Are Strainers Dishwasher Safe? (We’ve Got Your ANSWER Here!)
If you’re anything like us, you’ve probably wondered: are strainers dishwasher-safe?
We know what it’s like to get frustrated every time you use your strainer. It gets dirty and takes forever to clean, and it’s so hard to get in between those little holes.
We’ve spent too much time trying to wash our strainers by hand, only to realize they were still too dirty or still have food stuck in them when we finally finished.
In this article, we’ll tackle the issue of deciding whether or not putting your dirty strainer in the dishwasher is the best option for you.
Are strainers dishwasher safe?
Strainers are for the most part dishwasher safe.
Unless you have a strainer that is plastic that specifically states that it cannot be washed in the dishwasher, you should be fine to put your strainer in.
Most strainers are going to either be very thick plastic, which can be washed on the top rack, or metal, which is safe for all areas of the dishwasher.
Why you should put your strainer in a dishwasher?
Putting your strainer in the dishwasher does a few things.
First, it helps to thoroughly clean and sanitize the strainer. If you were using it for something that might not be so sanitary, say you were rinsing meat in the strainer, you are going to want to ensure that it is fully sanitized before you try to use it again for anything else.
Using the dishwasher is also easier, you do not have to handwash which can take a bit longer and can be a bit trickier as well.
Lastly, washing in the dishwasher is going to help you ensure that the strainer is fully clean and that there is nothing stuck in the strainer holes.
Why shouldn’t you put strainers in the dishwasher?
Of course, there are some strainers that are better hand-washed.
A good example would be a thin plastic strainer. These are likely not dishwasher safe as they are not going to be able to withstand the very high heat that comes with using a dishwasher.
Another reason you might not want to use the dishwasher is that if your strainer is very dirty, the dishwasher might not get fully clean.
In some cases, you do need to soak your strainer to make sure that there is no food debris in the holes.
Steps on How to Properly Clean Strainers?
By dishwasher
With the dishwasher, you first want to rinse your strainer.
This is to remove any larger pieces that might be on the strainer and that might be in the strainer holes.
You then want to look on the strainer and see if there are any directions or any indication of what rack the strainer needs to be washed on.
Most are going to stay either dishwasher-safe top rack or not dishwasher-safe. Most plastic strainers are going to need to be top rack-washed. Most metal strainers are safe for the dishwasher on the bottom rack.
You then put your strainer through your normal wash cycle. Try to avoid doing any sanitizing or extra heat cycles as it can damage the strainer unintentionally.
By hand
If you are washing by hand instead and want to know how to proceed, you first need to do a rinse to remove any larger pieces that might be on the strainer.
For your own safety make sure the water is not too hot and just wash gently with a warm soapy rag or sponge.
You can then rinse and either air dry or try to pat dry with a dishtowel.
Tips to clean your strainer faster
We all know how frustrating it can be to clean your strainer, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Here are some tips for getting your strainer clean in a snap:
- Use a brush. A soft-bristled brush will help you scrub your strainer easier and effectively than just using your hands.
- Add some soap. We know this sounds weird, but adding a little dish soap to the water will help loosen up any stuck-on food or grime on your strainer.
- Dry it off right away. Once you’re done rinsing off the soap, dry off your strainer as soon as possible! The longer that water sits on it, the harder it will be to get off later on when you do wash it off.
- Soak your strainer in hot water with a little bit of dish soap before you start the process of cleaning it out. This will loosen up any stuck food particles and make them easier to remove later on.
- If you have stubborn bits of food that won’t come off after washing, soak your strainer again in hot water and let it sit for about 5 minutes—this will give time for those stubborn bits to soften up so that they can be removed more easily later on!
- If there’s any food stuck on the surface of the strainer, use a sponge or scrubber to get it off as much as possible before moving on to other steps.
- If there are still parts of your strainer that aren’t coming clean after multiple items of washing and soaking, try using some dish soap with bleach in it—this should do the trick!
- If you have a stainless steel strainer, you’ll want to make sure it’s dried completely before putting it away. If there are still some wet spots on the surface of your strainer, use paper towels or cloth towels to absorb as much moisture as possible before storing it away in a cupboard or drawer.
