Glasswashers are a vital piece of equipment in bars, clubs, pubs, restaurants and other commercial venues, allowing for a smooth glassware operation and quicker turnaround times. But we know from experience that many operators are still using old, inefficient machines that are no longer fit for purpose.
We know it’s important to you that your glasswasher is reliable. You need it to deliver the clean glasses you need, when you need them, without faults, downtime or inadequate performance. If it’s not then it might be time to upgrade, but buying a commercial glasswasher can be a confusing process.
With that in mind, here are eight key factors for you to consider:
- Glasswashers v Dishwashers
- Hygiene and Sanitisation
- Size and Capacity
- Ease of Use
- Noise
- Cost
- Energy and Water Efficiency
- Warranty and Aftercare
1. Glasswashers v Dishwashers
Firstly, why should you should choose a dedicated glasswasher, instead of cleaning glasses in the dishwasher? The answer is simple. Glasswashers have a number of crucial distinctions that make them suited to the job at hand, ensuring your glassware lasts longer in top condition.
Glasswashers operate at a lower wash temperature than dishwashers so they don’t damage or corrode delicate glassware, and they’re quicker too. A leading glasswasher will clean a full basket of glasses in around 60 seconds, compared to the three-minute cycle needed for crockery. This rapid turnaround time is not only convenient but also reduces the risk of damage to your glassware.
In addition, some commercial glasswashers, like Nelson’s Advantage range, provide a more gentle wash than dishwashers, by gradually building the water flow. This ensures maximum protection for delicate items without compromising on cleanliness.
2. Hygiene and Sanitisation
Hygiene standards are important not just to meet cleaning and hygiene regulations, but customer demands too. When used with high quality chemicals that have been approved by the supplier, the best commercial glass washers will clean and sanitise your glassware which means that doesn’t just look great, it’s also completely safe to use.
3. Size and Capacity
Glasswashers are often positioned behind a bar, which means undercounter models are typically the most common size. However, venues that process a large number of glasses, such as hotels and conference centres, can benefit from a larger passthrough model, providing they have space nearby for storing dirty and clean glasses.
Judging the size and capacity of a new machine – and also deciding where it should ideally be sited – can be confusing. We are constantly working with clients to recommend the right machine and we’ve produced a guide to glasswasher sizing as part of this article if you need a helping hand.
4. Ease of Use
We’re mindful of competency levels in commercial kitchens and bars, and we’ve taken steps to ensure that our products are easy to use, with enhanced features too.
The best commercial glasswashers usually offer multiple programmes, giving confidence that there is one for every requirement - heavily soiled glasses, rapid wash items, delicate items and so on. They are often loaded with intuitive controls that maximise water and energy efficiency and self-diagnostic features that enable an operator to resolve a minor problem long before it becomes an issue.
5. Noise
Noise is an important factor to consider. Of course, any machine is going to have an element of noise, but some are quieter than others. If your glass washer is located front of house, for example, you don’t want it drowning out your carefully curated playlist, or worse still, your customers’ conversation.
Leading commercial glasswashers are double skinned with noise and heat insultation to minimise disturbance. We always recommend checking the decibel levels of any machine you consider buying and make sure you establish what that equates to. For example, our Advantage glass washers have a decibel rating of 58, which is the same as gentle rainfall.
6. Cost
Any new glasswasher is a significant investment but compromising on quality can be a costly mistake. Don’t just look at the upfront cost – consider the expected lifecycle of the machine, running costs, any warranty package and service plans too.
Buying on upfront price alone can result in an inferior machine that leads to cloudy and smeary glasses. Worst of all, it can mean frequent breakdowns and long waits for expensive repairs. Low-cost, older style folded stainless steel wash tanks can result in debris and bacteria build up, where the new style moulded stainless steel wash tanks are designed to reduce debris.
We pride ourselves on working with customers to find the best solution for their requirements, and budget. Investing in the best commercial glasswasher you can afford will give you confidence that your new machine will deliver the reliability and results you demand, for the longest period of time.
7. Energy and Water Efficiency
Sustainability is key for any organisation and investing in energy-saving equipment will not only save money on running costs, it can support environmental strategies too. The best commercial glass washers use technology that reduces water and energy consumption and will minimise your carbon footprint.
That’s not the only advantage, however. Energy efficient glasswashers are typically better insulated to keep heat inside the machine rather than allowing it to escape, which in turns creates a much cooler working environment. Some leading machines even harness and utilise the heat from the steam generated during a wash cycle, while smart designs like shallow wash tanks and the re-use of rinse water can make dramatic savings on water consumption.
8. Warranty and Aftercare
Always check the warranty that comes with your machine and the level of aftercare available to you. This is really important because it gives confidence that if your machine breaks down at any time, you can be sure that the problem will be fixed efficiently and quickly. It’s worth asking your supplier for some recommendations too so you can check how efficient they are.
We take great pride in the quality of our service and aftercare, operating a nationwide team of engineers who carry a complete stock of spare parts to maximise the chances of a first time fix. The majority of our breakdown calls are completed on the day they are logged. However, if for some reason we are unable to attend on the same day, we guarantee we'll be there within 48 hours.
Want to know more? Whether you need no-obligation advice or want to discuss your next glasswasher, call us on 0800 592 833 or fill in the Contact Us form and we'll get straight back to you.