Plastics in the dishwasher

[scarevola]

I know this has been discussed before, but I haven't found quite the information I'm after.

How do you know which plastics will melt and which will be fine in a dishwasher? And if something does melt, would it do so badly enough to damage the machine?

The item I'm thinking about it the plastic dish drainer rack thingy that sits next to the sink, and which I find a total PITA to wash by hand because of all the ridgey bits. It's quite a sturdy one, if that makes any difference, or do I need to hunt for exactly what sort of plastic?

[Bin85]

Most are OK
Have done plastic dish rack, cutlery drawer,playmobil,Lego etc

[scarevola]

Thanks!

Dishrack easily replaced if it all goes wrong. Risking the machine, a step too far.

[PigletJohn]

I suppose you could hold things in the jet of steam from a boiling kettle, and see if they melt or soften.

Biros will (the clear acrylic barrel).

[Optimist1]

I regularly put my kitchen waste caddy thing in the dishwasher (and it'll only fit in the lower rack); that's probably made of the same sort of plastic as your dish drainer. I'm sure it'll be fine!

[Furball]

I do all my stuff like that on the lower temperature setting - on mine it's a 30 min wash and 55 degrees

It won't melt melt, it will only deform if it's too hot

[scarevola]

That's reassuring!

I think I'll give it a go (probably tomorrow) assuming it passes the kettle test, on the 'economy' setting (shortest and probably coolest).

[Furball]

It won't need to pass the kettle test if you do it on the lower temperature

[Deux]

Does it have that little symbol stamped on it somewhere - wineglass and fork? Mine does so I put it in the top tray and it comes out lovely.

[PandaNot]

I put everything in the dishwasher and in the 15 or so years since we've had it I've never had anything melt.

[hooker29]

I put my drainer and cutlery holder in the DW yesterday-just on a 50c wash.Came out lovely!

[scrimper]

I put my drainer in and it's fine. It's usually the thin plastics that deform like ice cream tubs etc. but it doesn't ruin the dishwasher, just the item.

[erin99]

Washing up bowls can hold boiling water fine, so if your dish drainer is similar you'll be fine. I do my plastic cutlery drainer all the time. The kettle tip is a good one though.

My rough rule of thumb is that properly see-through plastics tend to struggle. I've lost a couple of expensive, thick walled water bottles in jewel colours, but the cheaper ones that are opaque or cloudy (like sistema) are fine. Houmous pots and "bottled water" bottles can go a bit funny. If in doubt, top shelf is safer than bottom.

[scarevola]

Back to update - it survived!

Many thanks to you all, especially for all the tips on how to assess possible risk of melting.