ENERGY-SAVING WAREWASHING WITH WINTERHALTER
Practical tips on how to optimise your washing process and sustainably reduce your operating costs.
Saving energy is one of the big challenges currently facing all foodservice businesses. In addition to cooking, baking and refrigeration, there are also ways to reduce energy consumption in warewashing. When developing its warewashers, Winterhalter has always paid close attention to ensuring the most resource-efficient operation possible. Our innovative features for saving electricity and water have set numerous new industry standards. Besides the technical components involved, there are also effective ways of significantly reducing costs in day-to-day operation.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
THE MOST IMPORTANT ENERGY-SAVING TIPS FOR WAREWASHING
Everyday warewashing offers numerous opportunities to instantly reduce electricity and water consumption without any need for investment. By following these practical tips and also passing them on to your dishwashing staff, you can reduce your operating costs by up to 20%.
Do not switch on the machine too early
Only switch on your warewasher just before you are about to use it. Take into account the filling and heating times needed for the system to be ready for operation. The warewasher can either be switched on manually or, for maximum convenience, via the automatic start-up and close-down. By switching the machine on only when needed, unnecessarily long heating times before the first wash cycle, are avoided.
Be sure to pre-clean the wash items
Before each wash cycle, remove food residues and coarse soiling from the wash items manually and/or with the pre-spray unit. This ensures that no unnecessary dirt gets into the machine and that the tank water remains as clean as possible. This reduces the amount of water required for rinsing, the frequency of having to change the tank water and also the associated energy costs for heating the water.
Cold pre-wash
Make sure that you do not pre-wash with hot water, but only with lukewarm water (approx. 20-25°C). That way, you can significantly reduce energy consumption even before the actual wash cycle. In addition, soiling from starch and proteins becomes even more stubborn when pre-washed with hot water. Lukewarm water dissolves dirt in an optimal way and avoids wasting energy.
Optimal use of capacity
When washing with undercounter and passthrough dishwashers, you should fill the wash racks to the maximum capacity so that each wash cycle is fully utilised. The same principle applies to conveyor dishwashers: collect the wash items so that the conveyor belt can be loaded to the maximum at intervals, and there are as few gaps as possible. Full racks and conveyor belts make your washing process efficient.
Activate the ECO programme
If time permits, you should use the ECO programme when washing the dishes. This special programme can be selected when using any of the three standard programmes: the wash time is 50% longer making it possible to reduce both the rinse water volume and the detergent dosing. This reduces operating costs by up to 15%.
Optimise your washing performance
Use the special programmes for particularly heavy and stubborn soiling. The soaking programme wets the wash items with tank water before rinsing, effectively dissolving burnt-on or caked soiling without the need for additional water consumption. With the intensive programme, the extended wash time reliably removes even heavy instances of soiling. Both programmes prevent wash items with stubborn soiling from having to be rinsed twice.
Do not terminate wash cycles
Never interrupt a wash cycle before it is finished. In each washing programme, the wash time is adjusted to the respective wash items and the degree of soiling. The end of the wash cycle is clearly indicated by the green flashing start button. Aborted wash cycles always come at the expense of cleanliness and hygiene. Avoid situations where detergent residues are not completely rinsed off resulting in a second wash cycle being necessary.
Wait for heat recovery
If your warewasher is equipped with heat recovery, do not terminate the process prematurely at the end of the wash cycle. Wait until the start button changes from blue-green flashing to a green flash. Up to this point, the energy in the machine is used to preheat the cold inlet water, which significantly reduces energy consumption. Only if this process is completed correctly can the full potential of energy savings be achieved.
Keep doors or hood closed
Make sure that the machine’s door or hood are not open longer than absolutely necessary between wash cycles. With conveyor dishwashers, the curtains must be inserted correctly. To ensure energy-efficient operation, the operator should allow as little heat as possible to escape from the machine. The energy-saving advice function automatically reminds you if the door or hood is left open for an unnecessarily long time. The less heat is lost, the less energy you need for washing.
Do not switch off the machine during breaks
Do not completely switch off your machine if you temporarily pause your washing operation. The machine automatically switches to standby mode during wash breaks. The boiler temperature is precisely lowered so that the rinse water can quickly reach the necessary temperature again during the next wash cycle. This saves a greater amount of energy than switching the machine off via the self-cleaning programme – and the machine is ready to start again within a very short space of time.
Switch off the machine promptly
Switch off your warewasher as soon as possible after the last wash cycle. Every minute of operational readiness consumes unnecessary energy. Use the self-cleaning programme to switch the machine off at the end of the wash day. This ensures a hygienic interior of the machine and optimally prepares the machine for the next day of operation. Switching the machine off promptly also helps you to avoid unnecessary energy costs.
Replenish the washing chemicals in good time
Make sure that your machine is always properly dosed with washing chemicals. A clean wash result cannot be achieved without the sufficient dose of detergent and rinse aid. A message indicating an empty tank automatically notifies you when the washing chemicals are running low. By refilling it in good time, you will prevent your wash items having to be rinsed several times and additional energy being consumed.
Prevent limescale deposits
Avoid washing with water containing lime. This is because limescale deposits on the heating elements mean that significantly more energy is needed to heat the water. Use a suitable device for water treatment and refill the regeneration salt in good time or replace exhausted cartridges promptly. A limescale-free machine interior not only extends the life of your machine, but also uses the energy you need for heating efficiently.
Descale the machine when necessary
Descale your machine as soon as you notice white limescale deposits in the interior. Limescale deposits on the heating element reduce the heating performance and lead to increased power consumption. Use the descaling programme and the special decalcification agent from Winterhalter. Descaling your machine when needed, ensures optimum heating performance and cost-efficient operation.
DO YOU WANT TO SAVE ENERGY WHEN WAREWASHING, AND WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE TAILORED ADVICE?
We will be happy to advise you on all aspects of energy-efficient washing, answer your questions and find the best solution for you. We will be happy to call you back if you wish!