As campers we came across a set of Tefal pans in France whose handles clip on/off - ideal for dishwashers. You can get them in the UK now (Genio range, I think); not cheap but worth a look if you need some new pans.
I too put everything in that can go in...not drinking glasses, not my good sharp knives, not anything aluminium which isn't often mentioned but it can turn black and nasty....but everything else
Albs, you can get 10 Finish dish washer tablets for a £1 at Pound shop/ Poundland. It's one of the best and works out very cheap!. Good luck with your new toy. You won't look back....x
I buy all the things separately. I think it works out much cheaper than even pound shop tablets.
I've just a got new dishwasher, and it came with a little plan of where to put each item in the cutlery box. Too fiddly, and a bit silly I think. I opened it out and put it all in by the handful. I don't put pans in. They take up too much room that could be used for more plates and cups.
I use Lidl dishwasher tablets ,salt and rinse aid.
I can't tell any difference from those and the more expensive stuff like Finish etc.Everything comes out sparkling clean.
Congrats on your dishwasher Alba.Best thing we ever bought.I hate washing up :)
Lidl bog-standard tablets (not the 3 in 1 ones) are only £4 for 60 and do a great job. I do buy salt in large sacks from the garden centre where they're cheap and last for ages because we live in a hard water area. Never use rinse-aid - if the reminder light annoys you just fill the compartment with water as your dishwasher can't tell the difference!
Every woman I know turns into a rabid fascist as soon as she gets a dishwasher. Woe betide anyone (usually male) who places a dish, pan or cutlery in the wrong compartment. I can always rely on a TUT and a chunter of I've loaded it. :-)
But one thing to be careful about....put all knives, especially really sharp ones, like steak knives, into the basket blade side down, not the other way around.
Oh no, pans are disastrous in the dishwasher. The handle fills with water, releases years of crud inside then slowly seeps out in the cupboard for hours or days afterwards.