PWVeR

Overview

The Hobart PWVeR is a front-loading pot, pan and utensil washer in Hobart’s PW series. Its chamber accepts 12 full-sized sheet pans or one 140-quart mixing bowl. Timed wash cycles are adjustable to 2, 4 or 6 minutes, with published throughput of 13, 9 or 7 racks per hour, respectively. The PWVeR has an internal condensing system, and the spec sheet states that a vent hood is not required.

The machine is specified for hot-water sanitation. Its Sense-A-Temp booster heater is capable of a 70°F rise. The washer uses 1.2 gallons of water per cycle and has a 21-gallon tank. Standard equipment includes a tray rack, flat grid and flat-bottom rack, as well as a pre-rinse spray hose.

Key Features

• Timed wash cycles of 2, 4 or 6 minutes.
• Throughput of 13 racks per hour on the 2-minute setting, 9 on the 4-minute setting and 7 on the 6-minute setting.
• Chamber capacity for 12 full-sized sheet pans or one 140-quart mixing bowl.
• Ventless operation using an internal condensing system; a vent hood is not required according to the spec sheet.
• Sense-A-Temp booster heater capable of a 70°F rise, with a pumped rinse system.
• Over-and-under rotating wash and rinse arms that are interchangeable and described as anti-clogging.
• Removable stainless steel scrap screens and scrap basket.
• Automatic fill and pumped drain, with a corrosion-resistant pump.
• Microcomputer controls with a digital cycle and temperature display, advanced service diagnostics, and a delime notification and cycle.
• Stainless steel construction and a 12-foot spray hose.
• Standard rack complement: one 12-pan tray rack, one flat grid and one flat-bottom rack.

Specifications

• Model: Hobart PWVeR (also styled PWV eR in the spec sheet).
• Equipment type: Pot, pan and utensil washer; front loading with a single-piece vertical-lift door.
• Wash settings: 2, 4 or 6 minutes.
• Racks per hour: 13 at 2 minutes; 9 at 4 minutes; 7 at 6 minutes.
• Water use: 1.2 U.S. gallons per cycle.
• Tank capacity: 21 gallons.
• Peak drain flow: 18 U.S. gallons.
• Wash temperature: 150°F.
• Rinse temperature: 180°F.
• Booster: Electric, 16.4 kW; Sense-A-Temp booster capable of a 70°F rise.
• Tank heat: Electric, 16.4 kW.
• Motor horsepower: 4.0 HP wash motor and 0.33 HP rinse motor.
• Incoming water temperature: The spec sheet lists 55°F as the minimum recommended temperature. Hot water must be at least 110°F. The installation manual specifies cold water between 55°F and 80°F, with below 65°F identified as optimal.
• Water pressure: 15–65 PSIG flowing pressure. The manual warns that pressure below 15 PSIG may cause improper operation and says a pressure-regulating valve must be installed if pressure exceeds 65 PSIG.
• Door opening: 28 inches high by 26.19 inches wide.
• Electrical, 208/240 V, 60 Hz, 3-phase: Rated current 47.6/53.0 A; minimum supply circuit ampacity 60/70 A; maximum protective device 60/70 A.
• Electrical, 480 V, 60 Hz, 3-phase: Rated current 28.6 A; minimum supply circuit ampacity 35 A; maximum protective device 35 A.
• Single-point electrical connection: Specified on the spec sheet. The dishmachine is not provided with internal GFCI protection.
• Water connections: Hot and cold water connections use 3/4-inch female garden-hose fittings on supplied 6-foot hoses. The drain connection is a 7/8-inch barb fitting, with a 6-foot hose supplied.
• Dimensions shown on the spec-sheet drawing: Approximately 88 11/16 inches high, 32 3/16 inches wide and 37 3/16 inches deep. The drawing notes that dimensions from the floor line may increase by 1 1/2 inches depending on leg adjustment.
• Crated dimensions: 88.47 inches high by 34.86 inches wide by 37.20 inches deep.
• Shipping weight: Approximately 595 lb.
• Approximate heat gain to space without a vent hood: At 208 V, 16,200 BTU/hr latent and 10,000 BTU/hr sensible; at 240/480 V, 20,100 BTU/hr latent and 12,300 BTU/hr sensible.
• Certifications stated in the sources: NSF and ENERGY STAR®. The merged specifications also list cULus and BISSC.
• Warranty listed on the spec sheet: One year for parts and labour.

Installation & Requirements

Have qualified personnel make the plumbing and electrical connections, observing applicable plumbing, sanitary and safety codes. The manual states that installation in Canada must follow CSA 22.1, latest edition; it also references the National Electrical Code ANSI/NFPA 70 for installations where applicable. Confirm local code requirements for the site.

The PWVeR requires both hot and cold water connections. The manual gives a hot-water minimum of 110°F and a cold-water range of 55°F to 80°F, with cold water below 65°F identified as optimal. The spec-sheet connection legend separately lists 90°F as the maximum incoming cold-water temperature. For operating guidance, follow the installation manual’s 80°F maximum; if the cold supply is consistently above that temperature, the manual directs operators to contact Hobart Service. The manual calls for flowing water pressure of 15–65 PSIG. If pressure is above 65 PSIG, a pressure regulator with a relief bypass is required; pressure below 15 PSIG may result in improper operation. The manual recommends a line strainer and an upstream manual shutoff valve. It specifies at least 1/2-inch copper piping outside diameter, with 3/4 inch recommended, and a 3/4-inch male garden-hose fitting.

