Need support getting your glasses looking their best, wash after wash?
Taking inspiration from the Cask Marque Glass Care Troubleshooting Guide, we’ve prepared a guide to help pubs and bars maintain the highest standards of glassware.
Recognising the significance of glass care
Too many pubs and bars ignore the importance of glassware when thinking about all the details that goes into running a successful operation. This is the vessel that presents your product - be it wine, spirits or beer - to your customer. Spotless glasses reflect the quality of your service, contributing to sales and customer satisfaction.
What are the signs of ineffective glass cleaning?
Some are more obvious than others, but there are a number of things to look out for that indicate your glasswasher is not performing as it should.
Common problems linked to poor glass care include dirty glasses, beer with poor head retention, glasses with streaks and spots, and glasses with permanent damage. We’ll come onto the things you can do the reduce the chance of these issues arising.
1. Dirty glassware
You can identify dirty glasses by wiping the inside of a supposedly clean glass with a damp white napkin. If a brown residue appears, it indicates a build-up of protein. A film of bubbles clinging to the inside of a lager glass is another sign of impurity. Once identified, you can solve these issues by:
- Leaving your glasswasher's door open overnight to dry out and kill bacteria and algae.
- Increasing the detergent dosage for slightly dirty glasses.
- Using a Chlorinated powder or glass renovating liquid detergent for excessively dirty glasses.
- Ensuring your detergent container never runs dry, to prevent protein build-up.
2. Flat Beer/Poor Head Retention
Flat beer or poor head retention can be frustrating, but again there are measures you can take in your glasswasher maintenance programme to prevent the issues and improve beer presentation. These include:
- Use a good quality rinse aid and ensure it's not overdosing.
- Make sure your rinse water pressure is adequate and consistent.
- In extreme cases, use a 'Headkeeper' type of glass that supports better head retention.
3. Streaks and spots on glassware
If your glasses exhibit a 'raindrop effect' or aren't drying properly, consider these solutions:
- Do not dry glasses with tea towels, which might leave an oily film.
- Ensure your rinse pressure is adequate, potentially by using a booster pump.
- Check that high quality rinse aid and detergent are used consistently.
4. Cloudy Glasses
Cloudiness is typically caused by minerals (calcium and magnesium) from water drying onto the glass. The solution is to fit suitable water treatment, such as a water softener, demineralisation, or reverse osmosis, can greatly improve the wash outcome, resulting in truly spotless and shiny glasses.
5. Permanent damage (etching)
Etching is permanent damage appearing as a slightly white frosty pattern on the glass. To prevent etching, remove glasses from the glasswasher as soon as possible and avoid cheap, high-caustic detergents.
If a specific brand of glasses frequently exhibits etching, consider changing brands.
What can you do to maintain performance and keep glasses sparkling?
Let’s look at some of the measures to maintain and improve the performance of your glasswasher.
1. Invest in good quality glasswasher detergents and rinse aid
Investing in high-quality detergents and rinse aids will ensure the best clean for your glasses. Low-quality products can leave residue and cause streaks. It's recommended to use a rinse aid that's suitable for your water hardness, and a detergent that’s compatible. Never mix chemical brands.
2. Implement water treatment
Water treatment also plays a vital role in glass care. The installation of water softeners or demineralising units can significantly improve the water quality, resulting in cleaner, clearer glasses. The units must be maintained regularly according to manufacturer's instructions.
3. Regularly renovate your glasses
Renovating glasses involves deep cleaning them to remove protein or mineral build-up. This process should be carried out periodically to maintain the integrity of the glassware. Use specific glass renovating products and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Read our step-by-step guide on ‘How to Renovate Your Glassware’ for detailed instructions.
4. Undertake preventative maintenance
Preventive maintenance is paramount for the efficient running of your commercial glasswasher and overall glass care. Regular checks and routine maintenance not only prolong the lifespan of your machine but also ensure it operates at optimal efficiency, resulting in sparkling clean glasses every time.
5. Replace consumable parts
An often overlooked yet essential aspect of maintaining your glass washer is the timely replacement of consumable parts, such as detergent and rinse aid inner tubes. These tubes play a critical role in delivering the correct amount of detergent and rinse aid into the glasswasher, ensuring each glass is properly cleaned and sanitised.
Maintaining the pristine condition of your glassware is a continuous process that demands regular care and attention. Glass care goes beyond merely cleaning your glasses - it is a comprehensive process encompassing regular maintenance of your glasswasher, investment in high-quality detergents and rinse aids, proper water treatment, and the systematic renovation of glasses.
Want to discuss any of this in more detail? Call our support team on 020 8993 6199 or email office@nelsonwash.co.uk.