Opening up a new café, restaurant, or catering business in Melbourne is exciting — but running a commercial kitchen comes with plenty of challenges. One piece of equipment that can quietly make or break your service is your commercial dishwasher.
A sudden breakdown, slow cycles, or inconsistent cleaning can disrupt services, frustrated staff, and even impact your customers. For startups who are often juggling tight budgets and small teams, understanding dishwasher maintenance and repairs is essential.
Here’s your practical guide to keeping your commercial dishwasher running smoothly, without unnecessary downtime or costly surprises.
Why Dishwashers Are Critical for your Restaurant
In any new hospitality business, time is money. Dishwashers do more than just clean plates, they:
- Keep service running efficiently during peak hours
- Maintain hygiene standards required for health inspections
- Reduce staff workload so your team can focus on food prep and service
- Prevent delays that affect customers and revenue
A poorly maintained or faulty dishwasher can quickly turn a small problem into a big operational headache.
Common Issues in New Restaurant Kitchens
New restaurants often face unique pressures: small teams, limited experience, and high usage during launch periods. Some common dishwasher problems include:
- Clogged or blocked filters – leftover food debris can stop dishes from cleaning properly
- Leaking units – causing slip hazards and potential water damage
- Inconsistent wash cycles – often due to worn spray arms or heating issues
- Electrical faults – improper installation or overloads can lead to breakdowns
- Slow drainage or pump failure – delays service and affects turnaround
Spotting these early saves money, reduces downtime, and ensures your kitchen keeps running smoothly.
Tips for New Restaurants to Avoid Costly Repairs
Schedule Regular Servicing
Even if your dishwasher seems fine, preventative maintenance is cheaper than emergency repairs. Schedule servicing with a certified technician to catch issues early.
Train Your Team Properly
Make sure staff know how to operate, load, and clean the dishwasher correctly. Misuse is a common cause of breakdowns in new restaurant kitchens.
Keep a Cleaning Routine
Daily cleaning of filters, spray arms, and drainage areas helps prevent clogs and wear.Track Usage and Performance
If your machine is showing slower cycles or inconsistent results, act fast. Early intervention prevents small faults from becoming major repairs.Partner with Trusted Technicians
Having a reliable commercial kitchen service provider on call ensures fast repairs and reduces downtime — something every new restaurant can’t afford to ignore.
When to Repair vs Replace
For new restaurants, budget is tight, so knowing when to repair or replace a dishwasher is key:
Repair – Good for newer units with minor faults, where parts are available and cost is reasonable.
Replace – Makes sense for older units, frequent breakdowns, or if the dishwasher is no longer energy-efficient or compliant with safety standards.
Most commercial kitchen equipment have a lifespan. If your equipment is near the tail end and repairs are becoming regular, it might be time to look at replacement. But if it's still under 5 years old, a professional repair is often more cost effective.
Our CKA team can assess your unit and give honest advice tailored to your kitchen and budget.
Get Your Kitchen on Track
Launching a new food business is hard enough, so don’t let a dishwasher hold you back. At Commercial Kitchens Armiya, we specialise in commercial dishwasher repairs and installations for new restaurants and established kitchens alike.
Contact us today to book a service, request a quote, or set up a maintenance plan tailored to your kitchen.
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