Can You Put Wooden Cutting Board in Dishwasher?
Like most people, you probably don’t think much about how you wash your Wooden Cutting Board. But it is a good idea to follow some basic rules for the care of your cutting board so you can use them effectively over time. Some people would suggest you use the dishwasher to clean the board. Well, there are a few things you should know about washing wooden cutting boards in the dishwasher.
Many people believe that wooden cutting boards should not be put in the dishwasher, as the heat may cause the wood to dry out and crack. While this might not be a big problem for wooden cutting boards that are used occasionally, it may be a problem for boards that are used more frequently and for thicker boards that are not treated with a sealant. In general, it is best to avoid putting wood cutting boards in the dishwasher as it can cause damage.
In this article, we’ll explain why putting a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher can actually damage it, and recommend a different way to clean it. Read on to learn more!
Dishwasher Safe Cutting Board
So, Can You Put Wooden Cutting Board in Dishwasher?
Most likely not! While some finishes are safe to put in the dishwasher, a wooden cutting board is not one of them. Wood is a natural material that can decompose in the dishwasher, leading to a host of health hazards. Not to mention, it just doesn’t look very nice when it comes out of the dishwasher looking like it’s been through a war. Instead, you should hand-wash your cutting board using mild soap and water.
If it becomes stained or scratched, you can use a wood cleaner to restore its original look and condition. Or you can use a small amount of bleach or white vinegar to remove the odor.
Typically, wooden cutting boards can be put in the dishwasher, but following the manufacturer’s instructions is important. Some boards are designed to be washed by hand, while others need to be scrubbed with a brush before being placed in the dishwasher. Always read the label before handwashing your cutting board to ensure that it is safe to do so.
Another key reason why washing in the dishwasher isn’t really all that good for the wood board is that the dishwasher doesn’t get them completely dry. In fact, I would caution anyone who uses their dishwashers to wash wooden chopping boards in with a very wet sponge or scrub brush after every season of heavy usage. After all, it’s not really doing any damage until your wood begins to warp and crack from heating up way too soon!
You’re risking a number of severe problems if you put a chopping board that isn’t constructed to withstand the high heat or high temperatures and moisture of a dishwasher for a cycle. The high heat and steam in a dishwasher increase the wood’s moisture content, resulting in warping and cracking once dry.
Several of the problems you might encounter are shown below:
Warping:
The most obvious problem you could encounter when using a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher is warping. When water interacts with hard surfaces, it forms a steam and creates tremendous heat that causes pieces of wood to bow out or curl at the edges. Not only does this change its design so drastically, but it also leads to chipped paint, wavy handles, overall unsatisfactory performance from your food processor or strainer (which have been damaged by putting them in the dishwasher); and can warp the cutting board’s edges.
Splintering:
There are two ways that the wooden board chip splinters when washed in your dishwasher. The first one is due to lack of heat retention, which will damage the natural integrity of wooden surfaces such as cutting boards made from solids and flakes. More than likely, if you have multiple chopping boards, they cannot withstand being put in a high altitude/heat cycle with no heat retention.
Some dishwashers are programmed to turn off after the setting temperature is reached automatically, so this may not be an issue for you if your cutting boards can withstand higher temperatures in regular cycles and have legible labeling about whether or not it’s safe.
Harshness:
In the dishwasher, your wooden cutting board may become heated from impact and take on a vinegary smell, sometimes even discoloring the wood. The amount of time that you leave food for washing will help determine whether or not this type of damage occurs.
This happens when water reacts with the proteins of your cutting board. The result is that over time, chemicals from food start to leach into it and create a more sour dish; this may cause you not to be able to keep eating off the same chopping board for extended periods for fear of harbored bacteria coming back. Solids in wood are porous and absorb moisture quite quickly, making them incredibly susceptible to very high temperatures during predictable times ( see Breadcrumbs/Foods and Floors).
Curling or Discoloration:
Over time, they can become discolored from excessive exposure to water. Regardless of how it became damaged, cooked food wastes absorb stains more easily than hardwood does, so your wooden chopping board will quickly show signs of warping and curling as well. So cleaning in the dishwasher may cause you a lot.
Deterioration:
Woodworking Tools that are stored near water are more prone to deterioration than those that aren’t. As a food preparation tool, your wooden cutting board could have been used with and/or immersed in water daily for years and has become damaged by contact with acids from foods like tomatoes, avocados, or citrus fruits when cleaned after use.
