Let a Door-type Dishwasher Do the Dirty Work
Your ability to serve safe meals depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is a reliable dishwashing routine. A commercial dishwasher is a big investment, and finding the one that matches a restaurant's specific needs can be a challenge. For many medium-sized establishments, the 'just-right' solution between too big and too small is a door-type dishwasher, a format that offers a relatively compact footprint compared to the volume of dishes it can handle over the course of a service. If your dish crew needs to handle two or three dozen racks or fewer per hour, here are some things to keep in mind as you shop for the best door-type dishwasher.
Door-type dish machines are typically installed between two dishtables – one for incoming soiled dishes and another for outgoing clean dishes. Most models can be converted for either a straight-through or corner setup. That ability to convert between the two means you can incorporate the dish machine into your existing setup without having to invest in expensive tables or rearrange the dishroom.
Racks Per Hour
The most important factor to consider before you choose a door-type dishwasher is how many racks of dishes you need to wash in an hour. Compact washers may handle as few as 10 racks an hour, while the most productive units can wash a couple hundred. Picking a warewasher that can keep up with your demand will keep you stocked with plenty of clean dinnerware and utensils to get through the mealtime rush.
Choosing Between High-temp & Low-temp Dishwashers
Booster heaters raise incoming water to the 180 degrees Fahrenheit necessary to sanitize dishes without chemicals. Each is designed to provide either a 40-degree or 70-degree rise. To determine which you need, measure the temperature of your kitchen's hot water during the busiest time of the day when demand for it is highest. If your building's hot water measures 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, a 40-degree rise heater will be sufficient. If the temperature is lower than that, you'll need to specify a 70-degree rise booster heater. If the water is cooler than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, you may not be able to use a high-temperature dish machine without replacing or adjusting your kitchen's main water heater or boiler. Oversized door-type dishwashers are called pot and pan washers or utensil washers because they're designed to accommodate large pieces of cookware and oversized tools like full-size sheet pans, stock pots, ladles, spoons, and spatulas. Check individual product descriptions to determine the size and quantity of the cookware each model can accommodate to find one that will meet your requirements.
Advantages of Hot Water Sanitization Disadvantages of Hot Water Sanitization No costly chemicals to buy Higher upfront costs No worries about chemical residue being left on dishes Higher energy costs Effectively removes grease, lipstick, and other tough residue Additional component to maintain Advantages of Chemical Sanitization Disadvantages of Chemical Sanitization Lower upfront costs Recurring cost of sanitizing chemicals Lower energy costs Potential for chemical residue being left behind on dishes Produces less steam May not thoroughly remove grease and lipstick Booster Heaters
Pot & Pan Washers
Additional Features to Consider
