Are Dutch Ovens Dishwasher Safe? (The Answer to EACH Type of Dutch Oven!)
Are Dutch ovens dishwasher safe?
1. Cast-iron Dutch ovens
Cast iron Dutch ovens should not be put in the dishwasher for a few reasons.
First, they are very heavy, which means that if they are not put into the dishwasher carefully, they can easily damage the dishwasher.
Another thing to think about is the metal of the Dutch oven itself.
Cast iron is susceptible to something called thermal shock. This means when the pan is heated up very rapidly or cooled down very rapidly it can expand unevenly.
When that happens, the pan can become weak and can even crack or chip in places.
There is no process in a dishwasher where the pan is allowed to cool on its own, this means that it may succumb to thermal shock if you are not very careful with this type of washing method.
Still another thing to think about is the fact that cast iron is very porous, which means it takes in whatever is being put on it.
This also means that a dishwasher can cause rust on your cast iron and can even break down the seasoning that you may have put on it.
2. Enamel-coated Dutch ovens
The main problems with enamel-coated Dutch ovens are their weight and the fact that the dishwasher can damage the enamel coating.
A dishwasher is a rather rough means of washing dishes.
It can cause the thermal expansion of the cast iron beneath the enamel which can in turn cause cracking and chipping and other issues.
3. Aluminum Dutch ovens
With aluminum, you also want to avoid the dishwasher. The main reason for this is that aluminum is a soft metal and it can become damaged very easily.
You want to avoid the dishwasher because the very harsh chemicals in the cleaner and the very hot temperatures can damage the surface of the aluminum and can even dull the finish of your Dutch oven.
It can also warp the pan and can cause a huge amount of damage that is very hard to reverse and may even ruin the pan entirely.
4. Ceramic Dutch ovens
Ceramic is technically dishwasher safe, but again, it can become damaged if the cycle is particularly hot or if there is a lot of jarring or jostling around in the dishwasher.
With a ceramic Dutch oven it is always better to opt for handwashing than it is to try and cut corners and put it in the dishwasher.
5. Stainless steel Dutch ovens
You can put stainless steel pots and pans in the dishwasher and they do come relatively clean.
If you have particularly stuck-on food or other debris, or if you have water spots that you want to remove, you are not going to be able to get those off in the dishwasher.
If you have a bunch of stuck-on food or if you have water spots you are trying to get rid of, you should take the time to do a bit of work outside of the dishwasher.
To remove water spots you can make baking soda into a paste and use a scrubber to scrub the spots gently.
You want to avoid using something overly abrasive like steel wool as it can scratch the surface of your pan.
6. Carbon steel Dutch ovens
Carbon steel is not dishwasher safe for a few reasons.
First, it has a carbon coating and the dishwasher can damage the carbon coating and make your pan not non-stick anymore.
It can damage the coating to the point that the pan is not usable anymore. It can also cause rust, pitting, discoloration, and more.
You want to only handwash your carbon steel Dutch oven with warm soapy water.
7. Copper Dutch ovens
This is a tricky one, the dishwasher is not necessarily going to damage the pan or the integrity of the pan, but it can cause discoloration that cannot be reversed.
This means that while your pan is still going to be usable, it is not going to look as great as it did when you first got it.
If you want your pan to stay bright and shiny, you should wash it with warm soapy water and a gentle rag or sponge.
What are some best practices for cleaning a Dutch oven?
Hand wash your Dutch oven whenever possible. Dishwashing can remove the coating on the pot, making it look old and antique.
When you do need to wash your Dutch oven in the dishwasher and if it’s ok to do so, be sure to use a gentle cycle and mild detergent.
You can also use baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice mixtures to remove stains and rust.
Speaking about rust. Rust develops when exposed to water for a really long time. After washing your Dutch oven, dry it off as soon as possible before storing it away.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbers on your Dutch oven, as this can damage the enamel coating. Instead, opt for a soft sponge or cloth when cleaning.
Be aware that after washing your cast iron Dutch oven multiple times, you may need to reapply a coat of oil and season it again.
Most cooking recipes with a Dutch oven are done at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to avoid going over 500 degrees Fahrenheit, whether on a stovetop or in an oven. You might end up damaging the enamel or weakening the seasoned layer.
Be sure to dry your Dutch oven thoroughly after washing, as moisture can cause the enamel to discolor or even crack over time
How do you care for a seasoned cast iron Dutch oven?
Though Dutch ovens can be made of a huge range of materials, the most common is still a cast iron Dutch oven. This means that it is helpful to learn how to care for this particular type of Dutch oven. To care for a seasoned Dutch oven here are some steps that you can take.
- Before you try to do any cleaning, let the pan cool entirely. This is for your safety more than for the pan.
- Gently scrape away any large stuck food that you might notice on the surface or that might be lodged there.
- After removing the large food, you can rinse and then move on to the next step.
- For seasoned cast iron, you want to avoid using a ton of soap as it will break down the seasoning. You can use a harder scrubber like steel wool or chain mail to help remove the large pieces of food that did not come off when you were doing your first scrub.
- You can use warm soapy water, you just want to make sure you are not using the soap to scrub and that you are rinsing it entirely when you are done.
- After you have washed it to your satisfaction, you do need to make sure it is dried entirely and that you are putting it away dry.
Tips on safely washing Dutch ovens in the dishwasher
- Dutch ovens without enamel finishes are not usually recommended in the dishwasher.
- Cast-iron and heavy metal Dutch ovens can rust if not properly cared for.
- Dutch ovens in general are preferably hand-washed.
- Hand-washing will keep Dutch ovens looking new.
- Dutch ovens can be cleaned with dishwashing, but it’s not recommended to make a habit of it.
Disadvantages of putting a Dutch oven in the dishwasher
Firstly, Dutch ovens may become dull and chips or cracks may appear if they are used too often in the dishwasher.
Second, while this is true for most dishes, it is especially true for Dutch ovens because their enamel can wear down from the high heat and harsh detergents used in a dishwasher cycle.
Also, the dishwasher can strip away Dutch ovens’ seasoning, and in the long run, it’s likely to cause rust.
And finally, the dishwasher will not likely get your Dutch oven as clean as you can.
Advantages of putting a Dutch oven in the dishwasher.
The first advantage is that it can be cleaned more quickly than by hand. Even though this may not seem like a big deal, it can save you time, which is always important.
Another advantage to putting your Dutch oven in the dishwasher is that your hands will stay clean while you do it.
Dishwasher detergent is powerful stuff. They’re able to cut through food stuck on plates like butter, and that also saves your hands from prolonged exposure to harmful detergents.
Easier and more hands-off methods of chores indirectly help promote them as a routine more often than when you have to do them manually. What I mean is, you’ll probably clean your Dutch oven much more often if you use the dishwasher than if you were washing it by hand.
Finally, it frees up more of your time. You can do whatever else it is you need to do around the house, or you can just relax and let the dishwasher take care of it for you.
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