Hobart Dishwasher FAQs

This comprehensive guide covers the most common questions we receive about Hobart commercial dishwashers. Whether you’re choosing a model, planning installation, managing chemicals, or dealing with maintenance, you’ll find clear, practical answers below.

SECTION 1 - Choosing the Right Hobart Dishwasher

1. What is the difference between Hobart Ecomax, Ecomax Plus, Profi and Premax dishwashers?

Ecomax: Reliable, cost-effective performance for low to medium daily usage.
Ecomax Plus: Faster cycles, higher throughput, uprated components and features for busier sites.
Profi: Premium performance, fast cycles, advanced engineering for demanding environments.
Premax: Top-tier energy, water, and chemical efficiency with market-leading wash performance.

2. Which Hobart dishwasher is best for cafés and small restaurants?

Most opt for Ecomax or Ecomax Plus undercounter models depending on throughput and cycle speed requirements.

3. Which Hobart dishwasher suits busy restaurants or hotels?

The Profi and Premax ranges are engineered for high-volume environments with strict hygiene standards and long service hours.

4. Which range is suitable for care homes?

Care homes typically benefit from Profi Pass Through Dishwashers, although the Ecomax Plus Pass Through Dishwasher can be a cost-effective alternative for medium-sized sites.

5. Which dishwashers are recommended for schools and education?

The Profi and Premax ranges are available at discounted education pricing, making them strong long-term choices for school kitchens.

6. Do Hobart dishwashers come with built-in water softeners?

The vast majority of models do have an inbuilt softener option. Specialist units, rack dishwashers for example, would have an external softener fitted to handle the higher water volume required for operation. A softener is recommended for medium or hard water areas.

7. Are Hobart dishwashers suitable for small commercial kitchens?

Yes, the undercounter ranges are compact and designed for space-limited kitchens.

8. How long do Hobart dishwashers typically last?

With good care and correct chemical use, 10+ years is realistic for most models.

SECTION 2 - Installation & Requirements

9. What are the electrical requirements for Hobart dishwashers?

Most units require either single phase 13A, 16A, 25-30A, or 3-phase power, depending on the model and heating configuration. A number of units can run on multiple electrical options depending on your specific requirements. The configuration change can be made at the time of install. Always check the specific product listing.

10. What water pressure is needed?

Hobart units typically require between 0.6–6 bar, but booster pumps may be recommended for very low-pressure sites. Always check the specific product listing.

11. Do Hobart dishwashers need hot or cold water feed?

Most models accept either. The majority of our customers run their warewashers on a cold feed. Hot feeds are recommended if you run your unit on a lower power setting as this will aid heat up and recovery times. However, you must make sure you will have sufficient hot water available, and temperatures should not exceed approximately 60 degrees ideally.

12. How much space is required around the unit?

Hobart machines are compact, but allow space for:

Door access
Pipework
Service/manual cleaning access
Heat and steam dissipation

13. Do I need a water softener?

If you are in a medium or hard water area, the answer is yes.
A softener:

Prevents limescale
Improves wash results
Extends machine lifespan
Reduces chemical use

14. What type of drainage is required?

All Hobart machines come fitted with a drain pump as standard.

15. Can I install a Hobart dishwasher myself?

You can but we would highly recommend using a qualified commercial engineer. We will only recommend installing yourself if you have experience of commercial warewashers and how to install them. We can arrange for a Hobart engineer to install your unit however you do not have to use one, your warranty will not be invalidated by using a third-party engineer. Please note, any issues arising from an incorrect install would not be covered under the Hobart warranty terms.

16. How long does installation take?

Glasswasher or undercounter dishwasher typically 2-3 hours.

Hood dishwashers and Utensil washers will be approximately 3-5 hours dependent on whether tabling is also being fitted.

Rack Machines can take 1-2 days. This varies greatly due to the specialist nature of these units

Please keep in mind that this is depending on site access and services, if an existing unit needs disconnecting or any other specific install requirements you may have.

SECTION 3 - Performance, Cycles & Efficiency

17. How long is a typical cycle on a Hobart dishwasher?

Cycle times vary by model and range:

Ecomax: 60–180 seconds
Ecomax Plus: 60–180 seconds +Cutlery Cycle
Profi: 60–300 seconds +Special Programmes
Premax: 52–180 seconds +Special Programmes

18. How many racks per hour can Hobart dishwashers process?

Depending on the model: 20–60 racks per hour.

19. What temperature do they wash at?

Dishwashers, typically:

Wash: 60°C
Rinse: 82–85°C (sanitising)

Glasswashers, typically:

Wash: 50°C
Rinse: 67°C

20. Are Hobart dishwashers energy efficient?

Yes, particularly the Premax models which are regarded as the most energy-efficient on the market, with low energy, water and chemical usage.

21. Are Hobart dishwashers quiet?

Yes, for a commercial dishwasher, they are engineered for low operational noise, suitable for open kitchen environments.

22. Can Hobart dishwashers handle heavily soiled plates?

Yes, but pre-scraping and a pre-rinse is still recommended for optimal results.

