Can ceramic and metal knives be washed in the dishwasher?

You cannot wash knives in the dishwasher: this will render them unusable. There are several reasons for blade damage, and they all relate to the environment that occurs during washing in the dishwasher.

Reasons for damage to metal knives

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

No sharps compartment

Many dishwasher models do not have a special compartment for washing knives. If they come into contact with other metal utensils and dishes, they may not only become damaged and dull, but also leave scratches on neighboring objects.

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

Strong pressure and high water temperature

Another reason why the blade quickly becomes dull due to washing in the dishwasher is that the water pressure in the chamber is too intense. And although the instructions most often do not prohibit washing utensils with blades in the dishwasher, it is better not to do so. This way the service life will be significantly longer.

The thin blade of a kitchen knife can become deformed when exposed to hot water. The metal quickly becomes unusable.

Knife handles may also be damaged:

• wooden ones swell from high-temperature water and then crack when dry;
• plastic ones may crack over time.

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

Aggressive detergents

Aluminum rivets are often used to secure the handle of a kitchen knife. With prolonged exposure to an alkaline cleaning solution, they lose the oxide film that protects them from oxidation. After a few washes, the rivets may completely stop holding the handle and blade together.

Can ceramic blades be washed in the dishwasher?

There are several reasons for refusing to machine wash metal blades. But what about ceramic ones? They are less whimsical, but also less wear-resistant. If you use a ceramic blade continuously, it will become dull in less than a year. And after two, you can already throw it away, since it is almost impossible to sharpen it.

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

You cannot keep a ceramic blade dirty for long. It may lose color, especially if it is light-colored. Also, the blade can be stained by the juices of vegetables and fruits, which makes it difficult to wash.

How to properly wash knives?

To quickly wash a knife, you don’t have to use the dishwasher. You just need to follow a few recommendations:

• Try not to leave food residues drying on the blade. Then you just need to rinse it under running warm water and wipe it with a dry, clean towel.
• If the stain cannot be washed off immediately, you need to place the knife in a plate with hot water and detergent for no more than a couple of minutes. Afterwards, wash off any remaining dirt.
• Keep knives clean and dry and sharpen them regularly.
• All appliances need to be looked after, even those that are rarely used.

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

Tips for proper care

To ensure that knives last a long time, it is worth remembering the following rules for use and care:

• Use a separate device for each purpose. A fillet knife can be damaged by cutting bones. And a butter knife will be forever ruined by cutting fish.
• You need to store the knife in a box, wrapped in paper or cardboard. This way it will absorb excess moisture and the blade will not be damaged by other devices.
• It is better to use wooden and plastic cutting boards. Boards made of ceramics, glass, and marble wear out very quickly and damage the blade. The ideal option is thick paper or soft cardboard.
• It's simple and practical to store sharp utensils on a magnetic holder that can be mounted directly on the kitchen wall.

So, it is better not to wash either expensive professional or cheap Chinese knives in the dishwasher. The aggressive environment in the machine will quickly ruin any blade and handle. It’s easier, safer and faster to simply rinse the knife, wipe it with a dry cloth and put it away until next use.