Imagine this: you have just put a load of dirty dishes in the dishwasher and you’re waiting for that beep and once you do, you take the dishes out and unload the dishwasher, but then, you smell something. It’s unmistakable. Your dishes are clean, but they smell really bad. What is going on? Well, here are the reasons why your dishwasher is leading to clean but smelly dishes. Usually, deep cleaning of the dishwasher can fix the problem. If not, contact a commercial appliances repair service.
Reasons For Smelly Dishes In A Commercial Dishwasher
Before diving into how you can get rid of the smell in the dishwasher as well as the dishes, here are some reasons why it can occur in the first place.
The Filter Is Clogged
First of all, there might be food debris still stuck in the filter of your dishwasher. If you didn’t know this already, a dishwasher comes equipped with a filter. It prevents the dried-up food clumps from lodging into the important parts of the dishwasher and causing a wreck.
However, what you want to remember is that this filter also needs cleaning and you have to clean it and get rid of the stuck-up food debris in order for the dishwasher to work perfectly, as well as leave the dishes smelling fresh rather than smelly.
Grease Is The Problem
If you are putting really oily and greasy dishes in the dishwasher, then it will also lead to problems, the main one being the smell that leeches onto the dishes even after they’re done washing.
This can be due to a couple of reasons, but the main one is not dealing with super oily and greasy dishes before you chuck them in the dishwasher. This will solve many of your problems related to smell in the dishes.
Stagnant Water & Drain Issues
If your dishwasher has issues with draining water and the water seems to be stuck and stagnant in one place, then that can also lead to dishes smelling dirty and the dishwasher feeling dank too.
This is why you want to look out for leaks and signs of standing water in the dishwasher. You want to troubleshoot the dishwasher to figure out what is causing the obstruction or clog and then you can carry on with your work.
Drain problems can cause issues in walk-in freezers and other appliances as well. So, inspect your commercial equipment regularly to avoid drain issues.
There’s Mold
Uh-oh, mold is a problem that is really common in a dishwasher, especially a commercial one which is used over and over again. See, a dishwasher deals with water and if it is left wet and closed all the time, then there will come a time when the dishwasher starts to smell really bad and the reason will be mold growth.
This is why you want to try your best to ensure that you’re not letting mold and mildew thrive in the dishwasher, because firstly, it is not sanitary at all, and secondly, it is really bad for the dishes in the long run, and it might ruin them for good, aside from leaving them really dank-smelling.
In addition to that, mold can also grow in refrigerators causing smell and spoiled food. So, regularly clean your refrigerator and hire a commercial refrigerator repair Northern VA technician for scheduled maintenance.
Bacteria Can Be The Culprit
Just like mold, a closed and wet dishwasher that has not been cleaned for a very long time can be the breeding ground for bacterial growth and that is really bad. Not only is it not good for the dishes going into the chamber, because bacteria will contaminate them too, but it will also leave the dishes feeling smelly and just not overall clean, which is not what you want.
So, always make sure that you keep your eyes peeled and your nose alert for any signs of bacteria.
Low Water Temperature
A commercial dishwasher, or any dishwasher in general, works with hot water. This is what leads to a good load of washing and it is also what gets rid of the stubborn stains and grease on the dishes in the dishwasher.
The temperature can be controlled and if your dishes are not smelling like they have just been washed with some good quality detergent, then the reason would be the water temperature. You want to keep the water temperature high, as the manual suggests, and this will ensure that your dishes will come out clean and free from all sorts of odor.
You’re Putting Plastic In The Dishwasher
If you are putting in plastic Tupperware or any other containers in the dishwasher to be washed, and they come out smelling, then this has to do more with the material of the dish rather than the dishwasher or any associated problem itself.
Plastic is more porous than ceramic or glass, which is the most common material used in making dishes, so it has a tendency to absorb more odor and keep it trapped there. This is what leads to really bad-smelling plastic cutlery and utensils and that is really unfortunate.
How To Prevent Dishes From Smelling In A Commercial Dishwasher?
The next order of importance is to get rid of the source that is causing the problem. Here are some things you can try to get rid of that nasty odor in the dishwasher, so that your dishes are safe from the onslaught as well.
Use Grease Cleaners
If grease is the main problem and this is what is causing your dishes to not only smell but turn oily and greasy too, then you need to do an empty cycle with a grease cleaner. You want to use the mentioned quantity in the instructions and run a load with hot water.
You want to try it once and then inspect the dishwasher, and if the smell is gone, then you can stop right there, but if it is still there, then you can repeat the process and you will be left with a clean and odorless dishwasher that won’t lead to smelly dishes.
No Moisture
If you want to get rid of mold or you simply want to take precautionary measures for it, then this is a single and very simple thing that you can try. A dishwasher is wet from the inside after a couple of cycles, so what you want to do is leave the door open either fully for an hour or so, or slightly ajar overnight.
You want air to travel into the chamber of the dishwasher to ventilate and air everything out. This is going to lead to a clean and dry dishwasher, and you won’t have to worry about mold or smell.
Regular Hot Rinses
The dishwasher cleans your dishes. Naturally, the very appliance might also need regular cleaning from time to time in order to ensure that it runs properly. So, depending on the load of work and how big the dishwasher really is, you want to rinse the dishwasher with hot water once a week, if not more frequently.
There is a setting for rinsing the dishwasher, so it’s not a complex task, and you will be good to go for a couple of days.
Conclusion
Smelly dishes are a no-go, especially when you’re working with a food business or even a restaurant. Well, now you know exactly what to do and how to prevent this from happening again. For dishwasher inspections and maintenance, call in a commercial dishwasher repair Alexandria expert.
