Can you put Le Creuset in the dishwasher? Did you cook for a get-together and now face a sink full of dishes?
Are you wondering if you can put all the utensils in the dishwasher and call it a night?
You already know that certain utensils like Tupperware or glass can go in a dishwasher. But are you so sure about that Le Creuset cookware?
We’ll be answering if you can put your Le Creuset in dishwasher in this article, along with a few additional care guidelines and usage tips.
About Le Creuset Cookware
Le Creuset is a reputable cookware brand that manufactures high-quality kitchen utensils and cookware. With high quality comes high maintenance.
So, while Le Creuset cookware is renowned for its durability, heat retention, and lifetime warranty, it presents some challenges in upkeep and cleaning.
This is true for their most popular products—the enamel-coated pots, pans, and ovens.
This enamel coating prevents rust formation on cast iron, so with the appropriate cleaning, it can look brand new forever.
This also means unlike regular pots and pans, they do not require seasoning.
However, most people are unfamiliar with the correct way to clean their Le Creuset’s and, as a result, end up destroying expensive cookware.
With these essential cleaning tips, you can ensure your cookware’s longevity and retain its new shine.
Though the enamel-coating helps during cooking, it has some disadvantages.
Things like sudden changes in temperature or even medium impacts can crack the coating. It doesn’t have the best shock resistance.
Le Creuset is also a large manufacturer of glassware and other kitchen accessories that have unique care guidelines.
That’s why we’ll be exploring which products are safe to use in the dishwasher and which ones are better washed manually.
Can You Put Le Creuset In the Dishwasher?
A typical household dishwasher only requires you to load the dishes and add the detergent.
After that, it performs all remaining washing functions automatically.
It adds water when you turn it on, heats it to the appropriate temperature while allowing detergent to flow in, and shoots water through jets to clean utensils.
It also rinses, drains dirty water, and dries dishes with hot air.
It’s a pretty advanced piece of equipment, designed to handle even the most sensitive kitchenware.
And so, most of Le Creuset’s products are dishwasher safe, aside from a few exceptions.
Cast Iron Cookware
On to the main question, is it safe to put Le Creuset in the dishwasher?
All cast iron cookware like pans and pots with phenolic handles or stainless steel knobs are dishwasher safe.
The only time you shouldn’t put these in the dishwasher is when the handles are wooden because they might sustain some damage.
However, prolonged dishwashing might lead to color bleaching. This could be why your Le Creuset’s enamel-coating appears dull after repeated dishwasher use.
Note that this won’t impair the function of the cookware. It only affects the appearance.
To avoid or minimize this, always allow your dishwasher to finish its cycle before opening the door. This allows time for the cookware to dry completely.
Also, even though pans with metal handles are safe in the dishwasher, washing them reduces patina development.
‘Patina‘ is commonly used to describe the thin layer a of coating formed by repeatedly seasoning the base of skillets and pots.
If you use them in the dishwasher, they’ll need to be seasoned more often.
Le Creuset Glassware and Other Utensils
Le Creuset also produces serving glasses, baking and storage stoneware, toughened non-stick pans, wine accessories, and utensils like knives and forks made from steel, silicone, or plastic.
We lumped these together because, and this is good news, they are all dishwasher safe without any safety concerns.
Is It Safe to Put Le Creuset in the Dishwasher?
While it may be safe for the cookware to be placed in the dishwasher, it may not be for you, though.
Le Creuset recommends that certain utensils like knives and glass, which carry a potential for hazard, are better washed manually.
Not that they’ll break in the dishwasher or damage other utensils.
Dishwashers are designed with trays and holders to keep everything you put in them stationary during the cycle.
But you might accidentally harm yourself if you’re ever in a rush when unloading the dishwasher.
However, if you must wash them in the dishwasher, the safest place for them is in the topmost tray or alone.
How to Get Rid of Stubborn Stains Manually
Dishwashers are favored not only because they provide convenience but because they’re pretty thorough.
Getting the same cleaning quality from scrubbing is arduous, especially when the stains are burned into the pan, which can be frustrating.
If you’re not getting the same results washing your cookware manually or can’t seem to budge a stubborn stain, here are some alternative methods to hand washing that can help.
Method #1: Soak Overnight in Bleach
In a large bucket, mix bleach and water, or detergent and water in the ratio of approximately four tablespoons to a gallon.
This should be more than plenty. If you’re trying to clean small utensils like spoons or knives, just dousing them in the solution for a couple of hours should do.
But if you’re trying to eliminate potent stains from cast iron cookware, fill them up with the mixture and let them sit overnight.
The bleach does all the work. By the morning, you’ll find that most of the stain has dissolved.
Method #2: Baking Soda
Fill your cast iron pot or pan with water close to the brim, add 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda, and bring to a boil.
You can repeat this process if your stain is particularly stubborn. Then follow up with dry rinsing.
Create a baking soda paste for the next step.
Mix water with baking soda and stir until the consistency thickens to a paste.
Apply the paste over the stained or burned area and leave it overnight. The paste will continue to work on the stain while you sleep.
The next day, you can spray or sprinkle some vinegar onto the paste.
The neutralization reaction this causes will soften the hardened paste, allowing you to clean it easily with a brush or sponge scrubber.
Remember to rinse dry your enamel cookware after.
Safety Tips for Cleaning Le Creuset
Below are a few more safety tips shared by Le Creuset on how to properly care for your cookware.
They can last decades and look new if cared for correctly. So, following these guidelines will help you get the most out of your investment.
Tip #1. Always wait for pots and pans to cool completely after use before washing them.
The sudden change in temperature from hot to cold can cause a thermal shock and crack the utensils’ surface.
Tip #2. Do not use any wire wool or other abrasive cleaning tools because these can scratch the cooking surface.
Stick with nylon pads and scrubber sponges for manual cleaning.
Tip #3. Never store pans when they’re damp. Ensure they are completely dry and stored in an airy space in a dry cupboard.
Tip #4. A fall or knock against a hard surface could potentially crack the enamel, and your lifetime warranty doesn’t cover this.
Tip #5. A useful pro-tip for cleaning food residue on the bottom of a pan is to let it sit in hot water for some time before scrubbing it or sending it to the dishwasher.
Tip #6. There are plenty of special cleaners available in the Le Creuset store formulated to deal with specific types of stains on their products.
If you own a lot of cutlery by Le Creuset, it might be worth checking out the cleaners.
Final Thoughts
Can you put Le Creuset in the dishwasher?
The short answer is YES.
A majority are safe for dishwasher use. And some, although safe for dishwashers, ought to be hand-washed, knives, for instance.
We hope you found this article helpful.
You can always check out the Le Creuset website for more information, as they’ve listed elaborate usage and care guidelines for all of their products.
If you have any further questions, they are pretty active on Twitter, too.
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