How to load the dishwasher

4.  How to Load the Right Way

Mike Edwards knows a thing or two about how to load a dishwasher—he’s been designing them for 22 years. His suggestion: “Read the manual. We put a lot of effort into it!” Each tub is a little different, but even so, there are two golden rules: Like items shall be loaded with like. (More items fit that way.) And all items should face the middle of the unit—that’s where the jet spray comes from.

• Avoid nesting Water, water vapor and heat need to touch every surface of the items being washed, so leave space between dishes and don’t overfill.

• Place Items facing Down Placing bowls, pans and cups upright means they’ll fill with dirty water and won’t be able to drain.

• The Lower Rack Put bigger dishes here, close to the jet spray. Plates, pots, pans, mixing bowls all go here; platters go against an outside edge so they don’t block other items. Durable mugs and thick glasses can also go on this rack.

• Silverware Load the silverware basket in the sink—knives handle-up, and forks and spoons handle-down—making sure not to overfill. Many baskets are designed to sit in a variety of bottom rack locations; after you load other items, place the basket where your remaining empty space is.

• The Top Rack Place glasses and cups along the edges, next to the tines (not on them; if you put them on the tines, the tines can break and you’ll fit fewer items). Load smaller plates and saucers in neat rows facing the middle. Long spatulas, cooking spoons and knives lie flat, in the long basket for this purpose, if your unit has one.

Dishware You Shouldn't Load, as Per the Manual

• Pricey or delicate glass “In many cases, expensive stuff won’t hold up,” says Edwards.

• Cast iron The iron can rust, and the seasoning will be removed. Gold -plated or -rimmed flatware and dishes The gold can scratch off, or the items may come out a color other than gold.

• Tin, pewter , sterling silver , anodized aluminum Like cast iron, these materials can rust. When in doubt, skip all metal products other than stainless steel and aluminum.

• Disposable plastics Skip anything that’s not marked “dishwasher safe,” particularly takeout containers.

• Wood Wooden bowls, spoons and utensil handles can warp, crack or discolor.

• Nonstick pans and baking sheets Read the labels that came with them, and if you’re not sure, hand-wash so the nonstick coating doesn’t come off.

•Children’s dishes with designs Otherwise, Winnie might lose his face. And his honey.

• Expensive dishes Why risk it? Hand-wash anything you plan to leave to your relatives.

• Twisty straws It’s just not going to end well.