Water Softeners

The EWC 8 Litre Manual Water Softener is a compact inline unit designed to protect small commercial glasswashers and undercounter dishwashers from the effects of hard water. It works by passing the incoming cold water supply through a resin bed, which exchanges calcium and magnesium ions for sodium — delivering softened water to the machine with no electrical connection required.

Hard water is one of the most consistent causes of premature wear in warewashing equipment. Scale accumulates on heating elements, spray arms, and internal pipework over time, gradually degrading wash quality and shortening machine life. In medium-to-hard water areas, the damage can be measurable within months. Fitting an inline softener on the cold water feed is one of the most straightforward protective measures an operator can take.

• Protects heating elements and spray arms from limescale accumulation
• Helps maintain consistent wash and rinse results over time
• No electrical supply required — fits directly on the cold water feed
• Stainless steel construction suited to a commercial environment
• Manually regenerated with salt, keeping ongoing running costs low

The unit connects via the fitted flexible hose to the machine's cold water inlet. Regeneration is a manual process using salt, carried out once the resin capacity is exhausted. How often that's needed depends on local water hardness — operators in very hard water areas should expect to regenerate more frequently. This unit is not suitable for ice machines, coffee equipment, combi ovens, or any application where the water forms part of a consumable product.

This softener is well suited to small single-phase glasswashers or undercounter dishwashers in lower-volume settings such as small bars, cafés, or staff canteens. For higher-throughput sites, larger machines, or areas with severe water hardness, a higher-capacity unit is likely to be the more practical long-term choice.

If you're unsure whether this unit is the right fit for your machine or your local water conditions, the team is happy to talk it through before you commit to an order.

The EWC 16 Litre Manual Water Softener is an inline water treatment unit designed to protect commercial dishwashers and glasswashers from the effects of hard water. It connects directly to the cold water feed supplying the machine and passes incoming mains water through a resin bed, which exchanges hardness minerals — primarily calcium and magnesium — for sodium ions. The result is softened water delivered to the machine on an ongoing basis, with no electrical connection required. Regeneration is handled manually using standard dishwasher salt.

Hard water is one of the more consistent causes of premature wear in commercial warewashing equipment. Limescale builds progressively on heating elements, spray arms, and internal pipework, reducing wash performance over time, drawing more energy, and compressing the intervals between required servicing. Treating the water before it reaches the machine is a straightforward way to slow that process and maintain reliable results across the machine's working life.

From an operational standpoint, the practical advantages include:

• Reduces limescale accumulation on heating elements, helping sustain consistent wash temperatures
• Extends intervals between descaling treatments, easing routine maintenance demands
• Helps protect internal components and pipework over time
• No power supply required — simple to fit and operate
• Flexible hose connection aids installation in tight under-counter spaces

Because regeneration is a manual process, kitchen staff will need to monitor usage and treat the resin bed with salt at appropriate intervals. It is worth factoring this into your regular cleaning schedule. The unit is sized for a single dishwasher or glasswasher and is not intended for equipment that produces consumable output, such as ice makers or coffee machines.

This softener is well suited to pubs, cafes, and smaller restaurant operations running a single commercial dishwasher or glasswasher in a hard or medium-hard water area. Sites with multiple machines or significantly higher throughput would be better served by a larger or twin-tank softening system.

If you are working out whether this unit is the right match for your water conditions or machine setup, we are happy to talk it through.

The EWC 12 Litre Manual Water Softener is a compact inline unit designed to reduce water hardness in the supply line feeding a commercial dishwasher or glasswasher. It works by passing incoming water through a resin bed that exchanges calcium and magnesium ions — the minerals responsible for limescale — for sodium ions, delivering softened water to the machine without requiring any electrical connection.

Hard water is one of the most consistent causes of premature failure in commercial warewashing equipment. Limescale accumulates progressively on heating elements, spray arms, and wash chamber surfaces, reducing cleaning effectiveness, increasing energy consumption, and shortening equipment life. Fitting a softener upstream of the machine addresses the problem at source rather than managing the consequences later.

