The Main Types of Commercial Washware

The Main Types of Commercial Washware

Undercounter Glasswashers

• What they do: Compact machines designed to fit under a
  standard bar counter. Primarily used for cleaning glassware quickly
  in bar and café settings.
• Cycle time: 90–180 seconds
• Capacity: 25–35 racks/hour (approximately 350–500
  glasses/hour)
• Best for: Bars, pubs, cafés, hotels with a bar
  operation
• Price range: $2,500–$5,500

Undercounter Dishwashers

• What they do: Full dishwasher function in an
  undercounter format — handling plates, cups, cutlery, and general
  tableware. The workhorse machine for most small-to-mid restaurants.
• Cycle time: 90–180 seconds
• Capacity: 25–40 racks/hour
• Best for: Cafés, small restaurants, food courts,
  aged care, catering prep kitchens
• Price range: $3,500–$8,000

Hood-Type (Pass-Through) Dishwashers

• What they do: Larger single-rack machines with a
  hood that lifts to load and unload. Higher capacity and better
  workflow than undercounter for mid-volume kitchens.
• Cycle time: 60–120 seconds
• Capacity: 40–80 racks/hour
• Best for: Restaurants 80–200 covers, hotels, pubs,
  school canteens
• Price range: $8,000–$18,000

Conveyor / Tunnel Dishwashers

• What they do: Continuous-feed machines where racks
  of dishes move on a conveyor belt through wash, rinse, and sanitise
  zones.
• Capacity: 200–500 racks/hour
• Best for: Hotels, hospitals, large restaurants
  (200+ covers), mining camps, stadiums
• Price range: $25,000–$80,000+

Pot Washers

• What they do: High-pressure machines specifically
  designed for cleaning heavy cookware — pots, pans, trays, GN
  containers.
• Cycle time: 2–5 minutes per cycle
• Best for: Any kitchen producing significant volumes
  of pots, pans, baking trays
• Price range: $4,000–$12,000

Glass Washer vs Dishwasher