Are Ceramic Bowls Dishwasher Safe?

Ceramic bowls are a great way to serve various foods, especially in the summer. These bowls are highly durable and withstand everyday use without breaking. If you own a ceramic bowl, you may be wondering whether it is dishwasher-safe. I have researched to find the answer; let’s get into this.

Are ceramic bowls dishwasher safe?

The everyday use ceramic bowls, plates, and mugs that are glazed are safe to use in the dishwasher. After manufacturing, the glaze is applied to the ceramics to protect the surface and increase durability. Handmade ceramic bowls are also dishwasher safe as they are made on a mid and high-fire.

The ceramic bowls are dishwasher safe; however, you should follow some points when putting them in the dishwasher. Harsh detergents may wear away the glaze and ruin your ceramic bowl, so it is best to wash these dishes by hand instead of in a dishwasher. You can also use mild detergents instead of dishwasher liquid to clean them.

Ceramic bowls are known for their beautiful designs and sturdiness, but you should use them with utmost care to extend their usage and life. If there is any hand painting on your bowls, avoid using the dishwasher as the detergent would attack it, and your bowl design would ruin.

In this guide, we’ll explore the topic of are ceramic bowls dishwasher safe in detail. If you own a ceramic bowl and do not know how to care for it properly, then continue reading.

If you’re interested in purchasing ceramic cookware then check out my detailed guide about the best ceramic frying pans which includes all of my top picks by category.

Can You Put Ceramic Bowls in the Dishwasher?

It is ok to put your ceramic bowls in the dishwasher, as some ceramic bowls may look vintage, but they are dishwasher-safe. Since ceramic bowls have a high temperature withstanding capacity, it is safe to be washed in the dishwasher.

A few vintage bowls are not considered dishwasher safe due to insulation air spaces in their composition. Each ceramic product has a symbol indicating whether its dishwasher is safe.

There are a few reasons that make ceramic bowls safe for dishwashers; they are mentioned below:

The ceramic bowls are dishwasher safe because, during their production, a glaze is applied to them like annealed glass that protects its surface from the harsh detergents of the dishwasher tablet. Because of this glaze, your bowls are washed safely in the dishwashers without any damage.
Another reason ceramic bowls are dishwasher safe is their endurance to high temperatures, allowing them to withstand dishwasher temperature without cracking or shattering.

Also, check out my detailed guide about the use of ceramic bowls in the oven, where I explain the topic of are ceramic bowls oven safe and all of the relevant information on the subject.

Is a Handmade Ceramic Bowl Dishwasher Safe?

Generally, handmade ceramic bowls are dishwasher safe, but there are a few things that you need to consider before using them in dishwashers. The clay used to make ceramic determines whether it is safe for dishwashers.

The high-fire clay is usually regarded as safe for dishwashers because of its high-temperature endurance. Another factor that makes it safe for dishwashers is the correct glaze and firing.

But it would be best if you avoided using the dishwasher regularly as regular exposure to harsh detergent can affect your bowl’s material, so it is better to use it occasionally to prevent any damage. Hand-washing is preferable for cleaning ceramic bowls.

Handmade ceramic bowls are durable, solid, and resistant to breakage. However, these items might be unsafe for the dishwasher as they can crack or chip. Because of this, you must inspect your bowl before placing it in the dishwasher.

A high-fire clay bowl is generally dishwasher safe, as long as it is made from the proper glaze and fired correctly. However, regular dishwasher use can damage the enamel decoration on a ceramic bowl. Therefore, you should only use a mild detergent when cleaning a ceramic bowl.

Are Branded Ceramic Bowls Dishwashers Safe?

There are a lot of brands in the market today that offer ceramic bowls, and each has different properties and specifications. Each brand has mentioned a symbol underneath their product indicating whether it is safe for some uses or not.

Most ceramic brands claim their product to be safe for dishwashers as they have high temperature withstanding capacity that allows them to be used in dishwashers safely.

Also, the bowls are coated to protect them from harsh dishwasher detergents. So they are safe to be used in dishwashers.

Some brands of ceramic bowls feature the words “Dishwasher Safe” on their packaging for consumers who decide to use them in the dishwasher. This label is legally binding and promises that your ceramic bowl can be put into a dishwasher and still be as good as new.

While a dishwasher isn’t a good idea for pottery with underglaze, you can still use branded ceramic bowls in the dishwasher. Ceramics with a clear glaze can withstand the heat and won’t be damaged. Also, high-fire stoneware will not break under dishwasher use.

In addition, earthenware dishes will work best on the top rack. Alternatively, dishwashers with a lower heating element may be better for earthenware dishes.

The ceramic material used to create branded ceramic bowls is very durable. It’s also microwave and oven safe. You can purchase ceramic bowls in various sizes that will work well in your kitchen. You can even get a five-piece dinner set with all the essentials to cook your favorite meal. A bowl can replace all your other dishes and be used in the dishwasher for everyday use.

How to Know If a Ceramic Bowl Is Dishwasher Safe?

