Hobart glasswasher range

Which Hobart Glasswasher Is Right for Your Venue?

If you’ve ever stood behind a busy bar with a backlog of dirty glasses and a machine that can’t keep up, you’ll know exactly why choosing the right glasswasher matters. It’s not just about cleaning glasses, it’s about keeping service moving, keeping staff sane, and making sure every drink lands in front of a customer looking exactly as it should.

Hobart makes four glasswasher ranges: Ecomax, Ecomax Plus, Profi and Premax. Each one is built for a different type of operation, and the differences between them go well beyond price. Here’s how to work out which one belongs in your venue.

Quick Guide: Which Hobart Range Fits Your Venue?

Hobart Ecomax: The smart starting point for independent cafés and smaller bars with steady daily volume.

Hobart Ecomax Plus: Built for busier independent pubs and restaurants needing a heavier, more efficient spec.

Hobart Profi: The workhorse for high-volume venues focused on lower running costs and pristine wash results.

Hobart Premax: The ultimate top-tier choice for premium restaurants, cocktail bars and hotels requiring advanced drying, maximum efficiency, and minimal steam release.

Start with honesty about your volume

The most important question isn’t which machine has the best spec sheet. It’s how hard is your glasswasher actually going to work?

A small independent café washing fifty glasses on a quiet Tuesday, where the Ecomax shines, is a completely different proposition to a city-centre pub on a Friday night with 300 customers and the glass rack going in every two minutes, where you need the heavy-duty power of the Profi or Premax. Hobart has a range built for each of them.

Push a machine beyond what it’s designed for and you’ll see it in the results and eventually in the reliability.

Basket size and chamber height - The two specs that really matter

Before you choose a range, there are two specifications that often get overlooked, basket size and chamber height. They are completely separate considerations, and both will dictate how the machine fits into your daily service.

Basket Size: throughput & footprint 

Basket size determines how many glasses fit per cycle and the footprint of the machine under your counter. 

  • The 500x500(mm) basket gives you greater throughput per cycle and more space to load larger or wider items. 
  • The compact range generally uses a standard 400x400(mm) basket.
  • Note on the Ecomax G404 & G404S: Keep in mind that the Ecomax models use a slightly smaller 390x390(mm) rack, rather than the standard size found on the other compact Hobarts. 

Chamber Height: will your glassware fit? 

Chamber height determines whether your glassware physically fits inside the machine, and it varies across the range. 

The GXC, for example, has a slightly lower chamber height than the smaller GC despite having a larger basket. It is built specifically for operators who need that bigger rack in a tight, low-counter installation. 

Bar Tip: If your venue uses tall stemware regularly, always check the internal chamber height of the specific model before you commit. 

Ecomax - the smart starting point 

The Hobart Ecomax range is available in two models: 

  • G404 / G404S - 390×390mm rack, 700mm installation height, 308mm chamber height, 1.8 litres per cycle, 60 racks per hour 
  • G504 / G504S - 500×500mm rack, 820mm installation height, 360mm chamber height, 2.0 litres per cycle, 60 racks per hour 

The G404 sits neatly under a standard bar counter at 700mm and is straightforward to operate, with single-button control and digital temperature indication. It comes with a double-skinned door, rinse aid dispenser, detergent dispenser and drain pump as standard. For start-ups, smaller bars and cafés where the glasswasher is not running under continuous pressure throughout a busy service, it does exactly what it promises without overcomplicating things or overspending. 

The G504 is a significantly larger machine. At 820mm installation height with a 25-litre tank and a 500×500mm rack, it is built for higher-volume operations that want the Ecomax specification in a bigger format. The larger tank and 360mm chamber height give it more capacity and greater clearance than the G404. It shares the same straightforward controls and standard equipment fit but is a different class of machine in terms of size and throughput capability. 

The S variants add an integrated water softener, which protects the machine from limescale and improves wash results in hard water areas. 

Ecomax Plus - engineered for heavier daily use

The Ecomax Plus range is available in two models: 

  • G415 / G415S - 400×400mm rack, 705mm installation height, 315mm chamber height, 1.8 litres per cycle, 60 racks per hour 
  • G515 / G515S - 500×500mm rack, 825mm installation height, 425mm chamber height, 2.0 litres per cycle, 60 racks per hour 

The Ecomax Plus is engineered for heavier daily use, and the differences over the standard Ecomax are well thought through. Both ranges have a double-skinned door, but the Ecomax Plus adds a double-skinned insulated cabinet as well. This reduces noise during operation and, more importantly, reduces heat loss, which means less energy and time is needed to bring the wash water back to temperature between cycles. On a busy service where the machine is running continuously, that adds up. 

