How to Make Your Commercial Dishwasher More Efficient
Commercial dishwashers consume more than two-thirds of the overall water used in most restaurants. That’s a lot of dirty dishwater and more importantly, a lot of money wasted on water expenses. A commercial dishwasher that is properly installed and maintained will use a lot less energy, saving you time and money as a result. The average commercial dishwasher uses about four GPR (gallons per rack) but can range between .33 GPR to more than 20 GPR. Although water usage doesn’t directly correlate to the size of the machine, there are a few factors that can influence the amount of water your commercial dishwasher is using. Here’s 12 tips on how you can make your commercial dishwasher more efficient.
1. Install a Pre-Rinse Space
Installing a space to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher will help your dishwasher work more efficiently by keeping food particles out and keeping water clean. This will allow you to set your water flow to a lower setting with the same results.
2. Install a Water Softener
Water softeners keeps mineral deposits out of the heating element. Mineral deposits cause the heating element to work harder when it heats up which uses more energy.
3. Always Run a Full Load
This one seems like a no brainer, but the temptation to run a load that isn’t fully packed is more common than you would think. Training your kitchen staff to always load the dishwasher to its capacity will ensure that no energy is going to waste.
4. Check the Flow Pressure
Commercial dishwashers all have different recommended factory settings. It’s important to check the optimal flow pressure for the most efficient use of your commercial dishwasher. If the flow pressure is too high it can cause damage to the machine or the dishes. Similarly, if it is too low, it can leave your dishes dirty after the cycle.
5. Switch the Conveyor to ‘Auto’ Mode
There are two modes for the conveyor: manual and auto. Switching the conveyor to auto mode will significantly reduce your energy and water usage. Manual mode keeps the conveyor operating even when dishes aren’t being cleaned where auto mode automatically turns off the conveyor after each load.
6. Turn off the Pre-Rinse Setting
A pre-rinse setting is meant to wash off any food and debris left on the dishes before the cycle begins. If you have a pre rinse space where this is done manually then this will reduce energy usage significantly.
7. Avoid the Heat Dry Setting
The high water temperatures used to rinse the dishes will create enough heat for dishes to air dry quickly after each cycle. Save some money by turning off the heat dry setting.
8. Set Your Water Heater to 140 Degrees
Setting your water heater to 140 degrees is the optimal temperature for an energy efficient cycle. Many commercial dishwashers will heat water up to 180 degrees, which is unnecessary and also uses a lot of energy.
9. Turn off Your Dishwasher at Night
Even when dishwashers aren’t in use, they still use power. Make it a habit to turn off the dishwasher at night to save on your utility bill.
10. Clean Dirty Filters
Maintaining your commercial dishwasher is especially important for the proper function and longevity of your machine. If filters are not being cleaned regularly, the pump can be damaged, which will be an expensive repair. Cleaning dirty filters regularly will also guarantee the most efficiency out of your cycles.
11. Replace the Wash Arm Bearings
Have your wash arm bearings replaced regularly to avoid reduced performance.
12. Check the Rinse Pressure
An efficient and effective rinse pressure should be between 15 and 25 psi. Anything below or above that can cost you.
Contact Quick Servant for any Commercial Maintenance or Repair Needed
Scheduling routine maintenance for your commercial dishwasher will ensure that your machine is running properly year-round. Don’t wait to save on your utilities, schedule a service now with Quick Servant and see how efficient your commercial kitchen can really be.