For day-to-day operation, this unit offers a straightforward set of practical advantages:

• No electrical connection required — purely plumbed inline installation
• Regenerates manually using standard salt — no automated controls to maintain or calibrate
• Stainless steel construction suited to commercial kitchen environments
• Flexible hose fitting included to ease connection to existing pipework
• Compact footprint suits installations where under-sink space is limited

Installation requires the unit to be plumbed into the cold water supply line ahead of the machine. Regeneration is a manual process — the operator flushes the resin bed with salt solution at intervals determined by local water hardness and daily throughput. It is worth noting that this softener is not appropriate for equipment producing a consumable output, such as ice machines, coffee equipment, or combi ovens with steam injection. Those applications require a separately filtered or treated supply.

This unit is well suited to small cafés, bars, pubs, and hospitality operations running a single glasswasher or compact dishwasher in a hard water area. Sites with higher-throughput machines, harder water, or multiple units to protect should consider a larger-capacity softener to match the demand.

If you are unsure whether this unit is the right match for your machine or your local water conditions, the team is happy to help you work it out before you commit.

The EWC 20 Litre Manual Water Softener is a compact inline unit designed to protect commercial dishwashers and glasswashers from limescale damage in hard or very hard water areas. It works by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions in the incoming mains supply for sodium ions, delivering softened water directly to the machine before it enters the wash cycle. No electrical connection is required — the unit operates entirely on water pressure, which keeps installation reasonably straightforward alongside most under-counter or pass-through dishwasher setups.

Hard water is one of the more consistent causes of early dishwasher deterioration in commercial kitchens. Scale builds gradually on heating elements, spray arms, and pump components, reducing wash performance and increasing energy consumption well before a machine reaches the end of its working life. An appropriately sized inline softener addresses that directly and helps sustain consistent results across a busy service period.

• Protects heating elements and spray arms from progressive limescale accumulation
• Helps maintain consistent wash and rinse performance over time
• No electrical supply required — fits neatly alongside existing pipework
• Stainless steel construction suited to a commercial kitchen environment
• Flexible hose connection allows installation in tighter under-counter spaces

The resin bed that captures hardness minerals will exhaust over time and requires periodic regeneration using salt. How frequently that is needed depends on your local water hardness level and the daily volume your machine processes — sites with very hard water or high throughput will regenerate more often. It is also worth noting that this unit is intended specifically for dishwashers and glasswashers; it is not appropriate for ice machines, coffee equipment, or combi ovens, which require different filtration treatment.

This unit is well suited to smaller operations running a single dishwasher or glasswasher in a hard water area. Sites with higher throughput, more frequent wash cycles, or particularly severe water hardness may find a larger-capacity softener a more practical long-term choice.

If you are unsure whether this size is right for your water conditions or daily usage, we are happy to talk it through before you order.

The Classeq WS16-SK is an external base exchange water softener designed specifically for use with Classeq G500, D500 and P500 series warewashers. It works by passing the incoming mains water supply through an ion exchange resin bed, which removes the calcium and magnesium ions responsible for limescale formation before that water ever enters the wash cycle. The result is consistently softened water delivered to the machine throughout service.

In hard and very hard water areas — which covers a significant portion of the UK — running a commercial warewasher on untreated mains water leads to progressive scale build-up on heating elements, spray arms and internal pipework. This reduces wash performance over time, increases energy consumption as scale insulates heating elements, and is one of the most common causes of avoidable breakdown callouts. The WS16-SK addresses this at the point of supply rather than relying solely on rinse aid and in-tank treatments to manage the problem after the fact.

