High Temp vs. Low Temp Dishwashers: What’s Right for Your Commercial Kitchen?
- Oct 28, 2025
When it comes to choosing a commercial dishwasher, understanding the difference between high temperature and low temperature models can make a big impact on your results, energy use, and long-term costs. Both types sanitize dishes effectively, but each offers unique advantages depending on your operation’s needs.
What Is a High-Temperature Dishwasher?
High-temp dishwashers use hot water - typically between 150°F and 180°F - to clean and sanitize. The intense heat helps loosen grease and food residue while eliminating the need for chemical sanitizers.
Advantages of high-temp dishwashers:
- Superior grease removal: High heat cuts through oily residue quickly and completely.
- No chlorine odor: Because no sanitizing chemicals are used, delicate items like wine and beer glasses come out crystal clear, without off-smells or flavors that could affect drinks.
- Spot-free finish: Glassware and flatware can air-dry without polishing, ideal for bar glass washers and fine dining applications.
- Prevents etching and cloudiness: Heat sanitizing is gentler on glass over time compared to chlorine-based sanitizers, helping maintain clarity for longer.
- Fast drying: The hot rinse water accelerates drying, reducing turnaround time.
Best for:
Fine dining restaurants, bars, hotels, schools, and other operations that prioritize spotless presentation or handle large volumes of glassware and dinnerware.
What Is a Low-Temperature Dishwasher?
Low-temp dishwashers use a sanitizing chemical (typically chlorine-based) instead of heat to kill bacteria. The wash and rinse water typically operate between 120°F and 140°F, making them more energy-efficient.
Advantages of low-temp dishwashers:
- Lower upfront cost: Low-temp machines generally cost less than high-temp models.
- Energy savings: They use cooler water, reducing electricity demand for heating.
- Gentler on plastics: Lower temperatures prevent warping on lightweight trays or utensils.
- Ideal for limited utilities: They don’t require a booster heater or specialized hot water connection.
Best for:
Small cafeterias, quick-service restaurants, coffee shops, and facilities with limited electrical capacity or lighter dishwashing loads.
Choosing Between High and Low Temp Dishwashers
| Factor | High Temp |
Low Temp |
| Sanitizing method | Hot water (180°F) |
Chemical sanitizer |
| Energy use | Higher | Lower |
| Chemical cost | None | Ongoing sanitizer costs |
| Glassware care | Spot-free, odor-free | Possible chlorine smell or etching |
| Initial cost | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Fine dining, bars, hotels, schools, large-volume kitchens |
Small cafeterias, quick-service restaurants, coffee shops, low-volume kitchens |
When deciding, consider your menu, glassware type, and utility setup. If you serve wine or beer, a high-temp unit is ideal to preserve flavor and clarity. For small or energy-conscious kitchens, low-temp models can provide reliable cleaning with lower operating costs.
Why Choose Jackson Dishwashers?
Jackson Warewashing Systems offers a full range of high- and low-temp commercial dishwashers built for performance, reliability, and efficiency. Engineered for large-scale operations - including hospitals, universities, correctional facilities, lodging, and casinos - Jackson flight-type dish machines can handle up to nearly 15,000 dishes per hour. These advanced systems reduce total operating costs by saving on water, chemicals, and energy, while featuring patented self-cleaning wash arms, modular installation, and a turbo mode that maximizes cleaning power with minimal waste. Jackson also provides quarterly preventative maintenance to help ensure long-term performance.
Key advantages:
- Lower total operating cost: Modern units save on water, chemicals, and energy compared to older machines.
- Patented self-cleaning wash arms: Designed for efficiency and reduced maintenance.
- Modular installation: Ships in 3-foot sections for easier setup.
- Turbo mode: Activates additional wash arms that spray water at precise angles to maximize cleaning power with minimal waste.
- Quarterly preventative maintenance support keeps systems performing at their best.
Jackson RackStar® Series
The RackStar line combines Energy Star® efficiency with a 3 HP pump motor - stronger than many competing dishwashers - to deliver powerful cleaning while using minimal rinse water. Its low water adjustment system optimizes performance for every load, helping operators cut utility costs without sacrificing clean results.
Jackson DynaStar® Dishwashers
Exclusive to Jackson, the DynaStar series features a triple wash arm system and pumped rinse for consistent sanitizing and spotless results. It’s a top choice for kitchens that demand dependable performance in a compact footprint.
Both high-temp and low-temp dishwashers can keep your operation running smoothly - it all depends on your priorities. High-temp models deliver pristine, spot-free results perfect for glassware-heavy or fine dining environments, while low-temp options save on energy and installation costs for smaller or lower-volume kitchens.
If you’re upgrading or expanding your dish area, Jackson dishwashers provide solutions for every scale - from compact undercounters to massive flight-type systems - helping your team clean more efficiently and sustainably.
If you can’t find a specific dishwasher you’re interested in or need help choosing the perfect fit for your kitchen, give us a call and one of our knowledgeable team members will be happy to assist you.
