Semi- commercial Dishwasher?

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One could purchase washing machines both domestic and commercial with drums/cylinders made from wood well into the 1920's. When have time will post some links. The "Thor" cylinder washer came in both wood and metal drums, but by late 1920's early 1930s IIRC only metal was offered.

Wood has many benefits over some metals. Remember stainless steel wasn't invented until 1913, and until rather recently historically was very expensive. Porcelain enamel on steel also is costly and that process wasn't perfected until (IIRC) post WWII.

That leaves the two most common metals for wash tubs; galvanized steel, or copper. Both have draw backs that range from rust (even galvanized metals will sooner or later), to reaction with various chemicals, soaps and whatever used for laundry.

The first commercial "washer-extractor" was invented in 1954. Prior to that *all* commercial/industrial laundries washed, rinsed, and maybe starched in one machine (washer), then transferred the wash to extractor.

Here again is a clip from 1940's showing how the "Easton Laundry" did things. This was common for all laundries world over again until washer/extractors came on the scene. In fact many laundries stuck with this system long after and some still do for reasons of their own.



Wash only versus wash/extractor.

There was then and still is a huge debate among professional laundrymen (or women) about extracting between wash and first rinse, then each subsequent rinse until final spin.

OTOH there are those who feel spinning laundry pulls "dirty water" through clean laundry as it passes via extraction.

Those on other side of fence point to decreased water usage that interim extract cycles offer, and that washing is cleaner due to lack of carry over between cycles.

Interestingly the huge tunnel/batch washers that are coming to dominate commercial/industrial laundries do *NOT* extract between wash or any of rinse cycles. Water is only extracted at end of cycle before goods are transferred to dryers or ironers.



Many early European front loaders well into the 1990's did not spin after main wash, nor in fact until maybe after two or three rinses (out of total of five or maybe even six). My Miele W1070 only does a short spin after three rinses, with a full spin before final rinse. As you can imagine at about 10 gallons per fill that uses quite a lot of water.

European consumer testing magazines often found rinsing ability of these machines wanting.
 
You are so knowledgeable Laundress...

You remind me of my junior high Home Ec teacher, Mrs. Pickett. She taught us all sorts of cool things that I still remember today. I think it might be your profile picture too. It kind of looks like her.
 
Cool beans!

I think it's only been a Staber washer that I've seen with an H-axis in the top loading configuration. I would have never expected the tumble dryers to be built in a similar configuration! I've just started flipping through this and can't wait when I have the time to read this page by page.

Those open pulleys look a bit dangerous. I wonder how many people were maimed by carelessly bumping or leaning into the workings of the machinery? Then again, maybe people were much more attentive then than they are now, kind of like drivers today with lane assist, park assist, backup cameras, power steering, ABS, etc. and drivers from long ago who had to do without any of those kinds of things.
 
Church Use

22 years ago our church installed 2 home type Whirlpool dishwashers, relatively BOL. Not a repair needed yet on either. Typically our gatherings would consist of 35-50 people, but on occasion we've had maybe 80 people, when the machines had to be run a couple of times each. But with a 30 minute wash cycle, that's do-able. (we stop them just before the drying cycle, then reload). They're still chugging along, doing quite well. In a church setting, at least in the State of MO, one is not subject to meeting commercial standards, although our hot water is 150 F, about 6 feet from the water heater (not much opportunity to cool down) and they do a remarkable job. Large pans are washed by hand. Serving ware goes in the dishwashers. Many of our events are for breakfasts, so the machines can be loaded before church starts, then again afterward - works out fine. Just our experience.
 

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