Why everyone’s talking about... Dish washers
THE Nanny State strikes again, with Government climate spokesman Allegra Stratton delivering a mini-lecture about not rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. So, to rinse or not to rinse, that is the question...
Some experts say pre-rinsing is a waste of water and can be counterproductive as dishwasher tablets use enzymes that bond to food particles. Thus, no particles means nothing to cling to, so less efficient cleaning. Others argue that scraping off excess food prevents machines getting blocked, or they suggest just doing the washing-up by hand.
Would that be better?
Not really. A load that takes a dishwasher 13 litres of water to clean requires almost 50 by hand. Sens o r s make t he devices s uperefficient, especially if you load them correctly.
Now that’s another kettle of fish!
Yes, but the consensus seems to be: don’t let spoons and forks nest inside one another. Knives go bladedown for safety, glassware in the top where conditions are gentler. Don’t put in aluminium pans (they get pitted), or cast-iron (it rusts), sharp knives (they blunt), or wooden utensils or chopping boards (they warp and crack). Opinion is divided on cheese-graters.
And how come Tupperware always comes out wet, when dishes are dry?
Actually, it’s the other way around, according to science podcast A Problem Squared. Plastics are ‘dry’ in chemical terms as they repel water, which then beads together in droplets, while in ceramics, water forms a layer over the whole surface, but it’s thin and evaporates quickly.
Any other tips?
Occasionally tip white vinegar into the bottom of the machine and run it on hot to remove grease and smells. And some recommend the best solution to the pre-rinse dilemma: get a dog to lick the plates clean.