“Dishwasher safe” on a knife set means less than most buyers think. It is the maker’s promise that the knives won’t rust, crack or come apart after a dishwasher cycle. It is not a promise that they’ll stay sharp. Edges dull faster when they rattle against plates and cutlery in hot, harsh detergent, so even a set built for the dishwasher cuts better for longer when you wash the main knives by hand.
Still, if your household simply loads everything into the machine, a set designed for it is the smart buy. My pick is the HENCKELS Modernist 13-Piece Knife Block Set, which HENCKELS says can be cleaned in the dishwasher or by hand. On a budget, the Chicago Cutlery Essentials 15-Piece Set covers the basics for much less.
My Top 6 Dishwasher-Safe Knife Set Picks
For a family that wants one block and won’t change its dishwasher habits, this is my first choice. HENCKELS states plainly that the knives can go in the machine, the blades are stain and rust free, and the forged bolsters make them feel more solid than most sets at this level. It also includes four steak knives and a hollow-edge santoku.
Not every kitchen needs 13 slots. This smaller HENCKELS block keeps the knives you’ll actually use: a chef’s knife, bread knife, two utility knives and a paring knife, plus shears. It’s dishwasher safe per HENCKELS and takes up far less counter space.
Victorinox says these knives are dishwasher safe and makes them in Switzerland. What I value most is the textured, NSF-approved handle, which stays secure when wet. The set also includes a boning knife, which most blocks leave out.
For someone who wants German-made knives that can still go in the dishwasher, this is my choice. ZWILLING stamps each blade from a single piece of its NO STAIN steel and ice hardens it, and the set has no steak knives padding out the count.
If you want a full block for very little money, this is the set I’d pick. Chicago Cutlery says the stainless blades can be washed by dishwasher or by hand, and the set includes a santoku and a scalloped bread knife.
This set skips the block entirely. Each knife has its own guard, so it suits drawers, RVs and small apartments, and the coated blades are listed as dishwasher safe. It’s also the cheapest set on this page.
Dishwasher-Safe Knife Sets Compared
| Set | Knives included | Blade | Storage | Steak knives | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HENCKELS Modernist 13-Piece | Chef 8″, santoku 7″, bread 8″, serrated utility 5″, paring 3″ and 4″, 4 steak | Stain and rust free, forged bolster | Black hardwood block | 4 | Families who want one block |
| HENCKELS Dynamic 7-Piece | Chef 8″, bread 8″, utility 6″, serrated utility 5″, paring 4″ | Stain and rust free | 6-slot hardwood block | None | Small kitchens |
| Victorinox Swiss Classic 10-Piece | Chef 8″, bread 8″, boning 6″, utility 6″, serrated utility 4.5″, 2 parers | Stamped high carbon stainless | Hardwood block | None | Grip and value per knife |
| ZWILLING Gourmet 10-Piece | Chef 8″, bread 8″, slicing 6″, serrated utility 5″, paring 4″, vegetable 3″, peeling 2.75″ | Stamped NO STAIN steel, ice hardened | Rubberwood block | None | German-made quality |
| Chicago Cutlery Essentials 15-Piece | Santoku 7″, partoku 5″, scalloped bread 8″, utility and fruit knives, parer, peeler, steak knives | Stainless, 26-degree taper | Rubberwood block | Yes | Tight budgets |
| Astercook 13-Piece | Chef 8″, slicing 8″, santoku 7″, bread 8″, utility 5″, paring 3.5″ | Stainless with anti-rust coating | 6 blade guards | None | Drawers and small spaces |
1. HENCKELS Modernist 13-Piece Knife Block Set: Best Overall
Who it’s for: households that want a complete block and will put the knives in the dishwasher no matter what.
HENCKELS is one of the few big knife brands that is completely upfront about dishwashers. For the Modernist line it says cleanup works “in the dishwasher or by hand”, and the blades are stain and rust free. That clarity is exactly what I want from a set I’m recommending for this job.
The Modernist also feels a step up from HENCKELS’ lighter stamped lines. Each knife has a fully forged bolster, the thick section where blade meets handle, which adds weight and balance. The satin-finished blades are finely honed, and HENCKELS says they stay sharp longer even with minimal care. The lineup is sensible too: an 8-inch chef’s knife, a 7-inch hollow-edge santoku, an 8-inch bread knife, a serrated utility knife, two paring knives, four steak knives, shears and a honing steel.
