How to Keep Up with the Christmas Rush: Commercial Dishwasher Tips for Busy Kitchens

The festive season is one of the busiest times of year for restaurants, hotels, pubs, and catering businesses. With Christmas parties, family gatherings, and New Year’s celebrations filling up the calendar, your kitchen is under more pressure than ever to maintain smooth and efficient service.

While chefs and waiting staff are in the spotlight, there’s one piece of equipment that often becomes the unsung hero of the season: the commercial dishwasher. Without it, piles of plates, glasses, and cutlery could grind service to a halt.

Here’s how to ensure your dishwasher keeps up with the Christmas rush.

1. Give Your Dishwasher a Pre-Season Check

Before December gets into full swing, give your machine a thorough once-over. Check filters, spray arms, and seals, and arrange for professional service if necessary. A little preventative maintenance now can prevent costly breakdowns during your busiest week of the year.

💡 For more advice on maintaining your commercial dishwasher, check out our blog titled How To Safely and Efficiently Descale Your Kitchen Appliances here or our blog on Commonly Asked Commercial Dishwasher Questions here. 

2. Train Your Staff on Best Practices

In the chaos of a packed kitchen, dishwashers are often loaded incorrectly, which reduces efficiency and the quality of cleaning results. Spend a few minutes showing staff how to:

•    Avoid overloading racks
•    Position glasses and plates for maximum water flow
•    Use the right detergent and rinse aid

This ensures sparkling results every time, without needing to rewash items.

3. Stock Up on Essentials

The last thing you want on Christmas Eve is to run out of dishwasher chemicals or rinse aid. Create a checklist of consumables and stock up early to avoid shortages.

💡 See all of our essential commercial dishwasher equipment and add-ons here.

4. Optimise for Speed and Turnover

Festive menus typically result in more covers than usual. To keep up, ensure your dishwasher is set to the correct cycle length. Shorter cycles can help with a faster turnaround during peak hours, but only if the machine is properly maintained and loaded.

5. Have a Backup Plan

Even the best equipment can run into issues. Make sure you know who to call if your dishwasher breaks down during the holidays, and keep spare parts (like filters and spray arms) on hand for quick fixes.

6. Consider an Upgrade Before the Rush

If your dishwasher is old, inefficient, or struggling to cope with demand, now is the perfect time to upgrade. Modern machines are faster, more energy-efficient, and designed to handle the heavy workload of the festive season. An investment now could save you from a Christmas catastrophe.

💡 For more information, read our blog on How Hospitality Businesses Can Benefit From The Right Commercial Dishwasher here. 

Your commercial dishwasher may not be the star of the show, but during the festive season, it’s the engine that keeps your kitchen moving. With a bit of preparation and care, you can make sure it runs flawlessly throughout Christmas and the New Year.

Need advice on servicing or upgrading your commercial dishwasher before the Christmas rush? Get in touch with GA Commercial today, and we’ll help you keep your kitchen running smoothly this festive season.