From an operational standpoint, fitting this softener alongside a P500, D500 or G500 washer tends to produce cleaner, spot-free results on glassware and crockery, reduces the frequency of descaling, and helps keep the machine running closer to its designed performance over its service life. Key practical advantages include:

• Reduces limescale accumulation on heating elements and internal components
• Helps maintain consistent wash and rinse results throughout service
• Lowers the risk of scale-related breakdowns and associated repair costs
• Compatible with Classeq G500, D500 and P500 warewasher models
• Straightforward to regenerate using standard block or granular salt

Installation requires connection to the cold mains supply feeding the warewasher, with enough adjacent floor or wall space to accommodate the unit. At 20kg when loaded with resin, positioning and securing it correctly during installation is worth planning ahead. The WS16-SK is well suited to medium-volume operations — cafés, pub kitchens, school canteens and similar sites — running one of the compatible Classeq washers. For very high-throughput sites with extremely hard water, it is worth discussing whether a larger-capacity softener would be more appropriate for the volume of water being processed each day.

If you are unsure whether this softener is correctly sized for your site or water hardness level, we are happy to talk it through before you order.

The Classeq WS12-SK is an external base exchange water softener designed to protect smaller undercounter warewashers — specifically the Classeq G350, G400, and D400 models — from the damaging effects of limescale. Rather than treating the machine after scale has formed, it conditions the incoming water supply before it reaches the wash tank, significantly reducing the mineral content that causes scale build-up in the first place.

In hard water areas, limescale is one of the most common causes of premature warewasher failure. It accumulates on heating elements, spray arms, and pump components, reducing wash quality gradually before the problem becomes obvious. Operators often only notice when results start to deteriorate or the machine becomes noisy — by which point internal damage may already have occurred. Running a machine without a softener in a hard water area can also invalidate the manufacturer warranty, which is a practical risk worth considering before skipping this step.

Fitting the WS12-SK brings several direct operational benefits:

• Reduced limescale build-up on internal components, extending machine service life
• Improved wash results, with fewer watermarks and spots on glassware and crockery
• Lower detergent and rinse aid consumption, as softened water improves chemical efficiency
• Reduced maintenance call-out frequency and descaling requirements
• Helps maintain warranty compliance in hard water regions

Installation connects to the cold water inlet feeding the warewasher. The unit is compact enough for the tight undercounter spaces typical of a pub bar or small kitchen pass, and the stainless steel construction is well suited to catering environments. The resin vessel will need periodic regeneration using standard dishwasher salt — frequency depends on local water hardness and wash volume, so it's worth checking your water hardness rating before commissioning.

This softener is sized for lighter-duty undercounter machines. Higher-volume sites running glass or dishwashers in continuous service may need to consider a larger-capacity softener to match demand without frequent regeneration cycles.

If you're unsure whether this unit is the right match for your water hardness level or machine configuration, we're happy to talk it through before you order.

The Classeq WS-HC10 is an external water softener designed to work alongside Classeq undercounter and pass-through commercial warewashers. It connects to a hot-feed water supply and uses an automatic brine-tank regeneration process to remove the hardness minerals that cause limescale build-up inside the machine. It is a standalone unit, fitted externally, and handles softening before water enters the washer.

In busy commercial kitchens, limescale is one of the most consistent causes of warewasher underperformance. It accumulates on heating elements, spray arms and wash chamber walls, reducing wash quality, increasing energy consumption and — over time — leading to costly breakdowns. A properly installed softener addresses this at the source rather than relying on rinse-aid or descaling chemicals alone. The WS-HC10's automatic regeneration is timed to run during quieter periods, so the softener is ready when service demand is at its highest without interrupting the wash cycle.

Practical advantages of running this unit alongside a Classeq washer include:

• Reduced limescale accumulation on heating elements and spray arms, helping to maintain wash performance over time
• Lower descaling frequency, which reduces chemical costs and labour time
• More consistent rinse results, particularly in hard-water areas
• Automatic regeneration that avoids service interruptions during peak periods
• Compatibility across the Classeq undercounter and pass-through range

Installation requires a connection to a hot-feed water supply, so it is worth confirming your existing plumbing layout before ordering. The unit will need a dedicated position close to the warewasher — the dimensions are reasonably compact but there should be adequate clearance for routine maintenance access. Salt replenishment for the brine tank is an ongoing operational requirement; how frequently this is needed will depend on local water hardness and machine usage volumes. Sites in particularly hard-water regions may find regeneration cycles are more frequent.