My reservation is the same one I have for every set on this page. A dishwasher won’t ruin these knives, but it will dull the edges sooner. If you can, hand wash the chef’s knife and santoku, which do most of the work, and let the steak knives and shears go in the machine.
Key specs
- Includes: 3″ and 4″ paring, 5″ serrated utility, 7″ hollow-edge santoku, 8″ chef’s, 8″ bread, 4 x 4.5″ steak knives, shears, 9″ honing steel, black hardwood block
- Blades: satin finished, stain and rust free
- Construction: fully forged bolster
- Dishwasher or hand wash, per HENCKELS
Pros
- Clear dishwasher-safe statement from the maker
- Solid, forged feel
- Complete set including steak knives
Cons
- Edges still dull faster in the dishwasher
- Large block takes up counter space
My verdict: the best all-round set for a dishwasher household. If you already own steak knives, the smaller Dynamic block below is better value.
2. HENCKELS Dynamic 7-Piece Knife Set: Best Compact Block
Who it’s for: couples, small kitchens and anyone who already has steak knives.
I’ve said it in my other set guides and I’ll say it again: you’ll use three or four knives every day, and the rest of a big block mostly fills slots. The Dynamic 7-piece is HENCKELS’ answer to that. The block holds five knives (chef’s, bread, paring and two utility knives, one straight and one serrated) along with shears, in six slots.
Like the Modernist, it carries HENCKELS’ “dishwasher or by hand” statement and stain and rust-free blades, and it costs far less. The two utility knives are a nice touch: the straight one handles cheese and sandwiches, and the serrated one is great for tomatoes and bagels, which spares your chef’s knife.
What’s missing? There’s no santoku, no steak knives and no honing steel, so budget for a steel if you want to keep the edges in shape. It also feels lighter in the hand than the Modernist.
Key specs
- Includes: 4″ paring, 5″ serrated utility, 6″ utility, 8″ bread, 8″ chef’s, shears, 6-slot hardwood block
- Blades: stain and rust free
- Dishwasher or hand wash, per HENCKELS
Pros
- No filler knives
- Compact block
- Good price for a known brand
Cons
- No honing steel
- Lighter, less substantial feel
My verdict: the set I’d choose for a small dishwasher-friendly kitchen. Families who need steak knives should pick the Modernist.
3. Victorinox Swiss Classic 10-Piece Knife Block: Best Non-Slip Grip
Who it’s for: cooks who want proven professional knives with handles that never get slippery.
Victorinox puts it simply: dishwasher safe, but hand washing recommended. That’s an honest label, and it matches my own advice. These knives are made in Switzerland with the patented textured handles you find in many restaurant kitchens. They’re slip resistant when wet and NSF approved for food service hygiene.
The blades are stamped from cold-rolled high-carbon stainless steel and have no bolster, so you can use and sharpen the full length of the edge. That’s a practical design for knives that will see a lot of washing, because there’s no heavy bolster to trap grime or get in the way of a sharpener. The set is well chosen: an 8-inch chef’s knife, an 8-inch bread knife, a 6-inch boning knife, a 6-inch utility knife, a serrated utility knife, straight and serrated parers, a honing steel and shears. I go into what makes Victorinox knives so good for the money in my Victorinox chef knife review.
The downsides are looks and cost. The handles are plain and functional, and it’s pricier than the HENCKELS sets, though Victorinox backs it with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects.
Key specs
- Includes: 3.25″ straight and serrated parers, 4.5″ serrated utility, 6″ utility, 6″ boning, 8″ chef’s, 8″ bread, 9″ steel, shears, hardwood block
- Blades: stamped high-carbon stainless, conical ground, no bolster
- Handles: textured, slip resistant, NSF approved
- Made in Switzerland; lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects
- Dishwasher safe, hand washing recommended (per Victorinox)
Pros
- Grippiest handles here
- Includes a boning knife
- Full-length edges are easy to sharpen
Cons
- Plain styling
- No santoku
My verdict: the set I’d buy for performance and safety with wet hands. If you prefer a heavier, more traditional feel, look at the ZWILLING or HENCKELS sets.
4. ZWILLING Gourmet 10-Piece Knife Block Set: Best German-Made
Who it’s for: buyers who want German-made knives from a top brand and a set that can handle the occasional dishwasher run.
ZWILLING is HENCKELS’ parent company, and the Gourmet line is its stamped, lighter range, made in Germany. Each blade is precision stamped from one piece of ZWILLING’s special formula NO STAIN steel, then ice hardened with the FRIODUR process, which ZWILLING says helps the edge start sharper and stay sharper. ZWILLING sells Gourmet sets labeled dishwasher safe, which is why the line made this list.
