Commercial dish machines have one job: to effectively and efficiently clean dishes. So, what do you do when your dish machine isn’t cleaning your dishes? The only thing you can do: troubleshoot.
In this video, we’re going to help you troubleshoot four of the most common issues that affect commercial dish machines. These issues include figuring out why dishes come out covered in food debris after a wash cycle, what is causing white residue on dishes, causes of a leaking dish machine, and why a machine isn’t draining properly.
Let’s begin by looking at the most common problem, that dishes come out covered in food debris after a wash cycle. For this issue, there are three big causes you want to look out for: failure to scrape and pre-rinse, blockages in the spray arms or strain screen, and overloading.
The first cause we’ll consider is a failure to scrape and pre-rinse.
The rinse and pre-scrape is an often overlooked step of the dish loading process. It’s when dishes are rinsed and food debris is scraped off before being placed in the dish machine.
Doing this helps remove food debris from dishes before the wash cycle, making it easier for the dish machine to clean. It also cuts down on the overall amount of food debris that accumulates within the machine.
Cutting down on the amount of food debris in the machine is always going to be helpful, as it’s the main cause of blockages in the first place. For example, the spray arms or strain screen can easily get blocked by loose food debris.
Which leads us to our second cause, blockages in the spray arms and strain screen.
When the spray arms are blocked, the dish machine can’t adequately clean dishes. As a result, the dishes come out dirty and covered in food debris. Similarly, if the strain screen is blocked then dirty water won't drain from the dish machine’s tub. As a result, food debris builds up and eventually gets deposited on dishes.
If you notice buildup in the spray arms, remove the spray arms and clean them thoroughly. If you notice a buildup in the strain screen, use a brush to remove any blockages.
Neglecting to periodically perform these tasks allows food debris to accumulate, leading to blockages that prevent the spray arms from shooting water and impede the free flow of water during the cleaning cycle.
If none of the steps above solve this, you may be experiencing the third cause: overloading.
While it might seem like a time-saving strategy, loading too many dishes often leads to the need for another load. This is because of something called shielding, which is when one dish blocks the spray jets from reaching another dish behind it.
The solution is to make sure that you follow proper loading guidelines and avoid shielding.
Spots of white residue on or around a dish are called water spots. Water spots occur when water from the dishwasher stays on the dishes for too long, another common issue in hard water areas. The solution is to use a rinse aid, which breaks the tension of the water, allowing it to slide off dishes.
Next, let’s take a look at the third problem on our list, a leaky dish machine.
The first potential issue that could be causing this problem is that the dish machine door or the door gasket is damaged or cracked. Damaged areas can prevent the door from sealing, leading to leaks.
If this is the case, it requires the expertise of a technician to fix or replace the necessary parts.
If it’s not the door, the second most likely cause is a clogged or damaged drain hose or pump. When these parts are clogged, it can cause the dish machine tub to overfill with water, leading to leaks.
Examine the drain hose for damage or blockages and check the pump for similar issues. Clear blockages and replace damaged parts.
If the door and door gasket aren’t damaged and there are no clogs in the drainage system, the third most likely cause is a stuck float switch.
A float switch stuck in the down position can prevent proper drainage, leading to overflows and leaks. This happens when the float switch is bogged down by excessive or large food debris. Cleaning it off by removing debris resolves this issue.
For the fourth and final issue we’ll troubleshoot in this video, let’s review what to do if your dish machine isn’t draining properly.
When water can't run through a dish machine, the potential first cause is a clogged or tangled drain hose. If that’s the case, untangle or unclog the drain hose and water should be able to flow uninterrupted.
If everything with the drain hose checks out, or if you clear a blockage and drainage is still an issue, the second most likely cause is a clogged strain screen.
By regularly cleaning out your dish machine and inspecting key parts like the spray arms or the heating element, you can avoid most of these common issues. Regular maintenance results in enhanced performance of your dish machine, ensuring spotless and efficiently cleaned dishes every time.