Washing Cast Iron In Dishwasher

Our seasoning care kit has everything you need to wash and care for cast iron the right way.

Washing cast iron in dishwasher.

Since they are cast iron i make it a point to take them out of the dishwasher immediately after the cycle is done and dry them off completely. In this article i will walk you through the reasons why you should not put your cast iron skillet in a dishwasher. The combination of the scrubbing action warm water and detergent effectively remove the seasoning in the pan. It s almost enough to scare a cook off from cast iron completely.

For stubborn stuck on food simmer a little water for 3 5 minutes then use the scraper after the pan has cooled. The dishwasher will also rust the iron as it is in a raw unprocessed state. Don t let that scare you off a cast iron skillet can last a lifetime or longer and is easy to maintain if you remember a few simple cleaning tips. If you ever mess it up don t worry.

So they don t rust. Despite having tough properties the effectiveness of a cast iron skillet can be ruined if you clean it the wrong way. Every pan has its own quirks but cast iron in particular has a reputation among home cooks for being high maintenance. The high temperatures used in the cleaning and drying cycles combined with the powerful force of the water and the cleaning agents used in dishwasher detergent can cause warping chipping dulling and breakage.

The great thing about cast iron is that it s easy to restore. In fact a cast iron skillet and other types of cast iron pans perform best when frequently used and regularly maintained. It is unnecessary to use the dishwasher since the wipe method is so efficient. You should never wash your cast iron pan with soap se points out that most cast iron skillets like the ones my husband picks up at estate sales have been around for decades and can handle a.

With that said cast iron s benefits rely on surfaces retaining their seasoned coating oil that has been baked into the finish at a high temperature which in turn relies on specific cleaning methods. This dishwasher debacle inspired a cast iron care search wherein the folks at serious eats debunked various cast iron myths including this one. I cannot stress enough that you should use your judgment and read the cleaning instructions that came with your stove contact the manufacturer if you can t. Don t use soap don t use steel wool don t put it in the dishwasher.

Here are 10 items not to put in your dishwasher. Wash your cast iron cookware by hand. You can use a small amount of soap. If needed use a pan scraper for stuck on food.

Once you put a cast iron pan in the dishwasher your seasoning is gone.