I like the lineup a lot. There are no steak knives inflating the count. Instead there are three small blades for fruit and vegetable prep (peeling, vegetable and paring, from 2.75 to 4 inches), alongside the chef’s knife, bread knife, 6-inch slicer, serrated utility knife, honing steel and shears.
This is the most expensive set here, and it doesn’t come with a santoku. And because ZWILLING’s knives are good enough to deserve care, it’s the set where I’d most strongly suggest hand washing the chef’s knife. If you’re wondering how ZWILLING and WÜSTHOF handle dishwashers differently, I explain WÜSTHOF’s advice in are WÜSTHOF knives dishwasher safe?
Key specs
- Includes: 2.75″ peeling, 3″ vegetable, 4″ paring, 5″ serrated utility, 6″ slicing, 8″ bread, 8″ chef’s, 9″ steel, shears, rubberwood block
- Blades: special formula high-carbon NO STAIN steel, stamped from a single piece, FRIODUR ice hardened
- Made in Germany
Pros
- German-made from a top maker
- Useful small knives instead of steak knives
- Light and easy to handle
Cons
- Most expensive set here
- No santoku
- Deserves hand washing more than most
My verdict: the quality choice for a dishwasher-tolerant set. Families on a budget will get more pieces for less from HENCKELS.
5. Chicago Cutlery Essentials 15-Piece Knife Set: Best Budget Block
Who it’s for: first apartments, rentals, vacation homes and anyone furnishing a kitchen cheaply.
Chicago Cutlery is a long-running American kitchen brand, and the Essentials set is its no-frills option. The stainless blades resist stains and corrosion, and Chicago Cutlery says they can be cleaned “by dishwasher or by hand”. Each knife has a metal tang for strength, and the edges use the brand’s 26-degree taper grind.
The selection leans toward everyday home cooking: a 7-inch santoku, a 5-inch partoku (a small santoku-shaped utility knife), an 8-inch scalloped bread knife, serrated utility and fruit knives, a parer, a peeler, scalloped steak knives and shears, all in a rubberwood block. For more cheap blocks that I’d hand wash instead, see my best knife sets under $100.
At this price, expect to sharpen or hone often. Lots of the pieces are small serrated knives, which work fine but are hard to sharpen, and there’s no classic Western chef’s knife; the santoku takes that role.
Key specs
- Includes: 3″ peeler, 3.5″ parer, 4.75″ serrated utility, 4.5″ serrated fruit, 4.5″ scalloped steak knives, 5″ partoku, 7″ santoku, 8″ scalloped bread, shears, rubberwood block
- Blades: stainless steel, 26-degree taper grind edge, metal tang
- Dishwasher or hand wash, per Chicago Cutlery
Pros
- Very low price for a full block
- Maker says dishwasher safe
- Santoku suits everyday chopping
Cons
- No chef’s knife
- Many small serrated pieces
- Needs frequent honing
My verdict: a sensible block for a kitchen that just needs knives that work. If you cook a lot, spend more on the HENCKELS Dynamic.
6. Astercook 13-Piece Knife Set with Blade Guards: Best With Blade Guards
Who it’s for: small kitchens, RVs and campers, or anyone who stores knives in a drawer.
Astercook is a budget brand sold mainly on Amazon, and this set is about as practical as cheap knives get. The box holds six knives, kitchen shears and six blade guards. The knives cover the usual jobs: chef’s, santoku, slicer, bread, utility and paring. The guards are the point: they protect the edges in a drawer and protect your fingers when you reach in.
The blades have an anti-rust, non-stick coating, and Astercook lists them as dishwasher safe. Astercook also offers a lifetime warranty. For the money, it’s hard to argue with.
The coating is my main reservation. Coated blades look good at first, but dishwasher cycles, scrubbing and sharpening wear the coating over time, especially along the edge. The knives are also basic; don’t expect them to hold an edge like the HENCKELS or ZWILLING blades.
Key specs
- Includes: 8″ chef’s, 8″ slicing, 7″ santoku, 8″ serrated bread, 5″ utility, 3.5″ paring, shears, 6 blade guards
- Blades: stainless steel with anti-rust, non-stick coating
- Dishwasher safe per Astercook; lifetime warranty
Pros
- Lowest price here
- Guards make drawer storage safe
- Bright, easy-to-clean blades
Cons
- Coating wears with time
- Basic edge retention
My verdict: the set to buy for a camper, a dorm or a drawer. For a main kitchen, a block from HENCKELS or Victorinox is the better long-term buy.
