How to Load Dishwasher Properly – Glasses, Pots & Pans

How to Load Dishwasher Properly – Glasses, Pots & Pans: Learn how to load your dishwasher for the best results: From our suggestions, you will learn how to use a dishwasher in every way, from preparing dishes to ensuring the machine isn’t too full and putting things in the right place.

How to Load Dishwasher Properly

Loading Your Dishwasher in a Right Way

The pleased owners of a new kitchen assistant should understand how to load dishes into the dishwasher. They must pay close attention because following all operating instructions is essential to extending the service life of any device.

What Items Can Be Loaded Into the Dishwasher?

Nowadays, you can wash most kitchen utensils in the dishwasher. However, it is necessary first to check whether the kitchen utensils or cookware is suitable for such washing and will damage the machine. Learn more about which items you can wash in the dishwasher from the machine’s user manual; it usually varies from model to model. (You may see also What Cannot Go in the Dishwasher)

How to Prepare Dishes before loading? Guidelines to Follow at First

Thankfully, knowing how to load a dishwasher is simple; adhere to a few guidelines. Here is our simple guide to help you: 

Do Not Pre-rinse Dishes

Believe it or not, the need to rinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher is a myth. While it’s a must to clean food off dishes, pre-rinsing dishes before loading only wastes water and increases bills to avoid blockages in the machine.

Don’t Overload Your Dishwasher  

The idea of ​​cramming all the dishes into one load may be very tempting to save time, but the fact is that an overloaded machine can damage dishes. In addition, we cannot clean some items because the overload is blocking the flow of water and detergent.  

Place Plastic Utensils at the Top

The maximum heating in the dishwasher occurs in its lower part, where the heating element is located. Place dishwasher-safe plastic utensils at the top to prevent them from deforming. Read the manual for more information on what can happen to plastic dishes in your dishwasher. 

Place Glasses and Mugs at the Top  

The top basket of the dishwasher is also designed for cleaning cups, glasses, and mugs – when positioned correctly, they are effectively rinsed inside with water and detergent.

Place Heavily Soiled Items Face Down

When washing dishes with burnt or heavy soiling, place them upside down so the spray arms can effectively clean them under water pressure.

Place Cutlery in the Dishwasher With the Handle Down  

Load forks and spoons handle down to ensure the most soiled areas are thoroughly cleaned. However, knives must be loaded blade down and handled up to avoid cuts when unloading the dishwasher.

Place Large Items Closer to the Back and Sides of the Dishwasher  

Cutting boards and large containers should be placed closer to the back and sides of the dishwasher so that they do not block the flow of water and detergent.  

Fill the Lower Basket with Pans and Pots

The dishwasher’s lowest basket can accommodate most stainless steel pots and pans; nevertheless, always verify the manufacturer’s recommendations before loading.

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How Do You Load Pots and Pans in the Dishwasher?

For the dishwashers to operate well and over the long term, it is crucial to follow the recommendations provided by the manufacturer.

  • Top Tray: Small and fragile products are loaded into it – cups, saucers, glasses, and glasses. A cast-iron pan, even a small one, is best placed at the bottom.
  • Holders: In some family dishwashers, the holders on the right fix the glass by the leg, and on the left, they are wide enough to fit coffee cups
  • Bottom Tray: Due to its size, it is ideal for large and most soiled dishes: plates, pots, pans, and baking sheets.
  • Tray for cutlery and kitchen stuff: It is located above the main trays or inside the lower one in the form of a basket.

How to Load Dishes in the Dishwasher Properly

Once you buy a dishwasher, you can’t do without it. Indeed, this appliance simplifies your daily life, saving you time, effort, and energy consumption.

But to get the most out of it, you must properly load the machine. Keep reading for all the tips and tricks to get the most out of your best kitchen ally.

How to Load Cutlery in Dishwasher or Other Accessories for Cooking

If the machine has a separate cutlery tray, place forks, spoons, and knives horizontally, one behind the other so that they rinse well. Nearby you can put spoons, shovels, and pushers. If the dishwasher only has a basket, place the spoons and forks vertically with the handles down. Place the knives with the handle up. Otherwise, there is a risk of cutting yourself.

How to Load Glasses in Dishwasher

Place it only in the upper tray upside down at a slight angle; otherwise, the water and detergent will not penetrate inside, and plaque will remain on the walls of the dish.

It would be best if you fixed the glasses with holders. Shot glasses and glasses are usually provided with shelves, but they can be placed above and below the glass holders.

How to Load Plates in Dishwasher

Turn bowls, tureens, and containers upside down and place them on the top shelf. So water will get inside the dishes and then drain freely. 

Load flat plates into the lower tray one after the other, with the center side facing up.

Place the largest plates in diameter closer to the edge of the chamber so that water freely reaches everything loaded in the tray. 

Place saucers in the top tray for better attachment and better washing.

How to Load Frying Pans in Dishwasher

Frying pans, pots, cauldrons, ladles, stewpans, baking sheets, baking dishes, and lids – all large items are loaded upside down into the lower tray.

How to Load Dishwasher

It is better to arrange them so that the handles of the products do not interfere with each other. Well, if the handles are removed. Then it is better to send them to the top tray.

Conclusion – In short

  • The top tray is suitable for fragile, small, and not very dirty dishes.
  • The bottom tray is optimal for large kitchen utensils and large plates.
  • Depending on the dishwasher model, there are baskets or flat trays for cutlery.
  • For the machine to wash everything well and not clog the drain system, you must first clean the dishes from food debris, not overload the machine, securely fix all items, and leave space between them.
  • After the end of the cycle, do not take the dishes immediately – let them cool down. Take out clean, starting from the bottom tray.