Buying guides
How to Choose a Commercial Glasswasher for a Bar, Pub or Cafe
A plain guide to choosing a commercial glasswasher for a pub, bar or cafe, covering machine types, rack size, water, rinse, drainage, noise and fit.
The right glasswasher depends on what you wash, how fast you need clean glasses back, and what your water and drains can support. Choose the machine type first. Then work through rack size, water, rinse, drainage and fit.
This guide is for pubs, bars, cafes, clubs, restaurants and function venues. It stays general on purpose. Always check the exact specification of any model you shortlist.
What will you wash?
Every other choice follows from this one. Decide what goes through the machine on a busy night.
Glasses only
Pint glasses, wine glasses and tumblers. A dedicated glasswasher is built for this and gives the clearest result.
Glasses and cups
Coffee cups, saucers and small bar items alongside glassware. Check the rack options and the cup and saucer support.
Glasses and plates
Small plates, bowls and cutlery as well. An undercounter dishwasher may suit better than a glasswasher.
Undercounter, undercounter dishwasher or pass-through
Most venues choose between three machine types. Browse the glasswashers range first, then compare the others.
Undercounter glasswashers
Compact front-loading machines that sit under the bar. They suit glasses and small items. The Smeg SPG405MAU Ecoline Underbench Glasswasher is one example of the type.
Undercounter dishwashers
Similar in size, but made for plates, trays and cookware as well as glasses. They suit cafes and small restaurants where one machine does everything. See the undercounter dishwashers range.
Pass-through dishwashers
Larger machines with a hood. Staff load a rack on one side and slide it out the other. They suit high volumes of mixed items. See the pass-through dishwashers range, or browse all dishwashers.
| Type | Suits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Undercounter glasswasher | Bars washing mostly glassware | Rack and glass height against your tallest glass |
| Undercounter dishwasher | Cafes and small venues washing glasses and plates | Rack options for both types of item |
| Pass-through dishwasher | Busy venues and function kitchens | Floor space, a loading bench and a workflow around it |
Rack size and glass height
Glasses must fit the rack, and the rack must fit under the hood. Check both before you buy.
Some models are described by rack size. The Washtech GM-R, 450mm Rack Undercounter Glasswasher is an example. Check what that rack takes, because glass diameter and height differ widely.
- What is your tallest glass, such as a stemmed wine glass or a tall cocktail glass?
- What is your widest glass, such as a pint or a beer tulip?
- Does the model offer extra racks or extenders for tall glasses?
- Do you need a rack for cups and saucers as well?
Measure your real glasses. Do not rely on a catalogue photo or the glass size you think you use.
Cycle time and service speed
Cycle time is a service question, not just a machine detail. If clean glasses run out, the bar slows down.
Think about your busiest hour. How many glasses come back in that hour? How many racks does that need? Check the stated cycle time and rack capacity for each model. Then compare them with your own peak, not an average night.
A second set of glasses helps. While one rack washes, staff can serve from a spare set. A second machine may suit a busy club or function venue, because one machine becomes a bottleneck.
Water quality, rinse aid and detergent
Water quality affects how clear glasses look. Hard water leaves spots and a white film. It also builds scale inside the machine.
- Softening. Many venues fit a water softener or treatment unit. Ask your plumber about your local water, and check whether the model needs treated water.
- Rinse aid. This helps water run off glass so it dries clear. Check whether the machine has a built-in dispenser or needs one added.
- Detergent. Use a detergent made for commercial glasswashers. Check whether the machine doses it automatically or whether staff add it.
Dispensers need refilling and checking. Put that job on a daily routine, so glasses never go through with an empty container.
Hot rinse or cold rinse
The final rinse can be hot or cold, depending on the model. Each has trade-offs.
| Rinse style | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Hot rinse | Glasses that dry quickly and come out ready to use | More heat and steam at the bar, and a stronger supply may be needed |
| Cold rinse | Glasses that come out cooler, which suits beer | Glasses may need more time to dry, and rinse aid matters more |
Ask the supplier how each model rinses, and what it needs to do so. Do not assume. Check the specification.
Drainage, power and fit
Most undercounter machines drain in one of two ways. Which one you can use depends on your site.
| Drain type | How it works | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Gravity drain | Water flows out by itself, so the outlet must sit lower than the machine | Whether your waste point is low enough |
| Drain pump | A pump pushes water out, which gives more flexibility on where the waste point sits | Whether the model has one fitted, and the noise it adds |
Work through these steps before you shortlist:
- Measure the width, depth and height of the space under the bar.
- Allow for the door, because a front-loader needs room to open fully.
