Final answer:
The final rinse in a dishwasher should not exceed 194F to avoid damage to delicate materials and reduce safety hazards. Sanitization is typically effective at temperatures around 165°F, which eliminates bacteria without reaching the higher, more damaging temperatures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The water temperature of the final rinse of the high temperature dishwasher should not be above 194F because excessively high temperatures can cause thermal disruption to certain materials and the degradation of objects not suitable for such conditions. Items made from silver, brass, cast iron, bronze, aluminum, pewter, and gold leaf, as well as certain plastics and wood, can be damaged at high temperatures. Additionally, temperatures above 194F may pose safety hazards, such as burns to the handlers of the dishes or the dishwasher itself.
Moreover, proper cleaning and sanitization of dishware do not typically require temperatures that high. For instance, the bacteria in food or on surfaces is generally killed when heated to at least 74°C or 165°F, well below 194F. Thus, maintaining a temperature at or slightly above this threshold ensures effective sanitization while minimizing the risk for damage to the dishware and safety risks.