Commercial Dishwasher Guide
The right dishwashing solution for every commercial kitchen
Complete Display Equipment supplies professional dishwashing equipment for cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, bakeries, hotels, clubs and large-scale food service operations.
We work with specialist brands to help customers find the right balance of washing performance, productivity, water consumption, energy efficiency and operating costs.
Types of Dishwashers
Explore the different types of commercial dishwashers below to discover which is best suited to your business. Select each tab to learn more about its features, key benefits and the types of foodservice operations it’s designed for, helping you choose the right dishwasher for your needs.
Glasswashers
Best suited to: Bars, cafes, pubs, restaurants, cocktail lounges & hotels
Commercial undercounter glasswashers are compact, high-performance machines designed to wash drinking glasses quickly and efficiently during busy service periods. Installed neatly beneath a counter, they're ideal for venues with limited space that need a reliable supply of clean glassware.
Key Benefits
- Space-saving design – Fits beneath a suitable counter, making the most of available bar or kitchen space.
- Fast wash cycles – Helps keep clean glasses available during busy service.
- Specialised glasswashing – Selected models feature dedicated wash programmes for different types of glassware.
- Improved glass presentation – Suitable water treatment can help reduce water spots and the need for manual polishing.
Popular Brands: Washtech, Winterhalter, MEIKO and Wexiödisk
Expert Tip:
For venues serving wine, beer and cocktails, consider a glasswasher with a compatible reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment system. RO-treated water can help deliver sparkling, spot-free glassware with less manual polishing.
Undercounter Dishwashers
Best suited to: Cafés, bakeries, takeaway shops, small restaurants and compact commercial kitchens
Commercial undercounter dishwashers are compact, versatile machines designed to wash plates, bowls, cups, cutlery and other everyday kitchen items quickly and efficiently. Fitting neatly beneath a suitable bench, they're ideal for hospitality businesses that need reliable dishwashing performance without taking up valuable kitchen space.
Key Benefits
- Space-saving design – Fits beneath a suitable bench, making the most of available kitchen space.
- Efficient wash cycles – Helps keep plates, cups and cutlery available during busy service periods.
- Easy to operate – Straightforward controls and wash programmes make everyday use simple for kitchen staff.
- Flexible washing capacity – Available in different chamber sizes and configurations to accommodate a variety of dishes and kitchen equipment.
- Advanced features – Selected models offer integrated or optional water treatment and heat recovery systems for improved washing performance and efficiency.
Popular Brands: Washtech, Winterhalter, MEIKO and Wexiödisk
Expert Tip:
When choosing an undercounter dishwasher, consider how many dishes you need to wash during your busiest service period, along with the size of your largest plates, trays and other items. Choosing the right rack size and washing capacity will help keep your kitchen running smoothly without unnecessary delays.
Pass-through / Hood Type Dishwashers
Best suited to: Busy restaurants, pubs, clubs, hotels, function venues and larger cafés.
Commercial pass-through dishwashers, also known as hood-type dishwashers, are designed for busy commercial kitchens that need to wash large volumes of plates, bowls, cutlery and other kitchen items efficiently. Featuring a lift-up hood and a convenient bench-height loading system, they allow staff to move dish racks from dirty to clean areas, helping improve workflow and reduce unnecessary lifting and handling.
Key Benefits
- High-volume dishwashing – Designed to handle larger quantities of dishes efficiently during busy and continuous service periods.
- Improved kitchen workflow – Allows dish racks to move from dirty to clean landing benches, helping streamline the washing process.
- Ergonomic operation – Bench-height loading and unloading reduces the need for staff to bend down when handling heavy dish racks.
- Efficient wash cycles – Helps maintain a steady supply of clean plates, bowls and cutlery during peak service.
- Advanced features – Selected models offer heat recovery, steam reduction and water-saving technology for improved efficiency and a more comfortable working environment.
Popular Brands: Washtech, Winterhalter, MEIKO and Wexiödisk
Expert Tip:
When planning a pass-through dishwasher installation, consider the entire wash-up area, not just the machine. Allow space for pre-rinsing, dirty and clean landing benches and dish rack storage. A well-planned layout can make a significant difference to kitchen workflow, especially during busy service periods.
Pot, Pan and Utensil Washers
Best suited to: Bakeries, restaurants, hotels, catering facilities, production kitchens and food manufacturing operations.
Commercial pot, pan and utensil washers are heavy-duty machines designed to clean large, bulky and heavily soiled kitchen equipment that may be difficult to wash in a standard commercial dishwasher. With spacious wash chambers and powerful cleaning systems, they're ideal for washing baking trays, mixing bowls, pots, pans, gastronorm containers and other frequently used kitchen utensils.
Key Benefits
- Large washing capacity – Spacious wash chambers accommodate bulky items such as baking trays, mixing bowls, pots, pans and commercial kitchen utensils.
