A commercial dishwasher is one of the most crucial pieces of machinery for any restaurant. You can even argue that it’s just as important as a commercial gas stove because, without it, the food won’t be served on clean plates. It helps improve workflow inside the kitchen by eliminating the need to wash dishes by hand. Commercial dishwashers get plenty of use throughout each day, and while it’s extremely beneficial, it can quickly deteriorate its integral components if not properly maintained.
Imagine the number of dishes it cleans every single day. Food particles can accumulate much faster than you think, and it can result in a number of issues like blocked sprayer arms, clogged nozzles, and gunk buildup. When these get neglected, it’ll reduce the efficiency of your dishwasher and poorly cleaned dishes will come out as a result.
Commercial dishwashers for sale are very expensive, and dishwasher components don’t come cheap. You’ll have to acquire the services of a qualified technician to conduct any repairs which can quickly add up to your costs. To prevent any serious damage from happening, you should pay special attention to regular care and maintenance to ensure the longevity of your dishwasher.
To get the most from your commercial dishwasher, here are 10 simple tips that you can follow to prolong its lifespan and ensure optimum cleaning results.
10 tips on getting the most from your commercial dishwasher
1. Load your dishes properly. Your dishes should always be loaded to face the center of the dishwasher. This is because the sprayer arms work in a circular motion, which means that plates that aren’t facing the center of the dishwasher won’t get cleaned effectively. Your kitchen utensils should always be placed upwards to prevent the risk of nesting.
2. Don’t overcrowd your dishwasher. It’s easy to get carried away and just pack everything inside when using the dishwasher, but doing so will only result in poorly cleaned dishes. You’ll end up using a lot more water and detergent than you should because you need to run a longer wash cycle just to clean your dishes. Check the capacity of your dishwasher and avoid placing too many plates on the racks. If you have too many dishes to clean, wash the dirtiest ones first and proceed with the lightly soiled ones afterward. Handwash the remaining dishes if there are only a few ones left.
3. Always use the correct settings. Commercial dishwashers have a variety of different configurations, such as the wash cycles and wash modes. These settings can be changed to clean dishes according to their soil levels. For example, a power wash sprays intense jets of water to thoroughly clean caked-on plates, while a light wash sprays water lightly on less dirty dishes. This will help you conserve water and detergent, so make sure to refer to your dishwasher’s instruction manual to find out which settings work best for different dishes.
4. Don’t skip on rinse aid. Rinse aid makes the drying process of your dishes much faster and helps to prevent watermarks from appearing on your plates. If you use expensive chinaware, rinse aid is a must since it protects your dishes from scratches and smudges as a result of undried hard water.
5. Replace your dishwasher’s tank water before use. It’s always a good idea to empty your dishwasher’s tank water and replace it with fresh water before you use it. This will prevent bacteria from growing inside the tank water, and it’ll provide better cleaning results when washing your plates. Ideally, you want to replace your tank water after every 20 wash cycles.
6. Sanitize your dishwasher by using vinegar. Vinegar is a cheap antibacterial solution that you can use to sanitize your dishwasher. This helps combat bacterial growth and mitigates any unwanted odors. Simply pour a cup of vinegar on the bottom of an empty dishwasher and run a normal cycle. The vinegar will help freshen up your dishwasher and dissolve any gunk buildup.
7. Clean your dishwasher daily. Commercial dishwashers get plenty of abuse each day. To prolong its lifespan, you should clean it daily once all the dishes have been washed. Remove the racks first then use a sponge soaked in warm, soapy water to clean the insides of your dishwasher. Work your way from the inside of the dishwasher door through the corners to remove any stuck food debris
8. Inspect your dishwasher racks. Dishwasher racks can get damaged over time, and you’ll notice that the paint will start to come off quite easily. This can potentially lead to blocked sprayer arms and even clog up your food trap. Consider replacing worn-out dishwasher racks immediately to prevent these issues from happening. New dishwasher racks will be more stable and will hold up your plates much better.
9. Clean the food filter. The food filter is located at the bottom of your dishwasher. It is responsible for collecting food particles, and over time, it can accumulate into excessive gunk buildup. Check your food filter and make sure to clean it regularly. This prevents foul odors from forming inside your dishwasher and promotes proper waste drainage. Usually, all it takes a quick rinse in running water to clean it. If stubborn food particles are stuck, use a soft brush soaked in soapy water to dislodge the debris. Check your food filter once a week and clean it regularly to avoid gunk from building up.
10. Call a technician to inspect your dishwasher. To prevent further deterioration of the components of your dishwasher, book an annual service with a qualified technician for proper repair. They will conduct a thorough inspection of the condition of your commercial dishwasher and recommend parts that need replacing. They’ll also check the operation of the dispensers, the state of the seals and gaskets, and remove scales from heating elements. Do this once or twice a year to help keep your dishwasher in good working condition.
Conclusion
Regularly cleaning and maintaining your commercial dishwasher is paramount to help prolong its lifespan. These measures will significantly reduce the wear and tear of your dishwasher so you can continue to rely on it even with heavy use. To get the most from your commercial dishwasher, make sure to follow these ten tips for maximum efficiency and reliability.
