Why choices matter with dishwashers

Dishwashing seems like a simple job. You put the dishes in the machine, add a detergent tablet or liquid and wait for the washer to do its job. Simple, right? Well, maybe not if you are running a busy business where results, time and money count above almost everything else. There are significant differences between the domestic dishwashers relied on by countless smaller businesses and the commercial machines used by everyone else. Domestic machines give excellent results when properly used and with the right choice of cleaning product. They are generally simple to use with a choice of programmes designed to deliver optimum results with low energy and water consumption. The main drawback is that these machines tend to take a long time to complete their work, two or three hours in some cases, which is not always ideal in a busy business. Commercial machines also deliver excellent results but offer a number of advantages in business settings. There is a wider choice of machines available, including models designed specifically for washing tableware, pots or glassware. All come in a variety of sizes to suit the volume of work, the available space and where they will be used. They also offer a wide selection of programmes including faster cycles (under five minutes in some cases) and higher temperatures. This helps produce not just consistent results across a wider range of conditions but the much higher throughput volumes required in busy food service-based businesses where there is no time to lose. Making the right choice of machine can be critical because it represents a significant investment that is critical to the success of the kitchen and the perceptions of hygiene formed by guests and customers. Choose a machine that is too big – and more expensive to buy and run – and it will be underutilised. A machine that is too small will be overworked which will lead to backlogs, poor results and reliability problems. These considerations are the same for domestic or commercial machines. Another area where decisions make a big difference is the choice of cleaning product. Everyone who has used a domestic machine will be familiar with the all-in-one tablets and capsules that include the detergent, rinse-aid and salt required to ensure optimum streak-free cleaning results and machine efficiency. The major benefit of these all-in-one products is that they are convenient and easy to use. By incorporating all the products required for optimum results they avoid the potential for running out of one component or the other. Similar all-in-one products are available for commercial machines and in many cases will be ideal. Despite these advantages, some commercial machines require detergent, rinse-aid and salt (or other water softening agents) to be added separately. These machines often utilise auto-dosing systems that vary the combination of each product depending on the programme, temperature and even the dirtiness of the items being cleaned to achieve the right balance of performance, consistency and cost-in-use. This is one of the reasons why the busiest kitchens choose this type of machine. However, not all cleaning products are the same. In general, domestic dishwashing products bought in the supermarket or cash-and-carry will not give optimum results in a commercial machine. Nor will they give the professional results required by businesses. Purely commercial products are generally unsuitable for domestic machines, which means that the choice of product should always be made with the type of machine in mind. Manufacturers work hard to devise formulations for the different types of machine and the programmes and temperatures involved. Diversey’s Pro Formula range, for example, includes a complete set of products designed to deliver the professional cleaning results in trusted brands that are known and loved. Products for dishwashing include Sun Professional Dishwasher Tablet Classic, where rinse-aid and salt must be added, and Sun Professional Dishwasher Tablets All-in-one and its Eco-labelled sister do not contain phosphates and optimise shine and cleaning in a convenient format. All offer exceptional performance, even at lower temperatures, in a range of machine types. They can be used for cleaning all items found in kitchens, including glassware. Operators who require, or prefer, a liquid product can choose Sun Professional Dishwasher Liquid or Sun 2in1 liquid for their integral auto-dosed dishwashing machines. Ideal for cleaning crockery, cutlery, glassware, pots, pans and utensils its special formula ensures streak-free results and rapid drying. The Sun range also offers a powder format for manual dosing commercial machines where rinse-aid needs to be added. Dishwashing is a necessary evil in any business which prepares and serves food. Choosing the right combination of machine and cleaning product need not be difficult. But it can make a big difference to the business in terms of results, productivity, costs and ultimately the satisfaction of customers and guests. About Diversey: Diversey is a leading hygiene and cleaning solutions company that integrates chemicals, floor care machines, tools and equipment, with a wide range of technology-based value- added services, food safety services and water and energy management. Diversey employs approximately 8,600 people globally and generated net sales of approximately $2.6 billion in 2016. For more information, visit www.diversey.com By Lisa Wilks, consumer brands marketing lead at Diversey