Passthrough Dishwashers
Passthrough dishwashers (hood-type dishwashers) for Australian restaurants, pubs, clubs and catering kitchens — high-throughput warewashers where racks slide in at bench height, the hood pulls down, and a full rack of plates comes out clean in a one-to-two-minute cycle. This range is part of our wider commercial dishwasher range; if you're washing smaller volumes under a bench, compare underbench commercial dishwashers instead.
Who passthrough dishwashers are for
A passthrough is the standard dish machine for venues washing beyond what an underbench can keep up with — roughly the point where you're feeding plates continuously through service rather than in batches. Restaurants and pubs run them at the dish pit between inlet and outlet benches; clubs and function venues rely on the straight-through rack flow to clear hundreds of covers; commercial kitchens spec them because staff load at bench height instead of stooping to an undercounter door.
What's in scope
Hood-type passthrough dishwashers
The classic pull-down-hood machine taking standard 500mm racks, from value workhorses through to premium European warewashers with heat-recovery options.
Pot and utensil passthrough washers
Heavier machines with taller hood clearance for pots, trays and utensils that won't fit a standard rack.
Corner and straight-through configurations
Passthrough machines work in a straight line or as a corner station depending on your bench layout — the machine itself is the same; the inlet and outlet benches set the flow.
How to choose a passthrough dishwasher in three steps
Picking the right passthrough dishwasher comes down to three questions, in order.
Step 1 — Match rack rate to your covers
Check the racks-per-hour rating against your peak service: count how many racks of plates, glasses and cutlery your busiest hour produces and leave headroom. Cycle times around one to two minutes per rack are typical across the range.
Step 2 — Plan the bench flow
A passthrough needs an inlet bench (usually with a sink for scraping and pre-rinsing) and an outlet bench for clean racks. Decide straight-through or corner flow from your room shape, and pair the machine with matching dishwasher inlet sinks and outlet benches.
Step 3 — Check power, water and extraction
Most passthrough machines need three-phase power and a compliant water connection, and the steam plume on hood lift may need mechanical extraction depending on your local requirements. Confirm site services before ordering — it's the most common install delay.
Venue fit
Pubs and mid-size restaurants typically run one hood machine between benches at the dish pit; clubs, hotels and caterers step up to higher rack rates or heat-recovery models to cut energy cost per rack. Browse by brand — ESWOOD and Fagor both feature in this range — and kit the pit out with dishwasher racks, stands and accessories.
Popular models: two strong starting points are the Blast Wash AT50H passthrough dishwasher as the value workhorse, and the Washmaster WM50H passthrough commercial dishwasher for a heavier-duty pit.
Comparing machine types before you commit? Read our commercial dishwasher buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a passthrough dishwasher?
A passthrough (or hood-type) dishwasher is a commercial dish machine where racks slide in at bench height from an inlet bench, a hood pulls down over the rack for the wash cycle, and the clean rack pushes through to an outlet bench. The straight-through flow and short cycles make it the standard machine for venues washing continuously through service.
What's the difference between a passthrough and an underbench dishwasher?
An underbench dishwasher is a front-loading machine that sits below the bench and suits lower volumes; a passthrough loads at bench height and processes racks continuously with a faster workflow, since staff never bend or break the wash line. If your kitchen washes in constant streams rather than batches, the passthrough earns its bench space.
How many racks per hour does a passthrough dishwasher wash?
Rack rates vary by model and cycle setting — typical hood machines run cycles of roughly one to two minutes per 500mm rack, and each product page lists the rated racks per hour. Size against your busiest hour with headroom rather than your average day.
Do I need special benches for a passthrough dishwasher?
Yes — a passthrough is designed to sit between an inlet bench (where dirty racks are scraped, pre-rinsed and queued, usually with a sink) and an outlet bench for clean racks. Matching inlet and outlet sink benches are available to suit straight-through or corner layouts.
What power and water does a passthrough dishwasher need?
Most passthrough machines require a three-phase electrical connection plus compliant hot or cold water supply and drainage, with exact requirements listed per model. Confirm your site's power, water and any extraction requirements with your electrician and plumber before ordering, as services are the most common cause of install delays.
Do you deliver passthrough dishwashers across Australia?
Yes. Commercial Kitchen Store ships nationwide — Brisbane, the Gold Coast and every other metro and regional area — with Australian-based phone support on 1300 111 901 to help spec the machine and benches. For cover details, see our warranty and service information.