Commercial Dishwashers For Sale

It isn’t advisable to use a residential dishwasher in a commercial kitchen. Unlike the commercial dishwashers for sale, these machines are intended for residential use and aren’t designed or built to handle the demands of a high-traffic commercial kitchen. The reasons why a residential dishwasher isn’t suitable for commercial kitchens include:

Durability – Home dishwashers are made for light use, typically just 1–2 loads daily, while commercial kitchens may run 20 or more cycles, which would quickly wear out a residential model.

Capacity – Residential dishwashers are smaller than commercial dishwashers and are sized for family use. Due to their smaller size, they can’t handle the high volume of dishes typically required in a restaurant or hospitality business.

Water temperature – Home machines run at lower temperatures than commercial dishwashers. This means they may not meet the sanitisation standards required in a business environment.

Drying power – Most home dishwashers do not fully dry dishes, while commercial kitchens require completely dry dishes that are ready for immediate use.

Cleaning power – Residential machines lack the strength to clean tough, baked-on food from pots, pans, and plates, which is why specialised commercial dishwashers are used in restaurant kitchens.

Code violations – Very importantly, local laws ban residential machines in food-service settings. Using one would breach food safety and health regulations and you could cop a serious fine.

For plates and cutlery, underbench dishwashers provide a compact and reliable dishwashing solution. These models are ideal for smaller venues like cafes and are similar in size to home dishwashers but offer faster, commercial-grade performance. The smaller footprint of these machines means they can be installed in smaller kitchens, and as they generally don’t require steam extraction, installation is more cost-effective.

For bars, pubs, nightclubs and venues that need to wash large volumes of glassware quickly and effectively, commercial glasswashers are the ideal choice. Glasswashers are compact and space-saving, and are often installed under benches for quick access directly from the bar.

In high-volume kitchens with larger workloads, passthrough dishwashers are the next step up. These machines demand more power and typically require steam extraction, so they’re best suited to large kitchen spaces. Capable of cleaning between 700 and 900 dishes an hour, they also handle cutlery and glassware. This makes these machines ideal for busy service periods.

At the top end of the commercial dishwasher range are conveyor dishwashers. These are large, modular systems that are built for washing more than 1,000 dishes per day. These machines are generally fully customisable to meet the unique needs of high-capacity commercial kitchens.

Start by measuring the space in which the dishwasher will be installed, making sure to factor in plumbing access and the full footprint when the dishwasher door is open. It’s important to leave enough room to move freely around the unit with the door open so your kitchen workflow isn’t disrupted.

Once you’ve determined the space requirements, compare different dishwasher models, their features and load capacities to choose one that meets your kitchen’s demands. As a general rule, for low volumes, such as cafes or restaurants with fewer than 20 seats, an underbench unit should suffice. For places with 30 to 100 seats, a passthrough model is likely to offer the capacity you need. For large venues with more than 150 seats, you’ll need a larger commercial dishwasher, with a conveyor-style dishwasher likely to be the best fit.

To correctly manage the specific plumbing and electrical requirements of these machines and avoid preventable issues with warranties, having a licensed plumber and electrician install your machine is essential. Commercial dishwashers often need specialised plumbing connections to ensure the correct water supply and drainage, which a licensed plumber must install. Electrically, many commercial dishwashers require three-phase power, so a qualified electrician is necessary to complete the installation properly.

Safety is also a major concern, as incorrect plumbing or electrical work can create dangerous situations. Using licensed professionals ensures the installation complies with strict local safety codes and regulations. When installed correctly by experts, you can be confident that your new dishwasher will operate at its full potential, delivering the optimal performance and energy efficiency that you expect from a high-quality machine.