20

Nov

How To Fix A Commercial Dishwasher That Won’t Clean Dishes?

You need clean dishes to serve your customers food, but your commercial dishwasher is showing problems and the dishes are not coming out clean. Your staff member will have to clean dishes manually when the kitchen runs out of clean dishes, which will increase the workload and slow down your service. Therefore, you must have it fixed by a commercial kitchen appliance repair expert quickly.

In case you want to do something yourself, here are some things to check if your commercial dishwasher won’t clean dishes.

Change The Detergent

A detergent makes it easier for water and the dishwasher to clean the dishware. However, some detergents may not go well with the dishes, types of stains, or the type of dishwasher you have while some detergents are outright bad.

So, your commercial dishwasher not cleaning dishes may be because of the detergent. Therefore, try changing the detergent and determine the right amount you need to add for each cycle.

A simpler way to choose a dishwashing detergent is to check out which detergents similar restaurants or canteens are using and use the same one if your dishwasher is also similar.

If you want to know which detergent is the best, it depends on various things. However, a good detergent should produce less foam, could break down dirt on the dishware, could remove scale, and must not be corrosive or have volatile substances.

You should make the decision factoring in your dishwasher whether it’s a high-temperature dishwasher or a low-temperature one. You will need a sanitizing chemical for low-temperature dishwashers while for high-temperature models, you don’t need any.

If you don’t want the slightest change in your food or drinks’ flavor, don’t use low-temperature sanitizers and use a high-temperature dishwasher.

Use Rinsing Aid

If the dishes come out comparatively clean, but you notice spots on them later, they may be due to hard water or mineral deposits on the dishware. You can add a rinsing aid in the final cycle to avoid these marks on the dishes, glasses, and other items.

A rinsing aid is 90% water and 10% other things like alcohol, citric acid, etc. It reduces the surface tension of water so it’s removed from the dishes more easily. As water is removed from the dishes before drying, the minerals that cause spots are also removed with water.

You should correctly determine how much rinsing aid to use depending on the dishwasher and the hardness of the water.

Install A Water Softening System

The last point was about removing mineral buildup on dishes that is caused by hard water. However, hard water also causes other problems even if you use a rinsing aid for resolving one problem.

Hard water reduces foam formation and thus reduces the cleaning ability of water even when detergent is used. This may be why your commercial dishwasher is not cleaning dishes well enough. You will need to use more detergent than usual and may have to increase the wash cycles to get clean dishes which will reduce the efficiency of the dishwasher and increase dishwashing costs.

A better method of fixing this problem is the installation of a water softener. It’s a type of water filter that gets rid of minerals from water which are responsible for scale buildup on dishes.

As you will use a water softener, your detergent will work better, your dishwasher will be more efficient, and you won’t need to use large amounts of rinsing aid.

Clean The Dishwasher

Hard water doesn’t only cause spots on dishes but also leaves white scales or limescale inside dishwashers and other appliances as well. This can clog critical parts of the dishwasher that help in cleaning the dishes.

So, whether you install a water softener or not, make sure you or your staff clean the dishwasher at the end of every business day. During the cleaning process, remove food particles, gunk, and debris from the dishwasher first before thoroughly rinsing and washing the interior of the dishwasher with warm water. Then, allow it to drain.

After this, clean the spray nozzles with white vinegar to reduce limescale buildup on them. Empty and clean the filter of your commercial dishwasher. Afterward, move to the wash and rinse arms of the dishwasher and clean them.

Regular cleaning and descaling a dishwasher are two different techniques. You must be cleaning your dishwasher every day as mentioned above while descaling should be done depending on the hardness of water in your facility and how quickly the limescale layer forms on the interior parts of the dishwasher.

For descaling a commercial dishwasher, follow these instructions:

  1. Fill your dishwasher with water.
  2. Mix the descaling product in the water.
  3. Let it be for one hour.
  4. After an hour, run a complete wash cycle.
  5. Check the dishwasher for limescale. If there is still limescale, repeat this process.
  6. Once you have checked that there is no limescale left, drain the dishwasher.
  7. Fill the dishwasher again for a final rinse cycle.
  8. Let it air dry.

