Tine after tine: Finally, the right way to load a dishwasher

As if Thanksgiving wasn't freighted with enough family baggage, after dinner comes the highly charged battle over how to load the dishwasher. As the host, it may be hard to turn down guests who volunteer to help cleaning up. That is, until they load your dishwasher "wrong." Then you become appliance czar. 

Loading a dishwasher involves various techniques, enough to cause bickering between spouses and siblings. What better way to end a fine meal than arguing over forks—up or down?—fine china—yes or no? Some procedures, like careful placement, do guarantee that dishes are cleaned properly and emerge unscathed, dishwasher intact. The dishwasher detergent matters, too, as our Ratings show. Here are eight tips from our experts:

• Skip pre-rinsing, a real water waster, but do scrape off food.
• Load large items at the side and back. Otherwise they'll block water and detergent.
• Place the dirtier side of dish toward the center of machine, allowing for more exposure to the spray. Dishes shouldn't rest against each other, or water won't reach all surfaces.
• Put dishwasher-safe plastic and delicate items on the top rack.
• Rest glasses on prongs to prevent breakage and water from accumulating in them.
• Load forks and spoons with handles down, but place knives handles up. If your dishwasher has an open basket, mix flatware to prevent  pieces from sticking together.
• Place items with baked-on food facedown and toward the sprayer in bottom rack.
• Avoid putting brass, bronze, cast-iron, wood, or gold leaf china in the machine.

To keep china from chipping, don't allow dishes to touch other items, especially pots and pans. If you decide to hand wash your fine china and porcelain, line your sink with an old towel to prevent chipping and use a mild dish detergent.

—Kimberly Janeway