A pre-wash device for dishes and/or utensils includes a vacuum chamber comprising a collection vessel open to the vacuum chamber, a food material collection pan exhausting into the vacuum chamber at a location where material from the collection pan falls into the collection vessel at an end of the collection vessel open to the vacuum chamber, and a blower having an intake in the vacuum chamber and an exhaust directed and focused to force food material on plates and/or utensils into the collection pan.