Restaurant Dishwasher in Your Home?

17 years ago

I'm wondering if any one has considered installing a restaurant dishwasher (often called a sanitizer) in their home. These appliances, such as the Hobart LXi are like a dishwasher but they take a large plastic basket instead of rack and do a complete wash in about 2 minutes.

The reason I'm thinking about this is that we have space for two dishwashers in our new kitchen. I was for sure going to make one a standard residential type but was thinking the commercial model might make sense for the other.

My thinking is that because the Hobart takes this large rack one can run pots, bowls, pans, whatever through it in a jiffy rather than having to hand wash them. They do plates and glasses too, but that wouldn't be the main purpose except if we had a party or something. In that case the 2 minute cycle would be a wonderful way to zip through everything especially if we needed the stuff to serve the next course or dessert.

I can't really see the downside given we have the space, at least compared to having two standard washers (except cost) but was wondering if anyone had ever thought about this or even has one.

Featured Answer

wa8b

17 years ago

Hobart commercial dishwashers generally require a 240V electrical connection unless they rely on sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) to sanitize. Some also require a pre-heater for water entering the machine. They don't have a drying cycle, relying instead on super-heated rinse water, then air drying.

They're really not practical in a residential setting unless you run multiple loads one after another. They operate with a holding tank system, meaning rinse water and some of the wash water from one load is used for the wash water in the next load. This tank full of water needs to be kept hot for effective washing. These machines are designed to run up to 30 racks per hour, and simply aren't efficient running only occasional cycles. They're also very expensive.

A better residential choice, if you're interested in short cycle times and commercial style racks, are a couple of machines available from Miele. They have a cycle time of about 10 minutes, but don't rely on storage tanks, using fresh water for both the wash and rinse portions of each cycle. See the link below for more info.

Here is a link that might be useful: Miele Commercial/High Volume Dishwashers

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

sailormann
17 years ago
We thought about it. If you use a lot of glasses then it could be a good idea. They don't work on dishes the way a domestic one does.

A household model uses the chemicals in the detergent to dissolve the food on the plates. I don't think that the recommended detergent for Hobart models (et al.) works the same way.
You would have to leave the unit running for a long time.
sushipup1
17 years ago
You might get a lot of excellent info from the FAQ on this exact subject over in the Appliances Forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Commercial DW FAQ
Related Professionals
Jacksonville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Emporia Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ashland Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lawton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Johnson City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Salinas Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Longview Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Huntsville Kitchen Remodelers · Little Rock Kitchen Remodelers · Lawton Kitchen Remodelers · McComb Custom Countertops · Boston Custom Countertops · Hempstead Custom Countertops · Fresno Custom Countertops · Billings Custom Countertops
bmorepanic
17 years ago
Some of them need a booster heater installed.

A lot of them seem to use funky electric (like 40-50 amp circuits and 208 wiring). Drain lines can be an odd size and look like more trouble to install.

From the one time I used one (dinner for a hundred in a church hall - newish dw) I can say it will not make it thru dried on food or wash pots.
User
17 years ago
Can you say LOUD. As in LOUD LOUD! A plain F&P dishdrawer makes so much more sense for residential use, and even those are around 58-60dB, which is loud for a residential unit. You can get a Bosch with a 42 dB rating for your main DW. Commercial units are 70+, just from listening to them. They don't make sound ratings available, as noise is unimportant in a commercial kitchen.
shannonplus2
17 years ago
Out of curiosity, I checked the price of one of the Miele High Volume DW's, the model #G 7856. Um, gulp, it's $5000.

I'd love one.
chefkev
17 years ago
LOL after reading live_wire_oak - too true! BTW, many commercial DWs give off a lot of steam - do you have good enough ventilation to get rid of it so you don't get a moisture/mold problem?
sombreuil_mongrel
17 years ago
IIRC GE once made a pot & pan DW for home use. Do they still?
Casey
THOR, Son of ODIN
17 years ago
Y'all must never have worked in a commercial dishroom. Bathed in sweat, and up to your ankles in hot soapy water swimming with food chunks.

No thanks.

-Lena
User
17 years ago
I agree Jena....I was the dishwasher for a couple years at our son's restuarant. I am always amazed when someone wants one of the sprayers instead of a regular kitchen faucet or any commercial appliance. It is LOUD, WET, STEAMY...HOT....a LOT of mess. I love my nice neat clean kitchen at home. Leave the restaurant equipment to those who have to have it. LOL....chunks of food...and slippery as H^&* ! c
User
17 years ago
used to own and work in restraunts. Messy very messy.
Ideefixe
17 years ago
IF you have space for two, why not make one the Fisher and Paykel dish drawers? Then you've a big one, and two smaller ones.
whirlpool_trainee
17 years ago
Too bad Miele doesn't sell its domestic Professional models in the US as they do here in Germany. This one has all the features of a regular Miele dishwasher: normal baskets, cutlery tray, sound insulation, standard measurements, water softener... The difference is the almost 9.000 watts heating element and a pump that circulates 47 gallons a minute! And you can add extra water, rinses or a 185Â°F final rinse to a cycle.

{{!gwi}}

Asko offers the Encore dishwasher - maybe you want to take a look.

Alex

Here is a link that might be useful: Asko Encore dishwasher
sbedelman
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank's everyone for the posts. As Nick Danger said "you just saved me a lot of investigating."

Does anyone have any experience with either of the Miele dishwashers? They look interesting given their ability to run a short cycle and all the different racks they support.