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Dishwasher - knives up or down?

(54 Posts)
eddiecat78 Sun 23-Feb-25 11:43:24

I put sharp knives in the dishwasher with blades up. I started doing this after having to replace a cutlery basket (surprisingly expensive) when it was damaged by having sharp things dropped into it.
My children are convinced I will fall and impale myself - and as I get older I reluctantly agree that I need to be more careful. But if I comply how do I protect the basket?

Grandmabatty Sun 23-Feb-25 11:45:41

I always put knives, blades down. I read a news article about a child who did impale themselves falling onto a knife. I won't needlessly endanger my grandsons lives. They love to help load and empty the dishwasher (long may it last)

Marmight Sun 23-Feb-25 11:45:45

Sharp knives down. All others up. Or just hand wash the sharpies?! 🤔

kittylester Sun 23-Feb-25 11:49:47

Decent sharp knives shouldn't go in the dishwasher.

Charleygirl5 Sun 23-Feb-25 11:52:11

I put the long knives on the side on the top shelf, again, with the handle facing me, because I do not want to handle the sharp part when removing them from the machine. It is much easier to grab the handle, and I know I am safe.

In the tray, sharp piece down so I only have to grab the handle.

Grannybags Sun 23-Feb-25 11:55:24

All knives and forks sharp side down for safety. They do get rinsed before they go in though

Claremont Sun 23-Feb-25 12:06:05

sideways and individually, on a top tray- perfect.

Chocolatelovinggran Sun 23-Feb-25 12:10:44

kittylester is correct. Most purveyors of knives do not recommend dishwashers.

Gwyllt Sun 23-Feb-25 12:15:02

Kittylester. Agree decent knives shouldn’t go in dishwasher. And wouldn’t put any sharp knife in

GrannyGravy13 Sun 23-Feb-25 12:17:39

Never put sharp knives in dishwasher.

If you do, and have a cutlery basket please put them blade down to prevent accidents.

I thought most newer models have a cutlery tray at the top?

Ziplok Sun 23-Feb-25 12:22:44

I never put sharp knives in the dishwasher. Actually some of them came with instructions not to put in the dishwasher as dishwashers can blunt them, which would make them dangerous to use. Table knives, on the other hand (stainless steel ones) I do put in the dishwasher, blade side down, not up. I’ve got some silver plated cutlery, too, which I occasionally use and that is always washed by hand.

Jaxjacky Sun 23-Feb-25 12:44:17

Ours go blades up, our only sharp tableware knives are the steak ones, they’re hand washed, carefully!

Casdon Sun 23-Feb-25 12:53:31

All mine go in the dishwasher, blades down. I use a knife sharpener though, and they seem fine.

JamesandJon33 Sun 23-Feb-25 13:43:28

Always down. I read an article once about a father who had left the dishwasher door down. His young son fell over it and was in paled on a knife. Similarly knitting needles always put away safely

Mamardoit Sun 23-Feb-25 13:55:26

kittylester

Decent sharp knives shouldn't go in the dishwasher.

I keep telling the men in my house but they take no notice.

Failing this sharp pointed knives point down. Ordinary eating knives point up the same as spoons and forks.

keepingquiet Sun 23-Feb-25 13:57:46

Isn't there a tray at the top where you can just lie them flat? My daughter has one. I don't.

Oreo Sun 23-Feb-25 13:59:09

Marmight

Sharp knives down. All others up. Or just hand wash the sharpies?! 🤔

This.
Tho DP insists on stacking the dishwasher himself as apparently I do things all wrong with things at odd angles.So he has become the self appointed king of the dishwasher😁
#finebyme

NotSpaghetti Sun 23-Feb-25 14:04:46

Table knives handle up/blade down.
Decent chopping type knives are hand washed.

Primrose53 Sun 23-Feb-25 15:11:12

my dishwasher has a pull out flat tray at the top so all cutlery lays on there. Have had baskets on other machines but would never go back.

JaneJudge Sun 23-Feb-25 15:12:44

any way up chez judge

eddiecat78 Sun 23-Feb-25 15:22:56

Looks like I'm going to have to follow your examples and put them in blade down - whilst training OH not to drop them from a height

JamesandJon33 Sun 23-Feb-25 15:44:22

IKEA dishwashers have a flat tray at the top .

kittylester Sun 23-Feb-25 15:45:47

Our Bosch does too. I'd never go back to a basket. And I'd never put sharp knives in there either.

Pippa22 Mon 24-Feb-25 13:12:07

I’ve just bought a new basket for my dishwasher and it was only £6. My dishwasher is 9 years old and knives down every day had taken that long to break the original basket. I would say just put knives in the dishwasher whatever way feels right for you.

Davida1968 Mon 24-Feb-25 13:19:09

Definitely any blades placed down in a cutlery basket. (Fork tines, too.) Absolutely a safety issue, IMO.