Catering dishwashers used in professional kitchens are extremely helpful equipment, not only facilitating the cleaning of dishes, but also saving water, energy and time. They optimize work and processes in the kitchen, but also ensure high quality. They give us confidence that the dishes and equipment will be professionally cleaned. In order for them to fulfill their function and function properly, they must be cared for properly. Regularly cleaning the dishwasher is not everything. It is also important to descale it regularly.
Where does the stone come from?
Scale deposits on kitchen appliances that come into direct contact with water are nothing more than calcium and magnesium compounds precipitated from the water. The harder the water, the more of them it contains. Minerals precipitate from water under the influence of temperature – during cooking, heating, or under the influence of hot steam. Calcium and magnesium found in drinking water are beneficial to our health – thanks to them we replenish deficiencies. They are not recommended in water used for household purposes – for dishwashers, washing machines, coffee machines, kettles. Limescale build-up on kitchen appliances can cause them to break down and accelerate wear.
Water softening
One way to alleviate the undesirable effects of hard water is to soften it. Dishwasher salt is helpful in this case. Pour it into a special container inside the device. Salt softens the water and thus reduces the formation of scale. Many devices have sensors that inform you whether the salt level is sufficient and when it should be refilled. The solution may also be the use of special filters that purify water by removing minerals that cause scale formation.
Descaling the dishwasher
However, regardless of the use of salt or water softening filters, when dishwashers are used intensively, especially in gastronomy, they should be regularly scaled. Scale is deposited on the heaters and in many hard-to-reach places, so we are not sure whether our device is safe. It is worth using special preparations that dissolve scale. Thanks to descaling agents, we achieve the best performance of devices and extend their lifespan – they help maintain their full functionality. The descaling preparation for catering equipment includes Clinex Destoner , which also polishes the washed surfaces without damaging them.
How to use dishwasher descaler? After emptying the device of dishes, pour 30-200 ml / 1 l of the preparation into the dishwasher and then start the washing cycle. Repeat the process if necessary. The solution should be used at a temperature of 50-60°C. After washing with descaling agent, rinse the device. It is a good idea to read the dishwasher manufacturer’s recommendations before starting the descaling process.
How often should you clean your dishwasher?
It is difficult to prevent scale formation because this process is related to the hardness of the water. Therefore, you should descale your dishwasher regularly. The frequency of this treatment depends on the frequency with which we use it. In home dishwashers, it is enough to descale every 2-3 months, but in gastronomy it is worth doing it at least once a month.
Effects of stone deposits
Lack of regular descaling with chemical preparations may contribute to the occurrence of minor defects, but also to more serious damage. Limescale deposited on the device conducts heat less well, may clog the sensors that regulate the length of washing programs, or make the device louder. The effects of not paying attention to regular descaling have a significant impact on the smoothness of processes in a professional kitchen. It is also important for the operating costs of the device – it causes increased electricity consumption.
Dishwasher maintenance and daily upkeep
The kitchen is a place where we should take special care of hygiene. When thinking about dishwasher care, let’s not forget not only about removing scale, but also about washing it systematically. How to clean a dishwasher? The most important thing is to remove food remnants from the dishes before putting them in, as they cause the filters to clog. In dishwashers used in the catering industry, it is worth cleaning the filters every day, and if used intensively, every 20-30 washing cycles. This will increase the throughput of the device in terms of draining dirty water. It is important to check the efficiency of the rinsing and washing arms and the patency of the nozzles on them. It is recommended to rinse the catering dishwasher after each working day using a washing cycle without the drain plug inserted. To get rid of the unpleasant smell, leave the dishwasher door open overnight.
