Can ceramic and metal knives be washed in a dishwasher?

You cannot wash the knives in the dishwasher: they become unusable from this. There are several reasons for damage to the blades, and they all relate to the environment that occurs when washing in the dishwasher chamber.

Causes of damage to metal knives

Most housewives use kitchen knives whose blades are made of steel. How can a dishwasher harm such a cook tool?

Lack of sharp objects

Many dishwasher models do not have a special compartment for washing knives. If they come in contact with other metal utensils and fridge, they can not only get damaged and become dull, but also leave scratches on adjacent objects.

Some dishwashers have this compartment. Most often it is located in the upper part of the unit, where hot water does not enter.

Strong head and high water temperature

Another reason that the blade quickly becomes dull due to washing in a dishwasher is because the pressure in the chamber is too intense. And although according to the instructions most often it is not forbidden to wash appliances with blades in the dishwasher, it is better to refuse this. So the service life will be much longer.

The thin blade of a kitchen knife may become deformed by exposure to hot water. Metal is quickly becoming unusable.

Knife handles may suffer:

• wooden swell from high temperature water, and then crack upon drying;
• plastic may crack over time.

It’s especially a pity to spoil expensive professional appliances in the dishwasher.

Aggressive detergents

Aluminum rivets are often used to fasten the handle of a kitchen knife. With prolonged exposure to an alkaline detergent solution, they lose an oxide film that protects against oxidation. After a few sinks, rivets can completely stop fastening the handle and blade.

Can ceramic blades be washed in a dishwasher?

There are several reasons for refusing to wash metal blades in a machine. But what about ceramic ones? They are less whimsical, but also less durable. If you constantly use a ceramic blade, it will become blunt in less than a year. And in two it can already be thrown out, since it is almost impossible to sharpen it.

Do not reduce the sharpness of the cutting edge by washing in a dishwasher. It is enough to simply wash it by wiping it with a damp cloth and then with a dry towel.

Do not keep the ceramic blade dirty for a long time. It can lose color, especially if it is light. Also, the blade can stain the juices of fruits and vegetables, which makes it difficult to wash.

How to wash knives?

To quickly wash the knife, it is not necessary to use a dishwasher. Only a few recommendations need to be followed:

• Try not to leave food debris dried on the blade. Then you just need to rinse it under a stream of warm water and wipe it with a clean dry towel.
• If the contamination could not be washed immediately, put the knife in a plate with hot water and detergent for no more than a couple of minutes. After - wash off the remaining dirt.
• Keep the knives clean and dry, sharpen on time.
• You need to take care of all devices, even those that are rarely used.

Following these simple rules will allow you to use knives for many years.

Proper Care Tips

For the knives to last for a long time, it is worth remembering the following rules for use and care:

• Use a separate device for each purpose. A knife for cutting meat fillet can be ruined by cutting bones. And the butter knife will be forever ruined by cutting fish.
• Keep the knife in a box by wrapping it with paper or cardboard. So it absorbs excess moisture, and the blade will not damage other devices.
• It is better to use wooden and plastic cutting boards. Boards made of ceramics, glass, marble very quickly wear out and spoil the blade. Ideal option - thick paper or soft cardboard.
• It is simple and practical to store sharp appliances on a magnetic holder that can be installed directly on the kitchen wall.

So, in a dishwasher it is better not to wash neither expensive professional nor cheap Chinese knives. Aggressive environments in the car will quickly ruin any blade and handle. It’s simpler, safer and faster to simply rinse the knife, wipe it with a dry cloth and remove until next use.