Kitchen

[Marp]

I have some ancient kitchen utensils (late 1940s to early 1950s) with bakelite handles.  The handles are still shiny and look almost new and I'd like to keep them that way.  However, I'd also like to put them in the dishwasher.

Would it be safe to put bakelite this old in the dishwasher or would it risk damaging the finish?

[Kachina624]

@Marp.  Surely Google addresses that issue.  Have you tried that?

[piperbay]

I would hand wash them and not take the risk of putting them in the dishwasher.

[Marp]

@Kachina624,  I admit to not searching deeply but I did find that cookware with bakelite should not go into the dishwasher.

Also, any answers I did find were from entities not home users.  Personal results or even educated guesses from individuals would be more useful to me in this case than institutional findings.  My idiosyncrasy.

[Imaoldhippie]

@Marp ...........I would not put them in the dishwasher.  I put a piece of depression glass in the dishwasher and it ruined it, made it all cloudy.

[Mom2Dogs]

I have several bakelite pieces...I hand wash.

[ahoymate]

FYI................Google:

Do not put Bakelite in the dishwasher because harsh detergents and high heat can dry out, and even crack, the surface. Colors may also become dull or clouded. Instead, wash by hand.

[Othereeeen]

@Marp 

Are they the buterscotch color or black or some other color...I THINK the butterscotch color are somewhat collectible...you can check E-bay...

Vintage bakelite jewelry is quite collectible....also items made of butterscotch colored bakelite...

We had a set in that color....Don't know what happened to it...last seen in about 1970s in the drawers of the kitchen cabinet in our summer cabin.....!!!

[Marp]

Thank you all for your responses and sadly confirming my instincts.  Hand washing it will be.

@Othereeeen,  unfortunately no, not butterscotch.  You did pique my curiosity about jewelry though.  It has been a very long time since I went through my mother's old jewelry box.  Maybe I should do so and see if there is any bakelite.

[IamDoodles]

I have several bakelite utensils that my grandmother gave me.  I still use them.  I advise you to hand wash.  Do not put them in the dishwasher.  It will ruin and discolor the handles.  Take it from one who learned the hard way!