Rinse The Dishes Before Putting Them In The Dishwasher

This is a common practice in most professional kitchens, but in case your staff is not doing it, instruct them to do so. Rinsing the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher makes cleaning easier for the dishwasher, the dishes come out squeaky clean, and the dishwasher doesn’t get too dirty too quickly.

When rinsing or handwashing the dishes before their wash cycle inside a dishwasher, don’t use a household detergent because it can lead to foam formation inside the dishwasher. This foam formation can affect the efficiency and washing capability of the dishwasher.

Clean The Spray Arm

You will be cleaning your dishwasher at the end of each day, but if your commercial dishwasher is not cleaning dishes and you want to try something yourself, clean the spray arm. It’s the component that spins and sprays water on the dishes. If it’s clogged, it will spray less or no water, so the dishes won’t be cleaned.

You can simply remove the spray arm from the dishwasher and manually clean it. If the dishwasher still doesn’t clean dishes and you notice it’s due to the spray arm, you will have to replace this component.

Check The Detergent Dispenser

The detergent dispenser is responsible for releasing detergent. A blocked or defective detergent dispenser will only lead to dirty dishes at the end of the wash cycle. So, turn off the dishwasher and check the detergent dispenser. Clean it and if it’s defective, have it replaced by getting help from an expert. Similarly, if your dishwasher has a rinse aid dispenser, check and clean it as well.

Moreover, you should also check other related components like the detergent dispenser’s door spring, the wax motor, and the bi-metal switch (older dishwashers).

Make Sure Your Dishwasher Is Filling Up With Water

During the wash cycle, the dishwasher must fill up with water. If it doesn’t, the dishes will be left dirty. This can be caused due to a faulty float, malfunctioning float switch, clogged or damaged inlet valve, or a bad door switch. Have an expert check these components.

Conclusion

The issue of a dishwasher not cleaning dishes can happen due to many factors. You should begin with smaller things like cleaning the dishwasher and then move to checking the components of the appliance. It’s better to leave this to a commercial dishwasher repairs Northern VA technician who will completely inspect the machine and perform repairs as required.

05

Jun

How To Fix Your Commercial Dishwasher?

A commercial dishwasher is used continuously during busy hours for ensuring clean and sanitized dishes. If the appliance shows problems, it can affect the workflow of your commercial kitchen. Your best option is to call in a commercial dishwasher repairs expert to inspect the unit and perform repairs, however, you can try some fixes yourself. Let’s look into some commercial dishwasher problems and their fixes.

Fixing A Commercial Dishwasher

Leaking Commercial Dishwasher

Door Seals

The doors of dishwashers also have seals. This is common in many appliances to seal air and moisture. In commercial dishwashers, a seal is to prevent water from escaping the unit. With usage, these rubber gaskets or seals become hard. When they do, they can’t keep water inside the appliance. In turn, water leaks out of the dishwasher during wash cycles.

So, inspect the seals of the dishwasher. If they are not soft or are damaged, consider a replacement. They should be replaced by a professional.

Water Inlet Valve

This is the valve that supplies water to your commercial dishwasher. Any problems with it will obviously lead to water leakage. You will notice a pooling of water near the appliance. So, check that the valve is fit and not loose. Then, look for cracks or damages on the external housing. Then move to the connecting hoses. They should be secured well. If the issue is anything other than a loosely fitted valve, consider a replacement of the inlet valve.

O’Rings

These are seals applied to the joints to make them watertight and airtight. Rubber and silicone O-rings are common. Both of these types deteriorate with time. The elasticity diminishes and the seals no longer remain effective.

They are used in various parts of a commercial dishwasher like the tap fittings, float valves, drains pump, rinse pump, and others.

You will need to check these components of the dishwasher to determine which O’rings are broken so you can replace them. This should be done by a professional.

The Commercial Dishwasher Not Draining

Drain Pump

If your commercial dishwasher is not draining water, the first part to check is the drain pump because it drains water from the appliance. Look for blockages in the pump. Moreover, check the pump for collapsed bearings. A sign of collapsed bearings is a noisy dishwasher. Lastly, the drain pump itself may be faulty.

After checking the above things, you should know that other components also impact the functioning of the drain pump. A control board failure won’t signal the drain pump to drain water, so check the control board, select switch, timer switch, and inlet valve as well.

