Winterhalter Professional Warewashing Systems

Winterhalter is a manufacturer focused on industrial warewashing systems, founded in 1947 by Karl Winterhalter in southern Germany, with its headquarters today located in Meckenbeuren near Lake Constance. Still run by the founder's son and grandson, the family company continues production at its facilities in Germany and Switzerland. What sets the brand apart in the industry is that it has dedicated its entire product development to a single field: commercial warewashing.

The result of this focus is a systems approach that doesn't consist of machines alone. Winterhalter develops undercounter and pass-through (hood/guillotine) type machines alongside conveyor washing lines, washing chemicals, water treatment devices, and basket systems, all engineered to work together.

From UC to Conveyor Lines: Winterhalter Machine Series

At the entry point of the product range is the UC series, which fits under bar and café counters; this series is offered in different sizes and configurations for glass, plate, cutlery, or mixed washing. In the middle segment sits the pass-through — commonly known in the field as "guillotine" — PT series, the subject of this page: the basket is placed inside the body as the hood is raised, and the machine handles the plate-tray load of restaurant and cafeteria volumes with short program times. For high-volume kitchens, MTR-type conveyor systems have been developed, in which baskets advance along a line.

The products positioned around the machines form the second half of the system: the brand's own detergents and rinse aids are formulated to be compatible with washing temperatures; water treatment devices, including reverse osmosis, provide rinse water that leaves no marks on glasses and cutlery. On the digital side, CONNECTED WASH enables monitoring of machine data, while the pay-as-you-go model PAY PER WASH allows payment per wash.

Key Features

• A machine program tiered by volume, extending from the undercounter UC series to the pass-through PT series and MTR conveyor lines
• Machines, detergents, rinse aids, and basket systems developed to work together by the same manufacturer
• A spot-free rinse target for glasses and cutlery through water treatment solutions including reverse osmosis
• Machine data monitoring with CONNECTED WASH and a pay-per-wash model with PAY PER WASH

Choosing a Winterhalter System Based on Business Volume

The first question in selection is how many baskets will be washed per hour: the UC class is sufficient for bars and small cafés, while pass-through PT-class machines come into play for restaurants and cafeterias serving a few hundred covers daily, and conveyor lines for large kitchens with continuous flow. The second question is the type of ware being washed; in glass-heavy businesses, water quality and shine take priority, so a water treatment device should be included in the selection. The third area of evaluation is operating cost: since water, energy, and chemical consumption vary based on program structure, total cost of ownership shouldn't be calculated on the machine price alone.

Industrial Dishwasher Options on Mutfak10

Businesses wanting to compare pass-through, undercounter, and conveyor-type washing systems from Winterhalter and other manufacturers can review the industrial-type dishwashers category on the Mutfak10 sales platform, operated by Arlinoks, and request a quote for a system suited to their business volume.

Frequently Asked Questions

What service volumes are Winterhalter pass-through (guillotine) dishwashers suitable for?

The pass-through (guillotine) PT series is designed for businesses that exceed undercounter machine capacity but don't require a conveyor line; in practice, this means busy restaurants, hotels, and mid-sized cafeterias. The basket-based working method provides an uninterrupted flow of plates and trays from the pre-wash counter to the machine. Since hourly basket capacity varies by model, selection should be based on the dishwashing load during peak service hours.

What is the difference between the Winterhalter UC series and the PT series?

The UC series consists of compact machines that fit under the counter and serves bars, cafés, and small restaurants with size options oriented toward glass, plate, or cutlery washing; the PT series, with its vertically opening body, works pass-through style and supports larger baskets and higher hourly capacity. The deciding factor between the two series is the dishwashing volume during peak hours and the space that can be allocated to the machine in the dishwashing area.

Why is water treatment important in an industrial dishwasher?

Minerals in mains water can leave limescale spots and a dull appearance on glasses and cutlery after rinsing; in areas with high water hardness, this creates additional manual polishing work. Winterhalter's water treatment devices, such as reverse osmosis, aim to reduce mineral load so rinse water dries without leaving marks. For this reason, water treatment should be considered an integral part of machine selection, especially in glass-heavy businesses.