Question
A fleshig soup bowl was inadvertently placed on the lower rack of a milkig dishwasher. It was placed upside down. The family custom is always to rinse dishes and utensils before placing them in the dishwasher. A strong, noxious dishwasher detergent was used to wash the dishes. Is there any concern regarding the kashrut of the bowl, the milkig dishes and utensils that were washed with it, or the dishwasher itself?
Answer
Shalom,
Firstly, let me apologize for the delay in answering - there have been some technical problems on the site, and I have only just received your question.
There is some debate amongst the poskim as to how to view a dishwasher – either as a first vessel, or as water poured from a first vessel, or as a second vessel. The way this question is resolved will affect the ruling in your case. There is also an argument about the strength of detergents today. And lastly, there is an argument between the Shulchan Aruch and the Rema about the law concerning milk and meat dishes washed together in a first vessel (see Yoreh Deah 95,3).
Therefore, the strictest ruling in your case would be to consider the dishwasher a first vessel, and rule like the Rema, and (if all the vessels were ben-yomo, i.e. used within the last 24 hours) rule that everything needs koshering (or at least the meat pot - depending on if there are 60 times its size in the other pots and dishwasher, which is very likely). However, there are opinions that are more lenient - especially when you say that the dishes were rinsed, and the detergent is strong (see Yalkut Yosef, Otzar Dinim L'Isha U'Bat, p. 303-308).
So if you are asking if there is a concern - the answer is yes, there are certainly opinions who are concerned about this issue. However, there are certainly opinions to rely upon, after the fact, and consider everything as kosher.
Blessings.