- Powerful cleaning performance – Specialist wash systems help remove stubborn food residue, grease and baked-on deposits.
- Less manual scrubbing – Helps reduce the time and effort staff spend washing heavily soiled kitchen equipment by hand.
- Designed for demanding kitchens – Built to handle the regular washing requirements of busy bakeries, commercial kitchens and food production facilities.
- Advanced features – Selected models offer heat recovery and steam-reduction technology to improve efficiency and create a more comfortable working environment.
Popular Brands: Washtech, Winterhalter, MEIKO and Wexiödisk.
Expert Tip:
Before choosing a commercial pot and pan washer, check the dimensions of your largest baking trays, mixing bowls, pots and gastronorm containers, along with how heavily soiled they typically become. Selecting a machine with the right chamber size and wash programmes can help reduce manual cleaning and improve efficiency in your kitchen.
Rack Conveyor and Conveyor Dishwashers
Best suited to: Large hotels, clubs, hospitals, universities, institutional kitchens and high-volume catering operations.
Commercial rack conveyor dishwashers are high-capacity machines designed to wash large quantities of plates, bowls, cups, cutlery and other kitchen items efficiently. Using a continuous conveyor system to move loaded dish racks through the washing and rinsing stages, they're ideal for large commercial kitchens that need a steady supply of clean crockery throughout busy service periods.
Key Benefits
- High-volume dishwashing – Continuous rack processing allows large quantities of crockery and cutlery to be washed efficiently.
- Streamlined kitchen workflow – Automated rack movement helps maintain a consistent flow of dishes through the wash-up area.
- Reduced manual handling – Minimises the need for staff to repeatedly load and unload individual wash cycles, helping improve labour efficiency.
- Flexible configurations – Available in different sizes and layouts to suit varying washing capacities, kitchen spaces and operational requirements.
- Advanced features – Selected models offer integrated pre-wash zones, drying systems, automated functions and energy recovery technology for improved performance and efficiency.
Popular Brands: Washtech, Winterhalter, MEIKO and Wexiödisk.
Expert Tip:
When choosing a commercial conveyor dishwasher, consider how many racks need to be washed per hour during your busiest service periods, along with your available floor space and staffing requirements. Planning the complete wash-up area, including pre-rinsing, conveyor direction, loading and unloading benches and drying requirements, will help create an efficient workflow for your kitchen.
Commercial Dishwasher Technology & Features
Modern commercial dishwashers offer more than fast, efficient cleaning. Features such as reverse osmosis water treatment and heat recovery can help improve washing results, reduce manual labour and lower operating costs.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) & Water Treatment
Spotless glassware starts with better water quality.
Reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment systems remove a large proportion of dissolved minerals from water before it enters the final rinse process.
This helps reduce water spots, streaks and mineral deposits on glassware and cutlery, delivering cleaner, clearer results with less manual polishing.
RO systems are particularly beneficial for restaurants, bars, hotels and fine dining venues where the presentation of wine glasses, cocktail glasses and cutlery matters.
Why consider RO water treatment?
Helps prevent water spots and streaks on glassware
Reduces the time staff spend manually polishing glasses and cutlery
Delivers more consistent final-rinse results
RO water treatment is available as an integrated or optional system on selected commercial glasswashers and dishwashers. Compatibility and water requirements vary between models.
Heat Recovery & Energy Efficiency
Make the most of the heat your dishwasher already produces.
Commercial dishwashers use energy to heat water throughout the washing and rinsing process. Heat recovery systems capture waste heat, often from warm exhaust air or steam, and reuse it to preheat incoming water.
This reduces the energy needed to heat fresh water and can help lower running costs, particularly in busy commercial kitchens operating multiple wash cycles throughout the day.
Why consider heat recovery?
Reduces energy demand by preheating incoming water
Can help lower operating costs in high-use kitchens
Selected systems reduce steam released into the wash-up area, creating a more comfortable working environment.
Heat recovery technology is available on selected undercounter, pass-through, utensil and conveyor dishwashers. Actual energy savings depend on machine specifications, usage and installation conditions.
Commercial Dishwasher Racks, Baskets and Accessories
The right dishwasher racks and baskets help improve cleaning results, protect delicate items and make loading and unloading more efficient.
Most commercial dishwashers come supplied with standard plate and cup racks, along with a cutlery basket. Additional racks and specialised accessories are available to suit different crockery and washing requirements. As inclusions vary between manufacturers and models, it's worth confirming what's supplied before purchasing.
Replacing your dishwasher? If you already have racks and baskets, check their dimensions before choosing a new machine. While some rack sizes are common across different brands, compatibility isn't guaranteed.
Always check the rack dimensions, loading system and available wash chamber height to ensure your existing accessories will fit.
