Figuring out the correct way to store your bar glasses can be confusing. What exactly is the right way? Upside-down, right-side, stacked on top of each other, are all ways people store their glasses. Most just follow what they know or what their parents did but in a bar or restaurant some ways are better than others. Most people in the hospitality industry store their glasses upside down. Many argue that this is the best way for a few of the following reasons:
- Pest Protection
Pests present a health hazard because they spread bacteria which can make people sick. Although alcohol does disinfect glasses and kill the bacteria when you pour your drink in, it is still better to be safe than sorry. Also when glasses are turned right side up and insects get in, they often can’t get out again and die in your glass. Nothing is more unattractive than seeing dead insects in your clean glass.
- Rim Contamination Issue
Another problem is that the insects contaminate the rim by crawling on it. Another concern is that by just lying on the shelf the dust will collect inside the glass. So you are just creating more work for yourself as you will have to rewash the glasses.
- Dust Prevention
Storing drinking glasses upside down prevents dust from settling inside the glasses, which is especially important if you have glasses that you don’t use very often that would have time between uses for dust to build up inside them. Those who do not store their glasses upside down should always rinse glasses before using them to get rid of any dust particles.
There are ofcourse pros and cons to storing glasses upside down, but generally for hygiene purposes that is the best way. There are some concerns though, such as:
- Concern about a Glasses Stability
There is the concern that some glasses, like champagne glasses are very delicate. The rim may be especially delicate and cannot withhold the weight of the rest of the glass. Putting pressure of the rim can cause the glass to crack, so in this case rather store the glass the right side up to avoid damaging your glasses.
- Moisture Issues
Storing your glasses upside-down when they are not properly dried can become problematic. The inside of the glass must be dried completely. If there is even a speck of moisture inside the glass, it will evaporate in the glass and condense on the inside of the glass which will encourage bacteria and mould to grow. So avoid contaminating your glass in this manner.
There are no hard and fast rules to glass storage and each glass is different so it may call for a different storage method. In a busy bar the most important thing is ease and speed. You want to be able to access the glass easily and quickly as soon as you need to, especially with a bar full of demanding customers, so good advice is to do what suits you best.