How to Choose the Right Commercial Dishwasher for Your Restaurant
- Sep 8, 2025
A reliable commercial dishwasher is one of the hardest-working pieces of equipment in any kitchen. It keeps dishes circulating during peak service, helps staff stay efficient, and ensures clean, sanitary ware for every guest. But with so many sizes and styles available, how do you know which machine is right for your operation? The answer lies in calculating your dishwashing demand and then matching it with the right dishwasher type and technology.
Step 1: Understand Your Dishwashing Demand
The best dishwasher for your restaurant depends on how much ware you need to clean - especially during rush hour. Choosing based on your busiest periods ensures your machine won’t fall behind when your staff needs it most.
Here’s a simple calculation to guide you:
- Estimate the number of guests you serve during your busiest hour.
- Multiply by the average number of pieces of ware each guest uses. (Plates, glasses, flatware, etc.)
- Divide that total by 20. The result gives you the number of racks per hour your dishwasher must handle.
Example:
If you serve 120 guests in an hour, and each uses about 5 pieces of ware:
120 × 5 = 600 pieces ÷ 20 = 30 racks per hour
This number will point you toward the dishwasher capacity that can keep up with your operation.
Step 2: Choose the Right Dishwasher Style
Once you know how many racks per hour you need, the next step is selecting a dishwasher style that fits your space and workflow.
- Undercounter Dishwashers – Compact and designed for small kitchens, bars, or cafés. Great for operations with lighter dishwashing needs.
- Door-Type (Upright) Dishwashers – A popular mid-range choice, offering higher throughput for busy restaurants without taking up too much space.
- Conveyor Dishwashers – Built for high-volume foodservice such as schools, hospitals, and cafeterias. Racks move through automatically for continuous washing.
- Flight-Type Dishwashers – The ultimate solution for very large operations, designed to process thousands of dishes per hour.
Step 3: Look for Time- and Cost-Saving Features
Sizing is only part of the decision. Modern dishwashers come with advanced features that save labor, reduce costs, and extend machine life. Hobart, one of the most trusted names in dishwashing, offers technologies that not only improve performance but also help kitchens cut down on water, energy, and chemical usage - savings that add up year after year.
- Ventless Energy Recovery – Captures heat from steam to preheat incoming cold water, reducing the need for costly ventilation.
- Drain Water Energy Recovery – Uses the heat from drain water to preheat rinse water, saving on energy use.
- Automatic Soil Removal – Extends wash water life, lowers labor needs, and keeps results consistent.
- Complete Delime with Booster Guard – Reduces deliming frequency by 50%, lowers chemical costs by up to 75%, protects the booster heater from premature failure, and makes the process safer with a simple push-button control.
Step 4: Factor in Long-Term Value
The right dishwasher isn’t just about keeping up with today’s rush - it’s an investment in the long-term success of your business. While it may be tempting to choose a smaller or cheaper option, the true cost of an undersized or inefficient machine can far exceed the initial savings, making a properly sized machine with modern efficiency features the smarter choice.
- Prevent costly bottlenecks during peak hours
- Reduce labor and chemical expenses
- Extend equipment life and reduce maintenance needs
- Improve safety for your staff
Takeaway: Choosing the right commercial dishwasher starts with calculating your racks-per-hour demand, matching that need to the right machine style, and then considering advanced features that reduce costs and protect your investment.
If you’re unsure which size or style is best for your restaurant, Rapids Wholesale can help. Our team has the expertise to walk you through the calculations, compare models, and recommend options that fit your kitchen’s unique needs. Contact us today to get started.
