Does Washing Pans in the Dishwasher Hurt Them?

Even though your dishwasher might have a pot and pan cycle, it's better if you don't use it to clean your cookware. Some of the materials used in the fabrication of pots, pans and other cookware are not dishwasher safe and don't react well with the new phosphate-free detergents. If you don't want to void the warranty on that expensive new set of pots and pans, read the manufacturer's label first. When in doubt, wash them by hand.

Nonstick Cookware

In July 2010, 17 states banned the use of phosphates in dishwasher detergents because of multiple environmental issues. Instead of making different detergents for those states, detergent manufacturers eliminated phosphates from all dish washing detergents. Phosphate-free dish detergents have a field day with nonstick cookware. Besides leaving pots, pans and flatware looking dull or black, phosphate-free dishwasher detergents can easily etch or pockmark the surface of nonstick cookware.

Cast Iron

Cast-iron cookware was never meant for the dishwasher. Once a cast-iron pan goes through the dishwasher, you'll have a difficult time removing the rust. Also, using cast-iron cookware effectively requires seasoning, or heating the pan and applying a light coating of oil to its cooking surface. Cast-iron pans require a quick washing, heat to dry and a coat of oil after each use; using the dishwasher to clean these pans removes the seasoning.

Stainless Steel Cookware

While stainless steel pots and pans might be considered safe for the dishwasher, repeated cleanings can leave the finish dull or marked. Don't overload the dishwasher with detergent, because in this case, more isn't better. When there's too much detergent in the dishwasher, it can't rinse the load completely and often leaves a dull finish on pots and pans. Follow the owner's care and use manual when loading your dishwasher.

Glass Pans

You can safely clean cookware made from glass or ceramics in the dishwasher. But unless the cookware has an opaque surface, repeated washings leave the glass looking dull. Before you wash glass or ceramic cookware, check the manufacturer's labels or care and use guides for warnings.

Other Pots and Pans

Washing hard-anodized aluminum, plain aluminum, copper-bottomed or porcelain enamel pots and pans in the dishwasher can immediately void their warranties. These pots and pans are cumbersome to begin with, and washing them in the dishwasher can damage them if they clank against other items, scratching or chipping them depending on the finish.

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