All professional kitchens will need a quality dishwasher to guarantee gleaming, hygienic finishes to precious dinnerware and choosing the right piece will be integral to ensuring smooth operations and good time management. Commercial grade dishwashers will drastically reduce the level of manual labour required to clean large amounts of dirty dishes to acceptable standards.
Obviously the equipment you’re looking for will be in direct proportion to the size of your business, the quantity of dirties you accumulate and the space you have available.
Investing in the Right Dish Washer
Under Counter Dishwashers
Pass Through/Hood Type Dishwashers
Conveyor/Rack Dishwashers
Brand Information
Understanding the properties of each washing system and the recommended usage will help you make the right decision as to which model is most suitable for your premises.
Under Counter Dishwashers
These models are the most similar to domestic models, washing a single rack per cycle. Upper and lower rotating arms spin during the wash program, spraying water and cleaning detergents through the nozzles. This range of products is ideal for use in smaller kitchens where cleaning demands are relatively low. On average these models will be able to wash up to 35 racks per hour.
General considerations for purchase
- Perfect for day care centres, church halls, small nursing homes or small cafes etc.
- Is the smaller capacity enough for your business to keep up with demand?
- Measure the space you have available including counter height to guarantee the unit will fit.
- Must be plumbed into the main water supply and will also need to have access to a waste drain.
- Generally supplied with a standard 3 pin plug attachment.
Pass Through Dishwashers
Referred to as either pass through or hood type dishwashers these models are typically designed to be positioned centrally of an inlet and outlet table enabling speed, efficiency and a simple ‘pass through’ system. Loading takes place at standing height, so there's no need to stoop. Once the rack is placed in the unit the hood is pulled down to create a sealed compartment for washing. The majority of dishwashers with this design will be fitted with a safety switch on the door which stops the wash cycle if the door is opened mid wash. These units on average will be able to wash up to 80 dish racks per hour.
General considerations for purchase
- Perfect for any kitchen that serves up to 250 meals during one service.
- Measure your largest pots and pans to ensure the revolving wash arms will not be hindered by contents.
- Does your kitchen have ample space to house the equipment? Remember that the available height must accommodate for when the hood is open.
- These models must be positioned with access to plumbing to the main water supply and a suitable waste drain.
- Generally requires hardwiring which will need to be carried out by a qualified electrician.
Conveyor Dishwashers
These models are the largest systems available and use a conveyor belt to transport racks of dinnerware to the dishwasher. Conveyor units can be purchased with either one, two or three compartments to reflect the different stages of cleaning. The single compartment model will involve all three wash cycles in the one tank while the three compartment model will have a tank for the wash, a tank for the rinse and a tank for the final rinse and sanitisation. This layout is typically part of a large run of equipment which includes sinks, inlet and outlet tables and waste removal stations. Conveyor dishwashers can wash up to 400 racks per hour.
General considerations for purchase
- Ideal choice for kitchens that serve approximately 250 to 1000 meals during one service.
- Great for large cafeterias, prisons or universities etc.
- Upon purchase you will be able to specify whether you want the conveyor belt to travel from left to right or from right to left. This allows you to customise your washing system to suit the layout of your kitchen.
- These units can be quite sizeable, so it is best to enquire about a site survey to guarantee you invest in the most efficient layout possible.
- A suitable plumbing connection to the mains water supply is required. Must be positioned in the vicinity of a waste drain.
- All units will require a 3 phase electrical connection and will need to be hardwired by a qualified electrician.
Top Tip: to ensure that your dishwasher is operating at the recommended temperatures to kill bacteria and remain hygienic, equipment should be recalibrated by a qualified engineer approximately every 6 months.
Brand Information
We stock something to suit all bank balances from entry level equipment ideal when on a budget or as a short term fix to ‘money is no object’ premium pieces. So how do you know what you’re dealing with and which brand to look for?
For high end equipment, steer towards Winterhalter, Meiko and Hobart. Winterhalter equipment has a choice of styles and models to choose from in a range of sizes, each being packed full of advanced features. Boasting high quality manufacture and holding a host of efficiency awards, it is the cream of the crop in the dishwasher field.
Meiko offer an extended warranty option on their standard 24 month parts and labour cover and free commissioning for installed units (equipment that has been plumbed and wired in). Delivering the best bang for your buck you won’t go far wrong with this high quality brand.
Got a strict budget in place? The DC range will be your best option. Although not the lowest entry level brand they deliver units able to meet standard requirements for a great price. Capable of achieving hygienic cleaning, you are guaranteed a dishwasher that can deliver results minus the intelligent features and extras that come as standard with premium models. Maidaid are also a popular choice for businesses on a budget.
Brands such as Fagor, Sammic, Smeg and Classeq all feature somewhere in between these poles and will vary on price, size and warranty.
For more information on water pumps, water softeners, booster pumps, break tanks and efficiency take a look at our warewashing buying guide.