GoKawiilOwning 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 Darling Effect
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. David Watsky/CNET
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.
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