It is generally safe to put dishes in an empty dishwasher before turning it on, and you don't need to let them air dry first for sanitation reasons. In fact, modern dishwashers are designed to clean and sanitize dishes effectively without the need for pre-rinsing or air drying.
Here's why you can put dishes directly into an empty dishwasher:
Pre-rinsing is unnecessary: Dishwashers are equipped with powerful jets of water and high-temperature wash cycles that can effectively remove food particles and bacteria from dishes. As long as you scrape off large food scraps before loading the dishes, the dishwasher should be able to handle the rest.
Sanitizing temperatures: Dishwashers use high-temperature water during the wash and rinse cycles, typically reaching temperatures of 130°F to 170°F (55°C to 75°C). These high temperatures are enough to sanitize the dishes and kill most bacteria, ensuring they come out clean and safe to use.
Drying process: Modern dishwashers have built-in drying cycles that use hot air to dry the dishes after washing. The high temperature during the drying phase further aids in sanitizing the dishes and removing any remaining bacteria.
Energy efficiency: Pre-rinsing and air drying dishes before loading them into the dishwasher can waste water and energy. Dishwashers are designed to handle dirty dishes efficiently, so pre-rinsing is not necessary from an energy-saving perspective.
To ensure optimal performance and sanitation, you should follow some best practices when using a dishwasher:
- Scrape off large food particles from dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.
- Load the dishwasher properly, following the manufacturer's guidelines to allow water and detergent to reach all surfaces effectively.
- Use an appropriate detergent for your dishwasher and water hardness level.
- Run the dishwasher on a full load to maximize energy efficiency.
By following these practices, you can trust your dishwasher to effectively clean and sanitize your dishes without the need for pre-rinsing or air drying.