Whether you want to upgrade your kitchen appliances or are searching for a dishwasher for your new restaurant, choosing the right size is crucial. Finding a dishwasher that fits seamlessly into your kitchen's layout maximizes efficiency, ensures optimal cleaning of dishes and utensils, and prevents a backlog of dirty dishes. Whatever style of dishwasher you choose, knowing the dimensions you need will help eliminate obstacles in the kitchen. This guide outlines dishwasher dimensions, how to measure a dishwasher, and various dishwasher capacity options to help you make an informed decision about the ideal dishwasher for your establishment.
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Dishwasher Dimensions
Designed to handle the heavy load of dirty dishes from a restaurant's daily operations, commercial dishwashers are larger than standard models. They have a conservative depth and tend to increase their height to maximize available kitchen space. However, even the most compact models can quickly and efficiently clean large quantities of dishes without compromising cleanliness if properly loaded.
Below are the average dimensions for each type of dishwasher. Please note that these numbers are intended to be a guide for the average size across multiple brands and are not exact figures. Refer to your chosen unit's manual for precise dimensions.
Undercounter Commercial Dishwasher
Designed to fit underneath the counter to save space, an undercounter commercial dishwasher is the smallest commercial dishwasher. This type is ideal for small operations like diners, bars, cafes, and churches.
- Height: Less than 38”
- Width: 23” to 25”
- Depth: 25”
- Racks per hour: Up to 35 racks using .5 to 2 gallons of water per rack
Glass Washer
Given the high quantity of fragile glassware used in a restaurant, investing in a glass washer ensures clean glassware is available for your bar, pub, or restaurant. Most glass washers have a compact design, allowing them to fit under countertops for easy access. For higher output, sacrifice extra kitchen space and choose a carousel glass washer or a pass-through glass machine.
- Height: 29" to 42"
- Width: 23" to 25" standard, pass-through glass washers reach up to 72"
- Depth: 25"
- Racks per hour: Up to 40 racks using .53 to 2.5 gallons of water per rack
Door Type Commercial Dishwasher
Perfect for medium-volume operations, a door-type commercial dishwasher enables you to wash more dishes without sacrificing space by maximizing height. There are options for single- and double-rack dish machines, which vary in size and capacity.
- Height: Up to 97”
- Width: 24" to 29”
- Depth: 25”
- Racks per hour: Up to 175 racks using .75 to 3 gallons of water per rack
Commercial Conveyor Dishwasher
For large restaurants with a fast table turnover rate, a commercial conveyor dishwasher can process up to 700 dish racks per hour. These large dishwashers take up a lot of space in your kitchen, so prioritize the needs of your establishment accordingly.
- Height: 75” to 80”
- Width: 64” to 116”
- Conveyor length: 44” or 66”
- Racks per hour: Up to 700 racks using .5 to 1.2 gallons of water per rack
Pot and Pan Washer
A pot and pan washer maximizes height, width, and depth to wash large pots and pans efficiently. Since kitchenware is larger than traditional dishes or glassware, these machines take up valuable kitchen space to accommodate the racks. However, the size is worth it if your kitchen uses a lot of pots and pans in a short period and can't keep up with demand using manual washing methods.
- Height: Up to 89”
- Width: Up to 83"
- Depth: 30” to 38"
- Racks per hour: Up to 62 racks using .72 to 2 gallons of water per rack
Commercial Flight Dishwasher
A commercial flight dishwasher is a type of conveyor dishwasher found in university cafeterias, banquet halls, and hospitals. The number of dirty dishes and quick turnaround make purchasing these high-capacity machines a necessity. There are no predetermined dimensions for flight-type dishwashers since the machines are customized during the purchasing process.
- Largest type of dishwasher available
- Size is customized
- Operates on a conveyor system, so width is maximized
How to Measure a Dishwasher
Knowing how to measure a dishwasher helps you maximize the limited space in your kitchen and ensures you pick the right dishwasher size. For undercounter units, accurate measurements are vital to ensure the dishwasher fits in the cavity. While floor units like conveyor dishwashers and door-type dishwashers are more versatile, inaccurate measurements might make the dishwasher jut into walkways or prevent the door from opening completely. With kitchen space at a premium, taking a few minutes to measure the area available for your dishwasher will pay dividends in the future.
Follow these steps to measure your dishwasher:
Measure height: This step is most important for undercounter units. Measure the height at both the right and left sides of the designated space. Furthermore, make sure your measurements are from where the dishwasher's base will sit, which might not necessarily be the floor.
Measure width: Take width measurements from the inside edges of the cabinet, counter, or adjacent kitchen equipment. Furthermore, record measurements at several points to account for any variance.
Measure depth: Depth measurements are taken from the back wall to the front of the adjacent counters or appliances. However, the depth measurement excludes the door, which will protrude out so it has room to open properly.
Measure door clearance: Your dishwasher is more of a hindrance than a help if the door can't open or blocks the entire walkway. Measure the distance between the front of where your dishwasher will sit and the nearest obstacle opposite from it. Subtract the reported door length from that measurement to see how much room remains when the dishwasher is open.
Dishwasher Specifications
The type and size of a dishwasher will determine the number of dish racks it can process. However, it's also helpful to visualize those differences by the number of dishes and meals per hour a machine can accommodate. Check out the table below for specific ranges for each type of dishwasher's capacity.
|
Type |
Max Racks Per Hour |
Meals Served Per Hour |
Max Dishes Per Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Undercounter |
35 | Under 100 | 1575 |
|
Glass |
40 | N/A | 2000 |
|
Door Type |
175 | 100 - 500 | 5625 |
|
Conveyor Type |
700 | 500 - 2000 | 20,250 |
|
Pot & Pan |
62 | N/A | N/A |
|
Flight Type |
N/A | 2000+ | 45,000 |
Considerations When Choosing a Commercial Dishwasher Size
For every 100 meals you serve, you generate approximately 35 racks of dirty dishes. Choosing the right type of glass racks keeps your glassware safe in the dishwasher and maximizes the dishwasher's productivity. Use our glass rack selection tool to find the proper solution for your operation. However, consider the following factors when determining the commercial dishwasher size to lease of buy for your business.
Business Growth
Add approximately 10% to 20% of extra capacity to account for business growth during the dishwasher's lifespan. Commercial dish machines have a 5- to 10-year lifespan with proper maintenance, and your business will grow significantly during that period. Factoring in this growth when purchasing a dishwasher will save you from buying a new one in the future.
Peak Hours
Make sure that your dish machine can handle even the biggest rush. Getting backed up during peak hours causes stress and more potential for mistakes, so take the time to choose the best machine to handle your busiest days.
Kitchen Dishes
Account for any dishes from the kitchen when choosing a commercial dishwasher size, not just from the dining room. Forgetting about the pots and pans can ruin your dishwashing timetable. Your dish machine must handle all your guests' dishes and the dirty pots and pans your employees generate.
Space Available
Space is at a premium in many foodservice operations, so consider the space available in your kitchen to commit to your dishwashing station before purchasing a dishwasher. Undercounter commercial dishwasher dimensions are compact enough for most operations, but larger dish machines require more physical space. If you don't have enough room for a dishwasher with the capacity you need to maintain a good turnover, consider expanding your kitchen.
Type of Restaurant
The number of dishes each guest uses and the turnover rate for a table in a day varies in casual dining establishments versus fine dining restaurants. If your restaurant is a fine dining establishment, the table turnover will be lower, but the number of dishes per guest will be higher. In contrast, quick-serve restaurants have more table turns per day but use fewer dishes per guest.
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