These are just some of the issues you can encounter if you choose to place cutlery made from hardwoods (such as oak) in the dishwasher. Other common hardwoods, such as walnut, are easy to cut but may be more prone to cracking and chipping when subjected to long periods of water contact.
So, How Do You Clean Your Wooden Cutting Board?
The best way to clean a wooden cutting board is hand washing with the help of natural ingredients and allowing just enough water to be lightly sprayed on it in your kitchen sink, then wiped thoroughly. It is not a good idea to put it in hot water. You can follow these steps given below:
- Wash your whole board along with the juice grooves carefully with warm soapy water.
- Scrub it gently with a sponge.
- Rinse it and wipe it with a paper towel.
- Stand the board upright to allow it to dry thoroughly before you store it.
- Coat with food-grade mineral oil or beeswax.
When choosing your cleaning products, you can use any soap-based cleaner that doesn’t leave behind a residue; however, you must test out some different products in small portions first for optimal results to never have disappointing experiences using cleaners that are labeled as being safe for wood (such as all-purpose cleaners, or products that are specifically recommended for “food-safe” materials like wooden cutting boards).
It is always wise to thoroughly dry the board with a paper towel after each usage, no matter how short or long that might be! If you choose not to care properly for your new wood-based surface (such as by using up too much water daily), then obviously, there will continue to be a greater risk of damage.
How Can You Put a Wooden Cutting Board in The Dishwasher?
There are a few ways to put a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher. One way is to put it in the top rack and turn it on its side. Be sure to remove any sharp edges before placing them in the dishwasher. Another way is to put it in a mesh bag and place it on the top rack. Again, remove any sharp edges before placing them in the dishwasher. Finally, you can place a wooden cutting board in the dishwasher on the top rack without protection.
Whichever way you choose, be sure to take care of your cutting board by cleaning it regularly with a degreasing agent and a soft cloth. This will prevent it from becoming dry, cracked, or warped.
Can You Put Plastic or Glass in The Dishwasher With My Wooden Cutting Board?
This can be a tricky question to answer, as there is no definitive answer. Generally, plastic or glass is recommended to be hand-washed with warm, soapy water and dried with a clean cloth. However, if you are using a dishwasher-safe wooden cutting board, you can place it in the machine on the top rack. Make sure to remove any food or liquids accumulated on the board before placing them in the machine.
On the other hand, some people put their plastic board or glass cutting board in the dishwasher, which is not safe. We also recommend not to put your wood cutting boards too, as well as a bamboo cutting board. The plastic board will melt in hot soapy water, and the glass will break.
Is It Safe to Put a Wooden Cutting Board in The Dishwasher?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the safety of putting wooden cutting boards in the dishwasher depends on a number of factors, including the type of wood and the dishwasher settings. Generally speaking, wooden cutting boards that are made from hardwood, which is non-porous wood, such as maple, oak, or cherry, are safe to put in the dishwasher. It also depends on wood fiber and wood grain, which the dishwashing manufacturer recommends.
However, if the wood is treated with a sealer or varnish, it may not be safe to put it in the dishwasher. In addition, laminated wooden cutting boards are not safe to put in the dishwasher, as the lamination may be damaged by the dishwasher cycle.
If you are unsure whether or not your wooden cutting board is safe to put in the dishwasher, then it is best to test it first. Simply place the board in a tub of water and see if it starts to warp or crack.
If You Own a Dishwasher, What’s The Point in Using a Wooden Cutting Board?
A lot of people believe that using a wooden cutting board is better than using a dishwasher-sanitizing board because it’s natural. However, the truth is that dishwashers are just as effective at sanitizing boards as they are at cleaning dishes. In fact, using a dishwasher can actually help preserve the wood because it uses high-pressure water jets that scrub and clean the board’s surface.
So, if you’re not sure if you need to buy a new cutting board, the best way to test it is to wash it in the dishwasher and see how it comes out. If it looks good, you probably don’t need to buy a new one. However, if the wood starts to fade or look damaged, then it’s time to get a new one. But make sure your cutting board is dishwasher safe.
Conclusion:
Putting wooden cutting boards in the dishwasher can be a risky business! Not only are they prone to damage, but they also tend to accumulate food residue, which can cause unexpected cleaning problems. If you still want to go ahead and try it, we recommend using a gentle cycle with a mild detergent. As you can guess, the answer to this question is a bit complicated.
However, after reading this blog, you will be able to understand why wooden cutting boards should not be placed in the dishwasher and what the possible consequences could be. So, if you were planning on putting your wooden cutting board in the dishwasher, we recommend that you reconsider that decision. Thanks for reading! Hope this helps.