Plate & Dish Racks
Commercial dishwasher racks are designed to hold plates, bowls and other crockery securely during washing. Different rack styles are available to suit various dish sizes and washing requirements.
Types:
- Flat racks – Suitable for bowls, cups and general crockery.
- Peg racks – Keep plates upright and separated, allowing water to circulate effectively.
- Compartment racks – Help organise and separate different types of crockery during washing.
- Sizing - Commonly 450 × 450 mm or 500 × 500 mm, with smaller sizes available.
Glass Racks & Baskets
Glasswasher racks are available in different sizes and compartment configurations to suit various glass shapes, heights and diameters.
Types:
- Compartment glass racks – Keep wine glasses, tumblers and beer glasses separated to reduce contact and breakage.
- Open-sided racks – Allow wash and rinse water to circulate effectively around glassware.
- Specialised glass racks – Accommodate different glass heights and diameters, including tall beer glasses and delicate stemware.
- Sizing Often 400 × 400 mm, 450 × 450 mm or 500 × 500 mm, depending on the glasswasher.
Cutlery Baskets & Inserts
Cutlery baskets and divided inserts keep knives, forks, spoons and utensils organised during washing. Different sizes and configurations are available to suit various cutlery types and washing requirements.
Types:
- Removable cutlery baskets – Hold everyday cutlery securely and allow for easy loading and unloading.
- Divided cutlery containers – Help separate utensils to improve water circulation and cleaning performance.
- Specialised cutlery inserts – Accommodate different utensils and loading arrangements for more efficient washing.
- Sizing - Vary in size; smaller containers often sit inside a standard dish rack.
Tray, Pot & Utensil Racks
Tray, pot and utensil racks are designed to securely hold larger, heavier and bulkier kitchen equipment during washing. Different rack styles and supports are available to accommodate baking trays, gastronorm containers, pots, pans and other commercial kitchen utensils.
Types:
- Tray and gastronorm racks – Hold baking trays and gastronorm containers securely, allowing water to circulate effectively around each item.
- Pot and pan supports – Help position bulky cookware correctly for more thorough cleaning.
- Heavy-duty utensil racks – Accommodate larger or heavier kitchen utensils, making loading and unloading safer and easier.
- Sizing - Often specialised, with dimensions depending on the machine and items being washed.
Commercial Dishwasher Detergents & Rinse Aids
Using the right commercial dishwasher chemicals is essential for effective cleaning, drying and consistent results.
Most commercial dishwashers use two main products: detergent to remove food residue and grease, and rinse aid to help dishes and glassware dry with fewer water marks.
Chemical dosing - what you need to know:
Many commercial dishwashers feature automatic detergent and rinse aid dosing pumps, while others may require additional dosing equipment.
Before purchasing, check whether both pumps are included and whether chemical dosing will be set up during installation. Correct dosing is important because too little detergent can affect cleaning performance, while excessive dosing can waste chemicals and leave residue.
Commercial Dishwasher Detergent
Commercial dishwasher detergent is formulated to remove food residue, fats, grease and other deposits during the wash cycle.
Choosing the correct detergent depends on what you're washing, how heavily soiled the items are and your water quality. For example, a glasswasher may require a different detergent from a dishwasher handling greasy plates, pots and pans.
What to consider:
Type of washware – Are you washing crockery, glassware or kitchen equipment?
Cleaning requirements – Heavily soiled items may require a different detergent formulation or wash programme.
Water quality – Water hardness can affect detergent performance and the amount required.
Expert Tip: Always use a detergent suitable for your commercial dishwasher. If you're unsure which detergent is suitable, check with your dishwasher supplier, such as Complete Display Equipment, or contact the dishwasher manufacturer for advice.
Commercial Dishwasher Rinse Aid
Rinse aid is automatically introduced during the final rinse to help water drain from dishes, cutlery and glassware, reducing water spots and improving drying results.
It is particularly useful for venues washing large quantities of glassware, where streaks and water marks can affect presentation.
What to consider:
Drying performance – Correct rinse aid dosing helps reduce water remaining on washed items.
Glassware presentation – Can help minimise visible water marks and the need for manual polishing.
Correct dosage – Too little rinse aid can leave water spots, while too much can cause streaking and unnecessary chemical costs.
Expert Tip: If your glasses are coming out wet or streaky, check the rinse aid supply and dosing settings before assuming the dishwasher is faulty.
Always use a rinse-aid suitable for your commercial dishwasher. If you're unsure which rinse-aid is suitable, check with your dishwasher supplier, such as Complete Display Equipment, or contact the dishwasher manufacturer for advice.
Find the Right Commercial Dishwasher for Your Business
Not sure which commercial dishwasher is best suited to your kitchen?
Tell us a little about your business, what you need to wash and your busiest service periods. Our team can help you compare suitable machines from leading commercial dishwasher brands.
