Ecolab Pan Dandy Manual Warewash Detergent - 3.78L (1 Gallon)

Ecolab Pan Dandy is a professional-grade manual warewash detergent formulated for commercial kitchen pot and pan washing in three-compartment sinks. This concentrated liquid detergent delivers long-lasting suds that effectively remove tough food soils, baked-on grease, and kitchen residues while remaining gentle enough for frequent hand washing during busy food service operations.

The 3.78-liter (1 gallon) bottle provides substantial yield for commercial kitchens, with concentrated formula requiring only small amounts per sink to generate abundant, stable suds. Designed specifically for manual warewashing applications in restaurants, institutional kitchens, hotels, catering operations, and food service facilities, Pan Dandy streamlines pot and pan cleaning workflows while controlling costs per wash.

As part of Ecolab's professional warewashing portfolio, Pan Dandy meets the demands of high-volume commercial kitchens where pots, pans, mixing bowls, utensils, and cooking equipment require thorough cleaning between service periods. The non-phosphate formula cuts through heavy grease and food soils efficiently, reducing scrubbing time and labor while maintaining gentle contact with staff hands during repeated daily use.

Why Commercial Kitchens Choose Pan Dandy

Long-Lasting Suds in Hard Water Maintains stable foam even in presence of grease, food soils, and hard water conditions. Suds remain active throughout washing cycles, eliminating need to constantly refresh detergent solution during busy dish washing periods.

Professional Grease-Cutting Power Concentrated formula effectively dissolves cooking oils, animal fats, and baked-on food residues from pots, pans, sheet trays, and cooking equipment. Reduces physical scrubbing effort required, saving time and labor during cleanup.

Gentle on Hands Formulated to minimize skin irritation during frequent exposure. Important for kitchen staff performing manual warewashing throughout shifts without excessive hand dryness or discomfort common with harsh detergents.

Cost-Effective Concentration Small amount per sink delivers substantial cleaning power. Concentrated formula means each bottle lasts longer than standard dish soaps, reducing per-wash costs and reordering frequency for commercial operations.

Fresh, Pleasant Fragrance Light, clean scent improves dish room environment without overwhelming food preparation areas. Professional fragrance differentiates from household dish soaps while maintaining pleasant working conditions.

Key Features

Concentrated Liquid Formula Professional-strength concentration provides superior cleaning power compared to retail dish soaps. Small amounts generate abundant suds, maximizing bottle yield and cost efficiency per sink.

Non-Phosphate Formulation Environmentally conscious formula contains no phosphates while maintaining excellent cleaning performance. Meets environmental regulations and sustainability goals for commercial operations.

3.78L Commercial Size One-gallon bottle designed for commercial kitchen inventory and dispensing systems. Size balances convenient handling with sufficient supply for busy food service operations.

Stable Suds Performance Maintains foam stability even when heavily loaded with grease and food soils. Suds don't break down quickly, ensuring consistent cleaning power throughout wash cycles.

Manual Warewashing Optimized Specifically formulated for three-compartment sink applications, not machine dishwashing. Chemistry optimized for hand washing temperatures, techniques, and manual scrubbing actions.

Pleasant Working Fragrance Light, fresh scent makes dish room work more pleasant. Avoids harsh chemical odors while providing clean, professional aroma during warewashing operations.

Compatible with Ecolab Systems Integrates with Ecolab dispensing equipment and warewashing programs. Compatible with sanitizers and other Ecolab products in comprehensive kitchen cleaning protocols.

Commercial Kitchen Applications

Restaurant Kitchens

Essential for back-of-house dish rooms where cooks' pots, sauté pans, sauce pans, stock pots, sheet trays, and prep bowls require washing between service. Handles heavy cooking equipment cleaning during peak and post-service cleanup periods.

Institutional Kitchens

Serves schools, hospitals, corporate cafeterias, and government facilities with high-volume pot and pan washing needs. Manages large cooking equipment, mixing bowls, serving pieces, and food preparation tools across multiple meal services.