The WS-HC10 is well suited to small and medium-sized operations running Classeq undercounter or pass-through machines where water hardness is a known issue. It is particularly relevant for sites in hard or very hard water areas, where running a warewasher without any softening provision will typically lead to noticeable problems within months. For higher-volume sites or situations involving multiple machines, it is worth discussing whether a more robust softening solution would be more appropriate.

If you are unsure whether this unit is the right fit for your water supply, machine type or site layout, we are happy to talk it through before you place an order.

The Classeq WS8-SK is an external base exchange water softener designed to work alongside Classeq glasswashers in commercial environments. It sits inline with the machine's water supply and uses an ion exchange process to remove the calcium and magnesium minerals responsible for limescale build-up — a common problem in hard and medium-hard water areas across the UK.

In day-to-day operation, untreated hard water causes limescale to accumulate inside wash chambers, on heating elements, and across spray arms. Over time, this reduces washing performance, shortens machine life, and increases energy consumption as scale-insulated elements have to work harder to reach temperature. A softener fitted at the point of supply addresses the root cause rather than treating the symptoms after the fact.

The practical advantages of running softened water through a glasswasher are well established in busy bar and hospitality environments:

• Reduces limescale accumulation on internal components and heating elements
• Helps achieve cleaner, spot-free glassware without chemical rinse aid dependency
• Supports consistent wash results service to service
• Lowers the frequency of descaling maintenance
• Helps extend the working life of the glasswasher itself

Installation involves connecting the unit into the cold water feed supplying the glasswasher. The stainless steel housing is compact and suited to undercounter or back-of-bar installations where space is limited. As with all base exchange softeners, the resin requires periodic regeneration or replacement depending on local water hardness and usage volume — operators in very hard water areas will need to factor this into their maintenance routine. It is worth checking your local water hardness before specifying this unit, as the service interval will vary considerably by region.

This softener is well suited to bars, restaurants, and hospitality venues running a Classeq glasswasher in a hard water area. It is a practical, low-complexity addition that pays for itself through reduced maintenance and more consistent results. For higher-throughput sites or venues with particularly high water hardness, it is worth discussing whether a higher-capacity softening solution would be more appropriate.

If you are unsure whether your site's water hardness warrants a softener, or which specification is right for your setup, our team is happy to talk it through with you before you order.

The Classeq WS20-SK is a manually regenerated, base exchange water softener designed for use with Classeq P500 and Hydro pass-through dishwashers. It works by passing the incoming mains water supply through a resin bed that removes calcium and magnesium ions — the minerals responsible for limescale — before that water enters the machine. The result is consistently softened water delivered to the washer throughout the service period.

In hard and very hard water areas, limescale is one of the most common causes of warewasher deterioration. It accumulates on heating elements, spray arms, and pump components over time, reducing wash performance, increasing energy consumption, and shortening equipment life. Fitting an external softener like the WS20-SK addresses this at source rather than relying solely on internal dosing systems, which provides a more reliable level of protection during sustained high-volume service.

Practical benefits for operators include:

• Reduced limescale build-up protecting heating elements and internal components
• More consistent wash and rinse results across the service period
• Lower chemical dosing requirements where water quality is managed upstream
• Reduced maintenance frequency and potential repair costs over the machine's life
• Manual regeneration using standard dishwasher salt, keeping ongoing costs low

The WS20-SK requires a connection to the cold water supply feeding the washer and adequate floor space to accommodate its tall, narrow stainless steel cabinet. At 900mm high and 180mm wide, it has a compact footprint, though the installation point needs to allow for salt replenishment and straightforward access for periodic regeneration. The 25kg weight means it should be positioned and secured before the water connection is made. A competent plumber should handle installation and commissioning.

As the largest unit in Classeq's manual softening range, the WS20-SK is well suited to busier operations running P500 or Hydro pass-through washers through extended services — particularly in hard water regions where standard inline protection alone may not be sufficient. Smaller sites or lower-throughput machines may find a smaller-capacity unit more appropriate, while very high-volume operations should consider whether a fully automatic softener would better suit their workflow.

