Christmas puts a strain on all equipment used for drink and foodservice – but nowhere is the pressure higher than on dish and glasswashers. And the last thing any restaurant or bar wants is for a warewasher to break down in the middle of a festive party. British manufacturer Classeq has put together a handy checklist so that publicans and restaurateurs can make sure their glass and dishwashers are up to the Christmas challenge.
Nick Burridge is sales director of Classeq. Here are his six key points to watch out for:
- Streaking on glasses or dishes: if the machine leaves streaks, make sure the water softener has been regenerated and check the filters and the wash and rinse arms. If the problem persists, the dosage of detergent and rinse aid may need to be adjusted, which is probably a job for a specialist engineer.
- The lipstick test: lipstick is one of the toughest stains to clean off, but glasses and dishes should be sparkling clean when they come out of the machine – there should be no dirt of any sort left on. If there is, then check the filters and wash arms. If there’s no obvious reason, call in a service engineer.
- Leaks: any kind of leak should be dealt with instantly, before it develops into a major problem. Check door seals (gaskets) and replace them if necessary. A reputable dealer should be able to supply replacements quickly.
- The machine takes too long to fill or drain: this may be due to a blockage caused by fat deposits or it could be a fault within the machine. Either way, the best solution is to call an engineer.
- Scale deposits in the wash tank: check inside the wash cabinet for any signs of limescale build-up. These are white deposits that tend to form in corners and on the element. If there are any such deposits, the machine needs to be descaled. A water softener is always recommended in hard water areas to prolong the life of the machine and ensure great wash results.
- The machines takes too long to heat up: if the warewasher is taking longer than it should to heat up from cold, then it could be that the element has got a build-up of limescale deposits. Descaling the machine may cure the problem.
“A well-built dish or glasswasher should give many years of reliable service,” says Nick Burridge. “But only if it’s looked after properly. The best way to ensure it’s always in good working order is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and to have it regularly serviced by a qualified engineer.”
Classeq is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of mid-budget dish and glasswashers, ranging from low-cost back bar models to high volume systems for busy restaurants and hotels. Classeq is part of the Winterhalter UK Group, providing a total solution for warewashing though its nationwide network of distributors, offering everything from pre-sales advice to after-sales service. For information on the Classeq range of glass and dishwashers, including details of your nearest stockist, call 0870 224 7288, see www.classeq.net or email feedback@classeq.co.uk
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Note for editors: British manufacturer Classeq is part of the Winterhalter group and is BS EN ISO 9001-2000 accredited. All Classeq machines are WRAS-approved (formerly WRC), CE marked and supplied with a comprehensive one year warranty, backed by Winterhalter’s nationwide service network. Classeq is the UK’s leading and most popular warewasher brand for independent and smaller-scale caterers.