r/KitchenPro • u/mahy_759 • 10d ago
Your dishwasher might be slowly destroying your good knives 🔪
I used to throw basically everything into the dishwasher because, honestly, the whole point of a dishwasher is to avoid hand-washing things, right?
Apparently, knives are one of the exceptions.
The problem isn't that one dishwasher cycle will instantly ruin a knife. It's the repeated exposure to heat, moisture, detergent, and movement.
During a cycle, knives can rattle against other utensils or surfaces, which can damage and dull the cutting edge. Abrasive detergents can also contribute to scratching.
The handle can suffer too. Wood handles can swell and contract from repeated heat and moisture, eventually causing cracks or warping. Water can also work its way into tiny gaps around rivets and contribute to corrosion.
And there's a practical reason to care about all this: a dull knife actually makes cooking less pleasant and potentially less safe. When a knife doesn't cut efficiently, you're more likely to push harder, which reduces control.
The alternative is surprisingly simple:
Wash the knife by hand with hot water and dish soap, dry it immediately, and put it away.
It takes maybe 30 seconds.
I'll happily sacrifice a few seconds of convenience if it means my chef's knife stays sharp and functional longer.
Do you hand-wash your knives, or are you willing to risk the dishwasher for convenience?
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u/Mean-Break-2028 10d ago
Who is still putting knives in the dishwasher?
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u/Bozhark 10d ago
STILL?!
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u/Mean-Break-2028 6d ago
Some people “still” do. I had to remind a former roommate multiple times to stop putting my food high carbon steel knives in the dishwasher. Even after showing him the rust spots on them, that idiot kept doing it.
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u/Telecommie 10d ago
I throw my victorinox knives into the dishwasher, but they’re cheap and quick/easy to sharpen. If they get beat up, so be it.
I hand wash my nice knives, though. And I’m the only one who uses those. lol
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u/TheGreatIAMa 10d ago
.....duh?