It almost goes without saying that the use of glassware in an establishment can immediately elevate the entire business. Given the vital role of glassware, it is important to ensure that said glasses are clean at all times. Dirty glasses are unappealing to the customer and can even damage your reputation if it is not cleaned properly.
Having said that, caring for glassware is not as simple as it looks. As glassware are fragile items, it is just as important to know how to prevent breaks as well as how to handle, clean, and store glassware correctly.
When it comes to cleaning, glassware can be using a dedicated glass washer or by hand.
In a high volume restaurant or bar, it is generally a good idea to use dishwasher-safe glasses that can be placed into a glass washer. With such equipment, one can usually wash up to 2,000 glasses per hour with one cycle taking about 90 seconds to complete.
But before you start loading your glasses into the washer, make sure to pour out any leftover ice or liquid in the glass. Also, you have to ensure that the glasses are then loaded onto a glass rack of the correct size.
As for hand wash only glasses, one has to make sure that they are using a soft surface material, such as a microfiber cloth. You will also need to have a stainless steel sink with separate sections for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing.
There are two ways of cleaning hand wash only glasses.
1) Glass Washing Machine:
2) Washing by Hand Only:
Empty contents of the glass.
Clean the glass in hot water with a detergent solution.
Rinse the glass in another sink to remove extra traces of food or detergent.
Sanitize the glass in a separate sink by soaking it in hot water or a sanitizer.
Now, it is time to talk about the two different glassware materials. There is glass, and then there is crystal. Of the two, it is worth noting that crystal is more expensive than regular glass. It is also more fragile compared to glass.
These qualities are the reason that crystal glassware should be hand washed. In doing so, it helps cut down the damage done by dishwashers and tough detergents.
Hand Washing Crystal:
Line a sink with a dish towel or soft cloth and fill warm water. The soft lining helps to prevent cracks or breaks.
Use a mild detergent to wash out the glasses one at a time.
Rinse with a vinegar-water solution and sanitize. The vinegar-water solution can help remove any existing water spots and prevent future spots.
Oftentimes, crystal is chosen for its sparkle and clarity. So, you can probably imagine how frustrating it would be to find spots or a cloudy film on crystal, especially when it is supposed to be sparkling clean.
When using crystal, there is also the additional step of polishing it before use.
You can restore shine by making a paste that includes ½ teaspoon of both salt and white vinegar. Carefully apply the paste and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse and polish with a fine polishing microfiber cloth or an electric glass polisher.
