Common Questions About Dish Washing Supplies
Having the right dish washing supplies on hand can make all the difference between a chaotic dishwashing area and a smoothly operated dish room. Accessories range from wearable supplies like gloves and aprons to dishwasher supplies like chemicals. Find the dish room supplies you need here.
Which dish washing chemicals do I need?
Every warewasher needs detergent. This is the soap the machine uses to clean the dishes in the wash cycle. Low-temp dishwashers and all dishes washed in sinks will also need a sanitizer. If you are using a low-temp dishwasher and need the dishes to dry faster, you may also wish to invest in a rinse aid that promotes fast drying.
Do I need a water test kit?
Water test strips are a great way to ensure your dishes are getting sanitized properly, and are required by most health inspectors. If you are sanitizing your dishes via the three-sink method, you will need test strips that indicate the level of chemical in your sanitizing solution. These are available for chlorine and quaternary ammonia. Dishwasher test strips are also available to ensure your rinse cycle is reaching the correct temperature. These stick to the inside of your dishwasher and have an indicator that will change color at either 160 or 180 degrees Fahrenheit for low temperature and high temperature dishwashers.
What aprons and gloves should I keep on hand for dishwashing?
Dishwashing aprons are available in vinyl and nylon, and gloves are available in nitrile, nylon, and neoprene. All of these materials are waterproof and durable for use in the dishroom, but be aware that many of the gloves are latex-lined. Because latex is a common allergen, many operators prefer to have unlined or flocked-lined gloves available. If you will have multiple people running your dishroom across different shifts, consider investing in gloves of varying sizes to accommodate them.
