Are Kitchen Knives Dishwasher Safe?

On this page (9 sections)

1. Are knives dishwasher safe?
2. Why is hand washing better for most kitchen knives?
3. What can happen if you put a knife in the dishwasher?
4. How should you wash a knife by hand?
5. Are dishwasher-safe knife sets a good choice?
6. How do you load a dishwasher if a knife is marked safe?
7. Where should you store knives after washing?
8. How can you tell whether a knife needs hand washing?
9. Should you put kitchen knives in the dishwasher?

Some kitchen knives are dishwasher safe, but only when their care instructions say so. If you’re asking “are knives dishwasher safe?” the practical answer is to hand wash by default, then use the dishwasher only for knives clearly marked for it.

A dishwasher can expose a knife to heat, detergent, moisture, and contact with other items. Those conditions can affect an edge or handle, so ease of cleanup should be one part of your buying decision, not the only one.

Are knives dishwasher safe?

A knife is dishwasher safe when its maker’s care guidance says it is. Stainless steel by itself doesn’t tell you how the handle, edge, or construction will hold up in a cycle.

Even a knife marked safe needs a stable place in the dishwasher. If it can slide or strike dishes and racks, the edge may get damaged, and a loose blade can create a hazard when you unload.

When the instructions are missing or unclear, hand washing is the simple default. It lets you clean the knife promptly and control how you handle the sharp edge.

Why is hand washing better for most kitchen knives?

Hand washing limits the heat, detergent, and contact that can wear on a knife. It also keeps a sharp blade out of a crowded load of dishes and silverware.

Dishwasher detergent can be harsh on some materials and finishes. A shifting knife can strike a rack, pan, or another utensil, which may dull or nick its edge.

A handle needs consideration too. Don’t assume a stainless steel blade makes the whole knife dishwasher safe; check the guidance for that specific model.

If you want one versatile knife and dishwasher-safe materials, the Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is described as dishwasher safe. Its non-slip TPE handle suits cooks who want a secure grip, including when their hands are wet.

Skip it if you need a complete set with steak knives, shears, and a storage block. It’s a single chef’s knife, so you’ll need to choose other tools separately.

What can happen if you put a knife in the dishwasher?

A knife can lose its edge, become damaged, or develop handle wear in a dishwasher. The risk depends on its care instructions, materials, and whether it stays in place during the cycle.

A knife that shifts can hit dishes, racks, or other cutlery. Besides harming the edge, a loose blade can be hard to see when you reach into the dishwasher.

Heat and detergent may affect a handle or finish, and a knife can still be wet after the cycle. Dry it before storage, even if it went through the dishwasher.

If you notice rust, discoloration, a loose handle, or a damaged edge, stop using the knife until you can assess it safely. Never run a finger along the edge to check for damage.

How should you wash a knife by hand?

Wash and dry each knife soon after you finish using it. That keeps food from drying on and makes it easier to handle the blade safely.

1. Hold the knife by its handle and point the blade away from your other hand.
2. Wash one side at a time with warm water, dish soap, and a soft sponge or brush.
3. Rinse the blade and dry it right away with a towel.
4. Put it in a block, sheath, or other safe storage spot.

Don’t leave a knife loose in a sink, where a submerged blade can be difficult to see. Avoid soaking it with other utensils, and wipe away from the sharp edge.

A wrap-around brush can help clean both sides of a blade while keeping your fingers away from the edge. The Joseph Joseph BladeBrush has opposed bristles and a textured handgrip.

The BladeBrush itself is designed to be washed by hand. Keep the knife pointed away from you while using it.

Are dishwasher-safe knife sets a good choice?

A dishwasher-safe set suits you if quick cleanup matters and you’ll follow the care directions for each piece. Check whether the guidance covers the whole set, and consider whether hand washing is still practical for your kitchen.

The Henckels Statement 15-Piece Block Set is described for cleanup in the dishwasher or by hand. It includes several knife styles, six steak knives, shears, a sharpening steel, and a hardwood block, making it a fit for households that want a broad group of tools in one purchase.

