Commercial Dishwashing in Toronto & Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions we hear from operators.
What's the difference between a high-temp and low-temp commercial dishwasher?
High-temp machines sanitize with a final rinse around 180°F, using heat alone with no chemical sanitizer needed — most of what's on this page, including our Hobart and DIHR lines, runs high-temp. Low-temp machines sanitize chemically instead, with a lower-temperature rinse around 120°F paired with a sanitizing chemical, which uses less energy and skips the booster heater; our Stero SUH-1/SUL-1 Under Counter Dishwasher is available in either mode from the same base unit. High-temp needs a dedicated booster heater and steady hot water supply; low-temp needs a steady, correctly dosed sanitizing chemical like BC Chemical's Clear-C. Kitchens without room or budget for a booster heater usually lean low-temp instead.
Under-counter vs. hood-type (pass-through) dishwasher — which does my kitchen need?
Under-counter machines sit below the counter like a residential dishwasher, running one rack of dishes through a longer cycle — they're the right fit for smaller kitchens, bars, and cafes with lower dish volume, and machines like our Hobart Centerline CUH-1/CUL-1 or Moyer Diebel NEXUS N900 cover that range well. Hood-type (pass-through) machines are larger, faster, and built for volume — an operator lifts the hood, slides a rack through, and the machine runs a rack every 60-90 seconds, which is what a busy full-service restaurant or banquet kitchen needs. If dish volume backs up during a rush with an under-counter unit, it's usually a sign to move up to hood-type; if the kitchen is small or turnover is steady rather than in bursts, under-counter is plenty.
What temperature does a commercial dishwasher need to reach to sanitize dishes?
Most health codes require a final sanitizing rinse of at least 180°F for high-temp machines, measured right at the dish surface, not just inside the tank — that's why our Hobart and DIHR hood-type machines include a booster heater built to hold that temperature under load. Low-temp/chemical-sanitizing machines run a cooler rinse, typically 120-140°F, but need to hit a specific sanitizer concentration instead, checked with test strips rather than a thermometer. Either way, most jurisdictions require a visible gauge or thermometer at the machine and periodic testing to confirm dishes are actually reaching sanitizing conditions, not just running through a cycle. Check with your local health authority for the exact numbers in your municipality, since requirements can vary.