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Guide to Warewashing & Janitorial Equipment
Matching Capacity to Demand
One of the most common (and preventable) causes of premature failure is overextension
— when a dishmachine is asked to do more than it was designed for. This is essentially
a guarantee that persistent breakdowns will start to occur due to excessive wear on the
dishmachine.
Operators should evaluate whether their current volume still fits the dishmachine’s intended
throughput. For example, a door-type unit might be perfect for 150 meals/day — but asking
it to process 500 can drastically reduce its lifespan.
Signs Your Dishmachine May Be Nearing End of Life
Knowing when a machine is aging out allows for planned replacement instead of reactive
panic. Watch for these signs:
Symptom
What It Might Indicate
Frequent repairs
Internal components are wearing out; parts may be obsolete
Water leaking
Worn-out gaskets, cracked wash chamber, or seal failure
Longer cycle times
Weak booster heater or clogged spray jets causing reduced
temperature
Wash arms not spinning Mineral scale or food debris blocking spray holes
Spotty or dirty dishes
Water pressure issues, clogged filters, failing pump
In addition, older machines lack the energy and water-saving technologies of modern
models. If your unit is over a decade old, you may be paying far more in utilities than
necessary — especially if you’re operating in a province with high water or hydro rates.
End-of-Life Strategy: Repair, Retrofit, or Replace?
At the 10–15 year mark, operators should perform a cost-benefit analysis:
• Are repairs exceeding 50% of replacement cost?
• Are parts still readily available from the manufacturer?
• Are utility bills rising while output drops?
• Could a newer machine lower detergent, water, or hydro usage by 20%+?
If the answer to one or more of these is yes, it may be time to plan a replacement — rather
than endure service disruptions and inediciencies.
RED Dealers can support this transition by reviewing usage data, analyzing maintenance
history, and recommending energy-efficient replacements that fit both volume and budget.
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Guide to Warewashing & Janitorial Equipment