Appliances: Risks of Cross-Contact

Common Appliances

Dishwasher

Have you ever wondered if it is safe to wash plates for gluten-free foods in the same dishwasher load with plates that have gluten-containing foods on them? If you are using a functional dishwasher that effectively removes food particles and cleans thoroughly, a shared load is fine. 

Oven, Standard

When you can, bake or broil gluten-free and gluten-containing items separately. If this isn’t possible, position the gluten-free items on the higher oven rack to prevent crumbs or bits of gluten-containing food from potentially falling onto your gluten-free food. For extra safety, cover the gluten-free items, if possible, even when they’re on top. 

Oven, Convection

A fan that’s located in the back of convection ovens blows air throughout the oven. If cooking gluten-containing and gluten-free foods together, be aware that wheat dust or food particles could be blown onto gluten-free foods and cause cross-contact. If possible, do not cook gluten-free and gluten-containing items at the same time — or if necessary, cover the gluten-free item. Even when your gluten-free item is the only thing in the oven, always cover it. Gluten-containing wheat dust or food particles from previous oven sessions may still be present and can be blown onto your gluten-free food. 

Toaster

Do you really need to get a whole new toaster?! Trust us: those errant gluten crumbs can end up on your gluten-free bread. You could try toaster bags, but you could get a new toaster at a very reasonable price exclusively for your gluten-free toasting. 

Microwave

Gluten-free members of your household can safely share the same microwave with those who do eat gluten, but don’t heat up items together. Because microwave ovens are generally smaller than a conventional oven, there could be a significant risk of items spilling onto each other. You’ll hardly notice the extra time it takes to heat up items separately because of how fast microwaves work. A good practice is to wipe down the microwave after each use if it is being shared with gluten-containing foods. Remains of previously microwaved foods could splatter onto your gluten-free items. Invest in an affordable, microwave-safe food cover to use exclusively with your gluten-free food items. 

Grill

Outdoor grills can be an option for meal preparation, usually depending on the weather and where you live. Thoroughly clean surfaces on grills used for both gluten-free and non-gluten-free foods. For added food safety, consider purchasing an extra set of grill grates to use exclusively for gluten-free grilling. A quick fix is to place your gluten-free items on tin foil. Bring your own foil when going over to someone else’s place for a barbeque. Gluten cannot be “burned” off by high temperature but can be removed by a thorough cleaning with soap, water, and a good metal grill scrubber. Make sure to thoroughly clean grill utensils and grill scrubber, too. 

Air Fryer 

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food being “fried.” The fan motion that circulates air could blow particles of previously cooked, gluten-containing food onto gluten-free food being cooked. Don’t use the same air fryer for gluten-free and gluten-containing cooking. 

Bread Machine

Use a dedicated gluten-free bread machine. Do not bake both gluten-free and gluten-containing breads using the same machine. Having two separate bread machines is the safest approach.