Drain Impeller

Impellers in a commercial dishwasher create a sucking force for spraying water or other solutions on the dishes or draining the water. A spray impeller sprays water while a drain impeller drains water. If your commercial dishwasher is not draining water, check the drain impeller.

A drain impeller wears with age and can be damaged if any object comes in contact with it. A professional can determine if the drain impeller is fine or needs to be replaced.

Rinse Pump

If you checked the drain pump and it was fine or it was clogged or faulty and you replaced it, but your commercial dishwasher is still not draining, check the rinse pump. It can also wear over time and fail.

So, look for signs that indicate you need to replace the rinse pump. The first is that your dishwasher won’t drain properly. The second sign to look for is noises coming out of the pump during the end of a wash cycle.

The Commercial Dishwasher Is Not Filling

Water Inlet Valve

A water inlet valve has a filter that removes various kinds of particles from water. Once it becomes clogged with particles, the dishwasher will take more time for filling or won’t fill. This filter is easy to access so check the filter and clean it.

Float Switch

Typically, it should move freely. However, if it sustains damage due to age or any foreign objects, it can stop the water from flowing. So, the dishwasher won’t fill.

Timer Control

It controls various components of your dishwasher. Whether your commercial dishwasher is not draining or stops filling, it won’t start or is showing other issues, don’t forget to check the time control and make sure it’s functioning properly. Hire an expert who can replace it.

The Commercial Dishwasher Won’t Start

Power Check

Check if your appliance is plugged in. You should also check the circuit breaker if it’s not tripped. These actions should ensure that your control panel receives power.

If your control panel has power and the dishwasher is still not starting, you should check the doors.

The Doors

The doors of a commercial dishwasher have relays that signal the machine to start. If the door is not closed, the dishwasher won’t start. This is why the dishwasher starts functioning when you close the door.

However, if you shut the door properly and the dishwasher is not starting, the relays connected to the door may be malfunctioning. They are not signaling the control board that the door is shut and begin the operation. So, replace the relays.

Motor Relay And The Motor

The motor relay is responsible for turning the drive motor on and off. So, any malfunction with this relay will result in the drive motor not turning on. Therefore, the dishwasher won’t start.

However, if all the relays are functional, then the drive motor itself can be faulty. This should be checked by a skilled dishwasher expert.

Wet Dishes

Overloading Or Poor Stacking Of The Dishwasher

Dishes are dried by the circulation of air. An overloaded dishwasher will have dishes stacked too near that won’t have enough space for air circulation. So, they will come out wet after the wash cycle. Moreover, improper stacking of the washer will also give similar results.

Thermostat

The thermostat in a commercial dishwasher regulates the temperature of the water that is used for rinsing the dishes. It tells the heating element how much to heat and when to turn it off. If the thermostat is faulty, the water will either not heat or overheat.

Heating Element

Heating elements heat the water to the temperature you set using the control panel. These instructions are sent to the thermostat and it signals the heating element to heat the water and reach the right temperature.

If your thermostat is fine, then the heating elements could be malfunctioning. The heating element should be checked by a professional to know if it’s faulty.

However, there is a sign that can show you when to give attention to the heating element as well along with the thermostat.

If your commercial dishwasher overheats water, it can be a thermostat issue because the heating elements are still heating the water. But if the water isn’t heated at all, it can be either the thermostat or the heating element. So, check the heating element only when the water is not heating at all.

Conclusion

A commercial dishwasher can run into many kinds of problems, so you and your team should know some tips to fix the unit. But if the cause of the issue can’t be determined or you want to fix the appliance quickly, call in a commercial appliances repair Alexandria technician.

24

Apr

How to Take Care of the Most Common Commercial Appliances

Replacing your commercial appliances is expensive and its therefore important that you take care of your appliances. Taking care of the appliances will ensure that they last long and work optimally. It’s important to ensure that your commercial freezer, fridge, oven, deep fry, ice cream freezer, steamer, and the ice maker are well maintained. Regular servicing and thorough cleaning the appliances periodically will ensure that your appliances last a lifetime. In this article, we tell simple tips to help maintain your appliances. Ensure that the commercial appliance repair Virginia team regularly checks on your appliances and to ensure they are no sudden breakdowns

