Dishwashers are one of the unsung heroes of the commercial kitchen appliance world. We sometimes don’t realize how important they are until they break down—only then do we understand how much they really make a kitchen run as smoothly as possible. If your dishwasher isn’t cleaning the dishes the way it should, you might need to call for professional restaurant equipment repair.
However, there are some things to check before calling for service—and even if you do end up needing professional restaurant equipment service, it’s good to be able to diagnose the problem first. It might be an error in the process of loading the dishwasher that is causing the problem, or it might be a part that needs to be replaced. Here are some things to check if your commercial dishwasher is not cleaning your dishes.
Check for user error
The first thing to check is to see if the dishwasher is being used correctly. There are several issues that may prevent it from working right.
One of the most common issues is that there are dishes in the way of the spray arm. This can be checked easily by loading the rack, pushing it into the unit and spinning the spray arm manually. If it is getting stuck on anything, or hitting things in its rotation, adjust accordingly. Also, tall utensils should be placed on the upper rack to ensure they don’t get caught in the spray arm.
You should also make sure nothing is blocking the detergent dispenser. For example, pizza pans and other tall dishes may block the soap from dispensing properly. You should also make sure the dishes are not too crowded, otherwise water will not be able to get through and reach the dishes in order to clean them.
Clogged spray arm
One reason your dishes aren’t getting fully cleaned is if the spray arm is clogged. Fortunately, this can be easily remedied. To do this, remove the spray arm from the dishwasher, then use a thin wire cleaner to clear out the small holes in the spray arm that water should be flowing through.
Dirty interior
If your dishwasher is dirty inside, it may be spreading some of that gunk to your dishes. This is especially true if your dishwasher has buildup or food bits stuck inside. Use dish soap and scrub brushes to clean the interior of the unit as needed. Don’t be afraid to use a toothbrush to get into those nooks and crannies, too.
Professional service
If all else fails, you may need to call a professional restaurant equipment repair company to come check it out. It’s best to hire a company that specializes in commercial restaurant equipment, as these units are different than residential dishwashers and require the right experience to fix them efficiently and correctly. For the best, most customer service-focused restaurant equipment service and repair, reach out to Commercial Equipment Service Inc. today. We’ll be sure to get the job done right the first time.