Problem with rust on stainless cutlery

[Malbut]

I’ve had a Bosch SGS 5002 for a few years (and others before), but over the past year or so stains have been appearing on various makes of everyday stainless steel cutlery.

Strangely, it’s not happening on posher, less-frequently-used Viners cutlery with silver plated handles – or on stainless steel cooking tools and utensils collected over the years.

The only change has been from using loose mostly-own-brand detergent powder to branded tablet detergent (because my Morrisons seems to have stopped own brand detergent powder).

I’ve Googled this and seen various suggestions as to why it happens and remedies to stop the problem. These range from ceasing to machine wash cutlery to removing cutlery as soon as the washer stops and dry it by hand.

That all sounds fine, but if the cutlery is susceptible to rust spots, why isn’t the stainles steel interior of the machine also being affected – and why has only started to happen over the past year or so?

Mal

[kwatt]

Re: Problem with rust on stainless cutlery

Answers in this section of the site 😉

K.

[Malbut]

Re: Problem with rust on stainless cutlery

Thanks kwatt,

That’s an exhaustive list of reasons (and other problems).

However, it’s a bit like reading the folded printed paper inside a packet of medicine which gives all the possible bad side effects you could get from taking the very thing which is meant to be doing you good…

I’m using what I assume to be good quality salt, detergent and rinse (i.e. not supermarket own brand – although I never noticed these problems before when I did use the less expensive products). Therefore, I’m going to take note of what’s in these products and experiment with the quantities where possible.

One thing that strikes me is that this is a case where cathodic protection might work if I install a sacrificial zinc anode – or has that already been tried?

[kwatt]

Re: Problem with rust on stainless cutlery

The most common type is described here

The most common reason is poor quality steel TBH or leaving the cutlery in the dishwasher for too long after the cycle is completed. Many people use a dishwasher more of less as a dish cupboard which is fine, unless you get this problem.

It can also be caused by a combination of the various factors. It’s like a pick & mix issue. 😉

There’s not much you can do about it other than the advice given and I wouldn’t try anything either in case you upset the dishwasher in some other way trying something out of the ordinary.

HTH

K.

[Malbut]

Re: Problem with rust on stainless cutlery

Aluminium foil appears to be an answer

I thought electrolytic action could help. So I tore off six strips of cooking foil about 8 cm wide and folded them to make 2 cm multiply strips.

I joined these together to form one long foil ribbon. I ran this down the wall of each compartment, across the bottom and up the side. I did this throughout the cutlery basket making one complete circuit.

Several loadings have been washed since I installed this foil circuit. The cutlery has been the usual mix of odds and sods of stainless, chrome plated, epns, cutlery, tools, implements, etc. The washes have been completed overnight and left in the washer for up to 12 hours.

The result is that the stainings and marks noted on almost every recent wash have almost stopped.

A less Heath Robinson approach might be to fabricate a complete aluminium (or zinc) cutlery basket. Does anyone know if this has been tried?

Mal

[iadom]

Re: Problem with rust on stainless cutlery

Yes, early Bosch/Hotpoint dishwashers from over 25 years ago had a special ‘metal’ container for silver & SS cutlery. It slotted inside the normal cutlery basket but would only hold a small number of items TBH.

Original part number was 7105781- silver basket. Still available under part number 7004-silver casette. At around £50 ex vat I doubt you will be interested. 😥

[Malbut]

Re: Problem with rust on stainless cutlery

Hi iadom,

Thanks for the info. It’s good to be reassured I’m not turning into a snake oil salesman. Memories of school chemistry and physics told me I should be on to something.

I’m going to try joining up some perforated zinc inserts to put in the bottom of the cutlery basket sections.

Life’s really exciting sometimes, innit?

Thanks,

Mal

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