Can you really cook dinner in the dishwasher?

It’s official: you can use mason jars for literally everything now. Even cooking dinner in the dishwasher.
By Aimee Heckel
You haven’t been busy until you’ve felt the need to cook your dinner and wash your plates — at the same time.
This trend takes multitasking to new levels. Unbelievable ones.
NPR recently released a story about “dishwasher cooking.” Thank you, Pinterest, Youtube and Oprah. It seems increasingly more people are preparing their meals in the dark, hot privacy of their dishwasher.
The hot water and steam can poach salmon. Cook asparagus. Astonish and maybe mortify dinner guests.
Want to give it a try? Here are some tips on dishwasher cooking:
1. Place food in airtight mason jars or vacuum bags instead of just wrapping it in foil, like some tutorials suggest. This keeps the yucky, old, rotten food and dishwasher residue from painting your salmon repulsive.
Pick up inexpensive canning jars with lids at Ace Hardware, a six-pack for $12.99. Use Ace Hardware coupons (more than 40 of them!) and pair them with 3 percent Cash Back from ShopAtHome.com to save money on this little experiment.
You can also find custom-size food vacuum bags at Ace for $14.99, and the Rival vacuum food sealer machine for $54.99. Order online and get free pickup at your neighborhood Ace store.
2. Watch instructional videos on dishwasher cooking here.
3. Take the temperature of the meat, to make sure it cooked hot enough to be safe to consume. Or ease yourself into this method by steaming your veggies first.
4. Educate yourself about what is — and is not — a good idea to cook in the dishwasher. You can find online recipes for cooking potatoes, lasagna, meatloaf, hot dogs and more in the dishwasher. Even lobster. Although doesn’t it seem a little funny cooking such a fancy meal in such a non-fancy way?
5. Looking for other creative ways to cook meals? Try microwave cooking in mugs. Here is a recipe for making mac and cheese in your office microwave — no bowls or plates needed.
Read more stories about creative DIY projects and ways to save money on them at Ace Hardware here.
Looking for ways to save money on your baby and family products? Here is a long list of coupons for your family.
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