Pitch(er) me a solution

July 16, 2022 1:40 PM

Is there a dishwasher safe pitcher that will work for my needs? How does one fit a pitcher in dishwasher?

I need a dishwasher safe 2qt pitcher. They exist, either as the lid only being dishwasher safe or being top rack only. We have a typical dishwasher and a pitcher is too tall for the top rack. (??)

Does what I need exist?

No, handwashing is not an option. It always just sits and never gets cleaned. I need the simplest way to get a clean rotation of pitchers.

posted by Crystalinne to Shopping (17 answers total)

We have a couple of Luminarc glass fridge jugs - the glass jug fits in our ?average? dishwasher main rack and the lids have survived in the silverware basket.

They come in several sizes, perhaps one is short enough for you?
posted by clew at 1:48 PM on July 16, 2022 [2 favorites]

We use a 2qt canning jar add an iced tea pitcher and wash in the dishwasher.
posted by sulaine at 2:42 PM on July 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

A standard round glass pitcher goes in the bottom rack of the dishwasher just fine. Anything that's all glass is going to be fine in the dishwasher. Do you need a lid?
posted by ssg at 3:01 PM on July 16, 2022

This IKEA 2qt glass pitcher is dishwasher-safe.
posted by mekily at 3:25 PM on July 16, 2022

Response by poster: Would prefer some type of lid option to avoid Fridge Taste. And I’m ok with glass if it’s got a real good handle or grip. I have small hands, not super strong, and can be clumsy.
posted by Crystalinne at 3:40 PM on July 16, 2022

Are you positive the upper rack of your dishwasher doesn't adjust? What model is it?
posted by JoeZydeco at 3:43 PM on July 16, 2022

Response by poster: New Bosch. No rack adjustments. Typical pull out top and bottom racks.
posted by Crystalinne at 4:11 PM on July 16, 2022

Metafilter favorite, adagio teas, now sells a pitcher, technically for infusing tea for iced tea, that is airtight and can be stored sideways. There's no reason you even need to attach the infusing part. You for sure won't spill this one, no matter you "butterfingers".
posted by atomicstone at 4:28 PM on July 16, 2022

All Bosch dishwashers have an adjustable middle rack with the exception of some 100-level models and maybe the Ascenta.
posted by JoeZydeco at 4:59 PM on July 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

We have something very similar to this. The main glass part goes in the bottom rack. The plastic stopper goes in the top. It works great!
posted by Temeraria at 5:16 PM on July 16, 2022

Best answer: We have been putting the cheapest grocery store plastic pitchers in the dishwasher on the bottom rack (because they don't fit on the top) for over a decade (as long as we have had a dishwasher) with no ill effects.
posted by hydropsyche at 5:58 PM on July 16, 2022 [4 favorites]

The reason that many plastic items are "top rack safe" is that they can be melted if they're too close to the drying element at the bottom of the dishwasher. Which means that if you turn off the drying part of the cycle, it's fine to put them on the bottom rack as well.
posted by Johnny Assay at 7:15 PM on July 16, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Regarding things that are only safe in the top rack of the dishwasher: This doesn't matter with Bosch dishwashers, you can put these things on the bottom rack without worry.

The risk on the bottom rack is that the heating element (the loop of thick wire underneath the rack that helps dry the dishes) will melt them. However, Bosch dishwashers (and other brands these days) don't have heated drying, so this not a problem.

Drying in a Bosch dishwasher is accomplished by using quite hot water for the final rinse. So it makes no difference which rack things are on if you have a Bosch dishwasher as the same hot water is circulated throughout. Go ahead and put anything marked top rack safe in the bottom rack — it won't hurt it.
posted by ssg at 7:50 PM on July 16, 2022 [7 favorites]

I mostly use half-gallon mason jars with a pour spout cap (some of these even include a handle), but that *is* pretty heavy when full. I have also have a basic Sterilite pitcher that I've washed on the bottom rack several times with no ill effects (I generally do not use the heated dry function on my dishwasher), but it feels kind of floppy to me when full!
posted by mskyle at 4:34 AM on July 17, 2022

I just have a Rubbermaid brand 2 qt plastic pitcher, and it goes through the dishwasher just fine. I'd look for Rubbermaid brand specifically as they are better plastic than, say, Sterilite.
posted by hippybear at 5:34 AM on July 17, 2022 [1 favorite]

Seconding the Mason jar with a handled lid solution. I like them so much I ended up buying four handles for my pack of six jars and use them for everything.
posted by metasarah at 8:50 AM on July 17, 2022

Response by poster: Went with these. So far they have lasted the initial test in my (100-series, non adjustable top rack) Bosch. I am used to my old apartment dishwasher with a heating element that ruined more than a few plastic things that fell down. This is a nice change!
posted by Crystalinne at 11:19 AM on July 26, 2022