Summary
Undercounter Dishwasher Troubleshooting
Problem: Dishes Not Drying
Likely Causes
- Rinse agent empty
- Low rinse temperature
- Door opened too quickly
Fix
- Refill rinse agent
- Verify rinse temp
- Allow proper dry cycle time
Problem: Cloudy Glassware
Likely Causes
- Hard water
- No water filter
- Chemical imbalance
Fix
- Install filtration/softener
- Rebalance detergent and rinse agent
Problem: Unit Not Draining
Likely Causes
- Clogged scrap screen
- Drain hose kinked
Fix
- Clean screen daily
- Inspect drain routing
Door-Type (Hood) Dishwasher Troubleshooting
Problem: Machine Won’t Reach 180°F Final Rinse
Likely Causes
- Booster heater failure
- Electrical supply issue
- Scale clogging heating element
Fix
- Check incoming voltage
- Delime booster
- Confirm breaker sizing
Problem: Food Debris on Dishes After Wash
Likely Causes
- Dirty wash arms
- Blocked strainers
- Improper racking
Fix
- Clean arms daily
- Remove debris before washing
- Re-train staff on racking
Problem: Steam Overload in Dish Area
Likely Causes
- No condensation hood
- Inadequate ventilation
Fix
- Install Type II hood
- Increase make-up air
Conveyor Dishwasher Troubleshooting
Problem: Trays Jamming or Backing Up
Likely Causes
- Conveyor speed mismatch
- Operator overfeeding
- Misaligned racks
Fix
- Adjust conveyor speed
- Retrain loading staff
- Realign rack rails
Problem: High Utility Costs
Likely Causes
- Booster heater constantly firing
- No auto-shutoff
- Leaking valves
Fix
- Install energy management settings
- Repair solenoids
- Schedule PM inspection
Problem: Poor Tray Sanitation
Likely Causes
- Inadequate chemical dosing
- Incorrect tank temps
Fix
- Recalibrate chemical pumps
- Verify wash and rinse temperatures
Flight-Type Dish Machine Troubleshooting
Problem: Inconsistent Wash Results Across System
Likely Causes
- Uneven water pressure
- Multiple clogged spray zones
Fix
- Inspect zone by zone
- Clean diverter manifolds
Problem: Frequent Emergency Shutdowns
Likely Causes
- Overloaded electrical service
- Control board faults
- Inadequate preventative maintenance
Fix
- Electrical load study
- PM contract with certified tech
- Control system inspection
Problem: Excessive Downtime
Likely Causes
- No on-site spare parts
- Long factory lead times
Fix
- Establish local service contract
- Keep critical spares onsite
Aldevra Operational Best Practice
Most dish machine failures are not caused by the machine—they are caused by water quality, utility mismatches, or lack of preventative maintenance.
