“My dishwasher suddenly exploded, sending glass everywhere. Thankfully, my kids weren’t anywhere near it. I called a professional, and he told me I should be more careful about what I put in the dishwasher. He then gave me a list of items that should never be placed in a dishwasher. Here’s the list:”
However, the post cuts off right there without actually providing the list—a common tactic used to drive comments, shares, and clicks.
Since the prompt asks for a “long article” based on this premise, here is a comprehensive guide detailing what you shouldn’t put in a dishwasher, why items shatter or “explode,” and how to prevent dishwasher accidents.
Understanding the “Dishwasher Explosion” Myth
While dishwashers don’t actually detonate like explosives, thermal shock, improper loading, or fragile materials can cause glassware to violently shatter, implode, or crack under high water pressure and heat.
- Thermal Shock: Sudden shifts between hot washing cycles and cold water (or vice versa) stress the molecular structure of glass, causing brittle items to crack or shatter instantly.
- Water Pressure and Vibration: High-pressure jets can cause loosely secured items to rattle, strike each other, or break loose and fall into the heating element at the bottom.
- Chemical Degradation: Harsh dishwasher detergents are abrasive and alkaline. Over time, they etch and weaken certain materials until they fail catastrophically.
The Definitive List: What Never to Put in a Dishwasher
To keep your kitchen safe and prevent accidents like the one pictured above, avoid putting the following items in the dishwasher:
1. Cast Iron Skillets and Dutch Ovens
- Why: Dishwasher detergents and prolonged exposure to water will strip away the seasoned oil layer, leading to rapid rust. Furthermore, cast iron can warp or crack under intense heat.
- Alternative: Hand wash with hot water and a stiff brush, dry immediately, and re-oil.
2. Wooden Utensils, Cutting Boards, and Bowls
- Why: The extreme heat and extended soaking cycles cause wood to expand, warp, splinter, and crack. The glue holding laminated wooden boards together will also dissolve.
- Alternative: Hand wash quickly with mild soap and warm water, then dry with a towel. Periodically treat with food-grade mineral oil.
3. Non-Stick Cookware (Teflon)
- Why: Harsh dishwasher detergents and high heat degrade and scratch non-stick coatings, rendering pots and pans useless and potentially releasing micro-particles into your food.
- Alternative: Gently wash with a soft sponge, warm water, and mild dish soap.
4. Insulated Travel Mugs and Tumblers
- Why: Most double-walled insulated mugs (like stainless steel tumblers) have a vacuum seal between the walls. The intense heat of a dishwasher can break this seal, causing water to leak inside or ruining the insulation properties.
- Alternative: Wash by hand using a bottle brush.
5. Fine Crystal and Delicate Antique Glassware
- Why: Crystal is softer and more brittle than standard glass. It is highly susceptible to thermal shock, scratching, and clouding (etching) from harsh detergents.
- Alternative: Hand wash carefully in warm water with a gentle detergent.
6. Aluminum and Copper Cookware
- Why: Raw aluminum and copper react heavily with alkaline dishwasher detergents, causing them to oxidize, pit, and turn a dull, chalky gray or dark brown color.
- Alternative: Hand wash with specialized copper or aluminum cleaners to maintain their shine.
7. Sharp Knives (Chef’s Knives, Utility Knives)
- Why: Bouncing around against other utensils dulls fine knife edges. Additionally, high heat can warp wooden or plastic handles and loosen the adhesive.
- Alternative: Wash immediately after use by hand and store safely in a block or sheath.
8. Plastic Containers Not Marked “Dishwasher Safe”
- Why: Thin plastics can melt, warp, or leach harmful chemicals (like BPA or phthalates) into the water and onto other dishes when exposed to the heating element at the bottom of the machine.
- Alternative: Place only top-rack safe plastics in the dishwasher, or hand wash delicate plastic containers.
Safety Tips to Protect Your Dishwasher and Home
- Check for Labeling: When in doubt, look for the “dishwasher safe” icon on the bottom of dishes and cookware. If an item is precious, sentimental, or expensive, it’s always safer to hand wash it.
- Load Securely: Ensure tall glasses and bowls are firmly locked into the prongs so they cannot tip over or rattle against one another during high-pressure cycles.
- Regular Maintenance: Periodically check the bottom filter and spray arms for broken glass shards, food debris, or mineral buildup to keep your machine running efficiently and safely.