Commercial Dishwasher Buying Guide South Africa: Choosing the Right Machine

A commercial dishwasher is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a busy restaurant, café, hotel, bar or catering operation. The right machine helps keep service moving, reduces washing bottlenecks and allows crockery, glassware and utensils to return to service quickly.

When choosing a commercial dishwasher, the key question is not simply which model is cheapest. It is: what type and capacity of dishwasher best matches the busiest period in your operation?

This guide explains the main types of commercial dishwashers, what to consider before buying, and how the DIHR range available from Kitchen Trade fits different hospitality applications.

What is a commercial dishwasher?

Commercial dishwashers are designed for professional foodservice environments where dishes, glasses and utensils need to be washed repeatedly throughout the working day. They are built around short wash cycles and regular commercial use.

DIHR manufactures professional warewashing equipment ranging from compact glass washers and undercounter dishwashers to hood-type and higher-volume systems.

The main types of commercial dishwashers

Glass washers

A commercial glass washer is primarily designed for rapidly washing glasses, cups and similar items. These machines are commonly suited to coffee shops, bars, pubs, cafés and other hospitality operations where glassware makes up a large part of the washing load.

The DIHR G35 Glass Washer uses a 350 × 350mm basket, accommodates glassware up to 195mm high and is rated at up to 30 racks per hour on a 120-second wash cycle.

Undercounter dishwashers

Undercounter dishwashers provide more flexibility for washing plates, glasses and general tableware while maintaining a relatively compact footprint. They are commonly considered for restaurants, cafés, bars, coffee shops, smaller hotels and canteens.

The current DIHR range progresses from the compact GS40 to the larger GS50, allowing buyers to match basket size and loading height to the type of ware being washed.

Hood-type dishwashers

A hood-type dishwasher, also commonly called a pass-through dishwasher, is designed for higher-volume warewashing. Racks move through a more structured dirty-to-clean workflow, making this format well suited to busy restaurants, hotels, catering operations, canteens and institutional kitchens.

The DIHR HT11 Hood-Type Dishwasher uses a 500 × 500mm basket and is rated at up to 60 racks per hour.

Undercounter vs hood-type dishwasher

For many buyers, this is the most important decision. An undercounter dishwasher generally makes sense where space is restricted and washing volumes are moderate. A hood-type machine becomes more attractive when throughput increases and the washing area needs to process racks continuously during busy service periods.

• Coffee shop: glass washer or compact undercounter
• Bar: glass washer or undercounter
• Small restaurant: undercounter dishwasher
• Medium restaurant: larger undercounter or hood-type
• Busy restaurant: hood-type dishwasher
• Hotel or large canteen: hood-type or higher-capacity system

These are starting points only. The correct machine should ultimately be selected according to actual peak washing demand, available space, power supply and workflow.

How to choose the right commercial dishwasher

1. Consider your peak washing volume

Do not size the dishwasher according to an average day. Think about the busiest hour of your busiest service period. Consider how many plates, glasses, cups and utensils return to the wash area and how quickly they need to be available again.

2. Look at rack capacity

Commercial dishwasher capacity is often expressed in racks per hour. The DIHR G35, GS40 and GS50 are rated at up to 30 racks per hour, while the HT11 hood-type model is rated at up to 60 racks per hour.

Rack capacity should not be viewed in isolation. Basket dimensions, how each rack is loaded and the efficiency of the surrounding wash area also affect real-world throughput.

3. Check basket size and loading height

• DIHR G35: 350 × 350mm basket
• DIHR GS40: 400 × 400mm basket
• DIHR GS50: 500 × 500mm basket
• DIHR HT11: 500 × 500mm basket

Maximum loading height also matters when larger plates or taller glassware are used.

4. Confirm your electrical supply

The G35, GS40 and current GS50 single-phase model operate on 220V supply, while the HT11 requires 400V three-phase power. Always confirm electrical, water and drainage requirements before purchasing and installing commercial dishwashing equipment.

5. Consider the whole dishwashing workflow

The machine is only one part of an effective washing station. A good commercial dishwashing area should consider dirty ware collection, scraping, pre-rinsing, rack loading, washing, clean ware unloading, drying and storage.

DIHR commercial dishwasher range at Kitchen Trade

DIHR G35 Glass Washer – GWD1000

• 220V
• 2.1kW
• 350 × 350mm basket
• 195mm maximum glass height
• 120-second wash cycle
• Up to 30 racks per hour

View the DIHR G35 Glass Washer

DIHR GS40 Undercounter Dishwasher – DWD0400

• 220V
• 3.05kW
• 400 × 400mm basket
• 290mm maximum loading height
• 120-second wash cycle
• Up to 30 racks per hour

View the DIHR GS40 Dishwasher

DIHR GS50 Undercounter Dishwasher – DWD0500

• 220V
• 3.45kW
• 500 × 500mm basket
• 325mm maximum loading height
• 120-second wash cycle
• Up to 30 racks per hour

View the DIHR GS50 Dishwasher

DIHR HT11 Hood-Type Dishwasher – DWD0011

• 400V three-phase
• 13.12kW
• 500 × 500mm basket
• 410mm maximum plate height
• 35L wash tank
• Up to 60 racks per hour

The HT11 should be installed by a qualified technician.

View the DIHR HT11 Hood-Type Dishwasher

DIHR dishwasher promotion – September 2026

Kitchen Trade is currently offering promotional pricing on selected DIHR commercial dishwashing equipment during September 2026. The promoted range includes the DIHR G35 Glass Washer, GS40 Undercounter Dishwasher, GS50 Single-Phase Undercounter Dishwasher and HT11 Hood-Type Dishwasher.

This is a useful opportunity for restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels and other hospitality operators considering a new dishwashing installation or replacement machine. Promotional pricing is subject to stock availability and the promotion period.

Explore the DIHR range or shop commercial dishwashers and glass washers.

Do you need a pre-rinse spray?

A pre-rinse spray helps remove loose food debris before dishes enter the dishwasher. In higher-volume operations, it can form an important part of an efficient washing workflow by preparing ware before it enters the machine.

When planning a new dishwashing station, consider the dishwasher and pre-rinse area together rather than treating the machine as an isolated piece of equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What size commercial dishwasher does a restaurant need?

The correct size depends on peak washing volume, the type of tableware being washed, available utilities and how quickly clean items need to return to service. Smaller restaurants may be adequately served by an undercounter machine, while higher-volume operations should consider hood-type systems.

What is the difference between an undercounter and hood-type dishwasher?

An undercounter machine is compact and loaded through a front door. A hood-type dishwasher is designed around a rack-based pass-through workflow and typically offers higher throughput.

What is the difference between a glass washer and a dishwasher?

A glass washer is primarily intended for glasses, cups and similar items, while a commercial dishwasher generally accommodates a broader range of crockery and tableware.

Can a commercial dishwasher run on single-phase electricity?

Yes. The DIHR G35, GS40 and current GS50 model listed by Kitchen Trade operate on 220V supply. Larger machines such as the HT11 require three-phase power.

How many racks per hour can a commercial dishwasher wash?

This varies by model. The DIHR G35, GS40 and GS50 are rated at up to 30 racks per hour, while the HT11 is rated at up to 60 racks per hour.

Need help choosing the right commercial dishwasher?

Choosing the correct dishwasher is ultimately a capacity, utility and workflow decision. Kitchen Trade can help you compare the available DIHR options for your restaurant, café, hotel, bar or commercial kitchen.

Explore our commercial dishwashing equipment or contact Kitchen Trade for assistance selecting the right machine for your operation.