How to Take Care of your commercial Appliances

Refrigerators and Freezers

  • Make sure that you don’t overfill the refrigerator to allow air to circulate freely and prevent the fridge compressor from overworking.
  • Ensure the commercial refrigerator repair team cleans the coils often
  • Clean the fridge door gasket using a mild detergent and water.
  • Make sure that you service the refrigerator often to avoid sudden breakdowns.
  • Check for any loose connections and thoroughly clean all the ice making components

    Commercial Dishwasher
  • Clean the dishwasher regularly to avoid food build-up
  • Make sure that the commercial dishwasher repair team services your dishwasher regularly
  • Clean the dishwasher gasket often
  • Make sure that filter is cleaned regularly. Scrape off food from the plates before placing them in the dishwasher
  • Teach your team how to use the commercial dishwasher to ensure that it last long

Commercial Oven

  • Clean the commercial oven when not using it. Wipe off the food particles on your oven because that could damage your oven.
  • Follow the commercial oven maintenance schedule and schedule monthly thorough cleaning of the oven. Let the commercial oven repair team service and maintain our oven to ensure that it last longer.
  • Make sure you clean the oven racks.

Commercial Ice Maker

  • Clean and sanitize the ice maker machine often. Make sure that you clean off lime and mineral deposits
  • Follow the routine maintenance schedule. Make sure there is no ice stuck on the evaporator plates which will cause the freeze ups and a longer time to make ice. The condenser and the filter should also be cleaned once every six months.
  • Follow the ice maker user manual and ensure that the maintenance schedule is done by a commercial ice maker repair technician.

Commercial Deep Fryer

  • Drain the oil daily
  • Make sure that follow the operation manual and ensure that all the staff who use the dryer know how to handle the appliances
  • When using it, stick to the right temperature
  • Invite the commercial deep fryer repair team immediately you notice any issue. Ensure that you follow the service and maintenance schedule diligently
  • Make sure the appliance is cleaned daily

How to Optimize your Commercial Appliances

  • Use the appliances correctly

It’s important that your staff understands how each appliance operates. That will ensure that each appliance is used optimally without damage. The commercial appliance repair team may be able to train your employees on how to use the appliances. Make sure you use the right temperature when using commercial deep fryers.

  • Storage and working space

Make sure that you enough working area for each appliance. Consider the size of your restaurant and invest in an appliance that is appropriate. Squeezing the appliance in a small space may cause breakdown due to overheating and accidents and it’s therefore important that you ensure each appliance has enough space. It’s also important to ensure there is free flow of air, especially for appliances such ovens. Placing oven in a crowded place will lead to overheating and breakdown.

  • Cleaning Up

Make sure you clean up the appliances after use to avoid build-up of food particles, the mineral deposit that can lead to break down.

  • Regular maintenance and servicing

Make sure that you follow the maintenance schedule diligently. Even if the appliances are working make sure they are serviced often and that will ensure they work optimally.

Your commercial appliances will last long when they are well taken care of and serviced often. Make sure the commercial appliance kitchen repair regularly checks your appliance to ensure there is no breakdown. The kitchen appliances should be placed in areas where there is enough working space.

24

Apr

Reasons Why You Should Follow the Commercial Appliance Maintenance Schedule

Your commercial appliances play a key role in the success of your business. The quality of food and service you will give your clients will depend on the effectiveness of the commercial appliances. It’s crucial that you follow the laid out commercial appliance repair schedule to get the most out of your equipment. You need to work with a reliable commercial kitchen appliance repair company to make sure that your appliances are working optimally and reliably. Preventive maintenance will make sure your appliances last a lifetime

Why You Should Follow the Commercial Appliance Maintenance Schedule

  • Lower the cost of utilities

When your commercial appliances are clean and regularly serviced they will run smoothly and consume less power. Make sure that the commercial refrigerator repairs expert carries out repairs and servicing as required to keep your refrigerator working and reduce power consumption. It’s important to ensure that the refrigerator coils are properly cleaned to ensure that it’s effective.  When appliances are defective they will use up more power leading to high power bills. Follow the repair and service schedule as given by the commercial appliance service team to save on cost