- Note where the water supply and the waste point are.
- Check the power point against the specification. Ask a licensed electrician if you need a new outlet.
- Measure the path from the door to the bar: doorways, corridors, stairs and corners.
If you are planning the wider bar, ice makers and bar fridges sit close to the glasswasher. Keep the three within easy reach of the pour station.
Steam, heat and noise
A glasswasher releases steam and heat when the door opens. At a bar, that lands near your staff and your guests.
Think about where the steam goes. A cramped bar with little airflow gets warm and damp. Ask the manufacturer about ventilation and clearances, and follow the installation instructions.
Noise matters too. Pumps, motors and spray arms all make sound. A cocktail bar with a quiet room feels this more than a busy pub. Ask how loud a model is, and consider where it sits relative to guests.
Match the machine to your venue
These are starting points, not rules. Your layout and service style decide the final choice.
| Venue | What usually matters most | Worth considering |
|---|---|---|
| Pub | Speed during a rush and a rack for pint glasses | A glasswasher with a quick cycle, and a spare set of glasses |
| Cocktail bar | Spotless stemware and low noise | Good water treatment, rack height for tall glasses and a quiet position |
| Cafe | Limited space and mixed items | A compact undercounter dishwasher that handles cups, glasses and small plates |
| Restaurant | Glassware for the floor and plates from the kitchen | A glasswasher at the bar and a dishwasher in the kitchen |
| Club | High volume in short bursts | More than one machine and a fast turnaround |
| Function venue | Large batches of glassware after each event | A pass-through machine, or several undercounter machines |
Cleaning and descaling
A glasswasher that is easy to clean stays cleaner and lasts longer. Ask these questions about every model:
- Can you remove and rinse the filters without tools?
- Can you take out the wash arms to clear blocked jets?
- Is the inside of the tank easy to wipe out?
- Does the manufacturer give a descaling method and a suggested routine?
Empty and clean the filters every day. Leave the door open at close so the inside can dry. Descale when the manufacturer advises, using a product they approve.
Follow the maintenance steps in the manufacturer's manual. Use a licensed tradesperson for any work on the electrical, water or drainage connections.
Mistakes to avoid
- Not measuring the glasses. A rack that does not fit your tallest glass is a daily problem.
- Ignoring the water. Hard water ruins glasses and scales the machine.
- Buying for an average night. Size the machine for your busiest hour.
- Forgetting the drain. Check where the waste point is before you choose a drain type.
- Skipping the door swing. A door that cannot open fully makes loading slow and awkward.
- Skipping the power check. Confirm the power point before the machine arrives.
Checklist before you buy
- What do you wash: glasses only, or glasses with cups and plates?
- Does the rack suit your tallest and widest glass?
- Does the stated cycle time suit your busiest hour?
- What is your water like, and does the machine need treated water?
- Does it have rinse aid and detergent dosing, or do you add them?
- Is the rinse hot or cold, and what does that need on your site?
- Can your waste point support a gravity drain, or do you need a pump?
- How much heat, steam and noise will it add at the bar?
- Is there space for the door to open and for loading?
- Does the power point match the specification?
If budget is tight, browse the clearance range. Check the specification of any model carefully.
Browse glasswashers
A few undercounter models from the range. Check the full specification on each product page.
Smeg SPG405MAU Ecoline Underbench GlasswasherView product →
Washtech GM-R, 450mm Rack Undercounter GlasswasherView product →
Winterhalter UC-S Excellence-i GlasswasherView product →
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a glasswasher or a dishwasher?
Choose a glasswasher if you wash mostly glassware. Choose an undercounter dishwasher if you also wash plates, trays or cookware. Check the rack options for the items you wash.
Is a drain pump better than a gravity drain?
Neither is better in every venue. A gravity drain needs a low enough waste point. A pump gives more flexibility but adds a part that can need service. Match the choice to your site.
Do I need a water softener?
It depends on your water. Hard water leaves spots and builds scale. Ask a licensed plumber about your supply, and check what the manufacturer recommends for the model.
Why do my glasses come out cloudy?
Common causes are hard water, too little rinse aid, the wrong detergent or a dirty filter. Check each one, and follow the manufacturer's manual.
How often should I clean and descale a glasswasher?
Clean the filters daily. Descale when the manufacturer advises. Use a product they approve, and follow the steps in the manual.
Does DHT Solutions arrange delivery or installation?
Contact DHT Solutions for a quote on delivery for your order. If you need installation, it is arranged separately.
Talk to DHT Solutions
Tell us your venue, your bar space and your budget, and we will help you shortlist suitable options. Contact DHT Solutions for a quote.