Are you considering a new commercial dishwasher for your care home? Do you know what you should be considering when looking for a new machine? 

Your new commercial dishwasher needs to be able to wash dirty crockery and cutlery efficiently and at faster speed than a domestic dishwasher works at, whilst being built to withstand continuous use. You should also take into consideration that domestic dishwashers are not covered by warranties, leaving you vulnerable to costs if issues arise. 

When buying a commercial dishwasher, there is plenty of choice out there, so here are some essential features to consider:

1. Infection Prevention:

In a care home environment, prevent cross-contamination and infections spreading is crucial. Your commercial dishwasher needs to be capable of reaching a minimum final temperature of 85°C to ensure thermal disinfection to prevent cross-contamination. Dishwasher with a thermos-stop function continuously monitor the rinse boiler temperature, ensuring the machine won’t complete the wash cycle until the 85°C temperature is reached. 

2. Temperature Monitoring 

For hygienically clean crockery and cutlery, temperature control is key. Opt for a machine with a digital temperature display for accuracy and precise control. Having a digital display will also be useful for logging wash temperatures and for reporting to Environmental Health Officers during inspections.

3. Break Tank & Air Gaps:

Care homes come under Fluid Category Level 5, meaning they are listed as a high-risk area. It’s a legal requirement for care home dishwashers to be fitted with a break tank, or a Type A/Type AB Air Gap. This safety feature, a physical air gap within the machine, prevents backfill of dirty water into the mains water supply in case of breakdowns or malfunctions, safeguarding water hygiene. 

4. WRAS Approval

Commercial dishwashers are connected to the public mains water supply, so they must comply with the Water Supply Regulations. You need to choose a dishwasher that has been granted WRAS Approved status, which means the machine has been inspected by the Water Board Regulatory and Advisory Service and is compliant with legislation. 

5. Detergents

Choosing the right detergents is essential for optimal machine performance and hygienic wash results. We recommend using a chlorinated detergent for care home settings and high-risk areas as they act as additional sanitisers for thorough cleaning. You may also want to choose a dishwasher with an auto-dosing feature to ensure consistent chemical usage. 

6. Reliability

A dishwasher that routinely breaks down is no good to anyone. Look for commercial dishwashers that are highly regarded for their robustness and reliability. You should also ensure your staff are well trained not only with operating the machine but also with routine day to day maintenance. 

If you take all these factors into consideration, you will ensure the dishwasher you choose for your care home will be the most effective and able to meet the requirements for hygiene and regulatory compliance.