20
Guide to Warewashing & Janitorial Equipment
Cycle Time:
How Fast Is Fast Enough?
When evaluating warewashers, one number often stands out in the product specs:
cycle time — the amount of time it takes for a machine to complete a full wash, rinse,
and sanitization process. On paper, shorter cycles suggest higher efficiency, but in real
kitchens, cycle time must be considered in context.
Fast doesn’t always mean better — and sometimes it doesn’t even mean faster, once
you factor in real-world conditions.
What Does “Cycle Time” Actually Include?
Cycle time refers to one complete cleaning loop,
and includes:
1. Filling (or pre-fill from previous cycle)
2. Detergent wash
3. Rinse (either chemical or high-temp)
4. Sanitization
5. Optional dry or dwell phase (mostly in high-
temp units)
The listed cycle time assumes optimal loading,
water pressure, and utility availability — and does
not include the time required for:
• Loading/unloading racks
• Manual pre-rinse/scraping
• Air-drying (especially in low-temp units)
• Delay due to water refill or heat recovery time
Unit Type
Average Cycle time
Racks Per Hour
Undercounter
90-120 seconds
20-30
Door-type/Rack
60-90 seconds
40-60
Conveyor
Continuous
150-200+
Flight-Type
Continuous
200-300+
Glass Washers
60-120seconds
Up to 2,000 glasses/day
Note: These numbers represent machine capabilities, not necessarily what is achievable in your kitchen
without well-trained staff, proper workflow, and rack optimization.