Lodge Dishwasher-Safe Cast Iron
Lodge heat-treated cast iron cookware undergoes a special process that diminishes its capacity to rust. While most cast iron cookware must be washed carefully by hand, heat-treated cast iron is dishwasher safe.
While cast iron cookware is beloved for its versatility and durability, some people are intimidated by its special care and maintenance needs. Traditional cast iron requires the user to clean it by hand and should never be put through a dishwasher; failure to do so will inevitably result in rusting or damage to the cookware. However, users who want the benefits of cast iron and the convenience of dishwasher cleaning have options with Lodge heat-treated cast iron cookware.
Lodge heat-treated cast iron is heated at very high temperatures during the manufacturing process, which changes the molecular structure of the iron. As a result, this material has all the benefits of regular cast iron – such as heat retention and superior durability – with reinforced rust resistance. Lodge pre-seasons its heat-treated cast iron in the foundry for immediate use after purchase, eliminating the need for an initial seasoning.
Though users still need to season the cookware with oil after each use and should not soak it in water, one of the biggest draws of heat-treated cast iron is the ability to go through the dishwasher. According to Lodge, test pieces survived more than 400 cycles in a commercial dishwasher with no signs of oxidation. Lodge dishwasher-safe cast iron is a good choice for commercial kitchens who want to benefit from cast iron cookware but can't spare the time or labor to clean each piece by hand.