
Some things just don’t belong in the dishwasher. Your non-stick pans and plastic containers are, for the most part, no-gos. However, there’s another surprising kitchen tool that should also never go in the dishwasher.
Your kitchen knives should be hand washed and never run through a wash cycle, and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been making this mistake for quite some time now.
There are a few reasons why the dishwasher is bad for your knives. First, the appliance heats to high temperatures and when combined with the moisture inside, the steel of the knives can become damaged as can the knives’ handles. Then, there are the jets in your dishwasher. Because of their intense spray, the pressure can cause the knife to be rocked into other items damaging both those items and the blade itself. Follow this up with the way that detergents can dull or discolor knives, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
Cuisinart C55-12PCER1 Advantage Color Collection 12-Piece Knife Set with Blade Guards
Keep these colorful knives pristine with hand washing.
Since you can’t clean your knives in the dishwasher, that means you’ll need to handwash them. The best method is the classic route. Use warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge when they get dirty. Towel or air dry them and store as usual.
The next time you go to fill your dishwasher, skip the knives, and don’t forget that you shouldn’t be rinsing your dishes, either.
[Via Southern Living]