No, your dishwasher will ruin cast iron

No.

The short answer: don’t do it. The longer answer: the dishwasher is the worst thing you can do to a cast iron pan besides dropping it off a cliff. The combination of harsh detergent, high heat, and prolonged moisture strips the seasoning, then rust attacks the bare metal. You’ll end up with a pan that looks like a crusty science experiment.

Seasoning isn’t just a patina. It’s a layer of polymerized oil that makes the pan non-stick and protects it from rust. Dish detergent is designed to cut through grease and baked-on food, so it absolutely destroys that layer. One wash might not kill it completely, but repeated washes will leave you with a dull gray pan that needs to be fully re-seasoned.

Then there’s the rust. Cast iron is porous. The moment the seasoning is gone and the pan stays wet (which a dishwasher cycle guarantees), rust forms fast. You can scrub it off, but it pits the surface over time. Your pan will never be smooth again without serious sanding.

If you want to clean a cast iron pan, scrape out food, wash with hot water and a stiff brush (maybe a little soap if you must, but keep it mild), then dry immediately on the stove and rub a thin layer of oil on it. That’s it.

The dishwasher is for glass and plastic. Keep it that way.