Tea and Water Pitchers

Drink Pitchers: What You Need to Know

When it comes to selecting a beverage pitcher, there are several materials to choose from. Clear restaurant pitchers enable you to see the product within them, helping employees quickly serve guests and see how much ice remains. Solid commercial pitchers, such as stainless steel units, hide stains more easily than clear configurations. This creates a more tasteful appearance for guests, though it doesn't make the exterior immune to stains and streaks. Frosted or amber pitchers are also available if you prefer a semi-transparent piece of beverage-serving equipment.

Another factor to keep in mind is the drink pitcher's design, as each of these containers has a different capacity, weight, and base. Beverage pitchers with a slotted base dry more quickly when the equipment is turned upside down. Some lids come with multiple positions, diversifying the beverage-pouring process. Some positions pour both the beverage and ice, while others only release the beverage, straining the ice. To minimize spills, invest in a restaurant pitcher lid capable of closing completely.

Common Questions About Pitchers

How should you wash stainless steel drink pitchers?

Many stainless steel beverage pitcher manufacturers advise against cleaning this equipment solely in a dishwasher. The machine can dull finishes, leave water spots, and create mineral deposits. Although dishmachines are more time- and labor-efficient, you should routinely wash stainless steel restaurant pitchers by hand to take care of the aforementioned problems. Handwashing commercial pitchers helps them look their best and extends their service life at your establishment. Manually cleaning this equipment is more thorough than leaving it to the dishwasher, which can over wash or even dry out the pitcher.

What's the best way to handwash stainless steel beverage pitchers?

Clean your stainless steel restaurant pitcher with hot, soapy water by thoroughly scrubbing it with a dish cloth, scrubby, or sponge. Once the stainless steel commercial pitcher is clean, rinse it under hot water and remove all residue. Any remaining soap can dull the piece of equipment over time. Once you've rinsed the residue, dry the smallware with an absorbent, soft towel. Leaving the stainless steel pitcher to air dry can result in water spots, reducing cleanliness and shine. Make sure you get all sides of the unit, as well as cracks and crevices.

How do you remove streaks and stains from stainless steel beverage pitchers?

Over time, stainless steel restaurant pitchers can become streaked or stained from beverage contact or prolonged heat exposure. Regardless of regular cleaning, the smallware will dull over time, so you should polish it consistently. This can be accomplished with common kitchen items such as club soda, lemon juice, olive oil, and vinegar. Club soda is excellent for stubborn stains. Simply rinse or soak the stainless steel commercial pitcher in club soda and wipe it with a cleaning cloth, repeating this process until the stain has been removed. Finish by rinsing and drying the smallware. Lemon juice is recommended for heat stains and streaking. Get a clean cloth, dampen it with the juice, and wipe the stainless steel pitcher until the stain is gone. Repeat this process as needed. Using a cloth with olive oil gets rid of visible streaks. First, ensure the stainless steel drink pitcher is clean, then add a small amount of oil to the cloth. Wipe the streaks to remove them or make them less visible. The acids and cleaning properties in vinegar are great for cleaning and polishing stainless steel beverage pitchers. By applying vinegar to a cleaning cloth and wiping away any dirt or tarnish on your equipment, you can easily brighten dull areas. Reapply the vinegar for even more shine.