All Hobart glasswashers operate with a thermostop control that ensures washing only takes place at the correct set temperature. On the Ecomax Plus, the smaller wash tank contributes significantly here: less water volume means faster heat-up, faster heat recovery between cycles, less water to dose with chemicals per cycle, and lower energy consumption overall. The wash and rinse pumps are also uprated to handle sustained heavy use, and the wash cycles are refined to deliver consistent results under pressure. 

The G415 fits under a standard bar counter at 705mm and is the natural choice for hotels, bars and restaurants washing a high volume of glasses regularly. The G515 brings the same Plus specification to a 500×500mm rack at 825mm installation height, with 425mm of chamber clearance. It is a particularly strong option for mid-size restaurants, hotel bars and any venue handling a varied glassware range at moderate-to-busy volume. 

For venues where the glasswasher is working hard throughout service, the Plus is the right specification. It is quieter, more thermally efficient, faster to recover between cycles, and built to sustain that performance day after day. 

Profi - professional-grade technology for high-volume operations 

This is where the range makes a significant jump. The Hobart Profi glasswashers are built for operations where the machine runs hard across a full service and the results still need to be perfect at closing time. Three models are available: 

  • GC / GCS — 400×400mm rack, 705mm installation height, 315mm chamber height, 1.7 litres per cycle, 48 racks per hour 
  • GXC / GXCS — 500×500mm rack, 705mm installation height, 305mm chamber height, 1.8 litres per cycle, 60 racks per hour 
  • GX / GXS — 500×500mm rack, 825mm installation height, 425mm chamber height, 1.8 litres per cycle, 60 racks per hour 
  • GCROI — 400x400mm rack, 820mm installation height, 315mm chamber height, 1.7 litres per cycle, 48 racks per hour
  • GXCROI — 500x500mm rack, 820mm installation height, 305mm chamber height, 1,8 litres per cycle, 60 racks per hour

The Profi range brings some genuinely useful technology to the bar environment. The GENIUS-X² fine filter system continuously cleans the wash water during operation, cutting detergent consumption by up to 35%. Over a busy year of service, that's a meaningful saving on running costs. The VISIOTRONIC-TOUCH control uses a colour touchscreen with single-button operation, making the machine straightforward for any member of staff to use correctly without needing to think about it. Integrated Wi-Fi and the Hobart SmartConnect app allow machine status, hygiene data and fault alerts to be monitored remotely, which is particularly useful for multi-site operators and managed estates. 

The GC and GXC share the same 705mm installation height, but their chamber heights differ. The GC has 315mm of clearance; the GXC has 305mm. The GXC is designed specifically for operators who need the larger 500×500mm basket but are tight on counter height. The trade-off is a small reduction in chamber clearance, so it is worth checking your glassware heights before specifying it.

The GCROI and GXCROI are reverse osmosis variants of the GC and GXC respectively. The RO system is housed underneath the unit, which increases the installation height to 820mm on both models. If you are specifying either for a counter installation, that height difference is worth factoring in. Because the RO system treats the incoming water before it enters the machine, no separate water softener is needed on either ROI model.

The GX gives you the 500×500mm basket at 825mm installation height with 425mm of chamber clearance and is the right choice where counter height allows and maximum clearance matters.

All Profi models are available with integrated water softeners, indicated by the S suffix. 

Premax - for venues where nothing less than perfect will do 

The Premax range sits at the top of the Hobart glasswasher lineup, available in three configurations: 

  • GCP — 400×400mm rack, 705mm installation height, 315mm chamber height, 1.7 litres per cycle, 48 racks per hour 
  • GPCROI — 500×500mm rack, 820mm installation height, 305mm chamber height, 1.8 litres per cycle, 60 racks per hour, integrated reverse osmosis 
  • GCPROI — 400x400mm rack, 820mm installation height, 305mm chamber height, 1.7 litres per cycle, 48 racks per hour
  • GP — 500×500mm rack, 825mm installation height, 425mm chamber height, 1.8 litres per cycle, 60 racks per hour 

The Premax earns its position at the top of the range with two features you won’t find anywhere else in the Hobart glasswasher lineup. 

