Commercial Dishwashers

No matter what size your professional kitchen is, a commercial dishwasher is a big asset. With plenty of options to choose from, you can be confident that there is one to suit your needs. Compact undercounter models and glasswashers are ideal for smaller businesses like a bar or cafe with limited kitchen space. Bigger restaurants, large-scale bakeries and even butcheries could benefit from dishwashers catering to larger quantities of plates, or big pots and pans. A utensil washer is useful for these kinds of businesses, but a pass through dishwasher could also be a great investment as it can fit perfectly within a dishwashing line.

What kinds of commercial dishwashers are there?

Something every professional kitchen has to deal with is an abundance of dishes that always need to be cleaned quickly. However, not all dishes benefit from the same kind of commercial dishwasher, which is why Maxima offers a few different models to choose from, ranging from large to small commercial dishwashers. Check out our: glass washers , undercounter dishwashers , pass through dishwashers and  utensil washer . We explain the different features below:

Glass washer: for glassware

Do you have a small business such as a bar or cafe that only uses glassware or is looking to save space? Then a commercial glass washer is an ideal choice for you. Also known as a bar glass washer or pub washer, it's best suited to small spaces like behind a bar or the counter in a cafe or bakery. Although it works mostly as a bar glass washer, it has the capacity to handle a few dishes as well. It's ideal for smaller loads and has been specifically designed to prevent glassware from becoming dull and lacklustre.

Undercounter dishwasher: for an average amount of dishes

Do you have a lot of dishes in use in your kitchen all the time? Then you need a versatile appliance like an industrial undercounter dishwasher. This front-loading undercounter commercial dishwasher is suitable for glassware as well as plates, cutlery, cups, saucers, utensils and pans. These small undercounter dishwashers are commonly found in medium-sized food businesses like hotels, restaurants, sports canteens and even the kitchen at local schools and churches. Within just two minutes, these commercial dishwashers finish the job and you're back in business serving up delicious meals for your guests. Models are available for 40 x 40cm baskets and 50 x 50cm baskets.

Pass through dishwasher: for large volumes of dishes

A commercial pass through dishwasher is usually found in bigger catering establishments like hotels, restaurants, hospital canteens and other busy professional kitchens. To help kitchen employees work efficiently, you can easily connect a pass through dishwasher table to other stainless steel dishwasher tables. This lets you pre-rinse dishes before they are washed by your industrial pass through dishwasher. The following steps will have your dishes sparkling in no time:

1. Put all the dishes in the dishwasher basket and rinse them on the dishwasher table.
2. Slide the dishwasher basket into the pass through dishwasher. This cleans your dishes in just two minutes.
3. Slide the clean dishes to the next table and allow them to dry briefly.
4. Finally, pack away the clean dishes and return the basket so that it is ready for the next batch.

Utensil washer: for large pots and pans

A commercial utensil washer is usually reserved for big jobs in professional kitchens. Thanks to its large volume, it can clean the bigger catering-sized pots and pans that don't fit in a standard-sized dishwasher. You can put almost anything in it: large bowls, GN trays and other kitchen utensils.

For larger businesses, like restaurants, hotels and event caterers, it helps wash catering-sized pots and pans with ease. It is also perfectly suited to specific kinds of food businesses, like bakeries or butcheries, which have specialised tools that need to be efficiently and thoroughly cleaned. Utensil washers are also sometimes called tool washers or pan washers.

Glass and cutlery polishers: for polished glasses and shining silverware

One thing that can have a big impact on any food business is the state of their glassware and cutlery. Using equipment designed to take the manual labour out of these tasks can save you time and money. 

A cutlery polishing machine helps to quickly polish and even disinfect cutlery so it is ready for guests to use. Most professional kitchens do not have the resources to do this by hand so investing in a cutlery polisher makes a lot of sense.

A glass polisher also helps make an impact on how your customers feel about their dining experience. It lets you serve them in glasses that are clear and shining. Over time, glasses can lose their sparkle and look dull. Get your glasses glistening in under two minutes. 

What advantages does a commercial dishwasher have?

Commercial dishwashers really shouldn’t be compared with the kinds of built-in models you find in the home. These dishwashers are designed to have a much longer wash and rinse time than commercial dishwashers. The shortest programme of a standard dishwasher can take up to 30 minutes, while a programme from an industrial dishwasher usually takes just one, two or three minutes. So you can get your plates, glasses and utensils back and ready to use in no time.

Household dishwashers also have a lower washing capacity. They lack the rinsing power of a commercial dishwasher, like the ones found in Maxima’s range. The water jets are stronger and provide better cleaning of stubborn food residue. Maxima's dishwashers are well suited to intensive daily use. They can take a beating and don’t clog up easily. Even the nozzles and wash arms are easy to clean.

Tips when buying a commercial dishwasher

Different kinds of catering companies have different needs. A bar or small cafe might need something more compact but that cleans quickly. A large restaurant or hotel probably has more space but also needs to clean more dishes fast. Specialised food businesses, like bakeries and butcheries, also have different needs depending on their tools and professional utensils. What do you look for when buying a commercial dishwasher? Here are a few tips:

• The size of your kitchen
  Dishwashing tables and commercial dishwashers come in various sizes, from half a metre to almost two metres wide. The depth also varies. Do you have a small kitchen? Perhaps look for a compact undercounter model so you can leave enough space for your walking routes.
• The washing-up load
  Consider the capacity of your dishwasher. How many seats do you have in your restaurant? How many tables do you typically serve on a busy night? The larger the dishwasher, the more dishes you can fit in a single basket and the faster you can wash the next one.
• What kind of power supply?
  Do you have normal electrical current or heavy-duty current? For normal electrical currents, you need a 230V machine. For a heavier current, a 400V model is best. It’s also important to check what kind of plug you need to connect the dishwasher to as these can vary with power supply.
• Drain location
  Before buying a professional dishwasher, look to see where the nearest drain is located in your kitchen. If it is low to the ground, a standard-model dishwasher will do. With a standard model, the water drains downwards. If the drain is higher or further away, you could use a stainless steel stand to sit the dishwasher on or choose one of the bigger models. The larger models include a drainage pump that pumps away the dirty water.

What are the advantages of a Maxima commercial dishwasher?

You can't really compare Maxima's commercial dishwashers with a built-in model that can be found in the home. Household dishwashers have much longer washing and rinsing times than industrial dishwashers. A professional dishwasher made for commercial use has wash programmes that only take one, two or three minutes, so dishes are available for use as soon as possible. A household model can take up to 30 minutes on the shortest wash cycle. 

Household dishwashers also have much lower washing power. They don't have the same flushing power as a commercial dishwasher, such as Maxima's range of dishwashers. The hard water jets in professional machines clean stubborn food residue much better, making them better suited to daily intensive use. They are very robust and don't get clogged easily. Even the nozzles and wash arms are easy to clean.

How do you use a commercial dishwasher?

Using a commercial dishwasher depends on the brand and model. So always read the manual that comes with it. Operation is usually quite simple:

1. Turn the appliance on using the On/Off button. The dishwasher fills up the reservoir with water and heats it up automatically.
2. Place the dirty dishes in the dishwasher basket and put them inside the dishwasher. We recommend that you first rinse off any food residue or wipe it off with a brush.
3. Close the door and press the wash button to start the washing programme. You can also leave the wash button pressed so that the machine starts automatically when you close the door.
4. When the programme has finished, open the machine and remove the basket.
5. Leave the dishes to dry outside the machine. You can then put them away.

Hotel and catering dishwashers usually have an automatic rinse pump. The bigger models of commercial dishwashers also include an automatic soap pump and drain pump.

What do you need to ensure cleaning is efficient and hygienic?

In any commercial kitchen, good hygiene is essential. Everything from your dishes to your workspaces needs to be cleaned frequently and disinfected to prevent contamination.

One way to ensure good hygiene is to use stainless steel as much as possible. This material is ideal for appliances, worktops and even storage containers. Stainless steel is very easy to clean, thanks to its smooth surface. In addition, stainless steel is very robust, which means that your equipment will not easily be scratched.

Another way to use stainless steel is in your workspace. Stainless steel tables have many different uses within a professional kitchen. Not only do they make great work surfaces to prep food on, but they also offer additional counter space on which to keep preparation tools and appliances. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes so they can be used in whatever customised layout works best for you.

Did you know that a powerful commercial dishwasher can clean a full basket of dishes within two minutes?

How do you clean a commercial dishwasher?

Most commercial dishwashers consist of stainless steel parts that you can easily detach. That's why you only need a little soap and water.

1. First, remove any food residue with a damp cloth.
2. Use warm water and soap for the dishwashing table and tap.
3. Don't forget to clean the outside and the handle of the dishwasher.
4. Empty the dishwasher's filter and rinse it under a tap.
5. Turn on the empty dishwasher. Use a descaling agent and a special cleaning agent to clean the inside.

By regularly dismantling and thoroughly cleaning the washing arms and nozzles of the machine, you prevent blockages and limescale. The filter in the dishwasher should be emptied regularly and make sure you also keep the edges of the door clean.

Every food catering business and professional kitchen is different. The choice of a commercial dishwasher depends largely on the type of kitchen you have. Luckily, the specialists at Maxima can advise you on how to choose the one that suits your situation best. All our dishwashers have been designed for professional use to offer you great quality at affordable prices. With free delivery, our fast shipping times and a 100-day return guarantee, it's easy to see why so many others choose Maxima as their preferred supplier for professional kitchen equipment.

Maxima's refurbished equipment

Even though all our machines are priced competitively, we also offer refurbished items for sale at a reduced price. These machines may have been demo models or returns, which are usually sent back as a precaution when the packaging has been slightly damaged during transport. You can get a second-hand commercial dishwasher that has been thoroughly tested by our technical department at an even lower price. Browse our Refurbished section to find your new second-hand commercial dishwasher today.