Inn Doctor » Cleaning

Test your beer glasses

admin — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:36:09 +0000

A simple and effective way of testing your glasses for cleanliness is easy to do.
Take a glass from the shelf and fill it with cold water.
Dry the outside of the glass.
Drain the glass over a sink.
With the glass held upside down check to see if the remaining water breaks into beads or droplets. If so this might indicate that your glasses are contaminated with grease or detergent residue.
If the remaining water drains away in one continuous sheet or film then your glass is probably clean.

Glass Care

admin — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:34:39 +0000

Often the most neglected item in the bar, a dirty glass can ultimately destroy all your hard work and care in trying to serve the perfect pint .We cannot overstate the importance of a good glass washing regime in all types of bar.
Bearing in mind how much glasses get used it is quite understandable they can get pretty grotty.

Why are clean glasses such an important part of serving a perfect pint?

A dirty glass can transmit disease.
Grease on the glass will affect the appearance of your beer and make it serve flat.
A clean glass will enhance the appearance of your beer.

So how do we keep our glasses properly clean?

We recommend that you purchase a good glass washing machine .You might think you can clean your glasses in a sink with a drop of Fairy liquid, and that will do .Not so. Firstly many Environmental Health Officers may not approve of such methods. Secondly it does not work.
In the modern bar environment it is essential to have a proper consistent method of washing glassware .A glass washing machine used correctly can guarantee such results always.
When using a glass washer it is important to have it regularly serviced. Correct glass washing detergents and rinse aids should be used and periodically a glass renovator.
A glass renovator product used perhaps every 4 weeks will remove any accrued grease and dirt and put your glasses in pristine condition. Only use glass washers for dirty glasses, preferably beer glasses only. Other drinks glasses that have been used for creamy liqueurs such as Baileys may contaminate the glass washer with grease. Never put dirty dishes or coffee cups in the glass washer.
Glass storage is a vital component of good glass care. There is no point in having wonderfully clean glasses only to stack them on a dirty shelf.
Glass storage mats should be used on all surfaces where glasses are stored .It is best practice to let glasses dry naturally and not use cloths; these may transfer grease or germs.

And finally

Glasses do not last forever, if they become scratched get new ones, they are cheap enough and will make your beers look great.

Here are some of our recommended Glass Care products:

ULTRGLIDE PLUS Cabinet glass wash detergent. Excellent cleaning with no foam. -no blooming.- free rinsing- gentle on glassware.
www.klenzan.co.uk/

REVIVE Glass refurbishment- free flowing powder- Return ” SPARKLE ” to the glass- Removal of non rinseable films .Will not effect beer head retention. Use manual or automatic cabinet glass wash machines. Improves glass presentation. Handy pack 2.5 kg. tub.
www.klenzan.co.uk/

Use of Chemicals

admin — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:31:55 +0000

Always -Have available COSHH information sheets for all chemicals used {contact your supplier for further information}.
Always -Store cleaning chemicals out of childrens reach.
Always -Keep chemicals in the suppliers container until needed for use.
Always -Rinse clean measuring vessel immediately after use.
Always -Use manufacturers measuring vessel where supplied.
Always -Wear protective goggles ,gloves and apron when handling chemicals.
Never -Put cleaning chemicals into containers intended for other products including aluminium containers.
Never -Put cleaning chemicals into cups or glasses ; they may be drunk in error.
Never -Use cleaning chemicals for any purpose other than that for which they are supplied.
Never -Mix chemicals with one another.

My keg lager is losing its head

admin — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:18:13 +0000

Drink it quick……Well, as long as you don’t lose yours [head that is] you may be able to solve this problem yourself, quite easily.

The main reason for poor head retention, as we in the Trade call it, is usually dirty glasses. Now I know what you are saying,” I Bloody well clean my glasses properly”.

The thing is, there is cleaning your glasses and “cleaning your glasses”. Before we talk about glass cleaning in detail, lets talk about why it is so important to do it properly. Ask yourself how many times does a single glass get used every day. Well if you are doing a good trade the answer may be very many.

Glasses retain grease from people’s mouths, from lipstick and even from some drinks, which are served in them. Always remember this, Grease and Beer do not go well together. So it is important to ensure there is absolutely no grease or other contaminates in your glasses.

The other obvious reason we must clean glasses thoroughly is to prevent germs being passed on to other people.

So here we go:

Make sure your glass washer is cleaned regularly every day.
Have your glass washer serviced at regular intervals. See makers guide lines.
Make sure the correct cleaning and rinse aid products are being used, and are always full.
Do not use the glass washer for anything else other than glasses. Sorry! No coffee cups, ashtrays. Dinner plates.
Replace damaged or scratched glasses. They are not that expensive.
Never polish glasses. Jack Duckworth might do it, but you shouldn’t do it in the real world.
Always stack your glasses on proper stacking mats.

If the head on your beer is still poor, contact your local Tech Services.

My keg beer is cloudy

admin — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:08:28 +0000

Keg beer is pasteurised so it shouldn’t be cloudy.

Check if your lines need cleaning, put on a new container and draw off two or three pints until you know that the new product is coming through, the beer should now be clear. .

Check again after about an hour. Draw off a pint, if the beer is now hazy, then it is almost certain you have yeast build up in your lines. This is causing the fresh beer to become infected, when left in the lines for any length of time. You may be cleaning the lines every week but are you adhering to the correct instructions.

If after an hour the beer is still clear, then you may have a faulty keg. Notify the brand owner, and they will check it for you.

You can check for yeast build up by getting a torch and shining it through the beer pipes. If a brown stain can be seen then you have yeast build up. You should contact your local Tech Services for advice.