‘Unbreakable glasses’ are suddenly a talking point. But there’s a light-year of difference between the cheapest disposable ‘plastic’ glasses and the more elegant polycarbonate versions, which are now a serious rival to glass as a drinking container.
Whether you love or hate them, more and more bars and pubs are turning to polycarbonates for serving drinks, whether inside for security or outside in public areas for safety.
Or simply for convenience and cost, because ‘polycarbs’ can eliminate breakage costs and can be handled and stacked more easily when empty. They are popular in pub gardens or village greens where children might be playing, and their natural insulating properties mean they can keep cold drinks colder for longer than in ‘real’ glasses.
"Modern polycarbs are much clearer and more ‘glass-like’ than in earlier years, and apart from their lightness it’s sometimes hard to tell them apart from real glass," says Nick Burridge, sales director of Classeq, the specialist UK manufacturer of commercial glass washers.
"Drinkers are now more aware they are reusable and washable, not ‘recyclable’ or ‘disposable’. And they can be cheaper and more environmentally friendly too."
However, many pubs and bars are still confused about how to handle them, he says. As one of the UK’s biggest suppliers of undercounter glass washers to the licensed trade, Classeq is closely watching the trend.
But while they won’t shatter like glass – and thus are safer and can have a longer life – they require more careful treatment to avoid a buildup of scratches, and never more carefully than when being washed.
"They can be washed in the same glass washing machines as standard glassware, and you can use the same detergents, rinse aid and dosing levels," assures Burridge. "You also don’t need any special accessories. However, for best results you shouldn’t mix polycarbonates and glasses in the same wash."
"You should also ensure they are washed up quickly after use and don’t have drinks left in them overnight. Unlike glass they can absorb the strong smells in spirits like Pernod or ouzo."
"Perhaps the biggest difference is that they’ll take longer to dry naturally after removing from the basket, unless you wipe them dry.
"On the plus side, they cool down more quickly. This can be very handy during hot weather in busy bars, when they might have to be washed and reused quickly."
Classeq is part of the Winterhalter UK group, providing a total solution for warewashing though their nationwide network of distributors. Everything from pre-sales advice to after-sales service. For information on the Classeq range of glass and dishwashers, including details of your nearest stockist, call 0870 224 7280.
Note for editors: British manufacturer Classeq is part of the Winterhalter group and is BS EN ISO 9001-2000 accredited. All Classeq machines are WRAS-approved (formerly WRC), CE marked and supplied with a comprehensive one year warranty, backed by Winterhalter’s nationwide service network. Classeq is the UK’s leading and most popular warewasher brand for independent and smaller-scale caterers.