Just as important as the food you provide to your customers is that they are served on clean crockery. You do not need to spend considerable time, money, or effort on your menu to make it taste delicious. But even the most elegant and delicious meals can be underused or dirty.
TO know how to clean and descale a commercial dishwasher read carefully otherwise you miss special guide and tricks so lets start reading.
How to clean a commercial dishwasher?
The simple mistake of not cleaning a dishwasher can create an embarrassing situation and harm your business. Cleaning your commercial dishwasher daily will ensure it doesn’t get clogged up with gunk. Dishwashers don’t automatically clean themselves during the dishwashing cycle just because they are dishwashers.
Showers don’t clean themselves in use, actually becoming dirtier when you’re using them. Commercial dishwashers are also susceptible to this. It will lead to your dishes not getting cleaned if your filters and jets are clogged and the limescale accumulates. So it’s important to clean a dishwasher. In this article, I’m going to tell you how to clean a commercial dishwasher?
Do commercial dishwashers use detergent?
In commercial dishwashers, the detergent and rinse aid dispensers are often incorporated into the machine and automatically add the solution when the cycle is complete. In contrast, under-counter dishwashers have a sanitizer pump, detergent pump, and rinse aid pump, so this is generally not an issue for vertical and conveyor dish machines.
It is mainly used to clean dishes in both low- and high-temperature dishwashers. Dishwasher Detergent is used to clean dishes in either type of dishwasher. Some commercial dishwashers accept powder detergent only, and some accept liquid or solid detergent. So commercial dishwashers use detergents.
Which detergent is best for a dishwasher?
DESTAIN – Commercial Dishwasher Liquid is something you should check out. Phosphate-free and made from a biodegradable mixture, it boasts of low toxic levels. Designed specifically for commercial machinery, this liquid detergent produces low suds. Liquid dispensers and detergent pumps are the best way to apply them.
So this dishwasher is best for commercial dishwashers. Because we must use an efficient detergent which cleans all components of dishwasher properly. Some dishwashers are too fast in chemicals that it could harm the components and make the dishwasher useless.
How do you deep clean a commercial dishwasher?
The amount of maintenance allocated to a commercial dishwasher determines whether it will last 10 or 20 years. Commercial dishwashers in high-volume establishments that are poorly maintained are typically lucky to last seven to ten years.
Those same commercial dishwashers will last around 15-20 years if cleaned and delivered regularly. So there are some ways to prevent build up in your dishwasher:
Turn off the power:
Whenever you clean a dishwasher, first of all, turn off the power. It is not only necessary for the dishwasher but also every electrical appliance. Because water can cause electric shock and become the cause of death. So plug out the dishwasher before cleaning it.
Commercial dishwashers automatically start when the door is closed so separate the adapter from the faucet also or turn off the power.
Remove food residue:
It’s very important to remove food residue from the dishes because these tiny particles of food cause clogging. If you put dishes in the dishwasher with food particles it will cause a hurdle in draining of water and results in clog of your filters and jets.
So before loading dishes into the dishwasher, scrape dishes spray them so that tiny particles of food are removed. So make sure dishes are always cleaned thoroughly before the dishwasher and sprayed with a spray cleaning agent.
Use the correct detergent:
Every detergent you use for dishwashing or your dishwasher is not the same as what you use for washing dishes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and choose the detergent recommended by them. Save some pennies by choosing a cheaper option as it will affect your reputation in the market.
So make sure you are using the right detergent. If you are using a glass washing or machine dishwashing detergent, you must use one with added phosphate (Not ordinary dish solvers).
Wipe down the interior:
When you are done washing dishes, clean the interior of the dishwasher. Unclog the filters or holes. If you do not wipe the dishwasher after washing the dishes then it would be the cause of vandalization.
So rinse the dishwasher with warm water and detergent while using a cleaning cloth or spray nozzle. So that it does not cause any problem in the future.
Drain the dishwasher:
Once you have cleaned the dishwasher from the inside, drain the tank and then fill it back up with water. Remove the cover of the dishwasher and let it air dry.
Do not put the cover of the dishwasher wet otherwise it would cause rust. Which is harmful to the dishwasher. So be careful.
Clean the spray nozzles:
Cleaning the spray nozzle is very important. Because hard water builds up on the nozzles. So use white vinegar to remove hard water from the nozzles. White vinegar is best as a cleaning agent.
Clean the screens, filters, and baskets:
So the next step is the cleaning of the screen. As we know the dishwasher glass screen helps to see us the wash cycle. If the screen is dirty then you could not see the dishes that either these are washing or not so for cleaning the screen using a clean cloth.
Now cleaning of filters and basket is also important as a screen. So clean the debris from the filter with a hand or brush. And then rub the filter with detergent using a brush for cleaning. Also, clean the baskets of the dishwasher using a brush or cloth.
Clean, wash/rinse arms and jets:
Clean the arms and jets of the dishwasher so that the water holes would be clear. Wash or rinse the arms and jet with warm water so that it would be easy to clean the water holes. Water holes are blocked because of food particles or debris. So if any part of them is damage replace it after cleaning.
Top off detergent:
Ensure that the feeder tubes run freely after you have filled them with detergent. Rinse the aid compartments after filling them with detergent. Both of these steps can help clean the dishwasher after each use.
Run a cleaning cycle:
Run a cleaning cycle after adding detergent to the commercial dishwasher. By polishing the interior of the machine one more time, not only it will prevent dust from accumulating inside the machine, but it will also give you the chance to listen out for unusual sounds or hurdles/problems.
Ensure the parts you removed while cleaning has been properly reinstalled if these issues occur. So whenever you clean a dishwasher, in the end, run a wash cycle so that you could know, is the machine is working or not.