Skip a large block set if you only need one or two knives or have little counter space. A full set can also mean more pieces to wash and put away.

The KitchenAid Gourmet 15-Piece Block Set is top-rack dishwasher safe, though KitchenAid recommends hand washing to extend the life of its cutlery and says to dry the knives immediately. It fits buyers who want a large set with a built-in sharpener and are willing to use the top rack or wash by hand.

If you expect every piece to go into any dishwasher position without extra care, skip this set. Its guidance specifies the top rack and recommends hand washing.

Compare the set sizes in our plain-English kitchen knife set buying guide, then consider how many knives you really need before buying a full block.

How do you load a dishwasher if a knife is marked safe?

Follow the knife’s care instructions and keep it secure, with the edge away from people and other items. If the machine doesn’t offer a stable place for it, wash it by hand.

Don’t leave a sharp knife loose in a cutlery basket where blades can cross or knock together. Place it only where it won’t shift during the cycle, and keep the blade pointed away from anyone who may unload it.

After the cycle, take hold of the handle and keep the edge pointed away from you. Dry any remaining moisture before storing the knife.

Where should you store knives after washing?

Store knives dry with their edges protected. A block, sheath, or magnetic strip can keep a blade from rubbing against loose cutlery.

Dry a knife fully before putting it into a block or other enclosed storage spot. If you keep knives in a drawer, protect the blades so they can’t contact other tools.

Our guide to storing kitchen knives safely at home covers common storage options. For help choosing a daily prep blade, read how to choose a chef knife.

How can you tell whether a knife needs hand washing?

Hand wash a knife if its care instructions don’t clearly allow dishwasher cleaning. This is a useful default for knives with delicate handles and for any blade you want to keep from knocking against other items.

Check guidance for the specific knife rather than relying on a broad material label. Stainless steel can describe the blade while leaving the care needs of the handle or construction unresolved.

Our guide to high-carbon stainless steel knives explains what that material term means. It can help you understand a blade, but it doesn’t replace care instructions.

Should you put kitchen knives in the dishwasher?

Choose hand washing as your routine; use the dishwasher only when the knife’s maker allows it and you can load it securely. That’s the clearest answer to “are knives dishwasher safe?”

Pick the Victorinox if you want one dishwasher-safe chef’s knife. Choose Henckels if you want a broad set with dishwasher-or-hand cleanup guidance, or KitchenAid if a built-in sharpener matters and you’re comfortable using the top rack or hand washing.

For any knife, wash it by hand when the care guidance is unclear, then dry it before storage. Browse our knife basics guide to choose tools that fit your cooking and care routine.

Frequently asked questions

Are kitchen knives dishwasher safe?

Some are, when their care instructions clearly allow dishwasher cleaning. Hand washing is the safer routine for many knives because it limits knocks against dishes and racks, as well as exposure to detergent and heat.

If the care guidance is unclear, wash the knife by hand with warm water and dish soap, then dry it promptly.

Does the dishwasher make knives dull?

A knife can become dull or nicked if its edge strikes dishes, racks, or other utensils during a cycle. Detergent and heat can also affect some handles and finishes over time.

Use a dishwasher only when the knife's care guidance allows it and you can keep it secure.

Otherwise, wash it by hand.

Can stainless steel knives go in the dishwasher?

Some stainless steel knives can go in the dishwasher, but stainless steel alone doesn't make a knife dishwasher safe. The handle, construction, and care instructions matter too.

Check guidance for the specific knife.

If it doesn't clearly allow dishwasher cleaning, wash and dry it by hand.

How should I wash a kitchen knife safely?

Wash one knife at a time with warm water, dish soap, and a soft sponge or brush. Point the blade away from your other hand, rinse it, and dry it right away.

Don't leave a knife loose in a sink or soaking with other utensils.

Store it dry with the edge protected.