What do you enjoy most about your dishwasher career?

I like getting paid and having the option of moving to the bar when I am 18.

I don't like working with some idiots and people that slack off every 10 seconds, working extremely ridiculous hours, standing up for the whole time, getting 10 minute breaks for 8 hrs work, and cleaning ramicans.

My favourite parts are having 8 hour shifts without a break and the heavy lifting which involves carrying up to 150lbs around at a time, sometimes upstairs. Getting f bombs dropped on you from your boss for standing still for 2 seconds after working 7 hours of hell without a ******* break. Meanwhile everyone else at work has been sitting down for the last 2 hours. I also love that everyone else gets you to do the jobs that they physically aren't strong enough to do or refuse to do because it's too gross for them. And of course I like getting minimum wage without tips, even though everyone else does and they get free food which you don't. Getting absolute zero respect is also a plus. I've been at this ****hole for a year now cause I can't find another job and I'm absolutely loving it!

123123 in Everett, Washington said: Yea, I have had a dishwashing job for 3 days now.
I make minimum wage and work from 5pm to 10:30pm.
I like the job because the other people that work with my are cool people. The things that tend to get annoying are probably the cooks cutting meat right next to where I wash dishes... or when a little girl wanders passed the ladies room into the room im in and I have to take her to her family. Yep, that ones annoying -.-

I've had my dishwashing job for 3 days too, i work at a mexican restaurant though. I make $700 every 2 weeks and i dont get paid hourly. Likes: I get to eat free food whenever i want, i get a 2 hour break. Dislikes: When im trying to clean dishes and sometimes the cooks or the waiters get in my way, when customers mix the salsa bottles with the soda cups. having to tiny of a work space with only 3 sinks and when it gets busy all 3 sinks fill up fast, and having a broken faucet right next to the dishwasher and it would be a back saver if it actually worked...My manager is a cool guy and all the other workers are nice...other downside: i work with all guys.

I was just offered a dishwasher job in Cleveland, OH. Nothing is certain yet so I don't know how much will I get paid. What to expect?

What do I like about being a dishwasher?

1) $10 per hr + tips.
2) I work with the actual owners of the restaurant.
3) Everyone is really nice to me.
4) I'm pretty much my own boss, no one is constantly over my should telling me what to do etc...
5) I have my own personal system down pact so good that the job isn't even a job to me. The workers think I'm such a hard worker, but to me it's like a walk in the park.
6) I can get a free meal each day I work + a free drink.
7) There's room for quick advancement, but I choose this job because it's what I excel at + it's the best overall job.
8) I don't just wash dishes, I bus tables & help the waitresses, bartender & cooks so time usually goes by pretty quick because I never stop working from punch in to clock out.
9) Everyone that I work with is easy on the eyes.
10) I like the fact that we usually have music playing while working.

Things I dislike.

1) Smelling like a hobo at the end of the night!
2) Always having to buy clothes every so often because my clothes get stained and won't come clean.
3) The heat in the kitchen during the Summer, luckily we have a fan that somewhat helps/ :)
4) Not enough hours.

That's about it in a nut shell.

I forgot to add the following to the dislike section...

5) Cutting yourself, burning yourself & grinding your finger nails down to the bone from scrubbing..., but you get used to it.
6)Finding time to go to the bathroom.

ramicansrule in Cleveland, Ohio said: I was just offered a dishwasher job in Cleveland, OH. Nothing is certain yet so I don't know how much will I get paid. What to expect?

Expect to get screwed over big time.

Ricky in Atlantic Beach, Florida said: No doubt, silverware is an absolute pain in the ass

why not soak them for like 2 min in hot soapy water first. try $h1t to make ur job simpler as long as it gets done!
Psst I'm much faster when I have a system n order in my cramped workspace.

Dishwasher-extraordinaire:3 years n counting.. Losing my fingerprints here :(
hope I find decent white-collar work n fast.

DROp-kick-JErry in Sheridan, Wyoming said: NEGITIVES....

Dish washing, Long days, Wet, tired and sore.
Cold water, leaky faucets. No water pressure. A plastic sprayer that leaks water on your shirt. Servers who can't stack plates. Scrubbing crusted flour, Running silverware, cutting yourself with knives. Screaming hostile co-workers. Shiiti Minimum wage.... No tips. When it appears you do the most work.