The first is TOP-DRY. Once the wash cycle finishes, the machine converts the humid air inside the chamber into hot dry air and uses it to dry the glasses before the door opens. Glasses come out dry. Not damp, not needing a polish, dry. For a premium bar where presentation is everything, that changes the dynamic of service completely. TOP-DRY also releases 90% less moisture into the room, which is a significant benefit for front-of-house bar installations. 

The second is VAPOSTOP². Anyone who’s worked behind a bar knows the moment you open the glasswasher at the end of a cycle, the blast of hot steam that hits you in the face and rolls across the bar. VAPOSTOP² extracts that steam before the door opens, so none of it escapes. No steam in the customers’ faces, no moisture on wooden bar surfaces, no discomfort for staff. It sounds like a small thing until you’ve worked without it. 

The GCP offers the full Premax specification in the compact 400×400mm format at 705mm installation height with 315mm of chamber clearance. The GPCROI brings a 500×500mm basket with integrated reverse osmosis at 820mm installation height and 305mm chamber height. Because the RO system treats the water before it enters the machine, no separate water softener is needed on the GPCROI. The GCPROI is also a variant of the GCP which includes a reverse osmosis system. The GP gives you the 500×500mm basket at 825mm installation height with 425mm of chamber clearance. Every Premax model carries the full Profi technology stack as its foundation, plus its own exclusive additions. 

The honest summary 

You don’t always need the most powerful machine, but you do need the right one. Here’s the short version: 

Model Rack Size Install Height Chamber Height Racks/Hour Best For
Ecomax G404 / G404S 390×390mm 700mm 308mm 60 Smaller bars, start-ups, lower-volume operations
Ecomax G504 / G504S 500×500mm 820mm 360mm 60 Higher-volume Ecomax operations; larger tank and rack format
Ecomax Plus G415 / G415S 400×400mm 705mm 315mm 60 Busy hotels, bars and restaurants needing sustained performance
Ecomax Plus G515 / G515S 500×500mm 825mm 425mm 60 As G415 but larger rack format and greater chamber clearance
Profi GC / GCS 400×400mm 705mm 315mm 48 Professional bars and restaurants running at volume
Profi GXC / GXCS 500×500mm 705mm 305mm 60 Larger basket in compact installation; slight reduction in chamber height versus GC
Profi GX / GXS 500×500mm 825mm 425mm 60 Full-size Profi where counter height allows and maximum clearance matters
Profi GCROI 400×400mm 820mm 315mm 48 In-built RO, ideal for professional bars and restaurants
Profi GXCROI 500×500mm 820mm 305mm 60 Built-in RO delivers spotless cleaning without the need for a softener.
Premax GCP 400×400mm 705mm 315mm 48 Premium front-of-house bars; compact footprint, dry glasses, no steam
Premax GPCROI 500×500mm 820mm 305mm 60 Integrated RO for spotless results; no softener required
Premax GP 500×500mm 825mm 425mm 60 Highest-demand front-of-house environments; full Premax spec, maximum clearance
Premax GCPROI 400×400mm 820mm 305mm 48 Integrated RO, dry glasses, no softener needed.

 

All models are available with free UK-wide delivery, and the full range is available on interest-free credit over 12 or 24 months, or on a fixed monthly rental plan if you’d prefer to keep costs predictable. 

If you’re not sure which model fits your operation, we’re always happy to help. Just get in touch and we’ll talk it through with you. 

Browse the full Hobart glasswasher range → 

You might also like 

Do You Need a Water Softener for a Hobart Dishwasher or Glasswasher?

Hobart Profi vs Premax: What’s the Difference? 

Hobart Dishwasher Installation Requirements: A Practical Guide for Commercial Kitchens

Back to blog

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the difference between a glasswasher and a dishwasher?

    A glasswasher is specifically designed for delicate glassware. It operates at lower temperatures with gentler wash pressures and uses chemicals formulated to prevent clouding, spotting and etching. A commercial dishwasher uses stronger detergents and higher temperatures to tackle food residues on plates and cutlery. The two aren’t interchangeable: using dishwasher detergent in a glasswasher can permanently damage glassware, and running glasses through a standard dishwasher will dull and etch them over time.

  • How many glasses can a Hobart glasswasher wash per hour?

