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Putting knives in the dishwasher

Reading Time: 6 minutes | Article from 27.5.2024

People often ask whether they can put sharp knives in the dishwasher. We explain why it is better to clean some kitchen knives by hand rather than in the dishwasher.

Some knives are better washed by hand.Knives can also go in the dishwasher.Why do the knives sometimes become blunt?

Content

At a glance

Sharp knives do not belong in the dishwasher.
High temperatures and harsh detergents blunt knives
Flatware baskets in the dishwasher are not recommended for high-quality knives.
Correct storage ensures that the knife blades are not damaged.

Some knives are better washed by hand.

As practical as a dishwasher is, it can be detrimental for kitchen knives. They lose their sharpness over time if you clean them in the dishwasher. In the worst case, they can even rust and become unusable, and both the blade and handle can be affected. It is very annoying if the beautiful wooden handle of your Villeroy & Boch steak knife suddenly cracks and splinters. But why does this happen? The aggressive detergents and salts, and the high temperature in the dishwasher, make the cutting edge porous and blunt, and more susceptible to rust. The moisture also causes wooden handles to swell and become brittle. It is therefore better to clean some knives by hand, with water and a mild dish soap.

High-quality kitchen knives do not belong in the dishwasher.

Do you put your high-quality knives in the dishwasher? Then you probably won't have your beautiful cutting tools for long. Although the damage is often not immediately visible, the dishwasher will dull your knives over time. The detergents in the machine attack the blades. They contain salts that contribute to corrosion and thus to wear and tear on the knife blade. As a result, knives will lose their sharpness and no longer look good. This is why it is advisable not to clean high-quality knives such as steak, meat, bread and serving knives in the dishwasher.

How to clean sharp knives properly

To prevent your sharp knives from being damaged in the dishwasher, it makes sense to clean them by hand. All you need for hand washing is warm water, a little dish soap and a dishcloth. Hold the kitchen knife briefly under the tap, rub the blade with dish soap and wash thoroughly.

Important: Do not use a brush, as this can scratch the surface of the blade.

It is best to clean your knives immediately after use. Acidic foods can also damage the blades. Dry them with a cloth immediately after cleaning to prevent limescale stains.

Heavy soiling or discoloration can be easily removed with toothpaste or a commercially available ceramic cooktop cleaner, which you might already have at home.

Storing kitchen knives correctly

Many people keep their knives in a drawer. However, the blades can knock into each other or rub against other objects, damaging the metal blade. The blades become scratched or blunt, or you may injure yourself when taking them out. It is therefore advisable to purchase a knife block or a magnetic strip, which look stylish and keep the knives within easy reach at all times. Drawer inserts also help to keep kitchen knives organized and apart from one another. Alternatively, you can use a blade guard to protect your kitchen knives from damage.

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Knives suitable for the dishwasher

Flatware and knives

Sharp kitchen knives such as our pizza and steak knives with walnut handles should never be put in the dishwasher. However, many of our stainless steel knives can be cleaned in the dishwasher without a problem. You can see whether a knife is dishwasher-safe in the product details.

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Dishwasher

Which knives are suitable for the dishwasher?

While you should not put certain sharp knives in the dishwasher, simple kitchen knives, dinner knives or ceramic knives can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

If you do wash your knives in the dishwasher, there are still some things you should bear in mind to maintain their quality and sharpness. To avoid damaging the knives when stored, make sure that they do not come into contact with other flatware or dinnerware. Although there are no special fixtures just for knives, you can sort them into a flatware drawer. Some dishwashers also have a flatware basket. However, opinions differ as to how knives should be placed in the dishwasher. If the blades face upwards in the flatware basket, the waterjet will hit them full on, and have a strong cleaning effect. However, you could accidentally injure yourself when removing them from the dishwasher.

Why do the knives sometimes become blunt?

Knives that are used frequently will become blunt sooner or later. As a general rule, the sharper a knife is, the more often you will need to sharpen it. However, there are other reasons why knives can become blunt, and the dishwasher plays a large part in this. Knives can come into contact with other items In the dishwasher such as glasses, plates and cups, which can damage the knife blades.

Furthermore, the chemicals contained in dishwasher detergents can damage or dull the blades. They also promote the formation of rust, which also damages the blades. Hard water in the dishwasher sometimes causes limescale to build up on the blades, which can also damage them.

The risk of corrosion

Dishwasher salt, detergent and rinse aid consist of alkalis, salts and acids. Combined with a high water temperature, they ensure that items come out clean and shiny. However, they also attack the edges of metal knife blades - the chemicals react with the metal and cause it to rust. Initially, this pitting is barely visible, but over time, the holes get bigger and bigger.

To reduce the risk of corrosion, select a gentle program with a low temperature. To prevent rust from settling on the knives inside the dishwasher, it is important to open the dishwasher door after the wash program has finished to allow the steam to escape. Remove the knives from the dishwasher immediately and dry them with a dry cloth.

Our tip

If you want to remove rust from a knife, apply toothpaste or a ceramic cooktop cleaner to a cloth and rub the affected area with it.

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Enjoy your knives for longer

Many knives can be cleaned in the dishwasher. However, not all of them are dishwasher-safe, for example models with wooden handles. To get the most out of your knives, you should clean them by hand and always dry them well after washing. it is recommended to store them in a knife block or on a magnetic board to keep the blades sharp for a long time. Find high quality, aesthetic, and versatile stainless steel knives in the Villeroy & Boch store.

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