Hello jhabley,
I too, had always heard that one should NOT put Teflon pans in the
dishwasher. I take great care with my Teflon pans, and I put my nice
stainless steel pans in all the time ? they have done very well.
Another reason I don?t put my Teflon pans in the dishwasher is this:
My aunt raised a very large family, who dirtied dozens of drinking
glasses a day. She ran her huge dishwasher twice a day, and all of her
glasses (real glass, not plastic) were pitted and scratched after a
time. Now, a Teflon pan certainly will not be run through the
dishwasher as often as my aunt?s glasses, but I have never done it!
Now, it seems I can ? depending on the pan manufacturer! It appears
that Teflon itself can take the dishwasher, it is apparently the *PAN*
manufacturer who may recommend against doing so.
From DuPont, the makers of Teflon:
?We wouldn?t be doing our job if you couldn?t put all of our
non-sticks in the dishwasher. While dishwashers are perfectly safe for
our non-sticks, you should always check the manufacturer's care
instructions to make sure the pan itself is dishwasher safe.?
http://www.teflon.com/NASApp/Teflon/TeflonPageServlet?GXHC_gx_session_id_=GXLiteSessionID-4729985715506108469&pageId=/consumer/na/eng/housewares/cookware/cookware/nonStick/myths/myths.html#q2
However, this is also on the Dupont site:
?What's the best way to clean my TeflonŽ surface?
Simply wash with hot, soapy water after each use. A sponge or
dishcloth is usually all it takes to get the surface thoroughly clean.
If oil or food residue is left on the pan, further cooking will harden
the residue and cause sticking over time. For pans that have
"carbonized" ? where a thin film of oil that has baked onto the pan ?
we recommend you use a little more elbow grease when cleaning in order
to break through this layer. Future cleanings will be as easy as with
new?
http://www.teflon.com/NASApp/Teflon/TeflonPageServlet?pageId=/consumer/na/eng/housewares/cookware/cookware/nonStick/cookwareCare/cookware_care.html
From CleanUpPages, this Teflon FAQ states:
?The Teflon finish is not harmed by dishwasher washing, but outside
surfaces of some utensils may be damaged, so follow label instructions
for each utensil. Remove stubborn spots with a plastic mesh pad.?
http://www.cleanuppages.com/clean/teflon.htm
From e-Gullet,
? But according to DuPont, licensed manufacturers using the most
recent technology -- techniques for improved PTFE-metal adhesion,
textured and filled surfaces, and more durable formulations -- produce
coatings that are unquestionably dishwasher safe. However, this
doesn't mean you can put the pan in the dishwasher -- because PTFE is
not all there is to the pan. Again, look at the care guidelines for
your stainless steel, copper or aluminum (anodized or not). With few
exceptions, you're not supposed to put that stuff in the dishwasher
either.
http://egullet.com/?pg=ARTICLE-daveteflon
The Judge Harlequin Teflon set states they make are dishwasher safe:
http://www.pots-and-pans.co.uk/cgi/letsshop/specialpan.html
Continental Companies:
http://www.continentalcompanies.com/teflon4.html
Hope this settles the dabate, jhabley? The Teflon can take the
dishwasher! You win if the pan manufacturer states its OK. Your
roommate wins if the pan manufacturer says it is not recommended for
the rest of the pan. One solution would be to purchase an inexpensive
Teflon pan, made by a manufacturer who says the pans are safe for the
dishwasher, and try it out!
If any part of my answer is unclear, please ask for an Answer
Clarification before rating, and I will respond as soon as possible!
Regards,
crabcakes-ga
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