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Choosing & Installing a Commercial Dishwasher
What type of commercial dishwasher do I need for my business?
What type of commercial dishwasher do I need for my business?
The right dishwasher depends on your venue, the items you're washing and how many dishes need to be cleaned during busy service periods.
Undercounter dishwashers are ideal for smaller cafés and kitchens, while pass-through models suit higher-volume operations. Larger venues may benefit from conveyor dishwashers, while dedicated glasswashers and utensil washers are designed for more specialised washing requirements.
What's the difference between an undercounter and a pass-through dishwasher?
What's the difference between an undercounter and a pass-through dishwasher?
Undercounter dishwashers fit beneath a suitable bench and are generally suited to smaller or medium-volume operations.
Pass-through or hooded dishwashers feature a lift-up hood and bench-height loading, allowing racks to move between dirty and clean landing benches. This helps improve workflow and makes them suitable for busier commercial kitchens.
How do I know what size commercial dishwasher I need?
How do I know what size commercial dishwasher I need?
Consider how many plates, cups, glasses and utensils you need to wash during your busiest service period.
Check the machine's rack capacity, wash cycle times and internal clearance to ensure it can accommodate your largest items. The available kitchen space and existing services are also important.
Do commercial dishwashers require special plumbing or electrical connections?
Do commercial dishwashers require special plumbing or electrical connections?
Yes, commercial dishwashers require suitable water, drainage and electrical connections.
Some models operate on single-phase power, while others require three-phase power or dedicated circuits. Water temperature, pressure and drainage requirements also vary.
Always check the manufacturer's installation specifications and have the connections assessed by qualified tradespeople.
Specification sheets, including power and water connection requirements, are available in the Downloads section of each dishwasher product page on our website.
Can I reuse my existing dishwasher racks when replacing my machine?
Can I reuse my existing dishwasher racks when replacing my machine?
Possibly. Many commercial dishwashers use standard 500 × 500 mm racks, while smaller glasswashers and specialised machines may use different sizes.
We recommend checking the dimensions of your existing racks and confirm compatibility with the new machine's loading system before purchasing.
Choosing & Installing a Commercial Dishwasher
What type of commercial dishwasher do I need for my business?
What type of commercial dishwasher do I need for my business?
The right dishwasher depends on your venue, the items you're washing and how many dishes need to be cleaned during busy service periods.
Undercounter dishwashers are ideal for smaller cafés and kitchens, while pass-through models suit higher-volume operations. Larger venues may benefit from conveyor dishwashers, while dedicated glasswashers and utensil washers are designed for more specialised washing requirements.
What's the difference between an undercounter and a pass-through dishwasher?
What's the difference between an undercounter and a pass-through dishwasher?
Undercounter dishwashers fit beneath a suitable bench and are generally suited to smaller or medium-volume operations.
Pass-through or hooded dishwashers feature a lift-up hood and bench-height loading, allowing racks to move between dirty and clean landing benches. This helps improve workflow and makes them suitable for busier commercial kitchens.
How do I know what size commercial dishwasher I need?
How do I know what size commercial dishwasher I need?
Consider how many plates, cups, glasses and utensils you need to wash during your busiest service period.
Check the machine's rack capacity, wash cycle times and internal clearance to ensure it can accommodate your largest items. The available kitchen space and existing services are also important.
Do commercial dishwashers require special plumbing or electrical connections?
Do commercial dishwashers require special plumbing or electrical connections?
Yes, commercial dishwashers require suitable water, drainage and electrical connections.
Some models operate on single-phase power, while others require three-phase power or dedicated circuits. Water temperature, pressure and drainage requirements also vary.
Always check the manufacturer's installation specifications and have the connections assessed by qualified tradespeople.
Specification sheets, including power and water connection requirements, are available in the Downloads section of each dishwasher product page on our website.
Can I reuse my existing dishwasher racks when replacing my machine?
Can I reuse my existing dishwasher racks when replacing my machine?
Possibly. Many commercial dishwashers use standard 500 × 500 mm racks, while smaller glasswashers and specialised machines may use different sizes.
We recommend checking the dimensions of your existing racks and confirm compatibility with the new machine's loading system before purchasing.
What equipment can you service?
What equipment can you service?
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Where do you service?
Where do you service?
What's included in a service call out?
What's included in a service call out?
How often should I book a service?
How often should I book a service?
Do you offer a regular maintenance plan?
Do you offer a regular maintenance plan?
How can I find out if my equipment is still under warranty?
How can I find out if my equipment is still under warranty?
Can I order spare parts?
Can I order spare parts?
Can I use my own technician for repairs?
Can I use my own technician for repairs?
Yes, you’re welcome to use your own technician for repairs. We can supply genuine spare parts and provide guidance if needed to help ensure the work is carried out correctly.