In-Flight Caterers

Airline Food Services: A Guide on What You Need to Know as an In-flight Catering Business Owner

For domestic, international, and non-scheduled domestic flights, airline food services plan in-flight menus, prepare meals, and provide food catering services. In-flight caterers make money by serving meals, drinks, snacks, and other eating necessities like flatware, napkins, and cups. Food and water served aboard planes are typically safe to consume, as long as catering companies follow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and are inspected at least every three to five years. However, maintaining sanitized cleaning equipment can be difficult, especially when you do not have enough in-flight catering dishwashers. But, worry no more! When you have an in-flight catering business, a commercial washer is what you need to ease the job.

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You Need a Commercial Dishwasher and Here’s Why

If you are thinking of investing in commercial dishwashers, here’s a quick summary of the best benefits that you can gain for your business:

  • Safer food and beverages for guests

Feel safer knowing that a commercial dishwasher is helping your food service operations with the primary purpose of preventing the transmission of bacteria and other infectious diseases. With the ongoing pandemic, obtain the peace of mind you need rather than stressing about the dangers of hand-washing dishes or serving meals to visitors on unsanitary plates and cutlery.

  • Less staff and lower labour costs

Focus on loading, operating, and emptying the dishwashing machine instead of washing every item by hand if you have an in-flight dishwasher. Also, managing cash flow and adequately allocating funds are also important aspects of running a profitable business. As opposed to paying extra in-flight catering staff to undertake the task that a commercial dishwasher can easily manage, investing in long-term cleaning equipment might save you more money.

  • Compliance with the FDA guidelines

If dishes are washed manually, the FDA requires all food service facilities to have a three-component sink. When you get certified as a business for food service, you are going to need well-functioning equipment that takes care of heat restrictions and sanitization processes.

  • Increased work efficiency

In the airline industry, everything needs to be fast-tracked, and guests must receive the utmost service they need, especially when it comes to food services. It would be best to wash more in less time to keep up with the guests’ demands, so a commercial dishwasher is your best option. The cycles in commercial dishwashers are significantly quicker than those of a standard dishwasher. Commercial dishwashers allow you to serve clean plates and cutlery in a matter of minutes, allowing you to serve tables faster and improve customer experience.

Benefits of Having a Rhima Dishwasher for Your Business

Here are the main reasons why you should choose Rhima over any other dishwasher brands out there:

  • Stainless steel
  • A double-walled door that prevents heat from escaping
  • Easy to use soft-touch panel
  • Temperature and alarm errors on the display panel
  • Use of correct cycle temperatures in compliance with HACCP guidelines
  • Built-in automatic detergent, rinse aid pump, and automatic drain pump
  • Easy to remove nozzles and filter for cleaning
  • Dirty water backflow prevention valve
  • Pre-set cycles
  • Low water consumption
  • Cost-effective and quiet machine

Make Us Your Reliable Partner

Offering in-flight catering services is a complicated business; but, remember that you are one of the essential parts of every flight that a traveller looks forward to. Hopping on a plane immediately makes them excited to think of what food they are going to receive. Thus, their satisfaction is always your priority.

To ease the job with in-flight dishwashers, feel free to contact us for the available commercial washers and services that suit your business. We are excited to be your reliable partner in food catering and make your flight guests’ travel experience safe and memorable!

Our Maintenance Services at Rhima

Preventive maintenance and HACCP testing on Rhima equipment are performed by Rhima personnel who have received appropriate training. They will handle and maintain your dishwasher to ensure that it operates at optimal efficiency, avoiding the danger of a costly malfunction. The benefits of choosing us for your maintenance services include the following:

  • Savings on water, electricity, and overall maintenance costs
  • Lower detergent usage per cycle
  • Prolongs the durability of the equipment
  • Insurance against unexpected major repairs
  • Elimination of unwanted costs and troubleshooting

FAQs

How does a commercial dishwasher work?

  • In a commercial kitchen, the washer is in charge of dishwashing and the entire preparation for operating the dishwasher. Stacking dirty dishes, pre-soaking cutlery in a small tub, placing dirty dishes into a wash rack, and pre-rinsing racked dishes are all steps in the commercial kitchen cleaning process that an in-flight washer attends to. After that, the wash cycle and the rinse-dry cycle start the washing process. The wash cycle uses hot water with a detergent to spray plates with high water pressure to eliminate any leftover food. The rinse-dry cycle employs superheated water as well, but with a rinse agent added. It uses high-pressure water spray to rinse dishes and remove any detergent or food residue thoroughly.

What is the difference between commercial and traditional dishwashers?

  • Commercial dishwashers differ from conventional dishwashers such that they have much higher cleaning needs. As a result, the wash cycles are much shorter and may be completed in a matter of minutes. Although the wash cycles are quicker, the process is comparable to that of a personal dishwasher. Before filling the dishwasher, busier commercial or industrial kitchens also demand more bench space for stacking dirty dishes, pre-soaking cutlery, loading wash racks, and pre-rinsing plates, compared to traditional dishwashers.

Can you leave a commercial dishwasher on overnight?

  • It is advised not to leave them on or run them overnight, just like any other electrical appliance. The high power consumption, friction, and motor in your dishwasher contribute to an increased fire risk. After each usage, make sure the dishwasher is turned off. But, when you have finished using the dishwasher for the day, it is not a smart option to close the door; otherwise, you risk developing bacteria. Let the dishwasher air-dry overnight or during off-operations. However, it is recommended to have a backup dishwasher for commercial services to continuously and efficiently attend to the cleaning services.

How often should you replace the water in a commercial dishwasher?

  • Replace the tank water at least every 20 wash cycles to avoid inefficiently washed dishes – and more if your dishwasher handles more items, such as in airline food services. The equipment may also pause and draw water inside, causing it to malfunction if water is left in the tank. Upon changing the filter, you should also refill the water tank to guarantee that the dishes are always clean. Changing the water can also help reduce bacteria and contamination risks.

What chemicals are used in commercial dishwashers?

  • Commercial dishwashers are composed of various materials, but stainless steel is the most common. Dishwasher detergents and washing chemicals are often used in commercial dishwashers. Dishwasher detergents contain a special formulation that activates when the commercial dishwasher heats up, and the water is sprayed with high pressure.

What temperature do commercial dishwashers reach?

  • According to the FDA regulations, food contact areas must achieve a surface temperature of 160°F to be considered sterile. The water temperature in a dishwasher can range from 120°F to 180°F (48°C to 82°C), depending on the washing cycle.

What is the average wash cycle for a dishwasher?

  • An average commercial dishwashing cycle takes between 90–120 seconds.