    It depends on the model. The GC and GCP wash 48 racks per hour, achieving up to 960 glasses per hour. All other models across the range wash 60 racks per hour. On the 500×500mm basket models this translates to up to 2,160 glasses per hour, while the Ecomax G404 and Ecomax Plus G415, which use smaller basket formats, achieve up to 960 glasses per hour at the same cycle rate. Cycle times run from 60 to 120 seconds depending on the programme selected.

  • What does the S mean in the Hobart glasswasher model name?

    The S suffix indicates an integrated water softener, for example G404S, G504S, G415S, G515S, GCS, GXCS, and GXS. In hard or medium-hard water areas, which covers most of the UK, a water softener is strongly recommended to protect heating elements from limescale and improve wash results. The only exceptions are the ROI models, such as the PREMAX GPCROI which has integrated reverse osmosis as standard. The RO system removes minerals from the water before it enters the machine, so a separate softener is not required. If you are in a soft water area, it is worth checking your local water hardness before deciding whether the S variant is needed.

  • Which basket size should I choose, 400×400mm or 500×500mm?

    Basket size determines how many glasses fit per cycle and the machine’s footprint. The 500×500mm basket gives more throughput per cycle and greater loading space. It does not determine whether tall glassware fits inside the machine; that is governed by chamber height, which varies by model. Chamber heights across the glasswasher range are: G404 308mm, G504 360mm, G415 315mm, G515 425mm, Profi GC 315mm, Profi GXC 305mm, Profi GX 425mm, Premax GCP 315mm, Premax GPCROI 305mm, Premax GP 425mm. If your venue regularly uses tall stemware, check the chamber height of the specific model before you buy.

  • What is reverse osmosis and do I need it on my glasswasher?

    Reverse osmosis removes minerals from the rinse water before it contacts your glasses. Minerals are the primary cause of water spots and streaks on glass, and even after a clean wash cycle, mineral deposits left by the rinse water show up when glasses dry. An RO system means glasses come out spot-free with no polishing required. It is particularly valuable in hard water areas and in premium bar environments where presentation standards are high. On the Premax GPCROI, and other ROI models, RO is built in as standard. On other models it is available as an optional system.

  • What does TOP-DRY mean on Hobart Premax glasswashers?

    TOP-DRY is a Premax-exclusive drying system. After the wash cycle completes, the machine captures the humid air inside the chamber, converts it using a hydro-thermal energy storage system, and re-introduces it as hot, dry air. The result is completely dry glasses at the end of the cycle, no towelling, no polishing, no waiting. It also releases 90% less moisture into the room, which is a significant benefit for front-of-house bar installations.

  • What is VAPOSTOP on the Hobart Premax?

    VAPOSTOP² is a Premax-exclusive feature that prevents steam from escaping when you open the glasswasher door at the end of a cycle. A ventilation system extracts the hot steam from inside the machine before the door opens. This protects staff from steam in the face, prevents disruption to bar customers, and protects wooden bar surfaces from moisture damage. It is one of those features that sounds modest until you have worked without it during a busy service.

  • How long does it take to install a Hobart undercounter glasswasher?

    A standard undercounter glasswasher installation typically takes 2 to 3 hours, assuming plumbing and electrical connections are accessible and no existing machine needs removing. All Hobart glasswashers ship with electric cable, supply hose, drain hose, detergent and rinse hoses.

  • Can I finance a Hobart glasswasher rather than buying outright?

    Yes. We offer 0% interest-free credit over 12 and 24 months across the full Hobart glasswasher range, as well as fixed monthly rental plans.

  • How do I clean and maintain a Hobart glasswasher?

    Daily maintenance is straightforward. When the machine drains down at the end of the day, the units flush the interior with fresh water. We then recommend you give the chamber and filter and wipe down. A hygiene tab programme removes limescale and soil residue and should be run when prompted by the machine’s display, every 1500 cycles, approximately. Once a week, or depending on usage, we recommend a more thorough clean. Remove the wash and rinse arms, filters and filter trays. Wash and rinse them through and clear them of any debris before putting them back in place.

  • Is a Hobart glasswasher suitable for a small pub or bar?

    Yes. The Ecomax G404 and Ecomax Plus G415 are both designed specifically for smaller hospitality operations and fit under a standard bar counter. Both are capable machines for venues with moderate daily glass volume. If your pub gets busy at weekends and you are regularly pushing the machine hard, the Profi GC is worth considering. It has the same compact footprint but brings uprated technology, the GENIUS-X² filter system, SmartConnect monitoring and lower running costs.