If you're unsure which softener specification is right for your water hardness level or site setup, our team is happy to talk it through with you before you order.

Further product information is needed before a full description can be provided for these accessories. Please contact our team for guidance on compatibility and suitability for your machine.

The Classeq DuoMatik 3 is an automatic hot feed external water softener designed specifically for use with Classeq CST and CMT conveyor dishwashers, as well as compatible cabinet-style machines. Its purpose is straightforward: to treat the incoming water supply before it reaches the machine, removing the minerals that cause limescale build-up inside wash tanks, boilers, and spray arms.

In hard and medium-hard water areas — which cover a significant portion of the UK — untreated water is one of the most common causes of premature machine failure and declining wash quality over time. Limescale accumulates gradually, reducing heating efficiency, blocking spray nozzles, and shortening the working life of key components. A properly sized and maintained external softener addresses this at the source rather than relying solely on rinse aid or internal filters to compensate.

From an operational standpoint, running a conveyor washer with softened water helps maintain consistent wash results across a long service period. Spray arms stay clearer, heating elements work more efficiently, and the machine is less likely to require descaling interventions that take it out of service. Key practical advantages include:

• Automatic regeneration cycle reduces manual intervention during service
• Hot feed compatibility suits the thermal demands of conveyor dishwasher installations
• External fitment keeps the softener accessible for salt refilling and servicing
• Stainless steel and plastic construction suitable for a commercial kitchen environment
• Protects internal machine components, supporting longer service intervals

Installation requires a suitable incoming water connection and adequate space adjacent to the dishwasher — the unit needs to be accessible for routine salt replenishment. It is worth confirming your site's water hardness level before specifying, as this will determine how frequently the softener regenerates and how much salt it consumes. Your water supplier or a simple test kit can provide this reading. The unit's footprint is modest, but allow enough clearance for servicing from the front.

The DuoMatik 3 is well suited to mid-to-high-volume operations running Classeq conveyor or cabinet washers in hard water regions — hotels, contract caterers, school kitchens, and large hospitality venues are typical environments. Sites with very high throughput or particularly aggressive water hardness may want to discuss whether a higher-capacity softener is more appropriate for their specific usage pattern.

If you are unsure whether this softener is the right specification for your machine and water supply, the team is happy to talk it through before you commit.

The Classeq WS-Auto is a fully automatic external water softener designed to protect commercial warewashers from limescale build-up. Connected to the cold water feed, it conditions incoming water before it reaches the machine, helping to prevent the scale accumulation that is one of the most common causes of warewasher performance problems and premature component failure in hard water areas.

In busy kitchen environments, limescale is a persistent issue. It restricts water flow, reduces heating efficiency, and shortens the working life of elements, pumps, and spray arms. The WS-Auto addresses this at source rather than relying solely on rinse aid chemistry or periodic descaling. It is compatible with all current Classeq undercounter and pass-through models, including Viso utensil washers and older Hydro machines, making it a practical addition to an existing installation as well as a new one.

A key practical feature is the automatic regeneration cycle, which the unit is designed to run during quieter periods rather than mid-service. This means the softener is available when it is needed most and does not interrupt wash cycles at inconvenient times. Day-to-day operation requires no manual intervention beyond keeping the unit supplied with salt.

• Reduces limescale entering the machine, extending component service life
• Automatic regeneration timed to avoid disruption during service
• Helps maintain wash and rinse performance in hard water areas
• Straightforward installation on the cold water supply line
• Supports all current Classeq undercounter and pass-through models

This unit is well suited to any site running a Classeq washer in a moderate to hard water area where limescale is a known operational concern. For sites running multiple machines or higher-volume operations, it is worth discussing whether additional water treatment provision would be appropriate.

If you are unsure whether your water hardness warrants a softener, or want to confirm compatibility with your existing machine, the team is happy to talk it through before you commit.