Champion Dishwasher Cleaning

Cleaning and caring for your Champion dishwasher not only ensures it remains fully functioning, but it also ensures that your flatware, dishes and cookware remain safe to use. Whether it’s throughout the day or at the end of a shift, cleaning a Champion dishwasher is an important part of your commercial kitchen cleaning routine. Learn how to properly take care of your Champion dishwasher with the instructions below.

This guide covers several Champion dishwasher models, including Door Types MD-1000HT and MD-1000LT, Rack Conveyor E-Series models and Undercounter UH-Series models.

Cleaning Door Type Dishwashers

Cleaning the MD-1000HT and MD-1000LT

• Step 1. Fully close the doors and keep the power switch in the ON position.
• Step 2. Push and hold the FILL/DRAIN switch downward in the DRAIN position for 15-20 seconds to drain the wash tank completely.
• Step 3. Raise the doors fully to allow the interior to cool down.
  • NOTE. Use caution when opening the doors, as the surface may be hot.
• Step 4. Rinse the interior with clean water and wipe down with a soft cloth.
  • NOTE. Do not scrub the interior with harsh cleaners or scouring pads.
• Step 5. Close the doors fully so the dishwasher can automatically start a normal cycle. Once the cycle has completed, push and hold the FILL/DRAIN switch downward to the DRAIN position to drain the wash tank.
• Step 6. Turn the dishwasher's power switch to the OFF position.
• Step 7. Remove and clean the circular wash tank screen.
• Step 8. Check the overflow/drain assembly to make sure the drain seat is clean.
• Step 9. Loosen the upper and lower thumbscrews. but do not remove. then remove the upper and lower spray arms. Flush the spray arms nozzles and inspect the bearing O-rings for significant wear or damage.
• Step 10. Replace the interchangeable spray arms and tighten the thumbscrews.
• Step 11. Replace the circular tanks screen.
• Step 12. Remove the lower scrap screen and empty the debris. Flush both sides thoroughly with clean water.
• Step 13. Clean and flush the drain pan with clean water.
• Step 14. Wipe down the exterior of the dishwasher with a soft cloth.
  • NOTE. Do not scrub the interior with harsh cleaners or scouring pads.
• Step 15. Replace the lower scrap screen, circular screen and prop the doors open overnight so the interior can thoroughly dry.
• Step 16. Check the chemical supplies to ensure there are enough for the next shift.

Cleaning Rack Type Dishwashers

Daily Cleaning (or Every 2 Hours of Operation)

• Step 1. Turn off the power to the unit.
• Step 2. Pull the drain lever(s) and allow the water to fully empty. Remove the scrap screens and scrap baskets. Clean the inside of the tanks and then flush with clean water, and flush the scrap screens until they’re clean.
  • NOTE. Do not strike the screens or baskets against solid objects to clear.
• Step 3. Remove the spray arm assemblies, then remove the end cap from each spray arm.
• Step 4. Flush the spray arms and nozzles thoroughly to remove debris.
• Step 5. Check the condition of the manifold O-ring and replace the end caps.
• Step 6. Reinstall the spray arms.
• Step 7. Remove the curtains and clean them, allowing them to dry thoroughly at the end of the day.
• Step 8. Prop the doors open to allow the interior to dry in between use.
• Step 9. Check the Final Rinse nozzles to ensure that they’re clear of mineral deposits.
• Step 10. Use a straightened metal paper clip to clean the nozzles.
• Step 11. While in operation, check the temperature and pressure gauges.
• Step 12. Check the unit for any signs of water leaks.
• Step 13. Check the levels of the chemical supplies and refill as needed.

End of the Day Cleaning

• Step 1. Complete Steps 1-10 from the Daily Cleaning instructions.
• Step 2. Remove the upper and lower spray arms, rinse arms and end plugs. Flush with clean water.
• Step 3. Remove the Dual Rinse (DR) rinse arm assemblies and flush with clean water.
• Step 4. Clean the Final Rinse arm nozzles with a small, straightened paper clip.
• Step 5. Remove the curtains and rinse with clean water.
  • NOTE. Do not use steel wool on the interior of the unit.
• Step 6. Wipe the interior and exterior of the unit with mild detergent and a soft, clean cloth.
• Step 7. Reassemble the unit and prop the door open so the interior can dry overnight.
• Step 8. Proceed with a de-liming procedure if necessary.

