Follow These Steps To Clean A Commercial Dishwasher
Every commercial kitchen needs a beast of a Dishwasher. A high-quality commercial dishwasher cleans as many as 1000 racks daily with cycles lasting no more than one and a half minutes. But these extraordinary machines are not the result of magic, and they cannot keep up their performance without some love and care.
Because of the intense load commercial dishwashers handle every day, they rack up a significant amount of grease, food debris, and other impurities. Since you cannot get clean and sanitized dishes out of a filthy dishwasher, it is imperative that you know how to clean a commercial dishwasher.
What To Know Before Cleaning A Commercial Dishwasher?
The process of commercial dishwasher Cleaning may seem complex at first. Before you begin the process, you must gather the right ingredients and check for a few essential things. Let us discuss the two.
Ingredients You Will Need
Detergents
It is necessary to Remove grease, oil, mineral deposits, and all kinds of tough stains.
Rinse Aid
It is a surfactant designed to reduce the surface tension of fresh water. It ensures that water drains from the surface effortlessly instead of forming into droplets.
Descaler
It is a chemical that removes limescale from the metal surface of the dishwasher.
Sanitizer
It helps to eliminate harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Things You Need To Check
Instructions
Check the dishwasher user manual, QR codes, or wall manuals for specific cleaning guidelines.
Detergent And Rinse Aid
Make sure that the rinse aid and containers for detergent are connected and that fluid is present.
Drain Valve
Find the drain valve and make sure that it is closed before you fill and heat up the machine.
Clean And Empty
Make sure that the dishwasher is clean and empty. There should not be any loose items inside the machine.
Now that you have all the essentials ready, it is time to get to the cleaning!
Schedule your commercial cleaning appointment right away.
How To Clean A Commercial Dishwasher In Easy Steps?
Most reputed commercial kitchen cleaners in Sydney will tell you that it is best to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when cleaning a commercial dishwasher. Going by the user manual will ensure you are doing everything right. Most commercial dishwashers offer manuals with detailed instructions on everything from parts removal to the actual cleaning.
However, if you do not have the user manual, there is no need to panic. You can follow the general guidelines that are applicable to pretty much all the different types of commercial dishwashers. Here are a few steps that you must follow:
1. Turn Off The Machine
Turn the dishwasher off before you begin cleaning.
2. Open The Drains
Open the door and open the manual drains or lift the drain lever to empty the dishwasher tanks.
3. Clean Up The Wash and Rinse Arms
The wash and rinse arms, also known as spray arms, can get clogged with daily use. You need to inspect them before removing and cleaning them. Remember to clean the rubber gasket too.
4. Clean The Interiors
Thoroughly clean the inside of the dishwasher. Remove all the food debris and flush thoroughly from top to bottom. Make sure to reach the nooks and crannies as well.
5. Remove The Baskets And Scrap Screens
After you have drained the dishwasher and cleaned out the scraps from the interior walls, make sure to remove, wash, and rinse the strainer baskets and pans.
6. Remove And Clean The Pump Screens
Remove the pump intake strainer and clean it up in the sink.
7. Clean The Drain Screens And Tank
Remove all the food debris from the tanks, hose down the pump cover, and make sure that the drain screens are properly cleaned.
8. Clean Out The Overflow Tube
Remove, clean, and then rinse the overflow tube that you will find inside the tank.
9. Wash The Curtains
Thoroughly scrub and rinse the curtains, and make sure you let them dry properly after each day’s operation. You can also wash the curtains in the dishwasher after cleaning the machine.
10. Clean Up The Interior Again
Remove all the remaining oil, grease, and grime by scrubbing the interior with a mild cleanser and a soft brush. Then rinse down the interior properly.
11. Reinstall All The Parts
Once you have cleaned the interior, make sure to reinstall the strainer pans and baskets, upper and lower wash arms, and overflow tube properly as before. Make sure that all the parts are where they should be.
12. Clean The Exterior
Clean the exterior of the dishwasher using a mild cleanser and a soft cloth.
13. Air Out
After cleaning, leave the door of the dishwasher open and remove the curtains overnight so that the inside gets air dry.
When you follow these steps diligently, you will have a clean dishwasher that is ready to churn out clean dishes every day.
How Often Should You Clean A Commercial Dishwasher?
The difference between a commercial dishwasher that lasts ten years and one that lasts 20 years is the amount of maintenance they received. Regular cleaning and maintenance can significantly prolong the life of commercial dishwashers. But how often should you clean the dishwasher? Is there a specific timeline?
The frequency of cleaning will depend on the intensity of usage, but the general rule of thumb is that you should clean the dishwasher daily or as soon as it appears dirty. If you are wondering how you will know if the dishwasher is dirty enough, look for these signs:
- The dishwasher’s filter has a significant build-up of grease and food debris.
- There is a foul odor emanating from the washer.
- The dishes are getting coated with an unpleasant white film after wash.
- The inside of the machine shows signs of rust.
- The dishwasher gets clogged frequently.
These are the telltale signs of a commercial dishwasher that needs urgent cleaning.
Conclusion
If you are intimidated by all the steps and preparation required for cleaning a commercial dishwasher, you can always hire a commercial cleaning company to do it for you.
Reputed commercial cleaners like JBN Cleaning have years of extensive experience in cleaning heavy-duty dishwashers. Make sure to get in touch with them for commercial dishwasher cleaning.
