Are Wüsthof Knives Dishwasher Safe?

Wüsthof has managed to stay strong for more than two centuries by perfecting its craft and making high-quality knives for every occasion. These knives are precise, made of high-quality material, and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Like any other valuable purchase, Wüsthof knives must be cared for accordingly. That includes cleaning them properly. Technically, you can wash these knives in the dishwasher if you need a quick and easy solution. However, there are specific reasons why you shouldn’t do that.

Why Shouldn’t You Wash Your Wüsthof Knives in the Dishwasher?

Delicate craftsmanship is put into Wüsthof knives. In general, we don’t recommend putting them in the dishwasher. Here’s why:

• Hot Water Dulls the Wüsthof Knife

Using a blunt knife can be pretty annoying. Wüsthof knives will gradually become blunt when exposed to heat for a long time.

Since dishwashers use hot water to clean, your knives will get dull after a while. In addition, the detergent used in the dishwasher is abrasive and corrosive, which will reduce your knife’s integrity by causing it to stain.

• Long-Term Exposure to Water Harms Wüsthof Knives

Bluntness isn’t the only thing you should worry about if you have knives made of carbon steel. It will also become rusty pretty quickly. Ceramic knives are delicate, too. Running them through a dishwasher could cause them to chip due to the turbulence.

• Could Damage Your Dishwasher

Dishwasher trays are mostly metal, but they have a plastic coat on top. Since Wüsthof knives are pretty sharp, they might bruise the plastic coating as they jostle around during the wash cycle. Thus, they will eventually shave off the protective plastic layer and leave the metal exposed to the dishwasher’s moisture, leading to a rusty dishwasher.

• Potential Damage to Your Other Dishes

Aside from harming your dishwasher, these knives will leave cut marks on other utensils and cutlery you have included in the wash cycle.

How to Properly Clean Your Wüsthof Knife

To avoid corrosion and stains, you should hand wash your Wüsthof knife in the sink using mild dish soap and cold water. Dish soap is safe for your knives as it doesn’t contain the same abrasive quality that regular detergent has.

Cleaning your Wüsthof knife this way will keep it looking new and sharp for a long time. After you clean and rinse your knife, wipe it down immediately. If you aren’t going to wash your knife immediately, wipe it with a cloth, especially if you’ve used it to cut any acidic ingredients.

Wüsthof Knives Do’s and Don’ts

Wüsthof knives are carefully made to precision, and it’s essential to keep them that way. Here is what you should do to care of them properly:

Do:

• Use a high-quality soft cutting board or butcher’s block (bamboo, wood, polythene).
• Use the right knife for the right occasion. Wüsthof makes specialty knives for every occasion.
• Keep your knife clean after use.
• Properly hone your knife to maintain its sharpness.
• Store your knives separately for safety purposes.

Don’t:

• Soak your Wüsthof knife to avoid corrosion.
• Use rigid cutting boards as they may bend your Wüsthof knives.
• Forget to sharpen your Wüsthof knives periodically.

For more information you can check our comparison article Wusthof vs Shun.

Conclusion

Using a dishwasher may seem like a convenient idea, especially when you’re feeling lazy. However, the harm it causes outweighs the good. Imagine having to replace your Wüsthof knives, dishwasher, and dishes regularly because of something you can spend a few minutes doing.

You will get the best performance out of your Wüsthof knife so long as you carefully maintain it. In other words, simply washing your knives, sharpening them correctly, and storing them somewhere safe can aid you in maintaining their quality for a long time.