11 Tips for Buying a Commercial Dishwasher for Your Business

If you have a commercial kitchen, doing manual handwashing or using a dishwasher meant for residential use is costing you money. And as the global market is expected to reach nearly $800 million by 2026, other businesses have already gotten on board. Not only are commercial dishwashers faster, but they also have much higher dishware capacities.

That said, buying a commercial dishwasher comes with a unique set of challenges. If you’re a business owner ready to make your kitchen more efficient, keep reading for some tips on how to get the most out of your commercial dishwasher purchase.

1. Know the Type & Size You Need

If you’re already familiar with the benefits of buying a commercial dishwasher, the next step is to determine the type that you need.

There are a few main types of dishwashers, including under bench, pass-through, and conveyor. Underbench dishwashers are a type of small commercial dishwasher made to fit under a counter to maximize space. As a downside, they have less capacity. But because of this, they don’t require as much power or water to utilize.

Pass-through machines are larger stand-alone machines and as such have a higher capacity and clean rate. These are the best middle-of-the-road option. Kitchens that have the space and solid amount of dishes to clean, but not enough per day to warrant a larger washer can benefit the most from this type.

Conveyor dishwashers are the biggest type, made for large kitchens and busy restaurants. Instead of having to manually move the racks, these move on a conveyor at very high speeds.

When you buy a commercial dishwasher, however, you shouldn’t only be thinking about the current state of your kitchen. If you have plans for renovations, expansions, or you expect a significant uptick in clientele within the next few years, you’ll want to spring for something that has a little more capacity than you think you might need. Although replacing your dishwasher is always possible, you’ll end up losing money in the long run if you don’t account for your needs changing.

Since dishwashers come in multiple types, it follows that they would also come in various sizes and can fit into several different spaces. But you’ll need to map out exactly where your previous dishwasher was, if you had one, and where the new one needs to go.

2. Measure Volume & Capacity

Once you know what type you’re thinking of purchasing, the next step is to figure out the capacity and volume you need. Generally, commercial dishwashers’ output is measured in racks per hour(RPH), which is the number of single racks of dishes that can be washed within that time period. Larger dishwashers tend to have a greater RPH than smaller ones; however, this shouldn’t be your only concern.

Buying a dishwasher with too much capacity isn’t necessarily a good idea. You may end up wasting water if you don’t have enough dishes to fill it up, but neither is it ideal to buy one that’s too small and risk having dishes piling up in the sink or on the counter.

3. Plan for the Water Bill

A dishwasher won’t work without water, but there are specific water conditions to consider. The water pressure, hardness, and drainage system all impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your dishwasher, and in turn affect your bottom line.

Low water pressure can lead to your dishes not being cleaned properly or at all. The water won’t fill up the machine or it will take longer than it should to do so. This uses more water and at worst can lead to needing several washes for one set of dishes to be cleaned.

In terms of the hardness of the water, the limescale buildup from the calcium deposits can clog or otherwise damage the interior of the dishwasher. This may cause it to work less efficiently or stop entirely. Along with this, the dishes will often come out of the washer with spots and stains on them, which will require washing by hand until the machine is fixed, costing you both time and money, and possibly increasing wait times for your company.

But there’s a way to get around the effects of hard water. You can invest in water softeners to mitigate the effects that hard water has on both the dishware and the dishwasher itself.

Another topic to be mindful of regarding water is drainage. If your dishwasher isn’t draining properly, you could have a major issue on your hands. Not only can this lead to dirty water pooling at the bottom of the washer, but if left unchecked, can become a breeding ground for mold, and other health hazardous bacteria.

Keeping on top of maintenance and checking the drain will help you avoid costly repairs and unsafe conditions within the dishwasher.

4. Check Your Regulations

In Australia, there are certain standards that businesses need to follow regarding their food equipment. The government recommends that commercial dishwashers use temperatures greater than 80°C for their sanitation cycles.

5. Consider the Power & Energy Efficiency

Is sustainability important to your business? Even if it’s not, using less power and water and being more energy-efficient in your kitchen appliance usage can save you money while still outputting the same racks per hour.

But if your efficiency could still be improved, there are several ways you can do so without too much effort. Pre-rinsing before putting the dishes in the washer, only running full loads, and turning off the dishwasher at night can all help reduce power usage and save water.

6. Hammer Out Your Budget

A dishwasher is an appliance that impacts the quality of your food and the business as a whole. That’s why you should carefully consider your budget and your plans as a company for the next few years. Ensure that you’re accommodating for any growth in business that you may have without going overboard and buying too large of a dishwasher.

Commercial dishwasher prices start at around $2,000 AUD for smaller and used models and can reach over $80,000 for large conveyor-style washers. But you should also factor in installation fees as any ongoing maintenance costs.

