A wide range of products and specialist manufacturers
Given the variety of liquid, gel, tablet, and powder formulations offered by manufacturers such as Diversey, Exeol, Christeyns, etc., who are leading names in the world of dishwashing for the institutional and out-of-home catering sectors, we will help you make the right choice of format in line with your machine and your number of place settings .
It is clear that a central kitchen with a washing tunnel or a nursery with a simple short cycle machine, the product and format chosen will be very different.
Before choosing a particular format, brand, or quality, there are some prerequisites to understand and verify.
Technical prerequisites for perfect dishwashing hygiene
Water hardness and softened water, your partner for success!
One of the first things to check is the quality of the water supplying your dishwasher. Having a water softener will guarantee water free of limescale, which remains the main cause of whitish deposits, especially on glassware.
This water softener requires careful attention in terms of adjustment (volumetric or time-based) and especially the correct replenishment of water softener salt , the only guarantee of its proper functioning.
As you will have understood, you therefore need to check this hardness, which must be less than 10°Th, using test strips or control devices.
Water pressure during washing and rinsing: maintain your professional dishwasher!
In the function of a professional dishwasher, washing as well as rinsing are ensured by arms or ramps in the case of conveyors on which injectors are placed.
It is through these arms or ramps that the pressurized water will be able to dislodge the dirt .
It is therefore obvious that if these arms or rails are dirty, scaled, have blocked injectors, etc., the mechanical action of the pressure will greatly decrease.
In this case, even the best product in the world won't be able to help you.
You therefore need to pay particular attention to the maintenance of your dishwasher, not hesitating to dismantle the arms or ramps, the injectors and to descale/degrease them if necessary.
See also descaling your dishwasher.
Pre-washing or descaling: give yourself every chance of success.
The professional dishwasher is a fantastic tool which, compared to your household dishwasher, will not only be more efficient but will do in 5 minutes what your household dishwasher might take 40 minutes to do... But don't forget that it's not a magic tool and understanding the overall dishwashing cycle is essential.
If your dishes are heavily soiled with grease and stubborn grime, pre-rinsing or rinsing them with a spray nozzle will significantly improve the results. This will facilitate the action of the detergent and prevent overloading your dishwashing water with dirt and food scraps.
Adjusting and maintaining the dishwasher dispenser
If your machine is equipped with an external or integrated dishwasher dispenser, this device plays an integral role in the final wash quality. Liquid dishwasher detergent is injected by dosing pumps ( dishwasher dispenser ), ensuring the correct amount of detergent and rinse aid is added to each wash cycle.
There are also dispensers that allow the treatment of so-called solid cartridges where the action of the water comes to lick the product and thus becomes charged with the product.
Diversey's Revoflow system also uses a dosing system but with 4.5KG powder cartridges.
Whether you use a solid or liquid cartridge system, proper settings are essential for optimal washing results. These settings must adhere to the detergent dosage recommended by the manufacturer and also depend on your water hardness. Hard water requires a higher dosage to effectively neutralize limescale. You should also check the condition of the detergent injection tubes and replace them if necessary.
The different formats: liquid / powder / tablet
Professional dishwashing liquid
The liquid form is the most common. Its main advantage is its ease of dilution with water, just as it does for laundry hygiene. While a powder or tablet may sometimes fail to dissolve completely depending on the temperature, the liquid dissolves immediately.
The other point is the economic aspect, especially when it is associated with an automatic dosing system included in the dishwasher via pumps or an external detergent dispenser.
The liquid format is most often intended for use with a dosing system for high-volume cutlery machines (hooded machines, conveyor, tunnel washing machines, etc.) but also in a format to be manually integrated into the washing tank for smaller units such as Finish Pro, Sun Pro.
The final point is the concept of water hardness, which will determine whether you choose a product capable of sequestering limescale or not, depending on whether you have a water softener. Hence the terms "hard water," "soft water," "all water types," etc.
Professional dishwashing powder
Apart from the special case of Diversey Revoflow cartridges intended for suitable dispensers, powder formats are presented in the form of buckets or barrels.
The dosage is therefore done manually by the user with a measuring cup, respecting the recommended concentration in relation to the number of liters contained in your dishwasher tub.
On most washing machines, a portion of the water is renewed with each cycle, so powder must be added regularly to maintain a sufficiently alkaline pH in the wash bath . This is similar to adding a tablet manually, as is done automatically by a dosing system. It is this alkalinity that ensures effective degreasing.
The powder is therefore primarily intended for single-zone machines where installing a dosing unit is not justified given the number of baskets processed. Examples include nurseries, leisure centers, small company kitchens, and small restaurants.
Generally, powders are intended to treat all types of water hardness, but again , softened water guarantees a perfect result.
Dishwasher tablets
Tablets for professional dishwashers
These are all-in-one products that combine several functions such as washing, rinsing, and regenerating salt. They are designed to offer optimal performance and sparkling clean dishes.
One of their main features is their practicality. They eliminate the need to add rinse aid or dishwasher salt, simplifying the dishwashing process. They also avoid the potential need for a dishwasher dispenser and its associated maintenance. Furthermore, they are generally more economical per wash, as they integrate several functions into a single product.
Professional dishwasher gels
Professional dishwasher gels are another option to consider. They can be all-in-one or standard, but it's important to note that gels often deliver disappointing results. They struggle to tackle tough stains and may not offer the same level of performance as all-in-one tablets.
However, professional dishwasher gels generally have the advantage of being less expensive than tablets. This can be a factor to consider if you are looking to save money on your dishwashing product.
Capsules for professional dishwashers
Professional dishwasher capsules are a relatively new option on the market. They offer a convenient all-in-one solution, similar to professional dishwasher tablets. However, it is important to note that some capsules may pose a risk, as they can be mistaken for food products.