Postives

Working completly hammer'd and stoned. Holding an occupation.

i hear the poitives bruv the amount of states ive rocked up to work in is unreal

Love getting almost fired because work hires a apprentice chef that does cleanup duties for 1st year.

bestjobever in Kitchener, Ontario said: Expect to get screwed over big time.

need a change email me midlandman03@hotmail.com we can talk

Nath in Kellyville, Australia said: Love getting almost fired because work hires a apprentice chef that does cleanup duties for 1st year.

need a change email me midlandman03@hotmail.com

chuk fitz in Saint Catharines, Ontario said: im the only dishwasher in a restaurant/best western & banquets gettin over 50 hrs a week i make more than 2 of the managers but i think the key is strong work ethic, respect and havin a good reputation...if u have that evrybody will love u and u will feel alot better at your job nowing u are appreciated. i do 200-300ppl weddings while maintaing regular dining on a seperate floor in the building dining sum nights i challenge any1 here to a dish-off lmao

If you want a change email me midlandman03@hotmail.com

Alex in Dover, New Jersey said: I'll admit, I never thought that there'd be a forum for us dishwashers. I'm only paid $7.50 an hour so you guys getting paid $10 are lucky. I really like the staff and the managers are all awesome but my God is the work depressing. Theres just so much crap to clean and incompetent servers who can't stack or clean plates piss me off. Closing time is a nightmare because all the various tools and pots/pans that were used throughout the night are thrown at you all at once. Even worse is the incompetence of the other dishwashers. I work at a fair sized restaurant so there's usually 2-4 dishwashers at once. The problem is that they always show up HOURS late or not at all. All of them either quit or get fired because of their stupidity. I'm one of the two original dishwashers there because all of the others left. The new guys we're hiring now don't even last a week and the other vet guy I mentioned might quit also. The good thing is that we get a home-cooked lunch and I occasionally get free food from the chefs. All the the chefs like me and despite my short time working here, I've gained the respect of all the managers. I've only been working here 2 months so when can I ask for a raise?

Anyhow, I'd really like to hear the rest of you guys' stories

Need something new email me at midlandman03@hotmail.com

MrTaylor in United Kingdom said: I am a dishwasher and I work all of my weekend so I dont really have time to go out. I work the longest hours because the chefs leave as soon as there finished and so does the waitress which leaves me with all the pots, pans, plates and everything aswell as the bins to take out, t-towels to wash and dry, dishwasher to take apart and clean and put back together and sweep and mop the floor. I do all this for minimum wage and everyone gets paid tips apart from the dishwashers? How is this fair? Is it against law for potwashers not to be paid tips when the waitresses and chefs are, or is it managers decision? any info would be great :D

Dont like your job need a change email me midlandman03@hotmail.com

Travis Pinder in Apopka, Florida said: where do you work?

would you like something a little different let me know midlandman03@hotmail.com

access to free dish soap. opportunities to gain hands-on experience in dishwashing sciences. room for advancement to manager of dishwashers. masochistic satisfaction of being put down as the sludge of the Earth even though I am just as hardworking as everyone else.

Do you want a change e mail me midlandman03@hotmail.com

Mary Julia in Osage Beach, Missouri said: Willing to work flexible hrs/ weekends as steward/ busser for $8+/hr. Avilable, mature HELP ME!!!

If you are over 19 years of age and want a change email me midlandman03@hotmail.com no its no illegal lol

Nath in Kellyville, Australia said: Love getting almost fired because work hires a apprentice chef that does cleanup duties for 1st year.

need something different if you are 19 and over email me midlandman03@hotmail.com no its not illegal

Nathaniel in Mapleton, Maine said: I have been working as a dishwasher for the past 4 months, like most of you I have to sweep and mop the entire kitchen, sort silverware and deal with crappy wait staff who couldn't do my job to save their life. I recently found out that because of work I now have not only carpal tunnel but also possible peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in my hands because of hot water exposure) not only does my boss not care that I have these 2 problems because I am overworked, she blames me for the damage to my hands and is doing everything she can to not pay me for the 9 days and possibly more to come because I cannot move my wrists repeatedly without causing my carpal tunnel to become more severe than it already is. She is also making me see a doctor who doesn't even take the time to do more than a couple tap tests on my wrist to tell me what's wrong with my own body....that is not what a doctor is supposed to do and my usual doctor who I went to see first about it was very helpful and took the time to see the actual problem but since it's now a workmanship comp case I can no longer see him about it....my advice to anyone who wants to be a dishwasher, chose who you work for carefully because you may end up like me, with nerve damage that could adversely affect the rest of my life and a boss that could care less about making sure I get the treatment I deserve and desperately need before the damage gets any worse.....oh yeah, I'm also only 19 so this pretty much messes up all of my plans for the future because everything I am good at requires full use of my hands

Sheila in Southampton, Pennsylvania said: I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. I am a waitress and I am paid $2.50 an hour. Along with serving customers, and some food prep, I am expected to wash all of the dishes, pots and pans etc. I take out all of the trash and vacuum and sweep and mop. Some days there are very few customers. Yesterday I made $22 dollars in tips and did all of the other work I just mentioned. It does'nt seem right. I've never heard of a restaurant where the waitresses do all of that and still get paid $2.50 an hour. Am I a fool?

