Glasses that come out of your dishwasher with a haze like they’ve been in a fog bank? That one wine glass that you rub clean for half a minute before it’s somewhat presentable? Or job students who spend a shift doing nothing more useful than polishing?
There’s just no time for that in your professional kitchen or catering business. Everything has to go fast and there must be nothing to worry about. From coffee cups to wine glasses, your customers expect nothing less than shiny tableware.
That’s where osmosis water makes all the difference. Find out exactly what it is, why it works and how it takes your dishwashing process to the next level here. Spoiler: osmosis saves you more than just lime.
What is (reverse) osmosis?
Osmosis is a natural phenomenon in which water moves through a semipermeable membrane. That membrane allows only water molecules to pass through, not dissolved substances such as salts or minerals. Water thereby flows from a place with a low concentration of dissolved substances to a place with a high concentration, in order to restore balance.
In reverse osmosis – indeed – exactly the opposite happens. Using pressure, we push water through the membrane that allows only water molecules to pass through, but from the side with the high concentration of substances. The result? Ultra pure water, without lime, without minerals, without dirt. Ideal for applications where purity makes a difference – like in your dishwasher.
Applications of reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis can be found literally all over the world, and even beyond. Generating pure water to clean windows scratch-free, purifying water for industrial production processes or converting wastewater into drinking water for astronauts? All thanks to osmosis water.
In the hospitality industry, we use osmosis water in professional dishwashers. It ensures shiny clean dishes, glassware and porcelain, without streaks or stains. This is because the purified water contains no minerals or dirt, which are left behind during drying and thus contaminate your dishes. Osmosis water is completely pure and evaporates without leaving anything behind, except a dazzling brilliance.
This is how the osmosis unit works in your dishwasher
An osmosis unit is a compact system between your water supply and your dishwasher. It purifies tap water just before the rinsing process. Most professional osmosis dishwashers work with a dual connection: one for normal water, one for osmosis water. Often, only the final rinse is done with osmosis water. This way you use this precious resource efficiently and still get the maximum results. Smart and economical.
An osmosis unit requires periodic maintenance to keep it functioning optimally. Consider replacing filters and membranes that become saturated and checking for any blockages. Thanks to this regular maintenance, the water quality remains top notch and your installation will last longer. How often you should check your osmosis unit depends on your water consumption and the hardness of your water. At D’Heldt we include this maintenance in our service for catering equipment.
The benefits of reverse osmosis for your business
More and more hospitality businesses are investing in an osmosis dishwasher. Rightly so, because the results speak for themselves. Let’s take a quick look at why osmosis is such a smart move for any hospitality operator:
- Glasses that shine like new, even without polishing.
- No limescale residue, so your dishwasher and glasses are protected.
- Saving time, because your staff no longer has to polish each glass separately.
- Lower costs, due to less detergent, less wear and tear and fewer repairs.
- A professional look, because details make all the difference.
Environmental friendliness and water consumption of osmosis systems
You may be wondering if osmosis is also environmentally friendly. The answer: yes, if you apply it properly. The process itself consumes a little more water, because some of it is disposed of as wastewater with the concentrated impurities. On the other hand, you need fewer chemicals, you use less energy (your dishwasher doesn’t have to work as hard) and your appliances last longer. So you get a positive overall picture, both environmentally and economically.
Dishwashing solutions with osmosis from D’Heldt
The presence of a reverse osmosis system or the ability to expand your appliance with it is an important factor when deciding which professional dishwasher is best for you. At D’Heldt, you can choose from a wide range of passthrough dishwashers, front loaders and glasswashers from the Dutch manufacturer RHIMA. Some of these appliances, such as the WD-7 and WD-8, use osmosis water for spotless cleaning.
Curious about the possibilities of osmosis for your catering business? Or ready to invest in a way to get your dishes really clean? Feel free to contact D’Heldt. We think along with you, deliver custom work and are ready when you need us. Since 1963 you can rely on us for personal advice on the purest water.