The last thing you want on a busy night is for the dishwasher to break down. This nightmare scenario can be prevented by following a few simple steps to caring for a commercial dishwasher.
Keep it clean
Yes, it’s a machine that cleans, but that doesn’t make it clean. To keep your dishwasher running smoothly and efficiently it’s important to keep it clean inside and out.
Remove and wash the filters under running water using a soft brush
Clean spray nozzles to prevent hard water build up
At least once each day, run your machine through one cycle empty and on a high temperature
Keep the door ajar when not in use, and try to let it dry out overnight
Scrape dishes
Most dishwashers need some food residue to wash properly, but it is not a food disposal unit. Too much food left on dishes leads to clogged filters. Clogged filters means the dishes don’t get cleaned properly, so it’s a destructive cycle. This step starts in the kitchen, by scraping anything solid off the plates into the bin before stacking the dishwasher.
Keep cleaning agents full
Just like your dishwasher at home, commercial dishwashers need detergent. If you fail to keep these full, your glasses and cutlery is likely to come back streaked and stained. And remember, since you use the commercial dishwasher many times a day, these levels should be checked daily to ensure they don’t run out.
Steer clear of other cleaning agents
Unless otherwise stated in your owner’s manual, steer clear of using unauthorised cleaning agents in your dishwasher. Products like bleach are not formulated for use in the dishwasher, and can prematurely degrade the interior of your machine.
Get it serviced
Even if you care for and clean your dishwasher regularly, it still pays to have it serviced annually. A well maintained machine can last for years, and servicing it will ensure that all seals, gaskets and parts that suffer wear and tear are replaced before anything serious fails.
If you follow these simple steps, caring for your commercial dishwasher should become second nature to you and your kitchen crew, ensuring many years of use from your machine.
Leave a Reply