Yes - who ever heard of a waitress getting $2.50 a hour in the first place. Even if you are new to the job you deserve training wages of at least $6.00 a hour. Find another job!

If yu are in a mom and pop restaurant or cafe then I understand it. But, you need more money and Yes, you are a fool if you stay.

Fred in Laurel, Maryland said: Sheila, if your tips do not bring you up to the minimum wage your employer MUST make up the difference. I think it is complete BS how restaurants pay their staff with this below min wage crap and then have customers make up for it with tips.

It is illegal to pay anyone less then min wage. There are 2 exceptions - if you are hired as a trainie or as an independant contractor. But, it all boils down to the person doing the work. If they are working for family or desperately need a job they may not say anything. I would be looking on the side for a job and then put in my 2 week notice!

MrTaylor in United Kingdom said: I am a dishwasher and I work all of my weekend so I dont really have time to go out. I work the longest hours because the chefs leave as soon as there finished and so does the waitress which leaves me with all the pots, pans, plates and everything aswell as the bins to take out, t-towels to wash and dry, dishwasher to take apart and clean and put back together and sweep and mop the floor. I do all this for minimum wage and everyone gets paid tips apart from the dishwashers? How is this fair? Is it against law for potwashers not to be paid tips when the waitresses and chefs are, or is it managers decision? any info would be great :D

Waitress decision.

Nathaniel in Mapleton, Maine said: I have been working as a dishwasher for the past 4 months, like most of you I have to sweep and mop the entire kitchen, sort silverware and deal with crappy wait staff who couldn't do my job to save their life. I recently found out that because of work I now have not only carpal tunnel but also possible peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in my hands because of hot water exposure) not only does my boss not care that I have these 2 problems because I am overworked, she blames me for the damage to my hands and is doing everything she can to not pay me for the 9 days and possibly more to come because I cannot move my wrists repeatedly without causing my carpal tunnel to become more severe than it already is. She is also making me see a doctor who doesn't even take the time to do more than a couple tap tests on my wrist to tell me what's wrong with my own body....that is not what a doctor is supposed to do and my usual doctor who I went to see first about it was very helpful and took the time to see the actual problem but since it's now a workmanship comp case I can no longer see him about it....my advice to anyone who wants to be a dishwasher, chose who you work for carefully because you may end up like me, with nerve damage that could adversely affect the rest of my life and a boss that could care less about making sure I get the treatment I deserve and desperately need before the damage gets any worse.....oh yeah, I'm also only 19 so this pretty much messes up all of my plans for the future because everything I am good at requires full use of my hands

l a w a y e r theraphy - great for bosses and workers in the know.

I am looking a Restaurants Dishwasher jobs of Kitchen worker

Never knew that there was a forum for dishwashers I have been a dishwasher for 3 weeks on a Saturday night from 5 clock till all the dishes are done and I don't hate the job it's my first job so I didn't expect much but my boss is pretty nice most of the time and get a free meal and drink but it gets really hot back in the kitchen and I hate doing silverware

Never knew that there was a forum for dishwashers I have been a dishwasher for 3 weeks on a Saturday night from 5 clock till all the dishes are done and I don't hate the job it's my first job so I didn't expect much but my boss is pretty nice most of the time and get a free meal and drink but it gets really hot back in the kitchen and I hate doing silverware

Hate the ramicans dude! Silverware is easy! Chuck it in the tray and bam, into the washer

I've been a dishwasher at a truckstop/buffet for 2 days now. I ****ing hate it. We're severely understaffed in the back and the dishes pile up QUICK. There's no air conditioner and they make me prep food and bus tables too. The waitresses are ****ing b*tchy and stupid and will only bring me one or two things at a time while I have to go get the ****ing bus tray. I go home sore, wet and miserable. I make $8 an hour but I wish it was at least $10. The cooks don't try to scrape any of the food out of the pots and trays and it hardens on like cement. I also have to stack all of the dishes and supply the buffet plates. Customers are all fat and greedy and waste ungodly amounts of food, and the waitresses stuff napkins and food down into cups that still have drinks and ice in them. I'm allowed free drinks and food at half price, but because I'm so busy I haven't eaten lunch or dinner in 2 days. Also, I was supposed to get off at 9 the first night and 10 last night, but because I'm having to wash so much I have to stay an hour and a half over. The cooks and preps don't pour water out of treys after preparing raw meat and fish, so I have to deal with it. The dishwashing area is too small to accommodate all the dishes and crap. I dread going to work in half an hour, I could just cry thinking about it.

