[Deino]

They’re a feature of many professional kitchens where I imagine they get pretty neglected.

Hmm, I disagree with this. Professionals do use knives more often than average, but I believe that they know what they do and they usually use the right tool for the right job, even if some use the auto sharpener for the sake of convenience.

 

[brownshoe]

Maybe the dishwasher wasn’t working properly and did not rinse off the soap.

 

[Ourorboros]

Also stainless doesn’t mean rust proof depending on what particular stainless it is. Some are more corrosion resistant than others.

It's really "stains less" instead of "stainless" as in "without stain".

 

[DocJD]

He put his three brand new Dexter Russell knives in the dishwasher last night and told me this morning that 2/3 of them rusted. These are the dex steel, which I’ve never had a problem with, and I find it odd only 2/3 had this problem.

I don’t put knives in the dishwasher, I’m a little superstitious about it, but it’s hard to imagine these knives rusting. They’re a feature of many professional kitchens where I imagine they get pretty neglected.

The fact that his bread knife came out just fine made me question if something else happened, like maybe they ground carbon steel shortly before grinding the other two stainless on the same grinder. I’ve heard of carbon steel imbedding in stainless and rusting. Note the strange pattern in the rust… not uniform across the blade.

He’s gonna call them and see what they say. For S’s and G’s I told him I’d “ask the forum what they thought”. So what do you think?

Some reviews on Amazon report dishwasher rust problems with this brand .

 

[Elgatodeacero]

I would run them through the clothes washer on gentle, then put them in the dryer on hi heat.