When it comes to enjoying a refreshing glass of your favourite beer, the last thing you want is for your glass to be clouded with unsightly water spots and stains. If you’ve ever faced this issue, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there’s a simple solution to this problem – using a water softener. In this blog post, we’ll explore how a water softener can help in achieving crystal-clear, spotless pint glasses while also boosting the overall longevity of your appliances. Let’s dive in!

The Hidden Importance of Water Softeners in Pubs and Restaurants

It’s not uncommon to discover that many pubs or restaurants located in hard water areas, actually have either an external or internal water softener installed to their glasswasher. However, problems arise when staff fail to regularly maintain the softener or, in some cases, are unaware of its existence.

Understanding the Impact of Hard Water

Hard water is water that contains high levels of minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium. These minerals can accumulate on the surfaces of your appliances and glassware, leaving behind unsightly deposits. When hard water comes into contact with your pint glasses, it can leave behind mineral stains and streaks, making your glasses appear cloudy and dirty.

Cleaning transparent glassware is challenging enough, but when washing with hard water, it results in a cloudy, white film that gives the appearance of a dirty glass. From a hygiene perspective, the presence of limescale creates a breeding ground for bacteria, which can also affect the taste and aroma of the beer or lager. Also, the porous residue makes it difficult for water to sheet off the glass after rinsing, leaving the glass wet, resulting in a flat pint.

Benefits of Using Salt for Water Softeners

1. Spotless Glassware: When you use salt in your water softener, it helps prevent the build-up of mineral deposits on your pint glasses, leaving them sparkling clean.
2. Longer Appliance Lifespan: By reducing the strain on your appliances caused by hard water, you can extend their lifespan. This includes your water heater, dishwasher, and washing machine.
3. Energy Efficiency: Softened water requires less energy to heat, leading to energy savings and reduced utility bills.

If you have a manual water softener positioned next to your glasswasher, it should be regenerated with salt for water softeners (hydrosoft granular salt) on a weekly basis. In the case of a glasswasher with a built-in water softener, you should top-up the salt reservoir when prompted, typically signalled by a light or symbol on the machine’s front panel.

Hard water can also harm the glasswasher itself. Limescale build-up coats the elements, leading to overheating and burnout. Limescale also obstructs wash jets and filters and can even cause pump impellers to emit a squealing sound during operation. In severe instances, limescale build-up can prevent the rotation of the wash arms.

Use our handy water hardness test strips, to check whether you are in a hard water area. If you haven’t got a water softener but need one, check out our range. If you need any advice or help call us.