Commercial Dishwasher Buying Guide
Buying a commercial dishwasher is a big investment that requires careful consideration. Unlike some kitchen equipment, dishwashers run almost constantly throughout the workday, making it essential to your kitchen operations.
Chefs and kitchen managers evaluating commercial dishwashers must make long-term strategic decisions that impact how the kitchen works daily. In many ways, a commercial dishwasher is the heart of the kitchen setup — everything that goes on in the kitchen depends on it. If you don't have one, or if yours isn’t getting dishes, glasses, and flatware sparkling clean and sanitary, everything else breaks down.
With that in mind, let's look at some of the best professional dishwashers on the market. Choosing the right dishwasher is important because the model best suited to your kitchen will provide the service you need without wasting excessive space or overusing water and power.
What Is A Commercial Dishwasher?
A commercial dishwasher is a piece of kitchen equipment that cleans and sanitizes dinnerware, glasses, utensils, bowls, pots, and pans using hot water and chemical sanitizers. Typically, a commercial dishwasher heats water to 149 to 160 Fahrenheit, with the final sanitizing rinse reaching at least 180 degrees.
Commercial dishwashers help restaurants meet food safety compliance regulations, which are difficult to achieve when washing by hand. On average, professional dishwashers take two to three minutes to wash, rinse, and dry, making them much faster than their residential counterparts.
Types of Commercial Dishwashers
Professional dishwashers come in various models, each designed to fulfill a particular role under specific circumstances. Conveyor dishwashers, door-style dishwashers, under-counter dishwashers, and commercial glass washers have pros and cons, which we’ll review here.
Conveyor Commercial Dishwashers
The conveyor-style dishwasher is often a massive, cumbersome beast, but it's ideal for larger kitchens. Chefs who have to serve dozens or hundreds of people with every table service need a reliable high-volume dishwasher, and a conveyor dishwasher fits the bill nicely.
Conveyor dishwashers provide volume and speed. The size and special features of these dishwashers ensure kitchen workers can pack it, run it, and then pack it again, all day, every day. Most conveyor dishwashers take a standard washing rack and utilize high-temperature washing.
The beauty of a conveyor dishwasher, in terms of workflow and ergonomics, is that workers can stack racks and then put them on the line for sequential washing. Instead of filling the machine for each cycle, these racks remain on the line until they are done for a “first in, first out” efficient cycle. There’s no waiting around for a full load, as may be necessary with other types of models.
Door Style Commercial Dishwashers
The Door Style Dishwasher comes with one or two racks. These dishwashers usually take up less space than a conveyor model and offer quick cleaning solutions for restaurants or cafés doing brisk business.
For businesses that need efficient cleaning without investing in a large conveyor model, a door-style model with a larger capacity can do the trick nicely. Our Jackson Conservator XL2 door-type double rack commercial dishwasher model uses 1.17 gallons per rack and can hold 74 racks per hour. A set of dirty dishes can be out of the bus pan, into the dishwasher, and back in circulation in only minutes.
Undercounter Commercial Dishwashers
The under-counter commercial dishwasher is made to save space while operating at high capacity. It might look like a residential dishwasher, but don't confuse an under-counter commercial dishwasher with what you’d see in someone's home. Power-packed under-counter models help restaurants or food service operations maintain high-speed service.
The Hobart LXEH-2 washes 32 racks per hour, using 0.74 gallons per cycle, and boasts an excellent Energy Star rating. A built-in booster heater improves the unit's sanitization functions.
Commercial Glass Washers
As the name implies, specialized commercial glass washers should only be used for glassware, making this style of dishwasher ideal for busy bars. The Jackson Delta 1200 Underbar Glass Washer is a typical example. Capable of cleaning 1,200 glasses an hour, this compact glasswasher uses a composite carousel to clean tall stemware, glasses, and mugs while preventing chipping and other damage to the glasses being cleaned.
Considerations When Shopping for the Best Professional Dishwashers
When choosing a commercial dishwasher, keep the following factors in mind:
- Cleaning Temperature: Commercial dishwashers come with high and low-temperature options. Both types use detergent and rinsing chemicals, but a high-temperature dishwasher sanitizes with heat, while a low-temperature model uses chemical sanitizing agents. High-temperature dishwashers are generally larger, with condensate hoods that increase the cost. Low-temperature dishwashers require regular purchases of sanitizing chemicals, which can tarnish dishware.
- Size: The size of your kitchen influences your choice of a commercial dishwasher. For small kitchens, under-counter dishwashers help conserve space. Door-style dishwashers are larger and require room for a stacking area, cooling/drying area, and pre-rinse sink. A large, busy kitchen may need the power of a conveyor dishwasher.
- Capacity: How much volume will your dishwasher need to handle? An under-counter dishwasher can wash up to 35 racks an hour, while a door-style model can wash 39 to 74 racks in the same time period. Conveyor dishwashers can process 200 racks an hour, with the largest models capable of cleaning 400 racks an hour.
- Cost: Consider the cost of running a commercial dishwasher as well as its upfront cost. Conveyor and door-style dishwashers have a higher upfront cost, but the speed with which they clean dishes saves your workers time, freeing kitchen staff to be productive in other areas. The upfront cost of an under-counter model is lower, but you will need to make regular purchases of sanitizing chemicals.
- Energy Efficiency: Dishwashers require water and energy to run. Look for models with Energy Star certifications, which indicate the model uses 40% less water and electricity than non-Energy Star certified dishwashers.
Explore Commercial Dishwashers
At Chefs’ Toys, we have the practical experience to help you find the perfect dishwasher for your kitchen. Our staff knows what it's like to work in fast-paced kitchens – they are chefs and professionals who have done their time in the culinary world and can advise you from a place of expertise. We hope this commercial dishwasher buying guide proves helpful, and we encourage you to contact us if you have any questions about dishwashers or other kitchen equipment.