- Floss out your strainer with a toothpick or pipe cleaner – be sure to use these tools sparingly though as they can be sharp.
- If you have an aluminum or copper strainer, be sure to wash it by hand. You’ll want to rinse it with hot water and soap first, then scrub off any dirt or residue left behind by your food. Once most of the food is removed, fill a sink with warm soapy water and let your strainer soak for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off again.
What types of strainers are dishwasher-safe?
There are different types of strainers that you can use in your kitchen, but not all of them are dishwasher-safe.
If you want to ensure that your strainer is properly cleaned, you should follow the washing instructions that are included with it.
Generally speaking, silicone and nylon strainers are safe to wash in the dishwasher, while stainless steel and bamboo strainers need to be washed by hand.
Here are some tips on how to care for each type of strainer:
Silicone strainers
These strainers are dishwasher-safe and can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Nylon strainers
These strainers are also dishwasher-safe and can be washed in the top or bottom rack of the dishwasher.
Stainless steel strainers
These strainers are ok for dishwasher cleaning but best be hand-washed. To clean them, simply rinse them with warm water and soap before scrubbing with a brush or sponge. Rinse well and dry thoroughly before storing.
Bamboo strainer
Bamboo is another type of material that is not recommended to go into the dishwasher. Instead, it should be hand washed using warm water and soap before being rinsed and dried thoroughly.
Are Plastic Strainers Dishwasher-Safe?
There is no blanket answer to this question.
Some plastic strainers are safe for use in the dishwasher while others are not.
It really does depend on the strainer and the suggestion of the manufacturer. With most plastic products there is going to be a symbol on the bottom and even words sometimes that tell you if it is safe to put your plastic strainer in the dishwasher or not.
You should pay attention to this and you should then decide if you want to put your plastic strainer in the dishwasher or not.
In most cases, you can put most plastic strainers in the dishwasher on the top rack with a normal wash cycle.
You do want to avoid using a very high heat drying cycle or a very high heat washing cycle as adding that extra heat can warp your plastic strainer.
You do need to pay attention to the shape of the plastic strainer every time you wash it in the dishwasher and if you see that it is warping or changing shape, stop washing it in the dishwasher.
Are Silicone Strainers Dishwasher-Safe?
A high-quality silicone strainer is a great choice for your dishwasher. It is less likely to warp or deform than other materials, making it a safer option.
To keep your silicone strainer in top shape, follow these tips.
Wash it regularly in the dishwasher to prevent staining and buildup.
Do not put it in the microwave or oven, as this can damage the material.
Avoid using harsh cleaners or scrubbers on the strainer, as this can cause scratches.
Are metal strainers dishwasher-safe?
Most metal strainers are going to be dishwasher safe. There are some exceptions that you do need to be aware of, however.
Some metal strainers have a porcelain overlay or a porcelain coating. These strainers, while they are rather sturdy, do have the potential to be damaged. The porcelain overlay does have the potential to get chipped and flake off if the heat of the dishwasher is too high.
For the most part, strainers are not meant to withstand very high heat. They are meant to strain things, they are not meant to cook in.
Due to the fact that they are not meant for high heat, the dishwasher can damage even a metal strainer if it is not meant to be in the dishwasher and is not meant to withstand high heat.
Are ceramic strainers dishwasher-safe?
Ceramic strainers are dishwasher-safe.
However, it is still important to read the product’s instructions for specific care instructions.
Ceramic strainers can be cleaned with a dishwasher, but it is always best to handwash them in hot, soapy water.
Rinse and dry them immediately after use and store them in a dry place. Do not put ceramic strainers in the dishwasher.
Are wooden strainers dishwasher-safe?
Wooden strainers are usually not considered dishwasher-safe, but it is important to consider the material of the strainer and how well it can withstand dishwasher heat.
The finely detailed netting of the strainer can catch food bits from other dirty dishes in the dishwasher, making dishwasher cleaning inconvenient for strainers.
To clean strainers properly, prepare your cleaning tools, soak the strainer, scrub the strainer, and dry the strainer.
Use a damp cloth to clean the strainer. Soak the strainer in a solution of warm water and dish soap. Clean the strainer with a brush.
Other interesting articles:
