Find Your Perfect Wash – A Quick Guide. Investing in commercial warewashing equipment is a significant decision. These machines are vital to your operation, and choosing the right one can have a lasting impact on your efficiency, running costs, and overall hygiene standards. This guide is not intended to replace a personalised consultation, but it equips you with valuable information to navigate the selection process for your new glasswasher or dishwasher. By considering the factors outlined here, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect solution for your business needs. Need Help? Our friendly team are just a call away on 01379 641223.

Specialised washers for different tasks:

Glasswashers focus on delicate items like glasses and stemware, using gentle cycles and specialised racks. Dishwashers tackle a wider range of dishes and cookware, with powerful jets and high temperatures. Passthrough washers are designed for high-volume kitchens, allowing continuous loading and unloading through double doors. Utensil washers handle heavily soiled utensils and tools, often with high-pressure sprays for a deep clean.

What Do I Need to Know?

Break Tanks:

Dishwashers used commercially (especially in high-risk settings like hospitals and schools) require a break tank to prevent water contamination. Break tanks create a physical barrier between the dirty wash water in the glasswasher and the clean mains water supply. This is crucial in hygiene-critical environments like hospitals, senior care facilities, and high-end restaurants. Without a break tank, contaminated water could potentially backflow into the clean water supply, posing a health risk. It’s always best to check with your local water authority to see if break tanks are required in your area.

Hard Water? Get a Softener!

If your local water supplier says your water hardness is above 100ppm, consider a water softener for your new warewasher. It will:

Make dishes sparkle: No more cloudy glasses caused by hard water minerals.

Save you money: Softer water means less detergent and fewer repairs.

Keep your machine running longer: Soft water prevents damaging scale buildup.

Drain Pumps:

If your drain outlet is higher than the machine’s drain, you’ll need a drain pump. Commercial warewashers typically rely on gravity to drain wastewater. This means the drain outlet on the floor needs to be positioned lower than the machine’s drain point. However, if your existing plumbing doesn’t have a suitably located drain (e.g., the drain is higher than the machine), a drain pump becomes essential. The pump forces the wastewater uphill and out to the drain, overcoming the limitations of gravity. An integral drain pump offers more flexibility when choosing where to install your washer. You’re not restricted to areas with a lower drain outlet. This can be helpful in situations where maximising space is crucial, or where existing plumbing might not be ideal for a gravity-based draining system.

Rinse Booster Pump:

For best results, your water pressure should be 2-4 bar (28-56psi) and the flow rate at least 10 litres per minute. For low pressure, consider a rinse booster pump (internal or external). A rinse booster pump increases the water pressure specifically during the rinse cycle. This ensures a stronger flow of water to thoroughly remove any leftover detergent residue or food particles from your glassware. This is especially important for achieving a spotless finish on delicate glassware or items with intricate designs. If your establishment has low water pressure, a rinse booster pump can compensate for it. With low pressure, the rinse cycle might not be as effective, leaving glasses with streaks or residue. The booster pump provides the extra push needed for a powerful rinse, ensuring sparkling clean results even with less-than-ideal water pressure.

Reverse Osmosis:

Some top-of-the-line glasswashers use reverse osmosis (RO) technology. Imagine super fine filters that only let pure water through, leaving all the minerals behind. This results in a final rinse with virtually no minerals, leading to no more unsightly white marks on your glasses, and faster drying – glasses dry quicker without leftover water clinging to them. Overall, RO is the ultimate upgrade for achieving sparkling clean and perfectly presented glassware.

In conclusion:

Don’t forget the most crucial factor – Electricity! Each machine has a specific amperage requirement, so check the specs to ensure your electrical supply can handle it before you buy.

For expert advice on choosing the perfect commercial glasswasher for your needs, don’t hesitate to contact our team today or browse our selection of glasswashers, dishwashers, pot and utensil washers, and passthroughs here.