Hotel & Resort Food Service

Supports hotel restaurants, banquet operations, room service, and catering kitchens. Handles diverse cookware from fine dining operations, buffet equipment, and special event cooking gear requiring thorough cleaning.

Catering Operations

Essential for catering companies transporting and cleaning cookware from off-site events. Effectively removes food residues from transport, holding, and serving equipment used at multiple venues.

Quick-Service Restaurants

Manages fryer baskets, cooking utensils, prep containers, and small wares in fast-paced QSR environments. Supports rapid turnaround cleaning during continuous service periods.

Product Specifications

Physical Properties

• Product Name: Ecolab Pan Dandy Manual Warewash Detergent
• Size: 3.78 liters (1 gallon / 128 fluid ounces)
• Form: Concentrated liquid detergent
• Color: Light pink
• Fragrance: Fresh, sweet scent
• pH: Alkaline (typical for warewash detergents)
• Application: Manual pot and pan washing in three-compartment sinks

Chemical Composition

• Type: Non-phosphate liquid detergent
• Surfactants: Anionic and nonionic surfactant blend
• Builders: Chelating agents and water softeners
• Additives: Fragrance, dye, foam stabilizers
• Phosphate Content: Non-phosphate formula (0% phosphates)

Case & Packaging

• Bottle Size: 3.78L (1 gallon)
• Case Pack: Typically 4 bottles per case (verify with distributor)
• Total Case Volume: ~15 liters (4 gallons) per case
• Bottle Type: HDPE plastic with handle and dispensing cap
• Label: Multi-language safety and usage information

Regulatory & Safety

• SDS Available: Safety Data Sheet available from Ecolab
• Handling: Commercial kitchen chemical handling protocols required
• Storage: Cool, dry location away from food contact surfaces
• Disposal: Follow local waste water and container disposal regulations

Usage Instructions

Three-Compartment Sink Setup

Standard Sink Configuration:

1. Sink 1 (Wash): Hot water (110-120°F) + Pan Dandy detergent
2. Sink 2 (Rinse): Clean hot water for soap removal
3. Sink 3 (Sanitize): Hot water + approved sanitizer OR hot water (171°F+)

Detergent Dosage:

• Add 1-2 oz (30-60mL) Pan Dandy per 5 gallons of hot water
• Adjust based on water hardness, soil level, and suds longevity
• Use less in soft water, more in hard water conditions
• Consult Ecolab representative for site-specific recommendations

Washing Procedure:

1. Scrape or pre-rinse heavy food soils into trash
2. Submerge items in hot detergent solution
3. Scrub with brush, scouring pad, or sponge as needed
4. Ensure all surfaces contact detergent solution
5. Transfer to rinse sink, remove all soap residue
6. Transfer to sanitizing sink per local health codes
7. Air dry on clean rack (never towel dry)

Best Practices

Temperature Optimization:

• Maintain wash water at 110-120°F for best performance
• Water too cool reduces grease-cutting effectiveness
• Water too hot causes rapid soap breakdown and staff discomfort

Suds Monitoring:

• Refresh detergent when suds diminish significantly
• Change water when excessively soiled or greasy
• Don't over-add detergent attempting to restore old suds

Heavy Soil Pre-Treatment:

• Soak heavily soiled items in detergent solution before scrubbing
• Pre-scrape baked-on foods to extend solution life
• Use appropriate tools (grill bricks, scrapers) before detergent wash

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Value Proposition

Concentrated Formula Benefits:

• 1 gallon makes 300-600+ wash sink fills (depending on dosage)
• Significantly lower cost-per-sink than retail dish soaps
• Reduced storage space requirements vs. larger volume products
• Less frequent reordering reduces procurement labor

Labor Savings:

• Effective grease cutting reduces scrubbing time per item
• Long-lasting suds eliminate frequent detergent additions
• Fewer water changes needed during busy periods
• Streamlined workflow improves dish room productivity

