When you're serving hundreds of people every day, there’s no time to waste on washing dishes by hand. Thankfully, a commercial dishwasher exists and using it will literally change the way your business works.
Note: If washing dishes all day sounds like your dream job to you, feel free to skip this guide. For the rest of us, here’s how a commercial dishwasher can save your day—and your hands!
How to Use a Commercial Dishwasher:
Running a commercial dishwasher might seem like a big task, but trust me, it’s all about mastering the steps. Let’s break them down:
Step 1: Get Your Machine Ready to Go
Before you start the washing process, make sure everything is in its proper place. This means checking that the tank grid and basket wheels are correctly positioned. If your dishwasher uses granule technology (think: magic granules that clean your dishes), make sure you add them to the wash tank. Always check the manufacturer’s guide for the exact instructions—better safe than sorry, right?
Once that’s sorted, close the door (or hood) securely and make sure the drain valve is shut. Now, hit that power switch! You should see the machine powering up and getting ready for action. It’s like setting up the stage for a performance, except the stars are your dirty dishes.
Step 2: Fill and Heat the Water
Now that your machine is on, it's time to get it ready for business. Use the control panel to start filling the machine with water. You’ll need to be a little patient here because the water needs to be heated up to the right temperature. This can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your machine and whether you're using warm or cold water. But no worries, this step is like the warm-up before the big game—necessary but doesn’t take forever.
Step 3: Get Your Dishes Ready
While the machine is heating up, it’s time to prep the items you’ll be washing. If you’re using a granule-based machine, this is simple: just scrape off any leftover food from the dishes. No need for a deep clean, the granules will handle most of it. But if you're working with an older or less efficient machine, you might need to give things a little extra TLC. You may need to soak or scrub the more stubborn food residue off your pots, pans, or plates.
For plates and crockery, I recommend giving them a quick rinse with a pre-rinse shower. Just a heads-up: keep the water temperature below 45°C to avoid those annoying protein stains on your porcelain.
Step 4: Load It Like a Pro
Alright, it’s time for the fun part—loading the dishwasher. But before you toss your dishes in there, make sure you know where the spray nozzles are. The dirty side of the dishes should always face the nozzles for maximum cleaning power. Load the basket carefully, making sure nothing is sticking out of the sides or bottom. If you overload the basket or block the spray nozzles, it could mess with the cleaning cycle.
Here’s the trick: always make sure the items are securely placed. You don’t want the basket or hood to get stuck while the machine’s running, or worse, cause a spill. Keep it neat, keep it organized, and you’ll get better results.
Step 5: Choose Your Wash Cycle & Hit Start
Now comes the real magic. Select the wash cycle based on how dirty your items are. The dirtier the dishes, the longer the cycle should be. If your dishwasher doesn’t automatically detect how soiled the dishes are, don’t ever use the granule cycle for plates or delicate crockery—it’s a bit too harsh for them. But once you’ve chosen the right program, hit that start button and let the machine work its magic.
Quick tip: If you’re not planning on running another load immediately, keep the door closed when the machine is not in use. It helps save energy and reduces evaporation. Plus, your kitchen will stay cooler!
Step 6: Check the Results
Once the cycle is done, it’s time to inspect the dishes. Are they clean? No food residue left? If you're using a granule machine, make sure there are no granules stuck to the dishes, and be sure to flip them over before you take them out. This step can be a bit like checking your homework before turning it in—take a second to make sure everything is good before moving on.
If all looks good, you’re ready to unload and start the next round of dishes.
Step 7: Clean Up After the Day’s Work
Once you’ve got a stack of clean dishes and the machine has done its job, don’t forget about the dishwasher itself. Just like how you tidy up your space at the end of the day, you need to clean your dishwasher to keep it in good shape.
Start by stopping the machine and opening the drain valve to empty out the wash tank. Give the spray pipes a once-over to check for any blockages, and make sure to clean them if necessary. Wipe down the interior of the machine with a damp cloth, and give the grid, sieve, and any other parts a good scrub. The drip groove and door seals need attention too—give them a clean, and wipe off the inside of the doors. Finally, don’t forget the top of the machine. Wipe it down at least once a month to keep it in tip-top condition.
Wrapping up:
Congratulations! You’ve got the 7-step dishwasher process down now. Put it into practice, and you’ll be cleaning dishes like a pro in no time. For more tips or advice, we’re always here at Horeca Store to help out. Come back soon! :)
