The durability requirements for hotel tableware

In terms of materials

Anti-wear: Hotel tableware is used very frequently. Different dishes will rub against the tableware during the process of taking and serving. Take ceramic tableware as an example. The surface glaze layer of high-quality ceramic tableware should be uniform and dense, effectively resisting the scratches of metal tableware such as knives and forks. If the quality of the glaze layer is poor, scratches may appear in a short time, which not only affects the appearance but also may accumulate dirt and breed bacteria. Glass tableware also needs to have good wear resistance. Its surface should be smooth and hard, capable of withstanding the collision and friction of the tableware during daily use, to avoid the decrease in transparency or the increase in the risk of cracking caused by surface wear.

Corrosion resistance: The hotel offers a wide variety of dishes, and foods of different properties such as acids, alkalis, and salts will come into contact with the tableware. Metal tableware made of stainless steel should have excellent corrosion resistance and be able to resist the erosion of acidic substances (such as lemon juice, vinegar, etc.) and alkaline substances (such as baking soda, etc.) in food. If the corrosion resistance of stainless steel tableware is poor, after long-term contact with these substances, rust spots or corrosion marks may appear on the surface, affecting the service life and hygiene of the tableware. The glaze of ceramic tableware should also be corrosion-resistant to prevent chemical substances in food from penetrating into the interior of the ceramics, causing discoloration or damage to the tableware.

High-temperature resistance: In hotel kitchens, tableware often needs to withstand high-temperature environments, such as the use of equipment like ovens, steamers, and dishwashers. Ceramic tableware should be able to remain stable at high temperatures and not crack or break due to sudden temperature changes. For instance, some high-quality ceramic tableware can withstand firing temperatures above 1200℃ and maintain good performance even in high-temperature environments during normal use. Glass tableware also needs to have high-temperature resistance. Its coefficient of thermal expansion should be small, allowing it to switch quickly between high and low temperatures without cracking. For metal tableware, it is necessary to ensure that no deformation or release of harmful substances occurs during the high-temperature disinfection process.

In terms of structural design

Reasonable thickness and weight: The thickness and weight of tableware directly affect its durability. Take ceramic dinner plates as an example. Plates that are too thin are prone to breakage when bearing the weight of food or being hit by external forces. While plates that are too thick, although more sturdy, will increase costs and weight, and are not convenient for waiters to operate. Generally speaking, the thickness of a dinner plate should be reasonably designed based on its size and usage scenario, ensuring sufficient strength while also taking into account the convenience of use. The weight of metal tableware also needs to be moderate. Metal tableware that is too light may feel lacking in texture and is prone to slipping during use. Heavy metal tableware will increase the labor intensity of the waiters.

Stable connection parts: For some modular tableware, such as those with handles (spoons, forks, knives, etc.), the connection part between the handle and the main body of the tableware must be stable. If the design of the connection parts is unreasonable or the manufacturing process is poor, loosening or even falling off may occur during use, which not only affects the normal use of the tableware but also may cause harm to the user. For instance, the welding or riveting between the handle and the main body of the tableware should be firm and capable of withstanding certain tensile and torsional forces.

Anti-slip design: The anti-slip design of tableware not only enhances the safety of use but also increases its durability. In a hotel environment, waiters and waitresses may cause tableware to slip due to sweaty hands or smooth surfaces during their busy work. Therefore, the surface of tableware can be designed with some anti-slip textures or made of anti-slip materials. For instance, the edges of ceramic tableware can be designed in a wavy shape or with concave and convex textures, and the handles of metal tableware can be wrapped with anti-slip materials such as rubber or silicone.

In terms of production technology

Precise forming process: The forming process of tableware directly affects the accuracy of its shape and size. Take glassware as an example. Through advanced blowing or pressing techniques, the shape of the tableware can be guaranteed to be regular and the wall thickness uniform. If the forming process is not good, the tableware may have problems such as deformation and uneven wall thickness. This not only affects the appearance of the tableware but also reduces its strength and durability. The forming process of ceramic tableware also needs to be precisely controlled to ensure that the flatness of the plates and the shapes of containers such as bowls and cups meet the design requirements.

High-quality surface treatment: Surface treatment is an important link to enhance the durability of tableware. For metal tableware, surface treatment can prevent rusting and corrosion, and at the same time enhance its aesthetic appeal. Common metal surface treatment processes include electroplating and spraying, etc. These processes should ensure uniform coatings with strong adhesion, capable of withstanding friction and cleaning during daily use. The surface glaze of ceramic tableware should be evenly applied, and the firing temperature and time should be precisely controlled to ensure the smoothness and hardness of the glaze surface.

Strict quality inspection: During the production process, tableware must undergo strict quality inspection. The inspection contents include appearance quality (such as whether there are cracks, bubbles, defects, etc.), dimensional accuracy, physical properties (such as strength, hardness, wear resistance, etc.) and chemical properties (such as corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, etc.). Only tableware that has passed strict inspection can enter the market to ensure that the tableware used in hotels meets the durability requirements.

In terms of usage and maintenance

The correct usage method: Hotel staff should receive training to understand the correct usage method of tableware. For example, when using ceramic tableware, one should avoid suddenly placing the tableware in high or low temperature environments to prevent it from cracking due to thermal expansion and contraction. When using metal tableware, avoid colliding with sharp objects to prevent the surface from being scratched. At the same time, guests should be educated to use tableware correctly to avoid damage to the tableware due to improper use by guests.

Standardized cleaning and disinfection: The cleaning and disinfection process of tableware can also affect its durability. During the cleaning process, appropriate cleaning agents and tools should be used. Avoid using overly rough brushes or strong acid or alkali cleaning agents to prevent damage to the surface of the tableware. For some tableware made of special materials, such as silver tableware, special cleaning and maintenance methods need to be adopted. During the disinfection process, appropriate disinfection methods such as high-temperature disinfection and ultraviolet disinfection should be selected based on the material of the tableware. The disinfection time and temperature should be strictly controlled to avoid deformation or damage of the tableware due to improper disinfection.

Regular inspection and maintenance: Hotels should establish a regular inspection and maintenance system for tableware. Regularly check the usage condition of tableware. If any wear, damage or aging of tableware is found, timely repair or replacement should be carried out. For some repairable tableware, such as minor cracks in ceramic tableware, professional repair methods can be adopted for restoration to extend the service life of the tableware.