If you only plan on needing the dishwasher for a short period, such as a special event, you may want to invest in a commercial dishwasher rental. This way, you’ll get all of the benefits, such as a larger capacity and output, without having to pay for the entire cost of the dishwasher you won’t need.

Additionally, you’ll need to think of the installation time and effort it’ll take. Will you be doing the installation yourself or paying a contractor? If you’re planning on doing it yourself, you’ll need to double and triple-check your measurements.

Additionally, you should confirm that you have all the tools and expertise you’ll need before you start. If you make a mistake, it could not only damage the washer itself but cause damage to your other appliances, too, if it’s severe enough.

But there are factors to consider when hiring a contractor, too. You’ll need to do your research on whether they’re part of a reputable company and have experience installing a dishwasher in a commercial setting.

7. Consider the Temperature

Choosing a high or low-temperature dishwasher is more important than you think. High-temperature dishwashers can reach 65 to 71° C, whereas low-temperature machines only go up to 48 to 60° C, which will impact pricing.

High-temperature machines generally need vent hoods as well as booster heaters to properly function, and they tend to be larger than other types. Due to these factors, they have a higher initial cost than low-temperature dishwashers. But, that said, low-temperature machines need special cleaning agents that may add up to a similar cost.

But before you decide based on price alone, you should understand why temperature is so important for proper hygiene and sanitation. The dishwashing cycle has two main steps: washing, and sanitizing.

Sanitizing heats the dishware and therefore removes any leftover food, stains, and bacteria. But in low-temperature dishwashers, this is done with a chlorine sanitizer.

However, high-temperature dishwashers will need more power to reach the temperatures that they need to. So you’ll need to hire a professional electrician to consult on if your electrical circuit can handle this type of output regularly. Low-temperature dishwashers take advantage of sanitizers, but they may alter the taste of any beverages or food the dishware is used on.

8. Take Stock of Your Special Dishware

Although any dishwasher can handle most types of dishes, there are a few dedicated types of washers for glassware as well as pots and pans.

Glassware washers are designed to accommodate and clean various sizes of glass and can be an especially useful addition to a business that serves either exclusively beverages or a large amount of them alongside full meals.

Pot washers can be a way for you to take advantage of a separate washer for your cookware. For larger kitchens, this can be a great way to wash both dishware and cooking utensils and dishes quickly and effectively.

9. Keep Up With Maintenance

Just like your other kitchen appliances, cleaning and servicing your dishwasher is the best way to keep on top of problems as they come up and keep it in service. You should always consult the manual or instructions given by the manufacturer to maintain the dishwasher.

For low-temperature machines specifically, you’ll need dishwashing chemicals to help make up for the fact that they don’t operate at higher temperatures. You can also take advantage of dishwashers that have a self-cleaning feature, which can save you time and make it less of a hassle when you have to go in for a deep clean.

If at any time you need commercial dishwasher repair, always go with a reputable company. You should also aim to train your employees on how to perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance on the washer. Always have a copy of the manual on hand to make things easier on your staff, especially if the dishwasher breaks during peak hours.

10. Know What Goes In

Some businesses may not have specialty dishware that requires a special touch. But for those that do, you should keep any special recommendations that the manufacturers make in mind. For example, wood cutting boards, plastic, ceramics with hand-painted graphics, and plastic among other types of dishware, should generally not be put into the dishwasher. This can not only damage the machine itself but damage or destroy the dishes.

11. Boost Productivity

Although dishwashers are designed to be fairly self-sufficient appliances, there are a few accessories you can use to boost their productivity and efficiency.

If you’re planning on purchasing a high-temperature dishwasher, you may need to buy a booster heater to go along with it if it doesn’t come with an internal one. But they can also be used in tandem with a low-temperature dishwasher if it suits your needs. When buying a booster heater, you’ll want to keep the design of the tank, temperature display and control, and the hardness of your water if that’s an issue in your area in mind.

Dish tables can also be a great addition to the kitchen to help facilitate your employees’ washing system. These can be used as a place for dirty dishes while the washer’s running, or clean plates ready to be put away or used again. Either way, these can help free up valuable counter and stovetop space so there’s less mess to maneuver around.

If your staff is often in a rush and can’t take the time to rinse dishes before they’re put in the washer, you may want a dishwasher with a pre-rinser. Some dishwashers can get clogged easily by food in the drain and a clog in your dishwasher can not only mean an expensive repair bill if the damage is severe enough but a hit to your bottom line in terms of customer revenue.

Consider a Commercial Dishwasher for Your Business

There are plenty of factors to consider when purchasing a commercial dishwasher. But these tips will have given you more information on what things to look out for.

When you’re deciding how to choose a commercial dishwasher, one thing that shouldn’t be difficult is where to buy one. Browse Snowmaster’s large catalogue of them that can suit any business’ needs.