Commercial dishwashers are a staple in most food establishments. It’s a quintessential kitchen equipment that cleans dishes in an efficient manner, thus helping boost the productivity of your staff.
If you’re in the market looking for warewashing solutions, there are a couple of things you need to know to ensure that you get the right one. Here are 9 factors you should consider before buying industrial dishwashers Australia.
Consider Before Buying a Commercial Dishwasher
1. Choosing the correct dishwasher
Commercial dishwashers come in different shapes and sizes, all of which serve a different purpose. The four main categories of commercial dishwashers are:
Glasswashers
As the name implies, glass washers are best suited for cleaning large quantities of glassware. These usually have a similar power output to those of standard commercial dishwashers, but the water flow is more gentle to help protect the glassware against breakages.
Glasswashers are designed to fit easily in most kitchens thanks to their under-counter design, but some companies offer standalone models if you prefer a larger glasswasher.
Undercounter dishwashers
Undercounter dishwashers are small, compact dishwashers that are great for small bars, cafes, and the like. If you have limited space inside your kitchen, under-counter dishwashers are perfect as they aren’t too bulky and huge.
Undercounter dishwashers have less rack space compared to their larger counterparts; an important consideration for busy kitchens who serve hundreds of dishes a day.
Pass-through dishwashers
Pass-through dishwashers are what you’ll find in most commercial kitchens because of its huge capacity. Large restaurants and cafeterias use pass-through dishwashers to make dishwashing a breeze but at the expense of more water and energy.
Some pass-through dishwashers are compatible with an overhead spray system to pre-rinse dishes before starting the cycle, thus making them more efficient for washing large amounts of dishes.
2. Size and capacity
The next thing to consider is the size and capacity of your commercial dishwasher. Full-sized pass-through dishwashers usually have a capacity of 12 to 16 place settings while under-counter dishwashers have 6 to 10 place settings. This is important because you don’t want to jam everything inside your dishwasher and hope to achieve the best cleaning results. Always check the rated capacity of the dishwasher before deciding to buy it.
3. Ease of use
Most commercial dishwashers are fairly simple to use. They have one or two-step buttons that allow you to select the wash cycle and the timer.
Some commercial dishwashers have a large interface with five or more buttons for added features like delay-start or saniwash. While these extra features are nice to have, you want a commercial dishwasher that’s easy to operate.
Time is of the essence inside a kitchen and you don’t want to fumble around with the settings before washing the dishes. Buy a dishwasher that comes only with the features you need to make dishwashing more efficient.
4. Cycle time
One feature that you should consider is the cycle time of the commercial dishwasher. Cycle time and capacity go hand-in-hand because the quicker the speed and the larger the capacity, the more dishes you’ll be able to clean. Some top-end commercial dishwashers can clean dishes in around 1-2 minutes which is insanely fast.
While sometimes the capacity of the dishwasher is more valuable than the cycle time, those few extra seconds can add up to a very busy kitchen.
5. Noise levels
Dishwasher manufacturers publish the noise output of their machines in the manual. It’s usually measured in decibels (dB) to know how loud or quiet a commercial dishwasher is while operating. You don’t want to add background noise to an already busy kitchen as it can distract the kitchen staff and decrease their focus.
6. Cost
A commercial dishwasher is a significant investment and naturally, the price tag is what you’re going to look at first. While you do get what you pay for in a commercial dishwasher, that doesn’t mean you should go out and buy the most expensive one available. You should select a dishwasher that fits the needs of your kitchen by taking a look at its size and capacity.
Buy the best commercial dishwasher that you can afford. Only go with reliable name brands like Washtech and Norris to ensure that you’re getting a quality product that’s built to last for decades.
7. Energy and water usage
Commercial dishwashers consume huge amounts of energy and water, especially the larger models. You can find out how energy and water-efficient a commercial dishwasher is by taking a look at its Energy Rating Label. This label is affixed to products sold in Australia and New Zealand to help consumers choose energy-efficient models.
Also, check if there are any limitations to your establishment's power supply to ensure you have adequate infrastructure to power commercial dishwashers.
8. Warranty / after-sales support
Before purchasing a commercial dishwasher, read the manufacturer’s warranty to understand their terms and conditions for parts replacement. While commercial dishwashers are built for heavy usage, general wear and tear can cause parts to malfunction over time. Ask the manufacturer about the availability of spare parts for your commercial dishwasher and what their after-sales support covers.
A commercial dishwasher is a worthwhile investment and you want to make sure that you choose the right one for your needs. These factors will help you determine which commercial dishwasher best suits your intended applications.
Also read-
