My Personal Take on Knives in the Dishwasher

[Porthos]

I have run my knives through the dishwasher without ill effects (one wooden handle notwithstanding) for 47+years.  However, I do so with the understanding of  what not to put in, and how to position them to avoid damage. I've never had a blade deteriorate

 

I have 2 knives that never go in: a 10" slicer with a rosewood handle and a 10" chef's knife with a rosewood handle. 

 

I'll never own Damascus steel knives. They are beautiful but would require more care than I wish to put into them.

 

My knife block is filled with western-style knives. I have Forschner, Victorniox,  Wusthoff, Henkel, and others. After I retired from participating in Ren Faires as a volunteer I stopped pursuing one of my hobbies, finding quality brand knives in thrift stores that were donated because the edges were dull and the owner didn't choose to deal to with them.  Bringing them back life and giving them to friends was a pleasure.  There are a few of those that made it into my knive block or knife roll that I use when traveling. 

 

My best "test case" is my 9 1/2" chef's knife that my Sweetie gave me for Christmas 1982. Just this year, for the first time, I had to smooth its wooden handle and then put 6 coats of polyurethane on it. The blade itself still takes and keeps an edge. I use an Edge Pro.  I actually found egullet when I wanted to learn to properly sharpen knives; thank you Chad Ward.

 

I position all knives so that the edges CAN NOT hit anything else.

 

I fully understand that the prevailing wisdom is never, ever put kitchen knives in the dishwasher. If that is how you care for knives I have no argument with what you do in your kitchen.  My choice to put them in the dishwasher is solely my own choice.

 

I do not wish to engage in debate over my choice.  I simply wanted to share my perspective and personal experience. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Smithy
Corrected title spelling (log)

[weinoo]

I think I had an argument with fat guy about this 15 years ago. Or maybe it was about wooden spoons?

 

my perspective…I’d rather give any and all of my knives a quick wash and dry and put them back where they belong.

 

 

 

 

[blue_dolphin]

I don’t have lots of knives so I prefer to keep my limited selection at the ready. I don’t run the dishwasher after every meal so washing them by hand suits me. 

 

[liuzhou]

It takes seconds to hand wash a knife after use and is a lot less wasteful of water and energy.

[Alex]

1 hour ago, liuzhou said:

It takes seconds to hand wash a knife after use and is a lot less wasteful of water and energy.

 

But if he's running a dishwasher load anyway, it actually saves water and energy -- albeit a very small amount each time, but over 47+ years, it adds up.

[liuzhou]

3 hours ago, Alex said:

 

But if he's running a dishwasher load anyway, it actually saves water and energy -- albeit a very small amount each time, but over 47+ years, it adds up.

 

The only energy my washing by hand uses is supplied by me, apart from a tiny amount from a gas-fired water heater for a tiny amount of hot water.

 

I  don't possess or want a a dishwashers. They are unknown here.