Choosing the right commercial dishwasher for your restaurant, bar, or cafe is a big decision. It’s crucial to make sure you’re not only getting through the dishes fast enough to keep everything stocked in rushes but also maintaining good hygiene in your kitchen. If you’re upgrading your existing model or are buying for the first time, there are a few top features in commercial dishwashers to look out for.
Understanding the must-haves can help you narrow down the best option for your kitchen. In our commercial dishwasher guide, we’ll cover the five key features of a good commercial dishwasher, along with recommendations to get you started.
1. Capacity
As with many kitchen appliances, your first consideration when choosing a commercial dishwasher is capacity. The capacity of the dishwasher determines how many dishes can be cleaned in one cycle or every hour, which directly impacts your kitchen's efficiency. To figure out how much space you need, we recommend calculating the maximum amount of dishes you typically accumulate at the busiest time in your kitchen. Each commercial dishwasher will have a slightly different setup inside, too, so consider whether you want an option that does plates and cutlery alone or can also include glassware.
If you have a larger kitchen with a busy rush hour, a high-capacity dishwasher like the Passthrough Dishwashers available at Restaurant Equipment Online are ideal. They feature high-volume washing capabilities and can also include options for multiple wash cycles, high-temperature sanitisation, and quick drying.
For smaller kitchens with less available space, an Underbench Dishwasher is a good option. These smaller models still have sufficient capacity for crucial loads of dishes without taking up much room.
2. Speed
In the fast-paced environment of a commercial kitchen, you don’t want to be held up waiting for wash cycles in order to keep your clean dishes stocked up. Our second recommendation when considering the features of a good commercial dishwasher is speed.
One of the top features of commercial dishwashers is their efficiency and versatility. They offer multiple speed settings to cater to different types of loads, whether it’s a faster cycle for dishes that don’t need as deep a clean to an intensive wash for heavily soiled dishes. In most commercial dishwasher models, you’ll be able to adjust your wash cycle between 60 seconds to 2-3 minutes. The Fagor Evo-Concept Pass-Through Dishwasher has built-in steam capture, meaning it doesn’t require an additional steam extraction hood. It’s also an incredibly fast cleaner, with its shortest cycle being just 55 seconds!
You don’t need to sacrifice efficiency for speed, with commercial dishwashers offering exceptionally quick cycles to ensure you’ve got a steady flow of clean dishes during peak hours.
3. Durability
Top commercial dishwasher functions don’t stop at what they can do in an hour of wash cycles, you also need to know that you’re making a good investment that’s built to last. Durability is another of our top commercial dishwasher functions. You need something that can keep up with demand, day after day, to reliably supply you with clean dishes.
A robust and durable commercial dishwasher can withstand the rigours of daily use in a busy commercial kitchen. When you’re choosing, we recommend looking for dishwashers that are constructed from high-quality materials like 304-grade stainless steel. It’s resistant to corrosion, meaning you won’t have to worry about rust spots, and it’s also incredibly easy to clean. Durable machines not only have a longer lifespan but also require fewer repairs, saving you time on dishes but also saving you money in the long term on maintenance costs.
Maintenance Steps
Both the longevity and cleanliness of your commercial dishwasher benefit from ongoing maintenance. There are a few things you should do on a regular basis to keep your commercial dishwasher running efficiently.
- Daily Cleaning: Remove and clean the filters to prevent blockages.
- Weekly Maintenance: Remove, inspect, and, if needed, clean the spray arms to ensure optimal water flow for a consistent clean throughout.
- Monthly Checks: Inspect seals, water connections and gaskets for wear and replace if necessary.
- Descaling: If you’re in an area with hard water that leads to build-up, regularly descaling the machine to remove limescale is important.
Following these maintenance steps helps prolong the life of your dishwasher and ensures it operates at peak performance.
4. Sanitisation
Our fourth must-have when you’re choosing the best option for commercial dishwashers is sanitisation. It’s not only crucial in keeping your customers happy but also in ensuring you’re up to code with health and safety regulations. Regardless of whether you’re looking for an underbench dishwasher or a glasswasher, everything needs to come out clean and sterile.
Modern commercial dishwashers come equipped with high-temperature wash cycles, with the wash itself around 55℃ at a minimum and rinse cycles of 80℃ or more. Built-in sanitisation functionality eliminates harmful bacteria and pathogens, giving you sparkling clean dishes that are also safe to use time and time again. Most models also include self-cleaning cycles, making it easier to maintain the machine's internal hygiene standards.
5. Energy Efficiency
The best options for commercial dishwashers should also be energy efficient. By optimising both electricity and water usage, it’s better for the environment and helps reduce running costs in your kitchen.
When you’re choosing an energy-efficient model, consider the following:
- Energy Star Rating: This rating indicates the appliance meets strict energy efficiency guidelines. While you’ll often see it on domestic appliances, it unfortunately isn’t as common on commercial-grade appliances.
- Water Consumption: You don’t need to use huge volumes of water to ensure efficient cleaning anymore, and lower water usage also helps reduce utility bills. The Hobart EcoMax 504 has some of the lowest water consumption rates of any dishwasher we offer.
- Heat Recovery Systems: Commercial dishwashers get incredibly hot during their rinse cycles, and you can optimise the energy use by purchasing a commercial dishwasher that utilises this extra heat. Built-in range hoods are one of the main features that improve this kind of energy efficiency.
Perfect Pairings
To further enhance your kitchen's efficiency and hygiene, consider pairing your commercial dishwasher with complementary equipment:
- Dishwasher Inlet Sinks & Outlet Benches: An ideal addition for rush hour when you need to unload quickly before re-loading your commercial dishwasher, inlet sinks and outlet benches streamline the workflow for dishes.
- Taps and Rinse Jets: These can help with ensuring a thorough pre-rinsing of dishes, reducing the load on your dishwasher and reducing the amount of food waste going through the dishwasher filters.
- Commercial Glasswashers: Specialised for delicate glassware, ensuring sparkling clean glasses every time.
Investing in a commercial dishwasher with the right features can significantly enhance your kitchen's efficiency, hygiene, and overall performance. By prioritising capacity, speed, durability, sanitisation, and energy efficiency, you’ll have a constant supply of sparkling clean dishes and glassware that’s up to the health code. Explore our extensive range of commercial dishwashers today to find the perfect fit for your kitchen.
If you’re looking to upgrade and want more information or a personal recommendation, book a free consultation or contact Restaurant Equipment now via email at sales@restaurantequipment.com.au or give us a call now!