Commercial Dishwasher vs Sink: What Does Your Kitchen Really Need?
Quick answerEvery commercial kitchen needs a proper wash-up sink, and many need a commercial dishwasher as well. If you're washing more than a few racks of plates, cups and glasses per service, an undercounter dishwasher saves hours of labour each week and gives more consistent hygiene than hand washing. Small cafés and takeaways serving mainly in disposables can often manage with a double-bowl sink.
Warewashing is unglamorous, but it decides how fast a kitchen can turn crockery round, how much time staff spend at the sink, and how your premises look at an inspection. This guide helps you decide what you need.
Do you need a dishwasher?
| Your situation | Usually enough | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Takeaway or kiosk serving in disposables | Double-bowl sink | Only utensils and prep equipment to wash |
| Small café with some crockery | Double-bowl sink, add a dishwasher as you grow | Low volume can be hand washed |
| Café or restaurant serving on plates and glasses | Undercounter dishwasher + sink | Labour saving and consistent results at volume |
| Pub, busy restaurant or bubble tea shop with reusable cups | Undercounter dishwasher + sink | Fast turnaround between services |
Even with a dishwasher you still need a sink for pre-rinsing, pots and pans, and equipment that can't go in the machine. Your local authority may also require separate hand-washing facilities; check before you fit out.
Compare Keloo's warewashing range
| Product | Type | Size | Key features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undercounter Dishwasher | Dishwasher | 500 x 500mm basket | Up to 540 plates/h, drain pump, auto detergent and rinse-aid dosing | £1,078.99 |
| Double Bowl Sink 1400mm | Sink | 1400 x 700mm | 2 bowls, splashback, undershelf | £407.99 |
| Double Bowl Sink 2000mm | Sink | 2000 x 700mm | 2 bowls with drainer space, splashback, undershelf | £502.99 |
Prices correct at time of writing. Taps are not included with the sinks.
Undercounter Dishwasher
£1,078.99
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Double Bowl Sink 1400mm
£407.99
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Double Bowl Sink 2000mm
£502.99
View product →Installation: water, drainage and power
- Drainage. A built-in drain pump means the dishwasher doesn't need a gravity drain below it, which gives more freedom on where it goes.
- Water supply. Plan a water feed at the location. In hard-water areas, which cover much of the UK, a water softener protects the machine from limescale and improves results.
- Power. Commercial dishwashers draw significant power. Check the listing for the supply requirement and have a qualified electrician install it.
- Chemicals. Automatic detergent and rinse-aid pumps dose every cycle, so staff aren't measuring by hand. Use chemicals intended for commercial dishwashers.
- Space. Leave room to load and unload racks, ideally with a sink and drainer next to the machine for scraping and pre-rinsing.
Hygiene good practice
- Scrape and pre-rinse before loading, so food debris doesn't clog filters.
- Don't overload racks; water must reach every surface.
- Clean filters daily and descale as the manual recommends.
- Air-dry rather than tea-towel dry, which can recontaminate clean items.
- Keep a separate hand-wash basin; never use the wash-up sink for hand washing.
Frequently asked questions
Is a commercial dishwasher worth it for a small café?
If you serve on crockery and glasses, usually yes. It saves staff time every shift and gives more consistent hygiene than hand washing. If you serve mainly in disposables, a double-bowl sink may be enough.
How many plates can an undercounter dishwasher wash?
Keloo's undercounter model handles up to 540 plates per hour with a 500 x 500mm basket.
Do I still need a sink if I have a dishwasher?
Yes. You need a sink for pre-rinsing, pots and pans, and items that can't go in the machine. Hand washing needs its own basin.
Does a commercial dishwasher need a drain below it?
Not if it has a built-in drain pump, like Keloo's undercounter model, which can pump waste water up to a drain.
Do I need a water softener?
In hard-water areas it's strongly recommended. Limescale builds up on elements and spray arms and reduces wash quality.
Kit out your wash-up
Commercial dishwashers and stainless steel sinks with UK-based support.
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