  • Prevent Breakdowns

Regular maintenance and servicing will prevent your appliances from breaking down suddenly. Following the maintenance schedule will ensure fix any small issues and stop them from becoming major appliance issues. Routine maintenance will help you avoid repairs that are expensive and avoid loss of clients due to delays in serving foods. Make sure the commercial oven repair team services and check your oven frequently to avoid a breakdown that could result in a loss of business. The commercial appliance repair team will ensure that any issue is detected early and the appliance is repaired before it becomes a major issue

  • Efficiency in providing services

When your appliances are working well you can be relied on to provide good food and services. It’s critical to ensure that your appliances are working well to be able to serve food in a timely manner. Regular service and maintenance will make sure your clients keep coming for more food and that will ensure your business keep running. It’s therefore important to ensure that you carry out maintenance as prescribed by the commercial appliance repair company. It’s tempting to miss servicing your equipment because at the moment they are functioning, but that will only lead to breakdown and failure to serve that delicacy at the appropriate time.

  • Durability

Your appliances will last longer if they are regularly serviced and maintained. Make sure that the commercial dishwasher repair team checks on your appliances regularly and that will save you the cost of buying a new commercial appliance.

Make sure that you work with the best commercial kitchen appliance repair team and ensure that they train your staff on how to handle the equipment. Proper handling of the equipment will also help keep the appliances working for longer. The staff is also able to tell when the appliances are not working well and any issue can be dealt with before it becomes major.

Reasons Why You Should Hire a Professional Appliance Repair Team

  • Preserve the Warrant and Insurance

When repairs are done by a certified technician your warranty and the insurance is preserved. If you choose to use a team that is not certified, you lose your warranty. Its therefore important that you confirm the commercial freezer repairs team is certified to avoid losing on your warranty. The certified technician also has the necessary tools and knowledge to repair your appliances without causing further damage. Your warranty and insurance are only effective if the repairs are done by a certified technician

  • Safety of your Premises and workers

Appliances have a lot of parts and need to be plugged into power for them to work. It’s therefore important to ensure they are working well to protect your employees and premises. Make sure that your appliances are repaired by the commercial appliances repair to ensure they are working as they should. Repairs should be done by a qualified technician to avoid damaging the equipment and prevent your staff from being electrocuted

  • Saves Cost

When repairs are done by a qualified technician they will save you time and money. A qualified technician will be able to diagnose your appliances and make sure that they do the repairs conclusively. Having your repairs done by an untrained technician may result in more damage and cost you much more. It’s therefore imperative that you let the professional commercial kitchen appliance repair team do the repairs.

  • Convenience

When your appliances are not working properly they cause major inconveniences. A trained technician will take a short time to repair the appliances and ensure that your business doesn’t stall.

It’s best to work with a commercial appliance repair Virginia team that can handle the various equipment in your establishment. That will save you time and money. Follow the schedule given by the repair team and that will ensure your appliances serve you for longer.

25

Jan

Simple Tips to Follow when Cleaning Commercial Appliances

Simple maintenance and cleaning practices will ensure your commercial appliances work for long without the need to be repaired. Neglecting your appliances will not only result in high repairs cost but will also slow down your business. It’s therefore important you make sure you maintain and clean your appliances regularly. The commercial appliance repair Virginia expert will guide you on how to clean your appliances and also carry out maintenance on the appliances. In this article, we give you tips you can follow to help keep your appliances working optimally.

Tips to Follow When Cleaning your Appliances

Refrigerator and Freezer Cleaning Tips

  • Clean the refrigerator coils regularly

The condenser coils play a key role and it’s important to clean the coils regularly. Coils collect dust, grease and other dirt making the refrigerator less effective and that may lead to breaking down. It’s best to have the coil checked regularly by the commercial refrigerator repair team but ensure that the coil is cleaned regularly to avoid breakdown. During the commercial refrigerator services make sure the coil is removed and brushed to avoid build up.

  • Clean the Door Gasket

A dirty door gasket will air leaks in the fridge making it work more and that will result in wearing out. Use a wet cloth to wipe the door gasket. Make sure the gasket is cleaned often to avoid damage.

  • Clean the Condenser fan

Make sure the condenser fan is cleaned regularly. Dust particles may get stuck on the fan making it less effective.

  • Clean the Vents of the freezer

Vents aid in air circulation and it’s important to ensure they are clean. If they are not cleaned they will cause the freezer to overheat and slow down. Cleaning the vents regularly will help you save a lot of energy and thus saving you money. The above simple tips will help you maintain your kitchen appliance and reduce the cost of repairs.

