Dishwashers usually have three or four little plastic baskets that hold utensils - one for forks, one for knives, etc.

The holes in the basket of the last two dishwashers I've used were just large enough for a chopstick to slide through.

When that happens, the chopstick tends to block the rotation of the arm that sprays hot water, and start smoldering. I come home to unwashed dishes in a smelly, smoke-filled kitchen.

The long-term fix is to simply make the holes smaller in all baskets. As a short-term fix, I think there's room for an after-market chopstick basket add-on to a dishwasher that one simply drops into the bottom of one of the utensil baskets and forgets about.
-- jutta, May 28 2002

Jenn-Air designer dishwasher http://www.us-appli...m/jdjenbuildis.html
This dishwasher claims to have a compartment for chopsticks, but it doesn't say how big the holes are: "Odds & Ends basket is convenient for long items like chopsticks, sharp knives and more." [pottedstu, May 28 2002]

Dishwasher basket http://www.epinions...382660/show_~allcom
One person claims this is useful for washing chopsticks, but the holes look too big to me. [pottedstu, May 28 2002]

how about a square of cotton?
-- yamahito, May 28 2002


I don't have a problem with chopsticks in my dishwasher...must be the brand.
-- Helium, May 28 2002


Sounds like a job for a piece of stainless steel mesh cut to fit the bottom of your basket.
-- half, May 28 2002


Can't say I blame jutta for leaving while "chopsticks" is being played over and over.
What about putting the chopsticks in a mesh bag and securing it to rack?
-- thumbwax, May 28 2002


You took the mouth right out of my words
-- thumbwax, May 28 2002


Just attach a clothes peg to each chopstick. Then they won't fall through the holes.
-- Mayfly, May 28 2002


You shouldn't wash chopsticks in the dishwasher (or anything wooden for that matter).
-- waugsqueke, May 28 2002


not all chopsticks are wooden, waugs
-- yamahito, May 28 2002


As [half] says, use a piece of window screen, cut to size. The plastic type might work better as it won't rust.
-- phoenix, May 28 2002


What you need is one of the cutlery trays that has three 'covered' sections, with holes for forks etc, and one open section. That way, you can put the chopsticks in the open section, digaonally, and it will just be low enough to miss the rotateing water spout thing.
-- [ sctld ], May 28 2002


I'd vote for it, Rods - sounds like a good one to me.
-- yamahito, May 28 2002


That is an interesting idea.
I use my chopsticks for mixing the Soy Sauce and "mustard" for Sushi
When I Finish eating my sushi,
I throw my chop sticks away.
Everything is disposable.
They give Chop Sticks out for Free in the Restaurant
It is a Good Idea, But I am a "disposer" our society creates everything including Cars that are created to be disposed.
I wish I could say recycle, but the recycling facility picks up Cans, Glass and paper

-- Bixbyte, May 28 2002


Do you only eat with chopsticks in the restaurant, BB? how sad. I use chopsticks all the time when I cook: even when not making oriental foods, they make great whisks, tasting implements, food-turners, deep fat oil tongs etc etc...

But I don't have a dishwasher, so most of the above doesn't really apply to me personally (at least, yet). That doesn't mean it isn't a great idea, though, does it?

Plus, I don't think it's good to buy into the whole "dispose everything" - it's much better to re-use everything you can.
-- yamahito, May 28 2002



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