Yes, you can use a dishwasher to dry dishes that have been washed by hand. However, it's important to note that dishwashers are primarily designed for washing dishes and not specifically for drying them. The main purpose of a dishwasher is to clean dishes by using hot water, detergent, and powerful jets to remove food particles and stains.
That being said, dishwashers do have a drying cycle that utilizes heat and, in some cases, a fan to aid in the drying process. If you want to use your dishwasher to dry hand-washed dishes, you can place them in the dishwasher rack and run the drying cycle without running a full washing cycle. This can help speed up the drying process, especially if your dishwasher has a heated drying option.
However, keep in mind that some dishwashers may not have a separate drying cycle or may not dry dishes as effectively as air-drying or using a dish towel. Additionally, delicate or fragile items may not be suitable for dishwasher drying, as the heat and water pressure could potentially damage them.
Ultimately, if you're looking for an efficient and effective way to dry dishes, it's generally recommended to air-dry them or use a dish towel, as these methods are more versatile and allow you to have more control over the drying process.