Silicone Wine Glasses – an Alternative to Genuine Glass

Regular wine glasses are visually appealing and they allow consumers to enjoy all aspects of good wine. However, using glass can be inconvenient in some situations. Ordinary wine glasses are fragile, especially those made of thin glass. That is why they are not convenient for outdoor events when you have to worry about breaking the glass.

Regular glasses are also not suitable for putting in your backpack when you go camping or when you want to enjoy other outdoor pursuits.

Until recently, drinking wine outdoors while breathing fresh air was possible only by using disposable plastic cups. However, plastic cups are bulky and breakable and they end up in landfills. An active outdoor person wants to use reusable products and enjoy food and drink without damaging the environment.

Recently, innovative companies have come up with new reusable drinking vessels made from a material that doesn’t break. These new, durable glasses are made of thick food-grade silicone. They are designed for any type of outdoor gathering and also for daily use.

Some people readily take full advantage of these new products while others believe that wine tastes better in a glass. Glass substitutes can interfere with subtle, nuanced flavors and a wine-tasting experience.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the newest alternative to traditional wine glasses.

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Advantages of Silicone Glasses

There are several reasons you may like silicone wine glasses:

1. Unbreakable. These drinking vessels are made with durable silicone and are completely shatter-proof. You can carry your drink with you without fear of breaking the glass. These glasses will not break if you happen to drop them or throw them in the sink. You can squeeze or smash them, and they will return to their original shape.
2. Comfortable. The silicone glasses are comfortable to hold onto and do not slip out of your hand. Although they are soft to the touch and malleable they are still firm enough to carry around your beverage without fear of spilling. The cups keep your beverage cold but don’t cause your hand and fingers to feel unpleasantly cold. Due to silicone insulating properties, your hands will not raise the temperature of the beverage you drink. Silicone glasses will not sweat when filled with iced beverages as normal glasses or plastic cups would. That means fewer water stains on your furniture.
3. Safe and eco-friendly. Silicone glasses are made with food-grade, FDA-approved silicone. Silicone is a safe food contact material when used for a low-temperature application. There are still not enough researches to prove that silicone is a food contact-safe material for long-term use at high temperatures. You can use silicone glasses for cold beverages or put them in the freezer without fear of transferring any chemicals. Just be sure to wash them properly before first use. Reusable silicone drinking vessels are a more environmentally responsible choice than disposable cups which can create trash problems. By offering more waste-free events these cups help reduce the amount of landfills.
4. Handy for outdoor events. It’s never a good idea to serve drinks in ordinary glasses when there is the possibility of injury due to broken glass. Using silicone glasses is a nice solution for enjoying the wine poolside or in other outdoor areas where using glass is not safe. They are handy when working in the yard or resting in a hammock. It is easy to bring them to a summer picnic or on a camping trip.
5. Multipurpose. Although these unbreakable glasses are intended for wine, they can be filled with all types of beverages. They easily hold water, beer, soda, juice, or your favorite cocktail. You can use them, like ice makers, or kitchen prep bowls, or to put the kid’s snacks in them. The flexible silicone glasses are heat and cold tolerant and suitable for a temperature range from -46°F to 460°F (-40°C to 230°C).
6. Easily washable. If you use silicone glasses for red wine, they won’t stain. You can easily wash them with hot, soapy water or they can go through the dishwasher. They can withstand many rounds in the dishwasher and they will never fade, warp, or chip.
7. Lightweight and packable. Since silicone glasses can be flattened they are convenient to place in your suitcase without taking up too much space. They can be carried in a backpack or bag without having to worry about scratches or dents. Whatever pressure is exerted on the surface of the silicone wine glass, it will pop right back into its original shape ready to be used.
8. Safe for children. Sometimes you are hesitant to take out the glassware, especially where there are children or pets running around. If you are looking for something worry-free for your kids to drink from, you will be fond of silicone drinking cups. The silicone glasses ensure easy handling by children because the glasses are soft and their little hands have a better grip on them. Children are excited to drink juice from them. When glasses come in different colors kids can know which cup belongs to them. These glasses are also a safer option for persons who have a serious issue with dropping things over the regular glass cups.

Disadvantages of Silicone Wine Glasses

1. These glasses are fairly flexible to the touch and if you use a strong grip when picking or holding them your drink may spill out. Make sure you don’t overfill them and don’t squeeze too hard when picking them up.
2. They have a slight plastic smell out of the box. The smell should go away after running them through the dishwasher. A solution of white vinegar and water left in the glasses overnight also works well to eliminate that initial smell.
3. The glasses tend to collect dust and animal hair on the outside surface. Make sure you always store these properly to stay clean and ready to use.
4. True glass is more pleasing to the eye. Although silicone glasses are superior to plastic ones they are not suitable for social settings that require specific serving procedures.
5. True glass makes the experience of wine much more pleasant for consumers. Wine lovers prefer genuine glass over their alternatives and they even chose specific glasses for certain wines.
6. The opening is too small and most people have to squeeze the sides of the glass to be able to drink out of the opening. Such a small opening doesn’t allow the consumer’s nose to smell the wine’s aroma and truly enjoy all aspects of the wine.

Glasses made of silicone have many advantages over traditional glass cups. Additionally, these glasses can be a conversation piece.

On the other hand, there are occasions when you prefer to pour, serve and taste your favorite wine from elegant and aesthetically pleasing wine glasses. Silicone and conventional wine glasses actually complement each other. Therefore, keep your beautiful glass and use it for special occasions or when you want to get the most out of your favorite wine. When breakage is a concern and you worry that someone could be injured, keep ready a set of these practical silicone cups. Cheers!

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