Here’s a riddle: I am unseen, but I make my presence known. What I produce often runs, but never walks. I have no soap and I don't spin, but you can’t clean without me. What am I?
If you answered “booster water heater,” then you know the importance of this unheralded piece of foodservice equipment. Once installed, it's the inconspicuous kitchen workhorse that requires little thought from operators because it does its job day in and day out.
Hot water is the lifeblood for all foodservice operations. Keeping the supply of hot water at the ready is critical to promoting proper hygiene with staff and preventing foodborne illness. Having a trustworthy hot water supply allows operators to keep hands, floors, equipment, work surfaces and — most importantly — dishes clean.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code sets rigid hot water guidelines. Accordingly, the temperature at a hand sink must run at a minimum of 85°F (29°C) and up to 100°F (38°C). Meanwhile, a commercial chemical sanitizing dishwasher requires a water temperature range between 120°F (49°C) and 135°F (57°C). Heat sanitizing commercial dishwashers require even hotter water, 165°F (74°C) during the wash cycle and 180°F (82°C) for the final rinse.
This means operators need to stay consistently compliant — or they will find themselves “in some really hot water.”
Booster basics
The operator’s conundrum is simple: How do I take water that’s hot — but not too hot — and make it hotter?
It is impractical to set a store or restaurant’s source water heater above 110 to 145°F (43 to 63°C). Not only would it be an incredible waste of energy to heat; it would create a scalding hazard at all the other water distribution points. Booster water heaters bridge the gap between a reasonable tap water temperature and FDA Food Code compliance.
A Hatco Booster Water Heater can connect to a wide array of commercial dishwashers (low or high temp) to raise the temperature of their final rinse water to the required levels — and keep them there, so operators have ongoing access to sanitizing water. The bonus of rinse water that reaches 180°F (82°C) is that dishes come out of the machine spot-free.
Let’s get technical
Calculating what size booster is right for an operation doesn’t have to be a riddle. Hatco can help with the math necessary to select a booster with the right size tank. Size too small, and there won’t be enough on-demand hot water to meet dishwashing needs. Size too large, and it may end up costing excess money for installation. Follow the below steps to help your customers size a booster correctly:
- Ascertain the make and model of a customer’s dishwasher and determine its hot water requirements.
- Calculate the amount of water temperature rise it will need. To do this, simply measure the source hot-water temperature at the tap. Subtract that number from the goal water temperature of the dishwasher — likely 180°F (82°C) for a heat sanitizing dishwasher and 135°F (57°C) for a chemical sanitizing dishwasher. The difference in starting temperature and goal temperature is the temperature degree rise.
- Then determine the Gallons Per Hour (GPH) to tell the story of how much water a particular dishwasher uses. This information can be found here or on the manufacturer’s website. This is necessary for determining if the booster water heater size will be able to keep up with water volume demand.
- With the above information in hand, pull out a calculator to see how much energy in Kilowatts (kW) is required. Hatco has a Booster Heater Sizing Formula to help you: (GPH x degree rise) / 400 = kW required.
Jot down the kW requirement. You or your customer will need that to select a properly sized booster.
Connecting calculations to booster selection
You’ve got the power, but you don’t have all the answers. What are you?
You’re somebody who needs a Hatco Booster Water Heater Recommendation Chart, of course.
Turn to the appendix (page 9) of this guide. Locate your kW requirement (round up if needed) in the first column of the chart. Follow the row to the right to identify your recommended booster model or models. Lastly, review the voltage requirements in the chart and ensure you have enough voltage to support the energy it takes to run the unit.
Hatco has a booster option to satisfy just about any kW requirements. If you’re using natural or propane gas, however, the calculation will help you decide between the two different sizes of gas boosters. But we’ll get into that below, so keep reading.
Electric booster options
What uses a current but never floats?
Hatco’s line of electric boosters provides water for either hot water dispensing or point-of-use water dispensing. These electric water heater boosters come in three models that are insulated with fiberglass to minimize heat loss and maximize energy efficiency. They also possess a low water cut-off system — the most important safety device a booster water heater can have — optimizing workflow and saving wear and tear.
The Hatco Imperial Electric Booster Water Heater combines quality construction and technology to provide up to 573 GPH (2619 LPH) of sanitizing rinse water, with a storage capacity of 16 gallons (61 liters). For less capacity, smaller footprint and equal dependability, the Hatco Compact Electric Booster Water Heater has a storage capacity of 6 gallons (23 liters).
These two water heater boosters are designed so dishes and flatware air-dry instantly to save time, space and money. Critically, they feature a Castone®-lined tank with a 10-year limited warranty.
For even smaller, tighter spaces and capacity the Hatco Mini-Compact Electric Booster Water Heater provides 180°F (82°C) water for either hot water dispensing or point-of-use water dispensing. This water heater booster comes in four models that are insulated with fiberglass to minimize heat loss.
Gas booster solution
What runs on gas, has a pilot, but never leaves the kitchen?
The Hatco Powermite® Gas Booster Water Heater provides 180°F (82°C) final rinse water for sanitizing needs and guarantees dependability. This gas water heater booster is designed to fit under the dishtable, near the dishwasher to minimize the heat loss that can occur when heaters are installed in a remote location.
This booster operates on either natural or propane gas and features a burner system that utilizes both primary and secondary air for consistent ignition, meaning it is able to come to life at a moment’s notice.
The booster legacy
What foodservice equipment company represents the past, present and future of booster water heaters?
Hatco now makes a wide range of foodservice equipment, offering everything from salamander broilers to smart toasters to sneeze guards. But, it all began with booster water heaters. Nobody in the market knows more about boosters, and nobody is more committed to supporting their booster use and installation. When the company mascot is named Billy Booster, you can take our word for it.
Proud of our history, Hatco offers a Booster Water Heater warranty that speaks to our confidence in the future as well: one-year parts and labor plus an additional nine years on the tank. More details on installation and care can be found in our handy document library.
Make the connection.
Who can boast the most boost?
Hatco has been instantly delivering hot water to commercial dishwashers for nearly 75 years. Since 1950, Hatco has been turning innovative ideas into efficient, reliable and profitable solutions for its customers. It all began with the Hatco Booster Water Heater. Your next sales call can begin with one too.
For more information, please reference our handy guide: Everything You Need To Know About Hatco Booster Water Heaters.
