Storing :
• Placing rubber or plastic mats on large stainless steel
surfaces usually found in industrial kitchens can help
reduce metal marking to ceramics .
• Rubber or plastic mats can also be placed in stacking
areas , trolleys or sinks to further reduce the chance of
metal marking .
• Replace or repair any plastic coated racks that
may have become worn and the metal underneath
exposed , as this again could cause damage to your
ceramics .
• Do not stack items more than 15 ” high .
• Only stack products that are designatedas stackable .
Using :
• Don ’ t scrape off leftovers – wipe off with a paper towel
or a plastic / rubber scraper .
• Do not slide items across each other to reduce
abrasions .
• Minimise handling to reduce glaze abrasion .
• Be sure to rotate your stock to prevent uneven wear .
• Use cutlery that is of a high grade steel as a minimum
requirement , as some cutlery in use today is made
from low grade steel , which being soft in nature
increases the chance of metal marking .
• Using metal utensils against ceramics can also cause
metal marking , try to keep this to a minimum or use
plastic utensils .
Washing :
• Seventy percent of product damage / loss occurs at the
dishwasher table . To avoid such damage , ensure that
the dishwasher table has sufficient space to store dirty
items and avoid overloading trays or trolleys .
• To ensure the quality level of the product it is
important to take note of the following :
• Items should be washed within 45 minutes of removal
from the table and pre rinsed
Abrasive cleaning aids should not be used i e scouring
pads steel wool etc
All items should be separated into type prior to
washing
Stack ceramics separately to other crockery in the
dishwasher such as cutlery or pans and ensure items
do not vibrate against each other during the cycle
Avoid contact between ceramics dinnerware and
metals
Strictly follow recommended dishwashing procedures
set out by the manufacturer and use the correct dose
application of the detergent
The use of an approved detergent is recommended
• For effective cleaning , we recommend that the
dishwashing temperature and the final rinse be set
between 55 to 60 ° C . Operating at higher temperature
levels in order to wash crockery ‘ properly ’ is a definite
case of overkill and detrimental to all tableware .
• Repair or replace any plastic coated metal in the
dishwasher that may have worn away as this may
result in metal marking .
• Overdosing on detergent or using excessively high
temperatures will cause deterioration to the glazed
finish or damage any decoration on the product .
Metal Marking :
• Metal marking occurs when a ceramic item comes
into contact with metal surfaces or utensils , which can
cause metal tracing to be left on the ceramic item due
to certain types of steel being softer than the glaze of
the ceramic .
• Despite the unsightly appearance of metal marking , it
is not a cause for concern as it can be easily removed
by the application of a gentle household non abrasive
cleaner
Custom Decoration
Gold and platinum decorations are not microwave
safe
Utopia ceramics are suitable for microwave use
however be advised that any decorated item that
includes metal will not be microwave safe
Hand washing is recommended to prolong the metallic
lustre of decoration
Ceramic Care Guide
564