I work at a place called Bubba Gump Shrimp and I make $9.00 an hour. I don't really hate the job, I just hate the way they go about some things in the place. I work from 6pm to when ever the hell we finish up the dishes. I started about a month ago. I get along with the group of managers pretty well. The servers seem lazy as hell throwing plates on the table with me having to sort out the dishes afterward. Silverware is a pain in the ass, but sorting out the silverware and working the table seem to make time fly by unlike working the machine, assorting the dishes that some out of the machine and washing the pots and pans that constantly pile up. What I do hate though is when the managers take a couple of people from DMO and send them to Prep and other places WHEN WE BARELY EVEN HAVE PEOPLE WORKING IN DMO! And not to mention we don't get any breaks (we go outside and get a drink only to be rushed because the people in the back think you are being lazy)

I'm paid 8.50 an hour and my job sucks. I don't get any tips while doing all the heavy work. The bus boy makes more money than me and does half the work I do. Everyone at the restaurant is lazy and doesn't scrape the food, I'm standing for 8 hours min and never take breaks or else the dishes pile up. Everyone else gets the stand around and do hardly any work while i'm in the back slaving and constantly moving. I personally have to carry 50+ pounds of dirty dishes everytime since noone brings the dishes to me. Dishwashing is the worst restaurant job because you get zero tips even though your doing all the heavy work, you get soaked and have food all over your shirt, hands, pants, and sometimes in your hair. If you ghave a choice of being a busser or dishwasher take the busboy job cause your doing half the work a dishwasher does and you get tips and you actually get to interact with people rather than being secluded in the back with one to talk to but yourself and some dirty dishes.

I'm paid 8.50 an hour and my job sucks. I don't get any tips while doing all the heavy work. The bus boy makes more money than me and does half the work I do. Everyone at the restaurant is lazy and doesn't scrape the food, I'm standing for 8 hours min and never take breaks or else the dishes pile up. Everyone else gets the stand around and do hardly any work while i'm in the back slaving and constantly moving. I personally have to carry 50+ pounds of dirty dishes everytime since noone brings the dishes to me. Dishwashing is the worst restaurant job because you get zero tips even though your doing all the heavy work, you get soaked and have food all over your shirt, hands, pants, and sometimes in your hair. If you ghave a choice of being a busser or dishwasher take the busboy job cause your doing half the work a dishwasher does and you get tips and you actually get to interact with people rather than being secluded in the back with one to talk to but yourself and some dirty dishes.

2.50 in this case would be minimum wage to someone who also makes tips. So you are just complaining about nothing the restaurant i work for seats about 100 people plus they have banquets all the time. I wash tons of dishes every day, do prep work, take out trash and mop. It's not hard at all.

My first day of dishwashing was on fathers day, at a very busy italian restaurant just outside of Denver. The restaurant is at the entrance to Red Rocks, which is a huge attraction. Nobody taught me, they just showed me where to get aprons and towels, and I did eveything else myself. 11 hours on my first day, and i even did all of the closing. Dishwashing is easy as ****, even when its busy. The negatives of the job are that it's boring for half hour then really busy for 10 minutes, it's hot as heck, you inevitably get soaked and dirty, and half the staff speak spanish faster than i can. The benefits are that i don't get told what to do, i get all the free food and free drinks (even beer) that i want, everybody is fairly easy on the eyes, i make 10 bucks an hour, and i can talk to the bartender through my window and watch the tv when theres no business. Overall it's easy, rhythmic, and boring.

^ Sums it up well, but you forgot the part where you burn all the nerve endings off your hands and cut your hands to pieces if you get too distracted.

let me get too work

I can't believe there's a forum on dishwashing....92 comments.

Allright.....raise your hand if your an illegal.

Just wondering...are these dish washers bigger than the ones in a person's home?

Joe Gagill in Monticello, New York said: I can't believe there's a forum on dishwashing....92 comments.

Allright.....raise your hand if your an illegal.

Just wondering...are these dish washers bigger than the ones in a person's home?

