What Is Dishwasher Safe Cookware?

Dishwashers have made modern living easy for many people. They can quickly and easily clean dishes, but they also can have their drawbacks. Placing certain types of cookware in dishwashers can increase the rate at which dishes break or otherwise deteriorate. Heat and rough cleaning agents can cause dishes made out of susceptible materials to break or peel. Dishwasher safe cookware is constructed out of materials that will not be damaged when washed in a dishwasher.

There is no doubt that using dishwashers can be an effective means of washing dishes. They can present problems, however, when non-dishwasher safe cookware is entered into the machine. The combination of heat and rough cleaning agents can be detrimental to dishes that have delicate surfaces that can tarnish or peel from the cookware. Continued exposure of non-dishwasher safe cookware to these cycles can result in extensive damage occurring to the cookware.

When looking for dishwasher safe cookware, consumers should stay away from cookware that is made of materials such as aluminum and non-enameled cast iron. Dishes that are marketed as nonstick cookware also should be avoided. There might be reasons why consumers would want to choose these types of dishes to cook with, but they are not suitable to be exposed to the harsh conditions of dishwashers. Placing dishes made out of these materials into dishwashers will increase the likelihood of damage.

Rather than choose any of the above types of cookware, consumers would do well to try cookware made out of stainless steel or enameled cast iron. Other materials that can withstand a dishwasher's conditions include copper, porcelain and stoneware. Though these materials have reputations for being durable, but they are not indestructible. Dishes made out of all these materials should still be handled with care by consumers who are interested in using their dishes for many years.

Dishwashers are known to consume energy, but statistics show that washing dishes in a dishwasher actually uses less water than if the same dishes were washed by hand. To conserve energy, one should try looking for dishwashers that have been certified as being energy-efficient. If consumers want to invest in a quiet model, they should search for dishwashers that come insulated. By buying dishwasher safe cookware and washing the dishes with the right type of dishwasher, consumers might be able to save a lot of time and extend the life of their cookware.