Dishwasher Cooking

Ever heard of Dishwasher Cooking? Your dishwasher is capable of more than you may realize. In addition to cleaning your dishes, it can also be a healthy way to cook a tasty meal.

While it may seem like an unintended use for an appliance, the fact is dishwasher cooking is becoming increasingly popular — and it’s more than just a passing fad, especially when you consider the many benefits of cooking some of your meals this way.

How It Works

In order to avoid the taste of dishwasher detergent, wrap your food tightly in aluminum foil, a cooking bag, or a glass jar with a lid you can firmly secure.

The water temperature of your dishwasher, which is generally between 110 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit, essentially steam cooks certain foods.

Newer dishwashers run for about two hours while older models complete a cycle in about an hour, which is normally enough time to properly cook the types of meals often prepared in a dishwasher.

What Foods Work Best in the Dishwasher?

Raw Fish with Herbs and Lemon

Realistically, you’re not going to be able to prepare a whole turkey or a multi-course dinner in your dishwasher. Smaller, healthier meals tend to work better, which is also a good thing for your diet.

For instance, Oprah posted a video that shows how to prepare a lunch of noodles, asparagus, and salmon in the dishwasher. Healthy food choices that cook well in the dishwasher also include: 

• Most vegetables: Most vegetables (maybe not potatoes) will cook well in a vacuum-sealed bag. Doing so will lock in flavor and keep all the nutrients intact; at least more so than what you’d get with boiling on the stove. 

• Soft-boiled eggs: A reliable source of healthy protein, selenium, and vitamins B6, B12, and D, eggs become even more nutritious when tossed into a glass jar with water and placed in the dishwasher.

Expect Soft-Boiled eggs with Dishwasher Cooking

• Cous Cous with green beans: Add some chicken stock to an airtight jar with this popular grain and you’ll have a flavorful, healthy treat after just one dishwasher cycle. 

Add Some Healthy Spices and Herbs

Dishwasher cooking doesn’t have to mean bland food. An assortment of nutrition-rich and flavor-enhancing spices and herbs of your choice can easily be added to your culinary creations.

No Hot Kitchen, No Mess

Dishwasher cooking also means you won’t have to spend time in a hot kitchen or worry about burning food, which instantly negates any health benefits while also reducing edibility.

There’s the added benefit of having little cleanup and not having to run a stove, oven, or microwave.

While there are many benefits to dishwasher cooking, consider it just one way to prepare healthy and appetizing meals. Make sure anything you do cook in your dishwasher is thoroughly cooked.

Avoid cooking anything this way that’s really thick, tough, or prone to remaining uncooked in the middle. If you’re in doubt, check your food when the cycle is finished.

I personally tried making quinoa in my dishwasher. I noticed that once the dishwasher cycle was over, quinoa was cooked but the water I added in the jar remained almost the same after the cycle.

Maybe I didn’t close the jar lid properly and the dishwasher soap water got inside it??? I think, for now, I am happy with my stovetop, oven, and slow cooker.

What do you guys think? Will you try this? For inspiration look for these dishwasher cooking YouTube videos and  Lisa Casali’s Vimeo videos. Let me know how it goes….