Which?’s dishwasher expert said you should never rinse your plates (Image: PA)
A dishwasher expert has issued two unusual rules about how to use your without increasing the chances of breaking it.
They are kitchen appliances that millions of people up and down the UK probably use every day without giving it much thought. But you could actually risk breaking your dishwasher – or the things you’re putting in it – if you don’t follow an expert’s rules. According to consumer magazine Which?, you should never rinse your plates before you put them in the dishwasher.
They said: “For some, the thought of not rinsing plates before loading them into the dishwasher will fill them with horror. But I never bother rinsing crockery – just scrape off any leftovers into the food bin and stick them straight in. Most dishwasher programs pre-rinse your dishes, so you won’t need to waste water (and money) by running them under the tap.
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“Modern, all-in-one dishwasher tablets are more than capable of taking on any mess thanks to a combination of powder and gel-based detergents.”
There are also three key item types you should never put in the dishwasher because they could end up broken.
Experts have warned that wooden spoons and chopping boards should not be put in the dishwasher. The water in the wood can swell and splinter them.
Sharp knives can also be dulled, while items with a non-stick coating, like non-stick saucepans and frying pans, can also have their non-stick coating destroyed by repeated cycles.
This is supported by home appliance manufacturer Bosch which says: “Non-stick pans shouldn’t be cleaned in the dishwasher. Salt, detergent together with the water pressure damage the coating and take the ‘non’ out of your non-stick pans.
“Sharp knives should be washed by hand as even one washing cycle can damage the blade and cause bluntness.
“Wood is better washed by hand. Not only can it warp at high temperatures, it swells when wet and can crack, creating an ideal place for bacteria to breed.”