Electrical supply options are 208/240 V or 480 V, 60 Hz, three-phase, with circuit requirements listed in Specifications. The spec sheet identifies a single-point electrical connection and notes that internal GFCI protection is not provided. The installation manual says to level the machine before making plumbing connections. It specifies at least 3 inches at the rear and 18 inches at the sides for service. The spec-sheet drawing calls for 120 inches of clearance height for door removal and shows suggested minimum service access of 6 inches on both sides. The internal condensing system means a vent hood is not required, according to the spec sheet.

Operation

Select a 2-, 4- or 6-minute wash cycle according to the load. The corresponding published output is 13, 9 or 7 racks per hour. The washer automatically fills and uses pumped rinse and pumped drain systems. Pre-scrape items before washing; the manual cautions that stubborn or baked-on soil may need scrubbing or prewashing and may not come clean even during a 6-minute cycle. For stubborn soil, the manual permits a plastic scraper, plastic abrasive pad, nylon-bristle brush or abrasive sponge before washing.

Do not wash aluminum utensils: the manual warns that caustic detergent and high water temperature can cause black aluminum oxide to form. Copper utensils may need polishing after exposure to utensil-washer cleaning. Stainless steel utensils should clean readily when soil is not baked on. Rinse items thoroughly after scrubbing to remove metallic debris, and do not load items cleaned with steel wool. Keep foreign objects, especially metallic contaminants, out of the machine.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Keep the prep washer clean and do not let food soil collect on the tank bottom. The manual’s end-of-day guidance is to complete a manual cleaning cycle as needed, thoroughly clean and rinse the machine, dry it, and leave the door open. Disconnect electrical power and follow lockout/tagout procedures before cleaning; the manual warns there may be multiple circuits. Clean the rack, scrap basket and strainer screens, removing food soil with warm, soapy water and rinsing thoroughly. Do not use steel wool on the machine or ware, and use only products formulated for stainless steel. Do not apply deliming agent to the outside of the machine.

Follow the machine’s deliming notification and schedule. When the display recommends deliming, choose Yes to proceed or No to continue normal operation; if No is selected, the notification recurs at startup and shutdown until deliming is completed. Before the cycle, remove the rack and strainers, clean them, then reinstall them and close the door. On the PWVeR, check that the delimer container is not empty and that the delivery tube reaches the bottom of the container without kinks or obstructions. Press the enter key to start the delime mode; the machine drains and refills with fresh water, then runs the delime and rinse sequence automatically. The manual gives an approximate total delime time of 1 hour 40 minutes for PWVeR and related eR models. After the cycle, the machine shuts down; leave the door open to air dry.

Wash and rinse arms should turn freely and continue turning for a few seconds after being spun by hand. To check them, disconnect electrical power, rotate the arms and remove obstructions. Keep strainer pans and the strainer basket correctly installed, as debris such as food particles or toothpicks can obstruct the wash system. The motor has permanently sealed bearings and requires no lubrication. Use detergent recommended by the chemical supplier; do not use residential dishwasher detergent or exceed the chemical manufacturer’s recommended concentrations for detergent, rinse aid or lime-scale remover. The manual recommends water hardness of 3 grains per gallon or less, total dissolved solids of at least 50 ppm and chlorides no greater than 50 ppm. It notes that excessive hardness may indicate a need for a water softener.

Troubleshooting

• Insufficient wash pressure: The manual identifies inadequate tank water or an obstruction at the pump as possible causes. Disconnect power, drain the tank and check the strainers, basket and pump intake for obstructions.
• Insufficient detergent dispensing: Check the detergent supply or contact the chemical supplier.
• Mineral deposits or poor cleaning: Deliming may be necessary. Excessive water hardness may indicate a need for a water softener. Check that the washer has been cleaned properly and that the wash arms are not blocked by debris.
• Machine will not operate: The manual lists a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker as possible causes and also directs operators to check the water level in the tank.
• Leaking valves: The manual identifies foreign material at a solenoid valve as a possible cause, including pipe compound or metal shavings lodged at a valve seat. It advises checking the spray-hose valve and contacting service for repairs.
• No wash-tank heat: Check the water level; the low-water detector shuts off heat if the level is too low. A blown fuse, tripped breaker, heater failure or tripped overtemperature protector may also be involved. Contact service for repair.
• No fill or slow fill: A dirty line strainer can reduce water flow. Turn off the water, disconnect the fill hose, remove and clean the strainer screen, then reassemble.
• Excessive water vapour after condensing: The manual says incoming cold water may be too warm. Contact Hobart Service about adjusting rinse and condense times. The manual notes that increasing cycle time increases water use and reduces racks per hour.

For repairs or adjustments, the manual directs operators to contact a Hobart service office.

Applications

The PWVeR is suited to commercial kitchens that need to wash large cookware and food-preparation items alongside sheet pans and utensils. Its listed chamber capacity includes 12 full-sized sheet pans or one 140-quart mixing bowl. The supplied tray rack, flat grid and flat-bottom rack support different load types; a steam pan rack is listed as an optional accessory.