5 Common Commercial Dishwasher Problems to Watch Out For

A restaurant is one of the most difficult businesses to start and run successfully. About 60% of new restaurants don't survive past the first year of launch. How can you ensure your new restaurant survives?



Many promising food establishments fail because of poor hygiene. A commercial dishwasher can help your team overcome this challenge to maintain excellent hygiene standards. The appliance handles a huge number of dishes, cutlery, and other items at once.

If the dishwasher fails, operations can quickly grind to a halt in your commercial kitchen. Preventive maintenance of the equipment can prevent costly and inconvenient breakdowns. Discover common commercial dishwasher issues that require urgent professional repairs.

1. The Dishwasher Doesn't Clean Properly 

The main function of a commercial dishwasher is to ensure your restaurant dishes are sparkling clean. The equipment also saves you time and money. If the dishes emerge with stains or food residue, the kitchen appliance often has a serious internal problem. 

Some causes of this dishwasher malfunction can include worn or damaged filters and limescale buildup that affect internal components. Other problems include chemical or dosing pump failure, rinse system failure, or a faulty wash pump.

2. The Dishwasher Leaks When in Use

A leak is one of the most dreaded commercial dishwasher problems. With so much water flowing through the large kitchen appliance, the risk of a leak is high. Some causes of dishwasher leak include cracked or worn-out hoses, a damaged drainpipe, a corroded boiler and rinse tank, and seal problems. 

A professional commercial appliance repair company can help with the dishwasher leaks. Regularly inspect and maintain your commercial dishwasher to prevent regular breakdowns.

3. The Dishwasher Won't Start 

In a busy food facility, the dishwasher is one of the most critical appliances. Your kitchen workers have large volumes of utensils to handle, and a functional dishwasher helps a lot. Kitchen operations run smoothly, and you've a flow of clean items to serve your customers. If the appliance won't start after you load the dirty items, your kitchen can turn chaotic. 

Before you panic, check the power supply and confirm power is on. Other causes of starting problems for the commercial dishwasher include a faulty door/selector switch, a control board and timer, and motor issues. The electrical problems require a technician to troubleshoot and fix.

4. The Dishwasher Doesn't Drain 

A commercial dishwasher that doesn't drain is a major safety hazard in your kitchen. Common causes of dishwasher drain problems include drainage obstructions, drain pump issues, a damaged impeller, worn or collapsed pump bearings in the rinse pump, and solenoid or timer problems.

Drain failure can cause flooding in your kitchen. The last thing you likely want is a health inspector visiting your facility when you've a faulty dishwasher.

5. The Dishwasher Doesn't Dry Dishes 

Amazing food, great marketing, impeccable customer service, and dazzling ambience are crucial for a successful restaurant. However, you can't overlook simple hygiene rules. A dishwasher saves you time, which is an invaluable resource at a restaurant. If the dishwasher won't dry the dishes properly, you need more people to do the work and towels for the job. The self-drying feature on the dishwasher works automatically. 

Possible causes of commercial dishwasher drying problems include overloading, a faulty thermostat, and a faulty control board. If you notice the drying feature has a problem, check the number of items you've loaded into the dishwasher. A rinse aid can also improve the drying process. 

A functional commercial dishwasher helps you maintain exceptional hygiene standards at your restaurant. At Hawkins Commercial Appliance Service Inc., we can help you maintain your commercial dishwasher to be in tiptop condition. Get in touch today for all commercial appliance maintenance around Englewood and Colorado Springs, CO.