Can I clean my reels in the dish washer?

I know it may sound stupid, but it might just work. There are gentle settings and you can turn off the heating element. It seems like it might work. What do you guys think?

Like chicken soup, can't hurt.

I don't see why not but my fishing equipment is more than a rod and reel that I use on the water. When I get a new model of reel I learn how to take it apart and do all the maintenance to it. I usually service mine when at home when I have nothing else to do along with tying leaders. I maintain my fishing equipment just like I do my hunting rifle. I used to take short cuts but it is not only more satisfying to know that your equipment is ready for anything but also cheaper in the long run. How upset would you be if some residual detergent caused your drag to fail on a stud king?

I don't think the dishwasher is necessary. Just LIGHTLY spray them down with a fresh water hose after every use. The key is to rinse the salt off the outside with a light spray or mist and NOT a high pressure spray that might push salt inside the reel. When they are dry, I wipe them down with a WD-40 soaked rag and let them sit for a couple days, then wipe any residue off with a clean cloth. I do the same with my rods also. Once a year break them down completely and give them a good cleaning and lube job. I have an ultrasonic cleaner that I use to clean individual parts, it does a great job using a mild solution of Simple Green.

yeah man go with it let me know how it works :) bahaha

Just tie them on top of the car and go thru the car wash ;-) LOL

j/k I can't imagine much worse for a reel than to subject it to any highspeed water jets.
Just an occasional light (misty) spray to remove any salt buildup is all that is necessary.
Then wipe down with a silicone based protectorant spray like Reel Magic
http://www.basspro.com/Blakemore-Rea...product/16524/

WD-40 is a lubricant, not a protectorant.
It contains a high % of mineral spirits so it will EAT PAINT!)
WD-40 Facts & Myths | WD-40 Ingredients

Ask Dennis about trying to paint a rod after it has been sprayed with W D 40.

Most things that can go in the dishwasher have the words "Dishwasher Safe" printed on them somewhere. Check to be sure your reels have that stamp.
Besides that; the last time I put something in the dishwasher that wasn't kitchen or table related, the wife kicked my butt and then explained the true purpose of the dishwasher. Be warned :cool:

I don't put reels in the dishwasher, but I do put caps in there. I use one of these:

Ball Cap Buddy Product Reviews and Ratings - Ball Cap Buddy - Ball Cap Buddy Ball Cap Buddy from Lids

There is more than one brand available. I cannot warrant that doing this will not hurt your cap or your dishwasher. It has worked for me.

Note: I have tried "Shout" stain remover before putting cap in dishwasher with dishwasher detergent. This is a BAD idea. It seems too make to much suds, etc. Dishwasher stops. Leaks. Not good. Do not do this.

While WD-40 can be used to help protect fishing equipment from rust and corrosion, WD-40 Company does not recommend using WD-40 to attract fish.

This statement is straight from the WD-40 website. I've used it for years as a "cleaner" on various items and have never had a problem with it eating paint. It seems to evaporate rather quickly, so I don't consider it a long lasting lubricant. TRI-FLOW is a much better aerosol lubricant in my opinion. As I mentioned, I wipe it off after a couple of days. And by the way I have not tried it as a fish attractant.

Well thanks for all the insight. I decided to just use soapy water and my wifes toothbrush to clean the reels. They cleaned up real good. I'm going to use Penn oil on them.

Remember when...
Remember when loading the dishwasher meant getting your wife drunk during dinner. :drunk



I used the dishwasher once to help get the cosmoline out of a newly acquired Garand stock.
She was not pleased... I've only did it once.
Note: Don't try using her oven to bake/cure a new finish on gun parts... Apparently that is frowned on too.

I would think the detergent and hot water might dissolve and remove some or maybe all of the lubricant in your reel. I have cheap equipment so I have to take care of it. I always rinse my reels after a day of fishing to remove any salt residue and let them dry completely. Then I spray them down with Reel Magic til I come down for another weeks fishing. I do this with my bass reels as well. I have some 30 year old Abu Garcia reels that are good as new.

I just take my rods reels into the shower with a soft brush & a small bucket of soapy water.
Hose them off with warm water, lightly brush them from rod tip to butt and then hose off the suds.

Chili, you and I may be twins, separated at birth. I too have felt the consequences of turning the kitchen into a gunsmithy.

"I used the dishwasher once to help get the cosmoline out of a newly acquired Garand stock.
She was not pleased... I've only did it once.
Note: Don't try using her oven to bake/cure a new finish on gun parts... Apparently that is frowned on too."

WD-40 is bad news on reels man, use Penn reel cleaner