Quality Maintenance:

• Proper cleaning extends cookware lifespan
• Prevents buildup that damages pan surfaces over time
• Maintains equipment performance and food release properties
• Reduces replacement costs for expensive pots and pans

Safety & Handling

Personal Protective Equipment

Recommended:

• Dish washing gloves for prolonged exposure
• Aprons to protect clothing from splashes
• Eye protection if splashing risk exists

Not Typically Required:

• Respirators (adequate ventilation sufficient)
• Face shields (for normal diluted use)

Safe Handling Practices

Storage:

• Store in original containers with labels intact
• Keep in cool, dry location away from food storage
• Secure to prevent accidental spills or access
• Never store on floor or above head height

Use:

• Add detergent to water, never water to detergent
• Use only as directed for manual pot and pan washing
• Keep containers closed when not actively dispensing
• Never mix with other chemicals (especially bleach)

Spills:

• Contain liquid and prevent drain entry if large spill
• Absorb with towels or absorbent material
• Rinse area with water after cleanup
• Dispose of per local regulations

First Aid

Skin Contact: Rinse with water, wash with soap Eye Contact: Flush with water 15+ minutes, seek medical attention Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting, seek immediate medical attention Inhalation: Move to fresh air (unlikely with normal use)

Comparison: Pan Dandy vs. Alternatives

vs. Retail Dish Soaps

Pan Dandy Advantages:

• Professional concentration for commercial use
• Superior grease cutting for heavy food soils
• Longer-lasting suds in hard water
• Cost-effective for high-volume operations
• Designed for commercial kitchen temperatures and conditions

vs. Other Commercial Brands

Pan Dandy Features:

• Ecolab quality and technical support
• Non-phosphate environmental profile
• Gentle on hands despite commercial strength
• Fresh fragrance improves work environment
• Compatible with Ecolab dispensing systems

vs. Machine Dishwashing

When Manual is Better:

• Large cookware doesn't fit machines
• Delicate items requiring hand washing
• Items needing immediate turnaround
• Cost: Manual washing costs ~$0.40/item vs. $1.00+ in machine (for pots/pans)
• Flexibility during equipment or power issues

Frequently Asked Questions

How much detergent should I use per sink? Start with 1-2 oz (30-60mL) per 5 gallons of hot water. Adjust based on water hardness, soil level, and how long suds last. Soft water requires less; hard water may need more.

Can I use this in a dishwashing machine? No, Pan Dandy is formulated specifically for manual pot and pan washing. Machine dishwashers require different chemistry designed for machine spray patterns and temperatures.

Is this safe for non-stick cookware? Yes, when used as directed. However, always follow cookware manufacturer guidelines. Avoid abrasive scrubbers on non-stick surfaces regardless of detergent used.

How do I know when to change the wash water? Change water when it becomes excessively greasy, heavily soiled, temperature drops significantly, or suds won't regenerate with additional detergent.

Can staff with sensitive skin use this? Pan Dandy is formulated to be gentler than many commercial detergents, but individual sensitivity varies. Provide gloves for staff with skin sensitivities or during prolonged exposure.

How should I store opened bottles? Keep tightly capped in original container. Store in cool, dry area away from food storage and prep areas. Ensure labels remain intact and legible.

What's the shelf life? Typically 2+ years when stored properly in sealed container. Check product for any date codes. Product performance may decline over extended storage.

Is this environmentally friendly? Non-phosphate formula reduces environmental impact. However, like all detergents, use only as needed and follow proper waste water disposal practices per local regulations.

Can I use this for light-duty cleaning beyond dishes? Designed specifically for pot and pan washing. For other commercial cleaning applications, consult Ecolab's full product line for appropriate formulations.

Do I need special equipment to dispense this? Manual dispensing from bottle works for most operations. Ecolab offers automated dispensing systems for high-volume kitchens seeking precise dilution control and labor savings.