The warewash questions that buyers should really be asking if they are to choose the package and system which best supports their needs

FEJ explores the traps that buyers can walk into and asks suppliers what operators really need to be thinking about to make sure they only buy once and buy right.

Question: What are the biggest mistakes operators can make when specifying warewashers.

Bob Wood, director, DC Warewashing & Icemaking Systems advises:

"A combination of factors is usually responsible for operators under or over-specifying warewashing equipment, including, a lack of information and knowledge, too much information for the buyer to assimilate, out-dated or erroneous assumptions.

An under-specified machine can create a host of problems such as bottle necks, extended wash-up times, increased labour cost and increased stress. All this can be avoided by correctly identifying the size and level of demand at the outset and making sure adequate space is allotted for the warewashing system.

Conversely, an over-specified machine will have rarely used capacity and features which you do not require for your operation and from which you may never benefit. Many of these features will have come at a price and will probably have increased running costs too over a correctly specified machine.

Many operators underestimate capacity and fail to plan ahead for peaks in demand and also future plans which may require greater capacity and a different specification of warewasher".

DC's Bob Wood gives this top tip to buyers:

"The most important thing a purchaser can do is choose a reliable brand and model best suited to the requirements of your operation. Choose a machine that is also easy to clean for end-users and is easy for engineers to access and service. Ensure servicing and parts are inexpensive and readily available within the UK".

Read full article in Foodservice Equipment Journal November 2016 issue ...