Glass Washers

What is the difference between a glass washer and a dishwasher?

A glasswasher's unique design and function, particularly in a commercial setting like a pub or bar, sets it apart from a dishwasher. A bar glass washer machine is precisely engineered to clean glassware with care. It operates at lower temperatures—typically a wash cycle at 55°C and a rinse at 65°C, protecting delicate glasses from damage. Glasswashers also have fixed, shorter fast wash cycle times than dishwashers (generally 120 second cycles), which is ideal for the quick turnover required in bars. Commercial glasswashers use a mild detergent that effectively cleans without corroding the glasses. While commercial dishwashers are suitable for a broader range of items, including crockery and cutlery, they use stronger detergents and higher temperatures to ensure food is removed, leaving items hygienically clean. Utensil washers and cutlery polishers and washers are also available to ensure that dinnerware and cookware are always clean and hygienic.

How do pub glass washers work?

Bar glass washers are designed to clean large quantities of glass quickly and efficiently. They operate by washing and rinsing a rack full of glasses, typically in under two minutes, ensuring that bars with high drink orders always have clean glasses ready for serving. The machine typically heats rinse water to temperatures up to 65 -70°C, essential for sanitising the glassware and protecting against viruses and bacteria. A commercial glasswasher is compact and can be stored under counters, making them convenient for use in front of house or serving areas. They are distinct from dishwashers as they are designed explicitly for glass, using a gentle water flow and pressure to avoid damage while ensuring thorough cleaning. Look out for features including detergent pumps to ensure the correct dosage of chemicals and drain pump or gravity drain options to facilitate waste water drainage in any building layout. Find out Everything you Need to Know About Break Tanks, Drain Pumps and Water Softeners.

Can a glasswasher wash all type of glasses?

Yes, a glass bar washer is designed to clean a wide range of glasses commonly used in bars and pubs, including standard pints, half pints and standard wine glasses. However, you'll need a warewashing machine with extra height capacity for taller glasses like pilsner glasses, long-stemmed wine glasses, and particular cocktail glasses. Checking the load height specification of the glass washing machine will ensure your machine can accommodate taller glasses. Using a standard glasswasher for tall glasses can obstruct the spray arms, preventing them from spinning and thus affecting the cleaning and rinsing process. 

How do I know what basket size I need?

Selecting the right basket size for your industrial glass washer hinges on how many glasses you need to clean. Basket sizes are varied, with small glasswashers with a 350mm basket holding up to 16 pint glasses, medium glasswashers with a 400mm basket up to 20 standard beer glasses or a 450mm basket up to 25 pints, and large glasswashers holding 500mm baskets that accommodate up to 30 standard pint glasses. Choosing a size that matches the volume and dimensions of your glassware and your business is essential to guarantee a thorough cleaning. Always base your requirements on your busiest times, whether that's Christmas festivities, New Year celebrations or football matches. Additional baskets and other accessories are available in our range of warewasher sundries.

What does salt do in a glass washer?

Salt plays a crucial role in commercial glasswashers for pubs, especially in hard water areas. It helps by acting as a water softener to prevent limescale buildup, that can damage the machine and affect cleaning performance. Limescale is a common problem where water has high mineral content; without treatment, it can clog hoses and damage heating elements. While limescale is less of a concern in soft water areas, salt can still enhance cleaning and rinsing efficiency, ensuring that glasses come out spotless and streak free. For optimal results and machine longevity, it's important to use salt as part of the regular glasswasher maintenance routine.

Do I need to use rinse aid in a bar glasswasher?

Using a rinse aid in a bar glassware washer is strongly recommended. Rinse aid contains surfactants that reduce the surface tension of water, allowing it to slide off glass more efficiently and speeding up the drying process. Using rinseaids results in a streak-free finish with no drying spots or watermarks, ensuring that glasses are perfectly clear and ready for immediate use. It's an essential step in the cleaning cycle of glasswashers for bars to maintain the highest quality of glass barware, which reflects the service quality of your establishment.

Will a glasswasher remove lipstick stains?

While pub glasswashers are designed to remove most residues from drinking glasses, lipstick stains can be particularly stubborn. A glasswasher's temperature and water pressure combination may not always be sufficient to remove these tough stains. It's recommended to pre-treat lipstick marks before placing the glasses in the commercial glass washer machine. Using a specialised cleaning solution for make-up can be effective. Careful pre-treatment ensures that the glassware comes out in pristine condition and is ready for use without any leftover marks.

How do you clean a commercial glasswasher?

To clean a glasswasher for commercial use, it's important to follow a routine that prevents bacteria and mould growth. After the day's operation, remove any debris from the interior, including the filter and wash arms. Use a soft brush and hot water to clean the interior, particularly door seals and hard to reach areas. Avoid soap based cleaners to prevent foaming. Wipe the exterior with a clean, damp microfiber cloth for a professional appearance. Reassemble and run a cleaning cycle to clear any residue. For optimal hygiene, leave the door open overnight to allow the interior to completely dry, preventing the hot, moist environment from becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and mould. Regular cleaning and maintenance will add to the longevity and performance of your glasswasher.

FFD Catering Equipment are a leading supplier of a comprehensive range of commercial glasswashers from leading manufacturers including DC Warewashing, Winterhalter, Classeq, Meiko, Maidaid Halcyon and Hobart. All premium commercial glasswasher brands deliver a commercial warranty, some also with a next day delivery available and are designed to deliver consistent washing results in bustling bars and busy catering and hospitality settings.