Often they are industrial type washers, like this one - www.commercialdishwashers.biz/images/commercial-dishwashers.jpg - where you slide the tray in and close the lid and bam it goes. Usually it has a sump of water that detergent is added to every cycle and clean water is used on the rinse. Takes about 1min for a wash and 30s for the rinse, so it is damn quick.

Nath in Sydney, Australia said: Often they are industrial type washers, like this one - www.commercialdishwashers.biz/images/commercial-dishwashers.jpg - where you slide the tray in and close the lid and bam it goes. Usually it has a sump of water that detergent is added to every cycle and clean water is used on the rinse. Takes about 1min for a wash and 30s for the rinse, so it is damn quick.

Thank you for the explanation and picture.

headed to a dishwasher job in Long Island City today, he says I start immediately so dress to work, what should I wear?

Wear long pants and a breathable shirt, ie polo or something, it gets real hot in the kitchen. I suggest wear trackies on your first shift, however invest in a good pair of long pants ie construction style. Mine are water resistant, which is amazing. Also you will want to wear leather waterproof shoes.

Thanks. I have those types of clothing already. and my black sneaker/boots should be fine.

As long as those sneakers aren't mesh style. Make sure they are completely closed

Ahh Dishwashing...

The Bad:
1. I work extremely long hours (sometimes up to 14) and can't even find time to take a bathroom break.
2. Random parties of 40+ people wich equals around 100 plates, 100 cups, 200 forks 100 knives, up to 50 saute pans and around 5 pizza pans.
3. Cooks wanting me to learn how to cook when I already know how to, but don't have the time.
4 Hot, high-pressure water shooting food and ungodly substances into my face.
5. Not the cleaning of silverware, but the sorting of it, cuz lazy bussers can't do it. ( Apparently their lounging takes energy.)uickly.
6. 5 bussers and 4 waitresses who do not know how to clean plates and stack like-items, even though its their only hard job.
7. A new, 21 year old manager who is so god damn power-hungry that she tries to make me do pointless stuff to show her power. (Even though she is only wait-staff boss so i am her boss haha.)

The Good:
1.I eat all the free food I want, and I get free drinks all day.
2.Pay is steady, so i do not have to worry about getting tips.
3. Some cooks spea k spanish, so I don't have to really listen to them.
4. If I am told to go get something I can simply say that I am busy, and I do not have to get it anymore.
5. THe job isn't that hard, because in the end everything gets done, it's just tedious and boring.
6. I can hook up my friends with work whenverI want, because I am allowed to have up to two more dishwashers, so two of my buddies now work when I do not.

Overall its a easy job, not the best pay, quick advancement, and the days go by q

I've been a dishwasher for for a year now and I absolutely HATE IT. It makes me upset just thinking that i have to go to that crappy job where i work with people that go no where and temperamental chefs who expect us dishwashers to do everything. It's the worst job in the world I hate it more than anything. My shift starts in an hour and I want to cry right now. I'm quitting tonight so wish me good luck!

Dishwasher in Tiverton, Rhode Island said: I've been a dishwasher for for a year now and I absolutely HATE IT. It makes me upset just thinking that i have to go to that crappy job where i work with people that go no where and temperamental chefs who expect us dishwashers to do everything. It's the worst job in the world I hate it more than anything. My shift starts in an hour and I want to cry right now. I'm quitting tonight so wish me good luck!

good luck with quitting your job tonight

I just started washing dishes. I work at a country club, make 8.50 an hour, drink soda all day, and get a free meal. It's perfect.

To be honest, dishwashing iz the worst job ever. I hate it. Although I am good at it I hate the fact that people are having a life while I am here washing dishes. I ALSO HATE IT WHEN YOU ARE VERY QUICK AND FINISH CLEANING EVERYTHING AND THE COOKS ARE BUSY AND GET PISSED BECAUSE YOU ARE TAKING A BREAK AT START GIVING YOU RANDOM $hIT TO CLEAN, or the boss comes ans tells you to clean something. WE COULD ALL DO BETTER THAN THIS!

Sheila in Southampton, Pennsylvania said: I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. I am a waitress and I am paid $2.50 an hour. Along with serving customers, and some food prep, I am expected to wash all of the dishes, pots and pans etc. I take out all of the trash and vacuum and sweep and mop. Some days there are very few customers. Yesterday I made $22 dollars in tips and did all of the other work I just mentioned. It does'nt seem right. I've never heard of a restaurant where the waitresses do all of that and still get paid $2.50 an hour. Am I a fool?