Help: Cleaning Riedel glasses

[Craig(NZ).]

Hey

This might be a silly question to some but...is there any real reason on balance of pros and cons that I shouldnt wash my riedel vinum shiraz glasses in a dishwasher??

Dishwasher seems to do a great job of glasses but heard that crystal glasses should be hand washed.

However ive never seen a glass ruined in a dishwasher, but have seen plenty of filthy handwashed glasses and breakages from 'careful' handwashing

Love to know what others think/do.

Thanks

C.

[Muscat Mike]

Craig,
I have used a dishwasher for years with glassware. I was getting some dulling of the glass but this was corrected when I bought a "Finish" product for glassware. Since then they have always come out sparkling clean.
I hate washing glasses and,as you said, it is very difficult and time consuming, to hand wash them properly.
MM.

[Ratcatcher]

I read somewhere that you should hold them upside down over steaming water and then wipe with a clean cloth. Is that a bit over the top?

Obviously only with the best crystal, not the 6 for $19.99 glasses.

[Rob]

I have always cleaned my riedel glass by hand. I don't trust dish washer. If you are going to use dish washer, I would use minimal cleaning agent, they can dull or even scratch the glass if the cleaning agent contains abrasive compound

[Bill]

My understanding is that crystal glasses should never be put in a dishwasher, as crystal is a softer glass than normal glass and the strong dishwasher detergent can cause pitting of the glass.


Bill

[Keith]

I had some crystal tasting glasses once which got a lot of use and were always washed in the dishwasher (using deterrgent and finish). Eventually they became cloudy and were ruined. I wouldn't want that to happen to my riedel glasses.

[guest]

Hi
But Riedel are not crystal.
Most dishwashing solutions are strongly alkaline and will abrade lead crystal,aluminium and hand painted products over time. We never put our silver-rimed(painted) Doulton crockery or best cutlery in the dishwasher for these reasons.
I cant see a problem with Riedel(but be bloody careful stacking it as there's a fair amount of 'washing force' going on during the cycle) and I would use only minimum amounts of washing compound to lessen any potential residue, notwithstanding that a good rinse takes place in the washing cycle, as I can usually always smell the solution after the cycle is complete in my Smeg.
GeoffG

[Keith]

Depends which Riedel glasses. Vinum are 24% lead crystal.

[bacchaebabe]

Most of mine won't actually fit in the top drawer of my dishwasher so it's a no brainer there!

I wouldn't risk it in the bottom drawer.

I find the best thing to do is to rinse them immediately after use so you don't have to get your hand right in there when the residue is all stuck to the bottom. Lessens the breakage chance.

[Bill]

But Riedel are not crystal.

Yes they are! Where did you get that idea from?


Bill

[Pelican]

Hi Craig

I have found that the best way to clean and polish the Riedels is by hand with a microfibre cloth. Just rinse thoroughly in hot water and then use the cloth. They come up sparkling. The only thing I find is that it is important to keep the microfibre cloth clean ( wash with neutral soap regularly ) otherwise a dirty cloth can cause the glasses to pong a bit as well !

Pelican

[JohnP]

Follow the link for Riedel's own recommendation.

http://www.riedel.com/website/english/f ... guide.html

[JohnP]

But Riedel are not crystal.

Yes they are! Where did you get that idea from?


Bill

You are both 'correct'.

The Sommelier, Vinum and Vinum Extreme are crystal - 24% lead oxide. However, the Wine and Ouverture series are non-crystal - just glass. So I guess it depends on which ones you own as to how right you are

[Pelican]

Follow the link for Riedel's own recommendation.

http://www.riedel.com/website/english/f ... guide.html

The only problem with using Linen ( and Riedel mean real proper Linen ) is that , at least in Adelaide , it is near impossible to buy a high quality linen tea towell. A year or so ago I tried absolutely everywhere to no avail. General answer from shops and even wholesalers was that people were not prepared to pay for linen tea towells. Strange when in these shops they had fancy cookware and glassware that was very expensive but only had cheap tea towells. The closest I got to being able to procure a real linen tea towell was at a wholesaler who said they knew where to get them but that that source would not sell to the public !

Also my good old Mum found some 100% Irish Linen tea towells a few months ago in her cupboard. I think these were quite old ! I promptly tried them out on the Riedels but they still left bits on the glasses - perhaps this is due to the Adelaide water ??? Anyways I find the microfibre cloths less hassle all round for me.

[Pelican]

Follow the link for Riedel's own recommendation.

http://www.riedel.com/website/english/f ... guide.html

The only problem with using Linen ( and Riedel mean real proper Linen ) is that , at least in Adelaide , it is near impossible to buy a high quality linen tea towell. A year or so ago I tried absolutely everywhere to no avail. General answer from shops and even wholesalers was that people were not prepared to pay for linen tea towells. Strange when in these shops they had fancy cookware and glassware that was very expensive but only had cheap tea towells. The closest I got to being able to procure a real linen tea towell was at a wholesaler who said they knew where to get them but that that source would not sell to the public !

Also my good old Mum found some 100% Irish Linen tea towells a few months ago in her cupboard. I think these were quite old ! I promptly tried them out on the Riedels but they still left bits on the glasses - perhaps this is due to the Adelaide water ??? Anyways I find the microfibre cloths less hassle all round for me.

[michel]

Follow the link for Riedel's own recommendation.

http://www.riedel.com/website/english/f ... guide.html

Hardest thing about this John is getting your hand and cloth into the narrow shiraz glasses

[Guest]

Our wines stain glasses something chronic!
Try showing someone your Riesling in purple stained glasses, instead of vibrant green you get Oxidised brown!

We find Steradent tablets (yes for False teeth) are amazing.
2 tablets in a sinkfull of warm water, rinse and away you go!

I wonder how nmany other red wine makers in this country have the same problems!

Cheers
Smithy

[Craig(NZ).]

Thanks for the tips. Will try hand washing for a while, but i have a funny feeling i will end up breaking one before the dishwasher would destroy them

however we will see

best thing is to rinse them asap i guess and rinse with hot water