Where do I buy Utopia Products?
In the Hospitality sector Utopia products are distributed through a network of distributors. To find your nearest Utopia distributor please contact us.

What is the quality level of Utopia Products?
Utopia Tableware only source from world class manufacturers, who have stringent quality mangement procedures and ethical means of production. Products are also inspected when they arrive in the UK to ensure our customers receive the quality they demand.

What is Activator Max Nucleated Glass?
Activator Max has been designed to improve the appearance of carbonated drinks, and is particularly suitable for lager, ciders or soft drinks. The bottom of the glass is marked with laser etching. This method of nucleation will not fade, wash off or become unsightly.

Why do i need government stamped glasses?
It is a legal requirement for spirits, wines and beers to be properly measured using a government stamped measure before being served to the customer when sold in units of less than a bottle in a public house. This can be done using an optic, a measured pump, a government stamped measure or more commononly for beers, lagers, cider and wines by using a goverment stamped glass.

The most common measures for beer, lager or cider are 1/2 pint and 1 pint. The legal measures that can be used for wine are 125ml, 175ml or 250ml.

TOUGHENED GLASS QUESTIONS
What is toughened glass?

Toughened glass is glass that has been heated to a very high temperature and then cooled down rapidly. This produces glassware that is more resistant to mechanical and thermal shock than annealed product..

Why choose a toughened product rather than a annealed one?
Toughening or tempering is a manufacturing process, which increases the durability of the product. Toughened items can last 10 to 50 times longer than an annealed item. When the item breaks it will break into smaller, nearly blunt, pieces increasing safety.

What change in temperature can a toughened glass withstand?
A toughened glass can withstand changes in temperature of more than 135C an annealed item can only withstand a change in temperature of around 75C. The name of the cause of this type of breakage is thermal shock.

Is a toughened product more expensive than an annealed product?
Toughened products may be up to 20% higher than annealed products, however as the breakage of toughened products are far less than standard products the cost of replenishment is much reduced.

GLASS CARE QUESTIONS
How do I prolong the life of my tableware?

• Always wash new glassware and tableware before the first use
• Always use a non-castic detergent as caustic detergents affect head retention, etch the glass, and give the glass a shadowy tinge.
• Water on the premised should be stored at 60C. If the water is stored at a higher temperature by the time it reaches the machine it may be hot enough to crack glasses and bake debris onto the tableware.
• Coffee cups should never be washed in the glass washing machine, as coffee dregs can taint water and stain the glasses - this also applies to drinks containing cream.
• Do not put cutlery into glasses.
• Never pick up glasses in clusters.
  Be careful to avoid contact with beer taps.
• Do not put cold liquids into hot or warm glasses striaght from the dishwasher as this can cause cracks.
• Do not stack glasses unless they have been designed to stack.
• Pre-heat glasses for hot drinks by running them under warm water.
• When moving the products or handling them limit the contact between the glasses to avoid scratching.

What do i do if a white film appears on my glasses?
The first action to take is to dip the glasses in vinegar. If the film reduces it was casued by lime scale or food deposit.
To ensure this does not happen again you should

• Soften the water used.
• Use a detergent designed for the level of lime scale in the water.

If there is no improvement the problem is caused by either water that is too hard or too soft or very aggressive detergent. If the film is caused by either of these causes it is irreversible.
To avoid these problems happening again you should:

• Check the levels of lime scale in the water.
• Follow the maximum and minimum recommended amounts of detergent
• Check that metallic items (saucepans, cutlery etc) are not affected by the wash, creating a deposit of attacking other items.