Features You Should Look For When Buying A Commercial Dishwasher

Commercial dishwashers are a must-have for any business operating a busy kitchen. Whether it be a commercial dishwasher, an undercounter glasswasher, a pass-through dishwasher, or a utensil washer, having professional equipment will improve the efficiency of your business. It will ensure your restaurant/bar/airport/care home/hotel/stadium runs smoothly and complies with The Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations.

 

Here are some things to consider when buying a commercial dishwasher:

Type of Commercial Dishwasher

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all dishwasher.
Glassware needs to go into a glasswasher specifically designed for washing glasses of all shapes and size without breaking them, these will commonly be found in restaurants and bars.

Heavily soiled pots and pans need to go into a utility washer. These have heavy-duty wash pumps to be able to tackle strong dirt and grim. They also have a large clearance to fit even the deepest of pots. These tend to be more common with caterers and food manufacturers.

For dishes you have the traditional commercial dishwashers that are bigger than standard dishwashers to handle heavy-duty loads and get more dishes done in less time. Depending on the plate-washing demand of your business, you may choose from an undercounter dishwasher, a pass-through dishwasher, or a conveyor/rack dishwasher.

 

Temperature Monitoring & Infection Prevention

Temperature control is critical for hygienically clean cutlery and crockery. It is best to choose a machine that has a digital temperature display for accuracy and precise control. This is also because commercial dishwashers need to reach a minimum final rinse temperature of 85ºC ensuring thermal disinfection to prevent cross-contamination. Dishwashers that contain a thermos-stop function will continuously check the rinse boiler temperature, so that the machine won’t complete the wash cycle until the 85ºC temperature is achieved, complying with disinfection regulations.

 

Size & Capacity

The size of the machine will naturally depend on the size of your business.

A Commercial Undercounter Dishwasher is compact and would fit well into small to medium size establishments such as cafes, village pubs, and small restaurants. Undercounter dishwasher can typically wash up to 500 plates per hour.

Pass-Through Dishwashers are large commercial units similar to undercounter dishwashers. However, the shape is designed so that plates can be pre-rinsed and loaded onto dishwashing racks during washes to speed up the process. Pass-Through Dishwashers can typically wash between 600 to 1200 plates per hour.

Conveyor / Rack Dishwashers offer the most automated, high-volume cleaning. This type of machine is perfect for busy schools or staff canteens. With these machines racks of crockery and glassware are channelled through a large chamber. Conveyor / Rack Dishwashers can typically wash between 1700 to 2300 plates an hour.

 

WRAS (Water Regulations Approval Scheme) Approval

For any appliance connected to the public mains water supply, compliance with Water Supply Regulations is mandatory. A WRAS-approved commercial dishwashers ensures full compliance with regulations and guarantees safe attachment to the UK water system.

 

Effective Detergents

Keep in mind which detergents you will be using when choosing a commercial dishwasher. Chlorinated detergents are recommended for care homes and high-risk areas. You can also opt for a machine with an auto-dosing feature to ensure consistent detergent usage and to minimise wastage.

 

Break Tanks & Air Gaps

It’s a legal requirement for dishwashers in care homes to be fitted with a break tank or air gap. This safety feature prevents backfill of dirty water into the mains water supply in case of breakdowns or malfunctions, safeguarding water hygiene. This is something you may have to take into consideration when choosing the commercial dishwasher to suit you.

Ready to choose a new commercial dishwasher for your business?

View our full range of dishwashers at Dishwashers Direct here.