You're Better Off Putting These 11 Items in the Trash Than the Dishwasher

Owning a dishwasher for the first time feels like a miracle until you start pulling out warped wood and shattered heirlooms. The temptation to shove every dirty dish into the rack is strong, but that convenience comes with a high price if you aren't careful. Those scorching temperatures and high-pressure water jets are great for sanitizing plates, but they are absolute poison for your more sensitive kitchen gear. Porous materials like wood will crack, and delicate glass can easily succumb to the thermal shock and vibration. Even worse, that "deep clean" will dull your expensive chef's knives and strip the finish right off your favorite pans. Essentially, if you value the longevity of your tools, you have to stop treating the dishwasher like a one-size-fits-all solution. Before you slam the door on your next load, take a second to filter out the casualties. Your high-end cutlery and seasoned cookware are better off in the sink. Here are the items you should never, under any circumstances, trust to the machine. 11 things your dishwasher will destroy 1. Insulated mugs Insulated mugs can be damaged by the pressure from a dishwasher. The high heat and pressure of a dishwasher can damage or break the vacuum seal that makes these insulated vessels effective. Instead, wash them by hand using warm water and soap. 2. Wooden cutting boards Always air-dry a wood board on its side for at least an hour before storing it. Wood cutting boards can become damaged after even one cycle through the dishwasher. Hot water can cause even the strongest wood to warp, bend, crack or split. While plastic and stone cutting boards can typically be handled in the dishwasher, wooden slabs should be washed by hand and dried thoroughly on their side. Read our guide to wooden cutting board care for more. 3. Wine glasses Wine glasses and other thin pieces of barware should be hand washed to avoid breaking. Ninety % of wine glasses are not dishwasher safe. If you have thick, sturdy glasses, they may fare OK, but thin and delicate wine glasses are likely to break. Instead, wash them by hand and be sure to rinse them well so there's no soapy residue messing with your next wine's balanced bouquet. 4. Kitchen knives Always wash good cutlery by hand. If you've got a sharp chef's knife and want to keep it that way, keep it out of the dishwasher. Not only will extended soaking in hot water compromise the blade's edge, but the dishwasher could also cause your knife to clank about and knock into other items, which will ding and dull the blade. Here's a list of other bad habits that are ruining your knives . 5. Antiques, porcelain and fine China Delicate China and porcelain are susceptible to breakage. Antique cookware, bakeware, and glassware aren't good candidates for the dishwasher. Even if it's labeled "dishwasher-safe," it's age may have compromised a once rugged integrity, making it prone to chipping or cracking. If you have...

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