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Guide to Warewashing & Janitorial Equipment
Meals (per hour)
Style of Dishwasher
Up to 50
Glasswasher
Up to 50
Undercounter
50 to 250
Single-tank, door style
250 to 400
Single-tank conveyor/
Single-tank conveyor with pre-wash options
400 to 750
Multi-tank, conveyor with pre wash option
750 +
Flight-Type conveyor
General Guide to Warewasher Selection
What Slows Cycle Time in the Real World?
Even with the fastest machine on the market, actual cycle speed can be slowed down by:
• Cold incoming water, which extends the time needed to reach proper rinse temp
• Underpowered electrical supply, particularly if your booster heater struggles to recover
• Heavy soil loads, which require re-runs or additional pre-rinse
• Clogged nozzles or dirty filters, leading to poor performance and repeat cycles
• inconsistent staffing, affecting loading/unloading rhythm
Cycle time is only as useful as the workflow surrounding it.
Balancing Speed vs. Quality
In high-volume environments (like hospitals or institutional cafeterias), throughput
is king. In boutique restaurants or fine dining, cleaning quality and presentation often
matter more than raw speed.
To determine your ideal cycle time, start with these questions:
• How many racks per hour do you need during peak service?
• How many dishroom staff are available per shift?
• Do you have space for clean vs. soiled rack staging?
• Will you be washing heavily soiled pots and pans or mostly plateware?
Also remember: many machines offer multiple cycle settings — short, medium, and
heavy — giving you flexibility based on load type.
Speed sells machines, but reliability, consistency, and support sell results. A 60-second
advertised cycle may sound ideal, but if your machine constantly needs deliming,
can’t reach temp, or breaks down under pressure — your real-world cycle time will be
measured in minutes, not seconds. RED Canada Dealers can guide you through this
balance, recommending equipment that meets both your throughput goals and your
cleanliness standards — without compromising either.