I use a powdered DW detergent and I occasionally get these rust spots so I doubt that changing to the powder would make much difference.
An SOS or Brillo pad will take the rust spots off.

But in the process of taking the rust spots off, wouldn't the SOS or Brillo scratch it up or dull the finish? If not, I'll give it a try. Might be easier than sending them back for replacement.

So, anyone know whats happening here? Is the stuff I have cheap quality (sure wasn't cheap price)? Is this 'normal' when using a dishwasher? Is there a way that will allow to wash flatware in the dishwasher and not get these spots?

Thanks!!!

I have the same problem with the knives in a set of good quality stainless steel flatware. I've had the set a long time, but the rust spots started soon after I got them. I lightly rub with an SOS pad. Yes, it does scratch the mirror-like finish.

You could try to use Bon Ami scouring powder. It is the least abrasive powder around. If you wet it slightly before using it, you will reduce the abrasiveness even further, and you should be able to remove the stains without damaging the surface.

To avoid the stains coming back, try using the liquid rinsing agent in the DW. They really work.

Rust spots here also. Just wash them by hand, or when they come out of the dishwasher. I have used all different products and it still happens in the dishwasher.

Thanks for the suggestion of the Bon Ami, I'll give that a try. I do use Jet Dry in the dishwasher, don't know what difference that would make if its the detergent thats causing it. Sure, I could wash them by hand, but that kind of makes the dishwasher useless, especially considering that one reason I purchased this set of flatware was because it specifically states that it is dishwasher safe.

But I'm still not understanding why this is happening. Is it the detergent that is causing it? If so, are there any recommendations or another type of detergent to try that may prevent it. Or is it the type or quality of the flatware? And if so, are there any recommendations on types of brands of flatware that may be less prone to do this? Or, is it the water, although the water isn't particularly hard in this area.

I have the same problems. I use "Cascade Complete" either gel or tabs or powder plus a rinse aid product. Nothing seems to help, but my dishes and glasses do always come out clean. Sears(maker/seller of my dishwasher)recommended pre-rinsing everything, oe at least scrape off all food bits, again nothing helps. My mother and sisters all have dishwashers. They all told me they handwash all flatware and pots and pans. I do soak anything really bad. Like last nights casserole dish caked with scalloped potatoes. But I resent having to wash my dishes in order to make them "clean enouigh" for the dishwasher. It's got to the point that I consider my dishwasher just a big final rinser for my dishes. It's running now. I got up this morning and took a Brillo pad to that nasty casserole. Oh, one more thing. My town's water is treated with softeners. And I don't have a garbage disposal because I have a septic tank. Another household nightmare, overflows about once every three years and costs big bucks to punp out.

I read that you aren't supposed to mix metals in the dishwasher. I was getting a lot of stains so I started separating my dinner knives from my kitchen knives and it seemed to do the trick. I just put them in separate baskets.

I have found Barkeeper's Friend removes the spots easily. It won't leave any scratches either.

I do the same, I put them in separate baskets. I agree, it is frustrating to have to wash the dishes, so they're clean enough for the dishwasher to wash. If I'm going to wash them, I might as well do it all the way and skip the dishwasher. It does a great job on dishes, glasses, cups, plastic ware. Its just this issue with the flatware that I need to get resolved. I live alone and it doesn't bother me because I know they're clean. But friends have mentioned it when they're staying here or over for lunch. I admit it is a bit nasty looking. I'm almost ready to just skip the flatware and go with plasticware. Heck, if I get decent plasticware, I could probably throw that in the dishwasher and reuse it...if it doesn't melt.

All my knife blades get occasional rust stains. I also use Barkeeper's Friend with a plastic scrubbie and it takes them right off.

Once when I lived in this one house my stainless kept rusting. I had an old set I'd used for many years and thought that they were getting old so I just got rid of them and bought new...same thing...RUST...Thought they must be junk so I took them back and bought expensive Oneida...SAME THING! After that I figured out it was the water at this new house we'd moved to. There's really nothing you can do except wash by hand. I would suspect it's the water...probably very hard? That's what I concluded. After I moved from that home I never had that happen to my Oneida set anymore. OH I forgot to mention that on my Oneida it was only my knives that rusted.

I would also try using a different DW detergent, and keep trying a different one until you, hopefully, find one that does not cause the problem. I remember reading once a long time ago that the performance of a DW depends on the detergent that's used, and each machine is different and likes a different detergent. I don't know how true that is, but it's worth trying.

Another thing about the knives. They say sterling silver flatware can go in the DW except the knives. They have to be washed by hand. The reasons has something to do with the way the blade is attached to the handle, and there's a risk the handle might come loose. I don't know whether the same is true for stainless steel flatware. We put ours in the DW, have done it for years. The knives occasionally get little stains on them, but they come off easily by hand washing.

I put both my silverplate and stainless steel flatwear in DW, just in separate ends of the rack so they don't touch. I remember when i bought the DW I found one with a nice long rack for utensils.

You asked if this is just a cheap flatware. Well Oneida is a very good line of Stainless but they do have different grades of coating. Did you buy the more expensive line or did you buy a cheap set at Walmart? I'm still going to assume it has more to do with your water and less to do with the flatware itself. Mine that was rusting was the highest grade they make in stainless.

When you say rust.... Does it look like melted chocolate? When I take my knives out of the dishwasher they have what looks like melted chocolate in them. It seems to be mostly where the handle meets the blade.... I don't see any seams but I don't know where it's coming from.

This post is from 2010

I have a beautiful set of Guy Degrenne (high-end) flatware that I purchased over 25 years ago that I've always put in the dishwasher. Until a few years ago, no knives had any stains/rust spots. Unfortunately, the patern has been discontinued for ages and I can't find anything I like better. I use BKF so I'm going to try that thanks to some posters above. I mention this because others have asked if higher quality will guarantee this does not occur. On replacements.com, the pieces for this stainless (Acropole) go for about $100 apiece, so I'm not going that route. I purchased this at William-Sonoma for about $100 a place setting in 1994/1995.