My wife asserts that washing her knives in the dishwasher dulls the blades. I have never heard this from anyone else. She is a pretty bright woman but I disagree and think that it is nonsense. Is she right? Has anyone else heard of cutlery being dulled by automated dishwashing?
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Urban legend or reality?
- Thread starter berserk87
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well, actually , it could. there is such a thing as " hard " water. 
johnwaynesandw
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I am under the impression that the blades will get knocked around with other metal object (forks spoons ect.) which can dull them.
John
John
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Actually it's not a nonsense. Besides banging around, a sharp edge can get dull very quickly due to corrosion and dishwashers are pretty much corrosion machines. Hot air, hot water, chemicals. I've seen silverware with rust spots after dishwasher, and knives are a lot less stain resistant than those.
It may not be very visible for thicker edges or dull knives, which 99% of the kitchen knives are anyway, but the effect is there. It should become more apparent for non stainless steel.
It may not be very visible for thicker edges or dull knives, which 99% of the kitchen knives are anyway, but the effect is there. It should become more apparent for non stainless steel.
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There are companies that make special holders for kitchen knives to keep them from bangin' around and dulling the edges in a dishwasher, so if you just put your kitchen knives in the utensil basket to wash they will get dull eventually.
Why not give them the care they need and wash and dry 'em by hand.
Most midrange knives use natural materials for handles and these generally don't take well to dishwashers.
If you have higher end Chefs Knives knives than you know the answer, yes.
Finally if you have cheap kitchen cutlery which I'd be 80% of the population does anymore, than the directions on the box they came in is correct and they are dishwasher safe.
Why not give them the care they need and wash and dry 'em by hand.
Most midrange knives use natural materials for handles and these generally don't take well to dishwashers.
If you have higher end Chefs Knives knives than you know the answer, yes.
Finally if you have cheap kitchen cutlery which I'd be 80% of the population does anymore, than the directions on the box they came in is correct and they are dishwasher safe.
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I've heard that the dishwasher detergent can etch the edges and reduce their performance. I've never tested it. I won't ever test it. Probably urban legend.
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It is not the water, soap or heat that may dull your knives, it is the agitation of the dishwasher sprays that will knock your knives around and dull them. Even if you put them into individual baskets, the edges still get rattled against the sides of the basket.
BTW, it is a fact that dishwashers will remove hard anodized aluminum from pots, so any coatings and platings you have on the knife can be stripped (over time).
BTW, it is a fact that dishwashers will remove hard anodized aluminum from pots, so any coatings and platings you have on the knife can be stripped (over time).
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No knife deserves to be put in a dishwasher!
The prolonged heat&chemicals can't be good news for the steel and maybe the edge, as for the handles...it's sheer maltreatment. Manufacturers may claim knives are dishwasher-safe, yes safe for the dishwasher but not for the knife. Avoid.
The prolonged heat&chemicals can't be good news for the steel and maybe the edge, as for the handles...it's sheer maltreatment. Manufacturers may claim knives are dishwasher-safe, yes safe for the dishwasher but not for the knife. Avoid.
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Sorry, but it's not.
It's simple. They move around while the machine runs. That can't be argued, it's just a fact.
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Hand drying instead of drying in the dishwasher will save a lot. However, the rest(corrosion/oxidation) is very simple physics and chemistry.
Ankerson
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Back when I used to put them in the dishwasher I never put them in the basket, I would lay them edge up were the plates etc went. It never dulled them and they were cheap knives back then.
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well, actually , it could. there is such a thing as " hard " water.
You mean ice?
Ankerson
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Yes that much is true, you really have to watch what you use.
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I'd like to know how many knives you folks are using in a day that you need a dishwasher to get them clean.
Do you wait until the end of day after cutting up food, tires and boxes before you clean it?
**Please move to W&C where this can be answered appropriately.**
Do you wait until the end of day after cutting up food, tires and boxes before you clean it?
**Please move to W&C where this can be answered appropriately.
**