Dishwasher Loading Instructions

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Somehow along the line, I neglected to teach my youngest child how to load a dishwasher, in spite of the fact that it has been his chore for a week, every four or five weeks for the last several years. I knew he didn't like to do it, but this morning he complained that one of the reasons he doesn't like to is because he doesn't know how. Well, I've been thinking about posting instructions in the kitchen by the sink for a while anyway, (I think he isn't the only child confused about what can and what cannot go into the dishwasher) so I guess it is time. I'm typing this up for me, but I'm posting it here just in case it helps any one else.

1. What CAN NOT go into the dishwasher:

  • WOOD - Chopsticks, Wood handled knife, potato masher, wooden spoons, wooden cutting board, don't put it in the dishwasher
  • CAST IRON - Don't even think about it. This needs to be scraped/ wiped out WITHOUT soap, dried thoroughly and lightly oiled so it doesn't rust. 
  • ANYTHING WITH A NONSTICK FINISH - They may say they are dishwasher safe, but sooner or later, they will lose their nonstick properties. Don't put my nice bread pans or the omelet pan in the dishwasher please.
  • THINGS SENSITIVE TO HEAT - The fancy ice cream scoop (with the warning about high temps), any food thermometer, any super flimsy plastic
  • ANYTHING TOO BIG - The spray arms need to be able to spin freely and spray everything in the dishwasher. If anything is too big (like cookie sheets) to allow those spray arms to go around, or if they are keeping the spray from reaching other items, they are too big for the dishwasher.
2. Loading the dishwasher: 
  • SCRAPE/RINSE BEFORE LOADING - Our dishwasher doesn't do well with big chunks of stuff, or with certain substances like chocolate, rice or cornmeal. Scrape or rinse most remaining foods from dishes into side of sink with disposal before loading into dishwasher.
  • BOTTOM RACK: Large things. Plates, Pots & Pans (without nonstick finish, and not cast iron), cutting boards, large bowls, cheese grater, pitchers, etc.
  • TOP RACK: Small things. Small bowls, cups, small plates, leftover dishes, lids, measuring cups, etc. Serving Utensils too tall to fit in silverware rack
  • DRAINAGE: Load items on their sides or upside down so they won't fill with water, and so that water will drain out of them.
  • DON'T BLOCK THE SPRAY! Our dishwasher has spray arms at the bottom of each spray rack. Make sure that nothing keeps the spray from reaching other items - don't stack items on top of each other.
3. When everything is loaded:
  • LOOK AROUND AND MAKE SURE! Look around the kitchen for anything you might have missed that needs to go into the dishwasher before you start it. Just because it is on the counter behind you doesn't mean it doesn't mean to be washed. Bonus points if you hand wash the things that can't go in the dishwasher and put them away!
  • CLEAN OUT THE SINK. Rinse all the food and debris down the drain. Make sure nothing is in the garbage disposal that shouldn't be (utensils, bones, bread ties, etc.). Turn on the cold water. Turn on the garbage disposal and let run until it sounds steady. Turn off disposal. Turn off cold water.
  • MAKE SURE NOTHING IS BLOCKING THE DISHWASHER SPRAY. Give each spray arm a spin to make sure it can go all the way around and doesn't get stuck on anything. 
  • PUT SOAP IN THE SOAP COMPARTMENT. One pack is all you need! Close the compartment door.
  • CLOSE THE DISHWASHER DOOR AND PUSH THE START BUTTON. Normal wash mode is fine. It only needs to be on delay mode if you plan to watch a movie in the next hour or so.

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