It is necessary to check whether your bowl is safe for the dishwasher or not before placing it in the dishwasher. If you place a regular bowl that is not safe for the dishwasher, you might get broken dishes out of your dishwasher.

You can check the dishwasher safe label or instruction manual to know whether your ceramic bowl is dishwasher safe or not. The good news is that most ceramic bowls are dishwasher safe. You can use a dishwasher to clean them but check their labels first.

If you do not know how to check if your bowl is dishwasher safe or not, then read the following tips:

If your ceramic bowl is safe for the dishwasher, there might be a written “dishwasher safe” or a symbol or stamp indicating it to be safe for the dishwasher. Generally, the square with glass and plates is the safe dishwasher icon.
If your bowl temperature resistance is high, dishwashers are safe as you can use only high-temperature withstanding utensils in the dishwashers.
Your bowl’s material is another indication of it being safe for the dishwasher until or unless there is any hand-painting.

The high-temperature resistant ceramic means the bowl is dishwasher safe; however, ceramic bowls that have been painted or decorated can be damaged by a dishwasher.

What Is a Dishwasher Safe Symbol?

The dishwasher-safe icon is a square with plates and glass in it. A dishwasher-safe food item is marked with a special symbol, such as a wine glass or a fork. This symbol indicates that it is approved for use with food, but it also means that the item cannot be used with a heating element.

A dishwasher-safe symbol does not guarantee an item can withstand microwave treatment, so always check the label before putting it in the dishwasher. Similarly, a snowflake symbol indicates that the thing is freezer-safe.

Having a clear understanding of what a safe dishwasher symbol means is essential for the care of your kitchenware. Dishwashers aren’t safe for all kitchenware, and the symbols help consumers decide if they should keep their dishes in the fridge or freezer.

Some products will have the safe dishwasher symbol, while others will not. In either case, you should use only dishwasher-safe products when cleaning in bowls. There are several different symbols manufacturers use to tell people which items are dishwasher safe.

What Is the Best Way to Clean a Ceramic Bowl?

Ceramic bowls are usually used for serving purposes, so they are less likely to become very dirty.

The best way to clean your ceramic bowl is to wash them when their temperature is normal to avoid thermal shock, this way, you can extend your bowl’s durability and shelf-life.

Some of the best ways to clean your ceramic bowl are as follows.

Allow your ceramic bowl to reach room temperature before washing, as thermal shocks might break the bowl.
Rinse your bowl with hot water and allow all the dirt to wash away with your hands.
If there is still a need for cleaning, use a dishwasher liquid and a non-abrasive sponge to clean your bowl thoroughly.
Avoid using metallic sponges after cleaning; rinse the bowl with hot water.
After washing, wipe the bowl with a clean and dry soft material cloth and store your bowl correctly.

If the pottery is not dishwasher-safe, check the glaze. Some ceramics are dishwasher-safe only if the ceramic bowl has a glaze on the surface. It is not always possible to tell if ceramic is dishwasher-safe unless the potter specified it.

Avoid putting it in the dishwasher if it is brightly painted, as the colors might fade or peel off. Also, avoid using soap on unglazed ceramics because you can taste the soap in the food.

Care Tips When Washing a Ceramic Bowl

Your ceramic bowls are the most delicate dinnerware, so they have to have cared for accordingly; for this purpose, follow the following care tips when washing a ceramic bowl:

Most of your ceramic bowls and pots are indeed safe for dishwashers, but long-term use of dishwashers would ultimately start affecting your bowls. Due to harsh detergents, the glaze would start wearing off, and you would ruin your beautiful ceramic bowl. So, it would help if you used the dishwasher occasionally only.
Use the dishwasher only with mild detergents as harsh detergent could irreversibly affect the bowl and its enamel decoration.
Hand washing is the most preferred way to clean your ceramic dinnerware and bowls as it would be done carefully by yourself.
Use dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge to clean your ceramic bowl, and avoid using abrasive sponges that could cause scratches on your bowl surface.
Do not use household bleaches or other cleaning agents to clean your ceramic bowl, as it would adversely affect the ceramic by penetrating it.
Always use warm soapy water for better cleaning of your ceramic bowls.
Do not put a cracked bowl in the dishwasher; otherwise, you will get a shattered bowl from the dishwasher.
Never put your hot ceramic bowl directly into cold water; it would cause your bowl to shatter due to thermal shocks.

Conclusion

You can put your ceramic bowls in the dishwasher whether they look vintage or not. Ceramic bowls are dishwasher-safe. Ceramic bowls can withstand high temperatures, so they can be washed in a dishwasher due to high-temperature endurance and glaze on their surface that protects the material. The ceramic bowls should be hand washed with proper care.

The majority of ceramic bowls can be put in the dishwasher, but make sure you read the label carefully. They are not dishwasher safe if the ceramic bowl has been hand-painted or is made of a material that can’t withstand high temperatures. In that case, It’s better to wash ceramic bowls by hand to avoid breaking the delicate glaze.

In addition, ceramic bowls should only be washed with mild detergents. Some bowls can be placed on any shelf, but the recommended place for the ceramic bowls is on the top shelf.