23. Can they wash trays, pots or utensils?

Yes, Hobart dishwashers can wash trays, pots and utensils, but the suitability depends on the size and volume of the items. For regular pot, pan and utensil washing, a dedicated Hobart utensil washer is the correct choice, as it is specifically engineered with the chamber size, spray pattern and power required for heavy-duty cleaning.

However, many Hobart dishwashers, including selected large-chamber undercounter models and hood dishwashers, can comfortably handle smaller utensils, gastronorm trays and light pot washing. Always check the internal dimensions of the machine to ensure the items will fit and wash effectively.

SECTION 4 - Chemicals & Water Treatment

24. What detergent should I use with Hobart dishwashers and glasswashers?

You should always use commercial-grade chemicals that are specifically formulated for the type of machine you’re operating. Dishwasher detergents and glasswasher detergents are not interchangeable:

Dishwasher detergents are designed to break down food residues, fats and starches found on plates and cutlery.
Glasswasher detergents are formulated for delicate glassware and are designed to prevent clouding, spotting and etching.

Using the wrong chemical can lead to poor results and possible damage to glassware. For the best wash performance, consistency and machine protection, quality commercial grade detergents and rinse aids are recommended, as they are developed to work perfectly with Hobart’s wash systems and dosing equipment.

25. Do I need a separate rinse aid?

Yes, rinse aid improves drying, reduces spotting, and delivers better presentation.

26. Can I use glasswasher chemicals in a dishwasher?

No, they are formulated differently. Use the correct product for the machine type.

27. Why are my glasses cloudy after washing?

Common causes:

Hard water (softener required or not regenerating)
Incorrect chemical dosage
Old detergent
Excessive heat causing etching

28. How often should I descale my dishwasher?

In hard water areas, regular descaling may be required unless a softener is installed. The regularity will vary from one site to another and will be impacted by the hardness of your water and how busy your machine is. The harder it works the more often you will have to descale. If you are getting a lot of scale build up, we would strongly recommend fitting a water softener.

29. How do I know if chemicals are dosing correctly?

Machines with automatic dosing should dose consistently once setup. Visual test strips or inspection of final rinse can confirm correct levels. Wash results are often an indicator of incorrect dosing.

SECTION 5 - Cleaning & Maintenance

30. What daily cleaning is required?

Drain down
Remove and clean filters
Clean the wash tank and chamber
Wipe doors and seals
Remove and clean wash/rinse arms
Leave door open/hood up overnight to dry

31. What weekly maintenance is recommended?

Full deep clean of the tank, chamber and filters
Check wash/rinse arm jets for blockages
Check water softener, regenerate external softener if required
Inspect racks for damage
Run the Hobart Intensiv Hygiene cycle if machine signals it’s required

32. How often should the dishwasher be serviced?

A 6 or 12-month service is recommended depending on usage.

33. Why are my plates coming out dirty?

Common reasons include:

No pre-scrapping/pre-rinsing
Blocked jets
Dirty filters and chamber
Dirty wash tank water
Incorrect chemicals and/or dosing
Low water pressure
Overloading racks

34. Why does my machine smell?

Usually caused by food debris left in tanks, filters or jets or the machine not being drained down. Daily cleaning will eliminate this. Hobarts Intensiv wash cycle with Intensiv tablets improves the machines cleanliness dramatically.

35. Why is my dishwasher not drying plates properly?

Possible causes:

Low or no rinse aid
Poor rinse aid quality with no drying agents
Hard water scaling
Loading too tightly
Short drying time after cycle

Remember only the Premax undercounter range has a physical drying cycle. The rest of the range air dry as is standard with commercial warewashing.

SECTION 6 - Troubleshooting Basics

36. Why isn’t my Hobart dishwasher draining?

Likely causes include:

Blocked pump or filter
Waste hose kinked
No drain pump (if required)
Incorrect installation

37. Why is my dishwasher leaving residue?

Typically related to chemical dosing or water hardness.

38. Why is there water on the floor after a cycle?

Causes include worn seals, overflowing due to blockage, or hose connection issues. Running your machine almost empty can also cause spillage issues.

39. Why is my dishwasher noisy?

A worn wash pump or debris in the pump housing may be the reason. Engineer inspection advised.

40. Why is my machine not heating up?

Likely a heating element or thermostat issue — requires engineer diagnosis.

SECTION 7 - Delivery, Warranty & Aftercare

41. How quickly can Hobart dishwashers be delivered?

Many models are available for free next working day delivery when ordered before 1pm or 2-4 working days on a standard service. 4 days is usually for areas that are harder to reach, the Highlands for example. Some specialist units may be built to order.

42. Is installation included?

No, but installation can be arranged with a qualified commercial engineer.

43. What warranty do Hobart dishwashers come with?

1 year part and labour. Extended coverage is optional.

44. Are finance options available?

Yes, 12 and 24-month interest-free finance is available on selected units.

45. How do I arrange a service or repair?

Contact the Hobart Service department on 0844 888 7777

If you need additional help choosing a Hobart Dishwasher for your business, consider also reading our Buying Guide.