Dish Washer Cleaning Tips

  • Clean the dishwasher before you load utensils

Food particles can get stuck in the moving part of the washer. Make sure you rinse the food particles and that will help keep the dishwasher working for long. It’s important to ensure that you call a commercial dishwasher repair team for regular maintenance to prolong the life of the dishwasher.

  • Use products meant for the dishwasher

Pour the dishwasher detergent in the dishwasher and run it without any utensils. Repeat this often to help prevent the sprayer from clogging. Repeat this often and that will help prevent dishwasher from breaking down.

  • Clean the filtering screen

Clean the filtering screen regularly to prevent food particles from damaging the dishwasher.

  • Rinse out the hard water mineral deposits

The mineral deposit can build up in the dishwasher. Make sure you clean the water jets in the spray arm and water inlet valve. The commercial dishwasher repair team will replace a clogged water inlet valve and after replacement makes sure its cleaned regularly.

Oven Cleaning Tips

  • Avoid placing aluminium foils at the bottom of the oven

The foil will block the air flow and that will make the oven to fail. Clean the oven after using it to make sure it lasts longer. Instead of placing the foil at the bottom of the oven, use a cleaner and sharp object to remove food particles.

  • Clean the switch and knob often

Using a rag with a cleaner, clean the knob and switches often. Make sure no liquids get behind the knobs and switch because that will cause damage.

Cleaning the ice maker

  • To clean the ice maker, empty the ice maker bin often and the clean the bin with a mild detergent.

If you notice any strange smell let the commercial ice repair team replace the ice maker filter. It’s important to have the ice maker thoroughly cleaned by the commercial appliance repair team. Make sure the ice maker is disassembled and all the part cleaned.

Cleaning commercial appliances often and regularly will save money and ensure the appliances don’t break down unexpectedly. It’s important to ensure the commercial kitchen appliances repair team carries out regular appliance maintenance and that will help you avoid constant repair cost. Make sure the appliances are cleaned on a daily basis and stored away when not in use.

 

18

Mar

How to Plan Your Restaurant Kitchen

Kitchen is one of the biggest investments while setting up the restaurants. Commercial kitchens are different from residential kitchens. The appliances and equipment used in the restaurant kitchens are bigger and more expensive. In order to setup the commercial kitchen you need more money and space. Also, you need to hire restaurant kitchen appliance repair services for selection and the placement of the appliances. You can easily buy or lease the restaurant appliances, but it is important to know which appliances are right for your restaurant.

Restaurant kitchen planning

A restaurant kitchen requires industrial grade appliances that will withstand busy restaurant traffic. The layout and design of a restaurant kitchen should allow seamless flow of food from the preparation area to the line. You should spare the sufficient space for the restaurant kitchen, so that you can properly setup appliances, countertop and walking area.

Kitchen is the most important part of your restaurant. It is the place where your menu comes to life. It is important that your staff get the world class cooking equipment, comfortable countertop, adequate ventilation and sufficient space.  In order to carry out the kitchen activities smoothly, you have to provide all these facilities to your restaurant staff. Then only they will be able to full fill the needs and requirements of your customers.

Restaurant kitchen appliances

Commercial appliances are big investment. It is important that you invest in the right brand, type and size of the appliances to earn the profit. Generally restaurant kitchen require following appliances:

Oven: Restaurant ovens are bigger and heavier. There are different types of oven for different purposes. The commercial ovens are not easy to maintain and clean. You should have both microwave oven and gas oven in your restaurant kitchen.

Refrigerator: A commercial kitchen requires various refrigeration appliances to keep food articles fresh for a long period of time. Some of the most important refrigeration appliances are walk-in refrigerator, freezer and ice machine. All these appliances are very big in size and you need the commercial appliance services for their maintenance and cleaning.

Deep fryer: Commercial deep fryer is another must-have appliance for the commercial kitchens. This appliance is used to fry potato-fires, chicken wings etc.

Dishwasher: Commercial dishwasher is very important appliance of the commercial kitchen. This appliance can speed up the kitchen activities. In order to avoid the problems with your appliance, hire professionals for commercial dishwasher repairs Alexandria.