Paragon Food Equipment's Buying Guide to Commercial Warewashing & Janitorial Equipment

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Guide to Warewashing & Janitorial Equipment

Ease of Cleaning & Maintenance

The best warewasher is one your team actually maintains. Daily and weekly

maintenance tasks — from cleaning filter baskets to inspecting spray arms —

keep the unit operating efficiently and ensure sanitation is never compromised.

Look for units that are:

Easy to access, with tool-free removal of wash/rinse arms

Built with internal filtration systems that are simple to clean

Designed for operator-level maintenance without a technician

Supported by digital error codes or alert systems for proactive service

Don’t forget to factor in the training burden. A machine with user-friendly

controls, visible status indicators, and simple cleaning steps will get better

results and last longer.

Price & Budget

Commercial dishwashers range in price from a few thousand dollars to tens of

thousands — and the sticker price is only one part of the equation. Total cost of

ownership includes water, electricity, chemicals, maintenance, and lifespan.

Ask yourself:

What is your realistic budget — not just for purchase, but for operation over 5–10

years?

Would a leasing program or rental option give you access to higher-performing

equipment at lower monthly cost?

Are there rebates available from utilities for ENERGY STAR® certified models?

Do they oder an off invoice rebate to help with the capital cost investment?

How do chemical costs differ between high-temp and low-temp machines?

A RED Dealer can help you compare models side-by-side, showing ROI

projections and operational cost breakdowns to ensure you choose the most

cost-effective solution — not just the cheapest unit upfront.