If you’ve ever worked at the pub, bar or restaurant you likely will have experienced glass results issues, such as poor head retention, poor lacing and flat pints. Regardless of whether you own a top of the range glasswasher with the latest technology, or an old machine purchased second hand, if you are not following the correct glass care procedures you will encounter these problems, which can lead to bigger issues, such as dissatisfied customers, bad reviews, and a loss of business.
The key to keeping glassware in pristine condition is to clean them regularly through a process called renovation. In this article, we explain the reasons you need to renovate your glasses, how to test when glasses need renovating, and we compare two methods of renovating – powder and liquid.
You can also read our guide on ‘How to Renovate Your Glasses’ for instructions on how to complete this process.
Why is Glass Renovation Important?
All glasswashers need rinse aid to function properly. Rinse aid helps speed up drying by reducing the surface tension of water allowing it to slide off glasses instead of pooling on the surface. After each wash a small amount of rinse aid residue is left on the glass and as this builds up it traps proteins, yeast, tannins, and minerals within the water, which impacts the appearance of glassware.
The easiest way to remove these deposits is through a process called renovation. Renovation involves cleaning the glasses with a chlorine-based chemical, which comes in either liquid or powder form. Ours is a liquid based detergent called ‘Refresh’.
It’s important to note that brand new glasses also need to be renovated. This helps to remove the mould release agent which is applied during the manufacturing process along with any residues leftover from printing the glasses with brand logos.
When Should You Renovate Glasses?
Over-renovating glasses can cause degradation and make them more susceptible to scratches and damage. Striking a balance between renovating often enough to prevent yeast and protein build-up and not over-renovating is key. We generally recommend renovating glasses once a month for optimal results and at least once every two months as a minimum.
While we recommend making glass renovation part of your cleaning and maintenance routine, there are a number of signs that indicate when it is required.
Glasses:
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With a damp white napkin/towel, wipe the inside of a supposedly clean pint glass. A brown residue on the napkin/towel will indicate that there is protein build up and glass renovation is required.
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Water Break Test – fill a glass to the brim with the water, empty it and keep it upside down while drying. If the water inside the glass runs off in a continuous sheet, its clean. If droplets form the glass is contaminated and will need to be renovated.
Glasswasher:
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Wild Yeast – a build-up of beige or black film around the door and hinges indicates that yeast is present in the machine. This will contaminate the glass and ruin results.
Types of Glass Renovate: Powder vs Liquid
Powdered glass renovate is the traditional method for glass renovation. It typically contains:
- Non-Caustic Alkaline Detergent
- Water Conditioner
- Glass Protector
- Chlorine Release Agent
Liquid glass renovate, a more recent innovation, cleans and renovates glasses simultaneously. It usually contains:
- Caustic Based Alkaline Detergent
- Non-ionic Surfactants
- Sodium Hypochlorite
Powder vs Liquid Glass Renovate: Which is Better?
Both powder and liquid renovate have their pros and cons.
Pros
Powder:
- Less aggressive and better suited for manual washing
- Can be used without a glass washer
Liquid:
- More practical as it cleans and renovates simultaneously
- Less time-consuming and easier to use
Cons
Powder:
- Time-consuming and labour-intensive
- Can damage glasses if used too often
Liquid:
- Possible bleach odour during use
- Can degrade glasses if used too frequently
Both powder and liquid glass renovate are effective in maintaining glasses and ensuring quality drinks for your customers. It is recommended to test both to see which method suits your operation best. If you want try our liquid glass renovate, Refresh, you can order our Starter Pack of 2.5L Refresh and 2.5L Litre Supadri Rinse Aid.
Training Staff on Glass Renovation and Care
Educating your staff on the importance of glass renovation and proper glass care is crucial to maintaining the quality of your glassware. This includes training on how to handle and store glasses correctly, the correct use of renovate glass cleaner, and how to identify when glass renovation is needed.
High-Quality Glass Renovating Products
We manufacture a high-quality glass renovating detergent called Refresh as part of our range of detergents and rinse aids.