Operating a restaurant is a tough trade, regardless of if you run a cafe in a small town or high-end dining experience in a city center. The overhead costs are high, the stress is higher, and the risk to reward ratio is volatile.
Despite the risks, many choose to run a restaurant as a way to celebrate their passion for food. Commercial dishwashers are one of the most frequently used appliances in a restaurant, and can be costly to replace should they break. Here are some of the most common dishwasher problems and how to save on repair costs.
Dishwasher Not Starting
If your dishwasher refuses to start, it can cause a significant hassle in your kitchen and result in a stressful day for everyone at work. Don’t rush to call the plumber right away though: there are a few different things to try before calling in the pros and accepting the bill that comes with it.
First, ensure that nothing is blocking the door from closing all the way. Even something small along the creases can cause disruption, preventing the machine from starting. If everything appears to be fine, move onto the wires. Make sure the power supply is intact and see if there are any burn marks on the wires to indicate a short. Finally, check the electrical panel and make sure everything is in order. If everything seems fine, call a professional.
Too Noisy
A replacement dishwasher can drive your variable costs through the roof. If all of a sudden your commercial dishwasher starts making too much noise, do a quick scan to make sure none of your utensils ended up somewhere they shouldn’t. If that doesn’t appear to be the problem, call a professional and stop using the machine.
According to the experts at Norris Spares, a suddenly noisy commercial dishwasher can be the result of damaged gears and brushes. Continuing to use the machine with these problems will cause more harm and drive up your repair expenses. As inconvenient as it may seem, it’s in your best interests as a business owner to spend the money right away.
Leaking
If your dishwasher starts leaking, don’t panic– the fix is usually simple and affordable. This commonly happens from a pipe blockage or an aging door seal that’s becoming faulty from years of use. This is another issue where it’s best to call the pros right away, as soon as you see a small, repetitive leak from the same area.
In most cases, this problem will be the result of a damaged pipe or the door seal, as previously mentioned. Both of these parts are affordable to replace. However, if you put it off, the delay could ultimately cost you more time and money, as well as increase your chances of a worker’s compensation claim due to slippery floors.
Dishes Not Clean
As with an at-home dishwasher, dirty dishes often indicate a blockage from lack of maintenance or inadequate dish detergent. Before calling the pros, get a commercial dishwasher cleaning agent and run it through the machine a few times.
Also, consider switching your detergent to see if there is something that works better for your business needs. Many restaurant owners will opt for the cheapest detergent possible, which isn’t the best way to save money in the long run. If your filters and visible pipes are clean, you’ve switched detergent, and used a commercial-grade cleaner, it’s time to call the pros.
Utilities are a substantial cost when operating a restaurant. While biting the bullet and paying for repairs can be tough, consider the amount of money you’ll save on your water bill or labor costs by having a functional commercial dishwasher. This is one of the many ups and downs to consider when deciding to become a restaurant owner.
