How to keep your commercial dishwashers in good working order ahead of England’s single-use cutlery ban.
You may already be aware that single-use plastic cutlery is about to be banned in England.
From 1st October 2023, hospitality firms – including restaurants, cafes, and takeaways – will no longer be able to supply, sell, or offer certain single-use plastic items, including:
- Single-use plastic cutlery or balloon sticks
- Plastic plates, trays, and bowls (unless they are being supplied to another business)
- Ready-to-consume food and drink in polystyrene containers (both expanded and extruded containers)
Caterers are working hard to use up existing stock of these products before the ban comes into place. They are also exploring potential alternatives to single-use plates and cutlery; for example, many are considering investing in biodegradable bamboo or cardboard products or simply encouraging their customers to bring their own cutlery and containers to site.
A knock-on effect to this ban is that, faced with the prospect of having to clean and reuse more cutlery than previously, kitchens will be relying on their commercial dishwashers more than ever. So, we felt now was a good time to offer up some advice on keeping your commercial dishwashers in good working order.
Some of the tips below are common sense – but even if you think you’ve got all the basics covered, it’s worth revisiting your approach to make sure this expensive equipment continues to serve you well.
Our dishwasher cleaning and maintenance tips
- Train your staff!
Everyone who uses it should have an understanding of not only how to operate your commercial dishwasher, but how to clean it, too. This way, each member of your team will share responsibility for ensuring the appliance is well maintained.
- Rinse all items before they go into the machine
Always remove as much residue from your plates, cups, and cutlery as you can before they go through the dishwasher. This will help to prevent food debris from getting stuck in the dishwasher’s jets and filters.
- Use the recommended detergent
Your manufacturer will have issued guidance on which detergent works best within their machine. Listen to their advice! We know it can be tempting to try to find a cheaper alternative, but you’re not guaranteed the same results.
- Drain and clean the wash tank
If the water in the dishwasher goes unchanged for a while, the wash tank will fill up with food debris, which will eventually begin to decay and clog the machine’s internal parts. This kind of contamination can lead to foul odours and the growth of harmful bacteria in the machine, so it’s vital to drain and clean this tank as often as you can (ideally at the end of every service). You will also need to wipe down the inside of the appliance at this stage.
- Give it an airing
Once the tank has been emptied, it’s a good idea to leave the door open for around 10 to 15 minutes, as this will allow the appliance to cool down and slows down the build-up of bacteria.
- Clean the spray nozzles
White vinegar works as an excellent cleaning agent and will help prevent limescale from building up in your nozzles, especially in hard water areas.
- Empty the filter
Clear out the filter by hand, then use a brush with detergent to give it a good scrub.
- Clean the wash/rinse arms
This is essential, as debris can quickly accumulate in your dishwasher’s wash/rinse arms and jets.
- Give your dishwasher a thorough clean every week
A lot of modern-day dishwashers have a self-clean function, which can be a Godsend during the busy season. But it’s equally important to manually clean out your appliance at least once a week to ensure no dirt and grime has been missed.
As well as keeping your dishwashers operational for longer, the tips here will also help to ensure the pump is working correctly, the machine is using the right level of water pressure, and its motor is not under unnecessary stress. Issues with any of the machine’s components can cause the appliance to work harder than necessary, which wastes energy and costs your business more money in the long run.
How to stay on top of your dishwasher maintenance programme
If you experience any problems with your commercial dishwashers – whether it’s through lack of good care, or just general wear and tear – the team here at TWO Services can help.
If dishwasher issues are a common occurrence at your site, you may want to consider investing in planned maintenance, or perhaps our repairs and emergencies service. Our engineers’ vans are well stocked with parts for most leading dishwasher makes and models, which means we can carry out many repairs on the spot.
Call us on 0800 22 44 33 to discuss your requirements and find out which option will best protect your investments in the long term and bring the most value to your business.
