Can cast iron go in the dishwasher?
Preferably no, cast iron pans, skillet and cookware are better to be hand-washed. A dishwasher will likely remove the seasoning and produce rust.
Cast iron pans will likely have years of built up oil patina, that keeps the metal smooth almost like a Teflon pan and keeps the metal from rusting or corrosion, if cared for properly.
Dishwashers will destroy the cast iron’s lovely patina, and the chemicals in the detergent may degrade and pit the metal, causing rust to form.
Although, generally a dishwasher shouldn’t harm a good cast iron skillet other than removing some of the seasoning.
Are cast iron pans dishwasher safe?
When it comes to caring for your cast iron, there are a number of “don’ts,” as it is a more specific cooking material than most others. The reason for this is that the cast iron needs to be seasoned, which is simply a buildup of oils that maintains the pan nonstick and a more effective cooking utensil in general.
Dishwashing it would most likely remove the seasoning from the pan. If you already have it, you can easily re-season it. Rub the pan all over with your favourite cooking oil and a paper towel to accomplish this. Make sure to rub the pan to provide a uniform coating.
Place the pan on the stove for a few minutes, or until it is completely cooked and smoking, and your basic seasoning is finished.
When cleaning your cast iron, simply wash it lightly with water and possibly some mild soap, then use a rubber scraper to remove sticky food particles.
It is critical to completely dry the pan with a towel before placing it on the burner for a few minutes to verify that all of the water has evaporated. The cleaning process can then be finished with some oil for seasoning.
Can a cast iron skillet be saved after it goes through the dishwasher?
Sure! Simply scrub it by hand to ensure that there is no detergent residue on it. In the oven, dry it thoroughly. Then, using a decent vegetable oil, reseason it.
Wipe a thin layer of vegetable oil over the entire skillet and place it face down in a preheated 350°F oven. Cook for 1 hour, then remove from the oven to cool. That’s all! (If the surface is tacky, the oil was either too thick or it didn’t cook long enough.)
To summarize
It’s very recommended to not putting your cast iron cookware in dishwasher, cleaning them by hand is very easy like explained here.
If by any chance ,it happens, you must fully re-season the pan.
If the pan got some rust, follow this procedure to remove it.
If the pan is quietly damaged, you can restore it following these instructions.
