Even if you usually wash your dishes by hand, it can be so tempting to put the sticky, greasy, awkward-to-handle pans into the dishwasher. Yet the materials and variety of pan types can lead to a conundrum– are you ruining your cookware by letting your dishwasher do the dirty work for you?
The dishwasher is generally considered an unsafe way to wash pans unless otherwise indicated by the manufacturer. Stainless steel and glass can hold up to hot water and powerful cleaning agents and may be cleaned via dishwasher, while cast iron, copper, and nonstick pans are not safe because of their finishes
There isn’t a one size fits all answer for every pan in your cabinet, however. Cleaning techniques are fairly similar for most pans, but each type of material also lends itself to certain tips and techniques that keep your cookware working great for years.
What Type Of Pans Can You Put In the Dishwasher?
Stainless steel pans and glass pans used for baking are generally dishwasher safe, though their finishes can still be damaged by the heat and chemicals used. Manufacturers strongly recommend hand washing for other materials such as cast iron, aluminum, and nonstick coated pans to avoid damage.
Though stainless steel is generally safe in the dishwasher, be sure to check the hardware such as pins and screws immediately after the cleaning cycle. If there appears to be any moisture, dry by hand to avoid rust.
Regarding glass dishes, sometimes the harsh chemicals can dull the glass surface, so hand wash any pieces you want to keep pristine.
Aluminum pans are also sometimes okay to go in the dishwasher, though handwashing is recommended most of the time. You will want to check for a mark on the pan itself to confirm.
Aluminum can develop a dull finish from the cleaning compounds used in dishwasher detergent, so alternating between handwashing and washing in the machine is recommended.
This material is also easily scratched, so if you do decide to put them in the dishwasher the pans should be placed away from other dishes and utensils to avoid damage.
Pans made of ceramic, cast iron, or treated with a nonstick coating should never be put into the dishwasher. They will become damaged and unusable very quickly.
How Do You Know If a Pan Is Dishwasher Safe?
Typically stovetop pans have an engraving on the handle that indicates if it is safe to wash in the dishwasher. If not located there, it may appear on the bottom of the pan.
Baking pans and dishes also are often marked by engraving or a stamp to indicate what material they are made from and how they should be cleaned. This usually appears on the bottom toward the center of the dish.
Symbols to indicate whether pots and other dishes are dishwasher safe vary between manufacturers. Typically there will be a square that contains a simple drawing of dishes such as plates, utensils, or glasses along with something to indicate water such as drops or slash lines.
Some other symbols simply say “Dishwasher Safe”, while other manufacturers get more specific by telling you to place the pan either on the top or bottom rack.
Common sense can come in handy when there aren’t clear markings on your cookware. If pans have any kind of coating such as nonstick, the high temperature of the dishwasher will damage them and make them unsafe to use.
If you still can’t quite figure out if your pan belongs in the dishwasher or not, many manufacturers list cleaning instructions on their product pages. A quick search of the brand of the pot should yield an answer for you.
Do You Put Pans In the Dishwasher’s Bottom or Top Drawer?
Large cookware such as pots, pans, and casserole dishes should go on the bottom rack of your dishwasher. This lets the water and detergent get to the dishes at all angles.
Pay attention to where and how the water and detergent are distributed in your machine. While most dishwashers work with a similar system to allow water to thoroughly clean and rinse dishes, it is important to note how your system works specifically.
To allow the sprayer to work properly, load large items such as pots and pans to the sides of the bottom rack. If placed over the sprayer large items may prevent the water and detergent from getting to all the dishes.
Overloading the machine will also prevent thorough cleaning, so be sure to space out large items or run several loads.
Will a Dishwasher Damage Pans Immediately?
Some materials can survive and come back from an accidental round in the dishwasher while some can’t make it through the high heat and strong detergent.
Cast Iron pans should never go in the dishwasher. In fact, you should never use soap on cast iron at all– even when hand washing. It strips off the seasoning that gives cast iron its signature way of cooking.
The nonstick coating that makes many pans easy to use can be stripped off or damaged in the dishwasher. Other dishes or utensils alongside the pan may also cause damage by scratching the coating. Using pans with scratched nonstick coating is not recommended and may be tied to health problems.
Aluminum can become dull and easily scratched in the dishwasher. Also, due to a process called oxidation, aluminum may end up with a dark, powdery film that can also transfer to other dishes.
Aluminum is also used in many disposable pans, and while they are perfectly fine to reuse, putting them through the dishwasher will leave them bent and warped from the powerful water jets.
Copper pans will become tarnished quickly, and you may not be able to ever restore their previous brilliance. Expensive showpieces, copper pans should always be washed by hand.
How To Wash Pans That Can’t Go In the Dishwasher
For most pans, simply using dish soap, warm water, and a nylon sponge is the safest way to wash. If a lot of stuck-on food particles are still present, soaking for 20 minutes or so will help loosen up stubborn spots except in the case of cast iron. Dry pans immediately to avoid rust and water spots.
Here are some tips for specific pan types:
Stainless steel pans should come clean with a hot sink of soapy water and a regular kitchen sponge. If stubborn food particles still won’t come off, simply rub the spot with a few drops of olive oil and a paper towel until it releases.
Aluminum also benefits best from a simple soap and water bath. Fine grade steel wool or a green sponge can be used for tough stains, use in a back and forth motion as opposed to circular to avoid damage.
Nonstick pans should be treated with care as the coating is prone to scratching. Wash these pans in the sink one at a time, and never use abrasives on the nonstick surface.
Copper can be hand washed as normal, again avoiding abrasives because of the shiny surfaces that are easily scratched. If discoloration starts to occur, mix ¼ cup of white vinegar with 2 tablespoons of salt. Rub the solution onto the copper surface with the soft side of a sponge to brighten the metal.
Cast Iron should never sit in water as it rusts very quickly, therefore avoid soaking these pans. You should also never use soap on cast iron as it is porous and becomes stripped of the seasoning it has built up.
Key for cast iron is a stiff brush, plastic scrubby, or green sponge to help remove debris without damage. Steel wool should only be used if trying to remove rust from a pan that will be re-seasoned after cleaning.
Simply add hot water and scrub until clean, rinsing often. Be sure to thoroughly dry your cast iron by heating on the stove as well as drying with a towel by hand before rubbing in a thin layer of oil. This article offers more details on how to bring your cast iron back to life.
Whatever your preferred type of pan is, you want it to have as long of a lifetime as possible. The best way to ensure they last is to clean them properly. In the case of pans that usually means handwashing, with a few exceptions.
The best way to know you are caring for your cookware properly is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, so next time you pick up a new pan be sure to read over and save any pertinent care information you may need in the future.