Cleaning Undercounter Dishwashers

After Each Meal Period or Every 8 Hours of Operation. For Models UH200B, UH200, UH170B, and UH170

• Step 1. Open the door to the dishwasher.
• Step 2. Press the power switch to the OFF position. The power switch light will turn off as well.
• Step 3. Close the dishwasher door.
• Step 4. The in-cycle light will turn on and the unit will drain, fill back up with water and then perform three short cycles before draining completely once more.
• Step 5. Once completed, the in-cycle light will turn off.
• Step 6. Carefully remove the scrap screen to ensure waste particles and other debris doesn’t fall into the sump.
• Step 7. Clean the scrap screen by flushing and back-flushing it with clean water.
  • NOTE. Do not strike the screen against solid objects or surfaces.
• Step 8. Inspect the sump for debris or other foreign materials and clean as needed.
• Step 9. Replace the scrap screen, and check to make sure that the spray arms turn freely.
• Step 10. Check the levels in the chemical containers and refill as needed.
• Step 11. Close the door and return to the normal operation setting.

After Each Meal Period or Every 8 Hours of Operation. For Models UH100B, UH100, and UL100

• Step 1. Open the door of the dishwasher.
• Step 2. Press the power switch downward to the OFF/DRAIN position. The power switch light will turn off.
• Step 3. Close the door to the dishwasher.
• Step 4. The in-cycle light will turn on and the dishwasher will drain.
• Step 5. Once the drain cycle has completed, the in-cycle light will turn off.
• Step 6. Carefully remove the scrap screen so that debris or waste particles don’t fall into the sump.
• Step 7. Clean the scrap screen by flushing and back-flushing it with clean water.
  • NOTE. Do not strike the screen against solid objects or surfaces.
• Step 8. Inspect the sump for debris or other foreign materials and clean as needed.
• Step 9. Replace the scrap screen, and check to make sure that the spray arms turn freely.
• Step 10. Check the levels in the chemical containers and refill as needed.
• Step 11. Close the door and return to the normal operation setting.

End of the Day Cleaning. For Models UH200B, UH200, UH170B, and UH170

• Step 1. Perform Steps 1-8 from the Daily Cleaning instructions for the same models.
• Step 2. Remove the upper and lower rinse and wash spray arms. The spray arms are interchangeable.
• Step 3. Disassemble the rinse arm, retaining spacer and rinse arm pin.
• Step 4. Flush out the rinse arm with clean water.
• Step 5. Check the rinse arm bearing for wear, and contact a certified service technician to replace if needed.
• Step 6. Clean the Final Rinse arm nozzles using a straightened paper clip or piece of wire.
• Step 7. Reassemble the rinse arm.
• Step 8. Remove the wash arm assemblies and flush out with clean water.
• Step 9. Check the wash arm bearings for wear and contact a certified service technician if replacement is needed.
• Step 10. Check the wash tank heating element and tank probes for scale build-up. Carefully remove any build-up with a stainless steel scouring pad.
  • NOTE. Do not use steel wool.
• Step 11. Wipe down the exterior and interior of the unit with a mild detergent and a soft cloth. Do not hose down the exterior afterwards.
• Step 12. Reassemble the dishwasher and prop open the doors to allow it to dry overnight.

End of the Day Cleaning. For Models UH100B, UH100, and UL100

• Step 1. Perform Steps 1-11 from the Daily Cleaning instructions for the same models.
• Step 2. Remove the upper and lower rinse and wash spray arms. The spray arms are interchangeable.
• Step 3. Flush out the wash arm and wash arm nozzles with clean water.
• Step 4. Check the wash arm bearings for wear and contact a certified service technician if replacement is needed.
• Step 5. Check the wash tank heating element and tank probes for scale build-up. Carefully remove any build-up with a stainless steel scouring pad.
  • NOTE. Do not use steel wool.
• Step 6. Wipe down the exterior and interior of the unit with a mild detergent and a soft cloth. Do not hose down the exterior afterwards.
• Step 7. Reassemble the dishwasher and prop open the doors to allow it to dry overnight.

For more cleaning and troubleshooting instructions, check out our full library of Champion manuals.

Please contact a local authorized service agent who can help with these specific units and all your commercial kitchen equipment needs.