Cleaning Detergents for Commercial Kitchens: A Complete Guide to Cleaning Ovens, Dishwashers and Coffee Machines

Cleaning kitchen equipment is one of the most important aspects of running a professional kitchen, whether it’s a restaurant, bar, hotel or catering business. Using appropriate professional detergents not only ensures hygiene and food safety but also keeps machines efficient in the long term by reducing malfunctions and maintenance costs.

Ovens, dishwashers and coffee machines operate under constant stress: grease, food residues, limescale and high temperatures consistently strain their components and internal surfaces.

This guide explains which detergents to use for the most important foodservice equipment, the most common cleaning and maintenance issues, and the most widely used detergent brands in the HoReCa industry.

Professional Oven Detergents

Common Cleaning and Maintenance Problems with Professional Ovens

Daily kitchen operations make the professional oven one of the most stressed pieces of equipment. Frequent problems arise, especially when cleaning is not done with the right products.

Common issues include:

• Buildup of grease and burnt-on residues on interior walls

• Difficulty cleaning fans, gaskets and hard-to-reach areas

• Smoke and unpleasant odours during cooking

• Reduced thermal efficiency and longer cooking times

• Increased wear of internal components

Often these problems are caused by using household detergents or non-specific products, which fail to dissolve stubborn dirt and may even damage the oven’s internal surfaces.

Which Detergents Should Be Used for Cleaning a Professional Oven?

Professional oven detergents are formulated to remove heavy buildups such as cooked-on grease, carbonised residues and daily incrustations. They are typically high-performance alkaline products, far more effective than domestic cleaners.

Using specific detergents allows you to:

• Quickly dissolve grease and cooking residues

• Facilitate manual or automatic cleaning

• Reduce machine downtime

• Maintain oven efficiency over time

Best practices include:

• Choosing a detergent based on the type of oven (static, convection, combisteamer)

• Following the manufacturer’s usage instructions

• Performing regular maintenance to avoid stubborn buildups

Correct detergent choice protects internal components and extends the lifespan of the equipment.

Most Common Brands of Professional Oven Detergents

Manufacturers often require certified or specific detergents to ensure performance and material safety.

Widely used brands include:

• Convotherm

• Eloma

• Lainox

• MKN

• Rational

• Tecnoeka

• Unox

Selecting compatible detergents protects your investment and ensures high hygiene and safety standards in the kitchen.

Professional Dishwasher Detergents

Common Cleaning and Maintenance Problems

Professional dishwashers are essential in any foodservice environment, but improper detergents often lead to:

• Cloudy or streaky glasses

• Food residues on dishes and cutlery

• Bad odours inside the machine

• Limescale buildup on heating elements and pipes

• Reduced washing performance

• Faster wear of internal components

Ignoring these signs leads to reduced efficiency and higher maintenance costs.

Which Detergents Should Be Used for a Professional Dishwasher?

To ensure consistent results, use a combination of specialised products:

• Professional dishwasher detergent – dissolves grease and food deposits

• Professional rinse aid – ensures fast, streak-free drying

• Descaler / decalcifier – essential to remove limescale from internal components

Following the dosage instructions from the machine manufacturer is key for optimal results.

Regular use of suitable products improves wash quality and extends the machine’s operational life.

Most Common Brands of Dishwasher Detergents

• Hobart – powerful cleaning products that are also gentle on internal components

• Winterhalter – professional solutions that prevent limescale and residue buildup while optimising wash cycle

Using compatible detergents ensures improved washing performance and reduces malfunctions.

Professional Coffee Machine Detergents

Common Cleaning and Maintenance Problems

Coffee machines in bars, cafés and restaurants are heavily used. Without proper cleaning, issues arise quickly:

• Bitter or altered taste of coffee

• Limescale accumulation that slows extraction

• Blockages in the brew group and pipes

• Visible residues in tanks or surfaces

• More frequent maintenance interventions

Most issues stem from insufficient daily cleaning or non-specific products.

Which Detergents Should Be Used for Professional Coffee Machines?

Professional detergents are formulated to remove organic residues and limescale without damaging sensitive components.

They allow you to:

• Remove coffee oils and residues

• Dissolve limescale while protecting circuits

• Clean tanks, pipes and dispensing systems

Choose detergents based on the machine type and follow manufacturer instructions.

Regular maintenance ensures consistent flavour and reduces technical service costs.

Most Common Brands of Coffee Machine Detergents

• Gaggia – specific detergents for removing residues and limescale without affecting coffee quality

• Pulycaff – a trusted brand specializing in cleaning solutions for the coffee and bar industry.

• Cafetto – an internationally recognized brand focused on professional cleaning and descaling products.

• Etol – a manufacturer of professional detergents for the foodservice sector, offering dedicated solutions for cleaning and maintaining coffee machines.

Using compatible products ensures reliable performance and meets hygiene standards in professional environments.