Hatco Booster Heater & Water Heater

Hatco Water Heaters: What You Need to Know

Hatco first invented and marketed booster heaters in the 1950s, and the company has remained an industry leader in the ongoing development and refinement of booster heater technology ever since. In most municipalities, the minimum required hot water sanitizing temperature is much higher than hot water coming from the building's pipes. Hot water boosters are vital pieces of equipment that bridge that gap, ensuring operators fully sanitize all their wares.

Common Questions About Hatco Booster Heaters

What is a Hatco booster heater?

Hatco booster heaters are secondary water heaters designed to take water that's already hot and make it hotter. They're not intended to replace standard water heaters and typically are installed along with a specific piece of warewashing equipment, such as a three-bay sink or commercial dishwasher. They're designed to work quickly and efficiently, heating small batches of water for back-to-back operation in high-volume periods. Therefore, it's important to choose a model that holds enough water for the piece of equipment with which it's used. Gas and electric models are available in a variety of capacities.

How does a Hatco hot water booster work?

There are three main types of Hatco water heaters, each of which works in a different way:

• Hatco sanitizing sink booster heaters are designed for use with manual dishwashing systems. If dishes are sanitized with hot water in a three-sink system, operators must ensure rinse water in the sanitizing basin remains at or above 171 degrees Fahrenheit. To get water that hot and keep it there, a Hatco booster can be installed to heat the sanitizing sink water continuously. Most hot water from a tap is only around 140 degrees Fahrenheit because higher temperatures could cause severe burns in most applications. Due to this, it's usually necessary to install a separate Hatco booster water heater to get the water hot enough to comply with local health department regulations and sanitize wares fully.
• Hatco dishwasher booster heaters are designed for high-temp commercial dishwashers. Automatic dishwashing machines that sanitize wares using hot water must reach a minimum of 180 degrees Fahrenheit during the sanitizing cycle. Most hot water from the tap is 140 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, so it's beneficial to install a separate Hatco booster heater between the hot water inlet pipe and the dishwasher. The Hatco booster holds incoming hot water and heats it to 180 degrees Fahrenheit until the sanitizing rinse cycle starts. Dishwasher booster heaters are available in a number of sizes that hold different amounts of hot water to match many different warewasher types.
• Hatco bain marie heaters are designed for bain marie slow cooking and hot holding, or for rethermalizing. Most units can be set to maintain steady temperatures anywhere from 140 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit, keeping bacterial growth to a minimum and preserving food texture. These heaters often are used at buffets, cafeterias, and catered events.