Scraping dishes
This is your dirtiest job in the dishwasher. These are the steams that splash over onto the stove top and splash the dishes with just the right amount of water. These steams, get too heavy or you try to clean it by hand. Many times when these are too heavy for the dishwasher or due to slow loading, it comes out as crusty spots on the dishes. The best way to make sure that these steams do not get into your dishes is to scrape them, which means putting everything except the dishes and one bowl in the dryer, for approximately 2 to 3 minutes and then tossing them back into the dishwasher. Cleaning the edges of the dishes is also very important, since they get sooty if you don't.
Scraping the dishes is a two-step process.
The Right Amount of Detergent
We all like washing and drying our dishes so that we can put them away in the cupboards. However, some people forget to scrub the dishes to remove any food left on them.We can use dishwasher detergent. Use a small amount of detergent. Make sure the detergent you use is your standard brand and that it is suitable for your dishwasher. Generally, we recommend using dishwashing detergent because it gets into all those crevices and can prevent food from leaving food remnants on your dishes. When washing a regular amount of dishes, detergent helps reduce the number of dishes that need to be rinsed by about 15%. Our stainless steel dishwasher rack cleans the dishes quite well and can help speed up the cleaning process. You can also use your dishwasher to wash and then rinse your plates.
Rinse Agent
Electrical gels or solvents can actually turn into a chemical, and so there is no use in washing them. Water just does not cut it. Electrical gels are usually industrial grade and are corrosive. You need to get yourself an automatic cleaner that can detect the various conditions your dishwashers are placed under (maintenance, stains, corrosion, etc.) and immediately step in with a suitable cleaning solution.
Over the years, we have had a long list of tips for commercial dishwashers that is not exclusive to the personal brand, and so we decided to put them together in one place.
Water Temperature
In order to make sure that your dishes get clean, you need to make sure that the water temperature is at a minimum of 120 degrees. Most commercial dishwashers have this temperature as a default, so you will need to manually adjust the temperature. A water heater will work well for this.
Additionally, you should make sure that you use a water softener to make the dishwasher's water more absorbent.
Recirculation
As the dishwasher goes through the wash cycle, it should be "flushed" with water. This can be done by starting the dishwasher on its lowest temperature and letting the unit run while you are away to help the water run through the pipes. This will help to maintain the water pressure and ensure that the soap and water are not getting clogged in the dishwasher.
Cleaning the Inside of the Machine
Of course, you don't have to wash the dishes in your dishwasher every single day, but you should at least clean them every time you need to wash them. Here is a general rule of thumb for the days you are working:
Never put new clean dishes in your machine
Do not wash dishes with soap, dishwasher detergent, food debris, or any other ingredients you can find in your dishwasher. Cleaning the inside of the machine is only necessary if you want to make sure that your dishwasher performs at the top of its capacity. If you clean the inside of your dishwasher on a regular basis, it will keep your dishes clean and vibrant looking for longer.
Get a Warranty
Before you even purchase a dishwasher, you should first get a warranty that covers your specific dishwasher model.
Cleaning the Outside of the Machine
If you have an apartment style commercial dishwasher, you’ll need to clean the outside of it every so often to avoid mildew. Get out a long-handled sponge or rag and start scrubbing. You’ll need to do this at least twice a year. Also, make sure you get all of the soap off.
Scrub the outside of the dishwasher every time you use it, not only to keep bacteria from forming, but also to keep the soap from clogging the drain.
While running the machine is the ideal time to do this, sometimes you can’t avoid doing it. If you’re not planning to use your dishwasher that day, you’ll need to give it a wipe down before turning it off.
Cleaning the Inside of the Dishwasher
Scrape all of the residue off of the plates and silverware that accumulates.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have now learned what you need to know about how to properly maintain your commercial dishwasher.
To help you maintain your commercial dishwasher, I have created a small guide on how to properly maintain your commercial dishwasher and add these additional tools to help you keep your dishwasher clean and save you time.
First and foremost, you must ALWAYS clean your commercial dishwasher before you put your dishes in it. This will help to preserve the life of your dishwasher.
You also need to regularly clean your commercial dishwasher daily. This is very important.
During the course of the day, you will find that you will throw more dishes in the dishwasher than you think.
