Are Your Kitchenware Items Safe for the Microwave or Dishwasher?
It is fun and interesting to shop for vintage and used kitchenware items. These pieces are often unique and made with durable materials. When you shop for kitchenware, look for a few things including the style, usefulness and appearance of the item. You will also want to consider the ease of cleaning items you find in resale shops.
What Materials are Safe for the Microwave?
Most new products have instruction symbols on them that indicate whether they are safe for use in the microwave. Older or vintage kitchenware items typically do not display these symbols. Generally, older products made of plastic or melamine are not safe to use in the microwave. They could melt or materials could leach into the food you place in them when exposed to high heat. When in doubt, it is best to avoid placing vintage or antique kitchenware items in the microwave.
Can I Put Kitchenware Items in the Dishwasher?
Kitchenware items may not be safe to place in the dishwasher. Typically, it is best to wash vintage and older kitchenware items by hand. The dishwasher exposes kitchen items to high levels of heat as well as strong water pressure. Antique dishes may not be strong enough to go through repeated dishwasher cycles. In addition, some of the decoration on the item could fade significantly due to exposure in the dishwasher.
Materials That are Not Safe for the Microwave or Dishwasher
Various materials or decorations may not be suitable for the microwave or dishwasher. Some dishes or glassware have gold trim around the edges or elsewhere. This is metallic and cannot be heated in the microwave. Glassware, particularly vintage or antique items, could be delicate and may not withstand the pressure of the dishwasher. Plastic items or those made with cellulose or melamine should not be placed in the microwave or dishwasher. Ceramics that are painted with various types of paint should not be put in the microwave or dishwasher.
Look For Instruction Marks
Modern items made within the last few decades often have specific markings on the bottom. These markings indicate whether an item can be placed into the microwave or dishwasher. They also provide details for how an item may be recycled. In some cases, a plastic item may be safely washed only in the top rack of a dishwasher. In many cases, the original box or packaging may provide instructions for use. When the box is no longer available, you should be cautious about heating or washing vintage kitchenware.
Vintage and Antique Kitchenware
The general rule of thumb for most vintage and antique kitchenware is to avoid putting them in the microwave or dishwasher. Many of these items were made before modern kitchens were equipped with conveniences such as microwaves and dishwashers. The products were never meant to be exposed to these harsh circumstances. Although some of them may hold up, it is usually best not to use them in the microwave, and you should wash them by hand.
Dishfunctional offers a wide variety of kitchenware and other items at our store and online. We are located in the Lincoln Court Shopping Center, 225 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, PA, 19355. Contact us by phone at (484) 328-8401, email us at dishfun1@gmail.com, or reach out online.