Air out the machine:
Now finally the last step is to air out the machine. For this, open the dishwasher door or top of the dishwasher so that the air circulates and helps to prevent the bacteria buildup.
Why is it a good idea to have a commercial dishwasher?
There are many benefits of having a commercial dishwasher at home. Commercial dishwashers help us to wash a large number of dishes in a short time. So you don’t have to wait long for washing the dishes. So as the time is taken during the manually washing dishes, less time is taken.
So in each cycle, commercial dishwashers can wash a large number of dishes or kitchenware. These also clean the dishes more efficiently. Commercial dishwashers use less water and power in washing the dishes. So these dishwashers are excellent in every way.
How do you test a commercial dishwasher?
Level the main unit of a commercial dishwasher by adjusting each leg’s feet. Level the feeder counters and the conveyor counters after the main unit is leveled. After the test cycle has been completed, the power should be switched on at the breaker.
A thermometer placed inside the dishwasher bay can help you determine whether the water is reaching the appliance manufacturer’s recommended temperature. So this is the way of testing the commercial dishwasher.
How to descale your commercial dishwasher?
When hard water builds upon the components of the dishwasher, it would damage the dishwasher and cause failure. Hard water occurs because of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Then these minerals harm the components of the dishwasher and do not let the dishwasher clean the dishes efficiently.
So, to prevent the limescale buildup install a water softener so that hard water does not appear. If limescale builds up around the heating elements on your commercial dishwasher, it can make it difficult for the machine to generate optimal heating temperatures.
If you do not deal with limescale buildup, you will notice a white film appearing on your dishes as a result of mineral deposits.
You might find that clean dishes require more detergent now than in the past. Periodically, you should clean and descale a commercial dishwasher. After you have followed the cleaning steps mentioned above, this is the best time to do it.
You should follow these steps to keep minerals from accumulating on your commercial dishwasher.
Assemble proper safety gear:
While descaling the dishwasher, dangerous and harmful chemicals are used. These caustic chemicals can harm your eyes, mouth, or other parts of the body. So wear safety glasses, rubber gloves, and a mask before you begin to descale your dishwasher.
Fill the dishwasher with water:
After proper safety, fill the dishwasher with water.
Add your descaling product:
Let the cleaner sit for at least an hour according to the package’s instructions.
Run a full wash cycle:
After putting the cleaner on the dishwasher, run a full wash cycle.
Check the dishwasher:
To see that the limescale buildup finish/removed, examine the interior of the dishwasher. If you do not find the results of your desire or find lime in the dishwasher so repeat the above two steps till you find the desired results.
Drain the dishwasher:
Now congrats. You are finished/done to descale a dishwasher. Now there are no bacteria, limescale, and food particles or debris in your commercial dishwasher.
FAQs
How do you clean silverware in a commercial dishwasher?
Put the silverware of your commercial dishwasher in a big basin or bucket. Spill some white vinegar and water onto the dishwasher’s silverware. Be sure the vinegar covers the silverware completely. Now let it soak for 25 to 30 minutes. After that rinse or wash the silverware with water well and dry it with a clean cloth or towel.
What temperature should a commercial dishwasher be?
Commercial dishwashers should have a temperature of at least 81°C to effectively disinfection. Monitoring the temperature of the unit using the temperature display is possible if it provides one. So this should be the temperature of the commercial dishwasher. If the temperature is more than the limit then it would harm the dishes as well as a dishwasher.
How often should you delime a commercial dishwasher?
The chemicals are very dangerous and acidic used in deliming. These chemicals can harm the commercial dishwasher if you used these chemicals too much or every day and do not use them according to the procedure. If you see any signs or spots of limescale buildup then you should use the Hobart dishwasher often to delime your dishwasher.
When we delime our machine, it helps to work dishwasher for a long time, stop it from breaking down, and make sure that the dishwasher performance is satisfactory.
What should be done to plates before loading a commercial dishwasher?
Flats pans or big dishes should be put away from the dishwasher’s door. Place them on the back of the lower rack or left/right side of the dishwasher. So that these could not harm the dishwasher door. If you put them in front of the dishwasher door then it can block the detergent to reach and wash the other dishes.
Put the silverware goods in the silverware basket so that it could not cause any hurdle. When you load the dishes in the dishwasher, avoid the breaking/nesting so that this will become the cause of inefficient cleaning of your dishes.
What is the gentlest dishwasher detergent?
The gentlest dishwasher detergents according to their quality are Finish Quantum Max Powerball Tablets (overall best detergent), Kirkland premium dishwasher’s packs (budget free detergent), Palmolive Eco+ (gel dishwasher detergent), and Cascade complete powder (best powder dishwasher detergent). So these are some dishwasher detergents including all qualities.
Final thoughts:
It is certain that a little preventative care, when done as per manufacturer guidelines, will extend the life of your dishwasher. The first step to prolonging the lifespan of a dishwasher is to carefully care for and maintain it.
Our objective is to convey the following most important information to you through this article:
- If your machine is susceptible to hard water, install a commercial water filter.
- If you are concerned about your machine being scaled, you might consider using a liquid descale once every few months.
- Your machine may already be heavily scaled – in that case, you should consult an experienced technician.
- Your machine should be cleaned every day according to manufacturer guidelines.
In addition to increasing the machine’s longevity and reliability, following these simple steps prevents harmful bacteria from building up in the machine.
If you have any additional questions or thought it could be useful, please comment below
How To Unclog A Dishwasher Secret Tips And Tricks
Dishwasher not draining the water? It means your dishwasher is clogged. We bring you a guide on how to unclog your dishwasher safely.
So if you have the same problem do check it out.