What Makes a Knife Set Truly Dishwasher Safe
A clear statement from the maker
Trust the manufacturer’s own wording first. Every set here is labeled dishwasher safe by its maker. Many premium brands, especially Japanese ones, say hand wash only, and some exclude dishwasher damage from their warranty.
Handles that tolerate heat and water
Synthetic handles survive dishwashers; natural wood does not. Plastic, composite and textured synthetic handles shrug off heat and moisture, while wood can swell, crack and loosen around the rivets. Avoid wooden handles entirely if the knives will go in the machine.
Stain-resistant steel
Look for stainless blades described as stain and rust resistant. High-carbon stainless (as HENCKELS, ZWILLING and Victorinox use) balances edge holding with corrosion resistance. Coated blades resist rust well at first, but the coating can wear.
Softer, tougher edges
German and Swiss-style steels handle dishwasher knocks better than hard Japanese steel. Thin, hard edges are more likely to chip when they bump against dishes. That’s why every pick here is a Western-style set; if you love Japanese knives, see my best Japanese knife sets and plan to wash them by hand.
The right number of knives
Buy for the knives you’ll use, not the piece count. A chef’s knife or santoku, a paring knife and a bread knife cover most cooking. Steak knives are worth having only if you don’t own any.
How to Wash Knives in the Dishwasher Without Ruining Them
Check the label first. Only put knives in the dishwasher if the maker says they’re dishwasher safe. When in doubt, hand wash.
Keep them apart from other metal. Lay knives flat on the top rack or in a dedicated knife slot, edges not touching pots, cutlery or each other. Knocks are what dull edges fastest.
Point edges down and away from your hands. If knives must go in the cutlery basket, place them handle up, blade down, so you don’t grab an edge when unloading.
Unload and dry promptly. Don’t let knives sit in a hot, steamy dishwasher for hours. Take them out when the cycle ends and wipe them dry to prevent spots.
Hone more often. Dishwasher-washed knives lose their edge faster, so a few strokes on a honing steel before cooking keeps them working. Sharpen properly every year or so.
FAQ
Is it bad to put knives in the dishwasher?
For most knives, yes. Heat, harsh detergent and knocks against other items dull edges and can damage handles. Dishwasher-safe sets are built to survive it without rusting or cracking, but they still stay sharper with hand washing.
Are any knife sets truly dishwasher safe?
Yes, in the sense that the knives won’t be damaged. Sets like the HENCKELS Modernist and Victorinox Swiss Classic are labeled dishwasher safe by their makers. “Dishwasher safe” refers to the materials, not to edge retention.
Why do my knives rust in the dishwasher?
Long exposure to moisture and detergent can cause spots and rust, even on stainless steel. Cheaper steels and damaged coatings are most at risk. Unload and dry knives right after the cycle to prevent it.
Can knives with wooden handles go in the dishwasher?
No. Heat and water make wood swell and crack, and the handle can loosen. Wooden-handled knives should always be washed by hand and dried straight away.
Do dishwasher-safe knives get dull faster?
Yes, if you wash them in the dishwasher. Contact with other items and the cycle’s jets wear the edge. Regular honing and a yearly sharpening keep them in good shape.
Is a self-sharpening knife block dishwasher safe?
The knives sometimes are, but the block itself never goes in the dishwasher. HENCKELS, for example, makes dishwasher-safe knives for self-sharpening blocks. My guide to the best self-sharpening knife sets covers them.
Final Verdict
The HENCKELS Modernist 13-Piece Knife Block Set is my pick for most dishwasher households: complete, solid and clearly labeled dishwasher safe. If you’d rather have fewer, more useful knives, the HENCKELS Dynamic 7-Piece is the compact alternative. And for grippy, Swiss-made professional knives, I’d choose the Victorinox Swiss Classic 10-Piece Block.
Want to compare every style and budget? See the knife sets I recommend at every price or my best knife sets under $200.
Gary Portman founded knivesadvice.com in 2019. He learned to cook in his family’s kitchen as a kid and has used kitchen, pocket and outdoor knives ever since, from paring and fillet knives to survival blades he carries camping and hiking. He writes the site’s buying guides, brand reviews and sharpening how-tos to help readers find the right knife for the job. More about Gary.