We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, analyze site traffic, personalize content and serve targeted ads. Please review how we use cookies here – Privacy Policy. By using our site, you consent to our use of cookies and you have reviewed the Terms and Conditions of Use and consent thereto.
Is a High-Temp Dishwasher Right for Your Kitchen?
Thursday, February 6, 2025
warewashing
Is a High-Temp Dishwasher Right for Your Kitchen?
Commercial dishwashers seem pretty straightforward at first: you want your dishes clean, and the machine washes them—as simple as that. But unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that. You also need to factor in the size of your facility, your budget, your desired cycle time, sanitization methods, and more in order to choose a dishwasher. Every situation is different, so every dish machine is too—and you just want to know whether you should get a high-temp dishwasher or not.
At State Cleaning, we lease out, service, and provide chemicals for commercial dishwashers. We know that it can be challenging to find the right machine for you—especially if you aren’t familiar with your options or have had negative past experiences.
To help you determine your ideal dishwasher, we will explain what high-temp commercial dishwashers are, when they should be used, when they shouldn’t be used, and alternative options. After reading, you’ll know whether a high-temp dishwasher is the right choice for your kitchen.
.png)
What is a High-Temp Dishwasher?
A high-temp dishwasher sanitizes dishes through the use of high heat. This is opposed to low-temp dishwashers, which use chemicals to sanitize dishes. But what is considered “high-temp” anyway?
.jpg)
High-temp dishwashers reach temperatures of 150 ºF–165 ºF for wash cycles and 165 ºF–180 ºF for rinse cycles. These are the necessary temperatures to ensure that pathogens are reduced to a safe level. Low-temperature machines still get hot, but since they don’t reach these temperature thresholds, they can’t be relied on to safely reduce pathogens without chemical intervention.
When Should I Use a High-Temp Dishwasher?
There is no setting in which high-temp dishwashers are your only option, but there are settings where they’ll probably make more sense to use.
More than anything, high-temp dishwashers are effective when you experience a high volume of dishes. They tend to be a better help with heavy grease and soil loads. As a result, they’re an extra help in a busy kitchen, giving you more efficiency where you might not otherwise have it.
Additionally, high-temp dishwashers are preferred in facilities that don’t want to introduce harsh chemicals like chlorine to their kitchens. Healthcare facilities are the most common setting for this for safety reasons; however, some facilities also prefer high-temp because chemical sanitization can have a bleaching effect on dishware over time.
When you have these preferences for your kitchen, it just makes more sense to go with a high-temp machine. However, there are also cases where a high-temp dishwasher isn’t the right choice.
When Should I Not Use a High-Temp Dishwasher?
There isn’t necessarily a wrong time to use a high-temp dishwasher, but there are certainly times when it will be less beneficial or feasible.
First, if you handle a smaller quantity of dishes, it might not make sense to use a high-temp dishwasher. Yes, the efficiency is nice, but it may not be necessary when you don’t go through that many dishes with a heavy grease and soil load at once.
Similarly, it may not be financially plausible. High-temp dishwashers tend to be more costly than other options, which can be a problem for those with tight budgets as well as those with lower dish volumes. If you can manage with a different, lower-priced machine, it may be a better idea to do so.
Additionally, sometimes, you simply can’t use a high-temp dishwasher. High-temp dish machines require more breaker space that your kitchen may not support, and most machines also need a vent hood. If you don’t have a vent hood, you may be able to find a ventless high-temp dishwasher, but you will have fewer options that way.
Overall, if you don’t have a large volume of dishes, have a lower budget, and/or don’t have the capacity to accommodate it, a high-temp dishwasher isn’t for you.
What are My Other Dishwashing Options?
If you’ve realized that high-temp dish machines aren’t your solution, you have other dishwashing options as well.
As previously mentioned, low-temp dish machines are usually the alternative to high-temp machines. If you have a low-to-medium volume of dishes, a lower budget, or no spare breaker space, low-temp dish machines may be the solution for you.
Additionally, if you have a very low volume of dishes, you may be better off with manual warewashing. Almost no one prefers to do the dishes by hand—especially when there are a lot of them—but if you have a manageable quantity and this is what your budget allows, going back to manual warewashing may be more financially and logistically feasible.
Consider your facility’s capabilities and specific needs. If you really want a dish machine, a low-temp option may benefit you. If your dishes are manageable and a machine is out of reach, manual warewashing is always an option.
Learn How to Choose the Right Dish Machine for Your Facility
Commercial dishwashers can get complicated, and when you aren’t sure whether a high-temp machine will suit your needs, you can be left wondering what to do. Now that you know if a high-temp dishwasher will solve your problems, watch the video below to learn more about choosing the right dish machine for your facility.
State Industrial Products © 2025 . All rights reserved.