Hobart FT900 Flight-Type Warewashers Ensure Efficient Operation

Optional Energy Recovery System Can Reduce Energy Costs by 16 Percent

Troy, OH – February 5, 2009 – Hobart’s FT900 Flight-Type Warewashers are engineered to reduce water use and energy consumption while maintaining all NSF standards for cleaning and sanitizing. Moreover, a new, optional Energy Recovery system, now available for the FT900, that takes advantage of the heat the machine already generates and recycles it to preheat the incoming water supply, resulting in energy savings of 16 percent, or approximately $3,200 per year.

The FT900 can clean up to 14,316 pieces of ware per hour using as little as 72 to 132 gallons of water per hour of final rinse water. Hobart’s patent-pending Opti-Rinse™ technology is the industry’s most advanced water- and energy-saving system, creating a more effective spray by forming an S-shaped pattern across the surface of the ware. The pattern means a savings of more than 59 percent in rinse water and energy over those machines without Opti-Rinse, and saves additional money by reducing the size of the booster heater required.

“Hobart’s advanced Opti-Rinse technology system on the FT900 means that operators can expect to see an average annual savings of $18,325, with larger operations using the machine frequently seeing savings as high as $34,000 a year,” said Allen Hasken, product line manager of Hobart warewash. “Additionally, by using a cold water supply, Hobart’s Energy Recovery system provides customers with an additional energy-saving option that can pay for the system in approximately 15 months, providing significant value for the long-term cost of ownership.”

The Energy Recovery system captures escaping heat and steam from the exhaust air and uses heat exchangers to recycle it into energy. This energy is used to preheat the incoming water supply before it enters the booster heater. The cold ground temperature water passes through a coil positioned directly in line with the machine’s exhaust system to capture energy from the exhaust air to elevate the temperature of the water.

Increased Efficiency Offers Huge Savings
The conveyor speed can be adjusted from 4 to 8.5 FPM to match the type of ware, soiled condition or workforce requirements. Therefore, more lightly soiled ware can be cleaned in less time, while more time can be taken with heavily soiled ware. A 30 ½-inch wide conveyor belt increases volume and versatility for improved productivity.

Moreover, the Power Wash pattern lends optimum cleaning power. A 292-gallon-per-minute (GPM) water flow creates a wall of water. Additionally, V-shaped pegs enhance the spray pattern of the lower wash and rinse arms, resulting in cleaner ware. The FT900 also helps operators work more efficiently. Ergonomic platform heights for staging ware at both ends of the machine minimize reaching, enabling operators to load and unload with ease.

Convenient Digital Controls
The digital control panel provides the operator with crucial information at a glance, such as machine status and temperatures. For example, the panel provides operational indicators when machine is filling with water and also provides alerts, such as when a door is open, to minimize the amount of troubleshooting required.

Durable Design Achieves Long Lasting Performance
In order to help customers achieve the highest return on investment over its entire life cycle, Hobart’s FT900 is truly built to last. Hobart’s heavy-gauge stainless steel construction adds greater structural integrity to support the belt and ware. In addition, the Opti-Rinse nozzle of KYNAR® resin resists corrosion, chemicals, clogging and heat. Totally enclosed, fan-cooled motors are equipped with inherent overload protection for longer life while corded and cabled, prewired connections reduce the potential for water and moisture damage. The control panel is water resistant and low-water sensors for the power wash rinse tanks protect the heating elements. Other features include:

• An exclusive removable flush arm rinses food scraps from the loading section into the prewash area scrap basket
• Debossed stainless steel wash arm manifolds slide in and out on a rail, making it simple to remove for easy cleaning
• The auto-position rinse arms ensure that the arms and nozzles are properly seated in the machine to provide a consistent sanitizing rinse pattern
• Large, hinged access doors provide easier access to the interior for cleaning
• Lift-off panels at the load and unload ends improve access under the conveyor for easier cleaning
• Coved corners and limited welded seams make cleaning the drawn tank easier

About Hobart
Hobart is the world leader in commercial food equipment and service for the foodservice and food retail industries. Hobart, an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year, manufactures products for warewashing and waste handling; food preparation; Baxter bakery; cooking; weighing, wrapping and labeling systems; and Traulsen refrigeration. Hobart equipment is supported by a national network of nearly 1,700 factory-trained service technicians and 200 locations across the United States. To learn more about Hobart, visit www.hobartcorp.com.

Media Contact

Tammy Monroe, APR
Associate Director - Public Relations
HSR Business to Business
(513) 346-3436
hobart@hsr.com