Paper plates and plastic cups replaced the Knorr Dining Hall’s dishware during the lunchtime rush Wednesday after a dishwasher malfunction.

The dishwasher broke down on Tuesday night, according to Head Chef Adam Harvey.

“The tank was pulling too much chemical too fast,” Harvey said. “So we ran out of chemicals.” 

The dishwasher depleted a two-week supply of cleaning chemicals in one day. The chemical supply comes in on Mondays and Thursdays, so the dishwasher could not be used for Wednesday’s breakfast and lunch, Harvey said. 

A repair man from Hobart, the dishwasher company, fixed the dishwasher Wednesday afternoon, and the dishwasher was working by Wednesday dinner.

Because of the depleted soap supply, Metz offered disposable plates, cups, and cutlery for Wednesday breakfast and lunch. 

“We keep paper on hand in case there’s an issue,” Harvey said. “We still want to make sure we have something to serve people on.”  

Sophomore Eva Lintereur said she was surprised to see paper plates at lunch because the dining hall had not used them in a while. 

“Paper plates are nice to take things out, like the to-go cups,” Lintereur said. “But it’s nice to eat a meal on a real plate with utensils.” 

Metz borrowed chemicals from Albion College and other local restaurants. 

“Some kitchens were like, ‘Yeah, I’ve been there. Take some and get it back to us,’” Harvey said.

The chemical supply arrives on Thursday, and the kitchen should be back to normal with limited paper plates.

Harvey said the paper plates may still deck the dining hall at times due to short dish staff, but for the most part, dining hall is “back to china.” 

“The dishwasher broke, so of course I’ll eat off a paper plate, but I’m happy to have the dishes back,” Lintereur said.