Regular wine glasses are visually appealing and allow consumers to enjoy all aspects of a good wine. However, using glass may be impractical in some situations. Ordinary wine glasses are fragile, especially those made of thin glass. For this reason, they are not suitable for outdoor events where there is concern that the glass may break.
Regular glasses are not recommended for backpacking if you want to go camping or do other outdoor activities.
Until recently, drinking wine outdoors in the fresh air was only possible using disposable plastic cups. However, plastic cups are bulky and fragile and end up in landfills. An active outdoor person wants to use reusable products and enjoy food and drink without harming the environment.
Recently, innovative companies have developed new reusable drinking vessels made from a material that won’t break. These new, durable glasses are made of thick food-grade silicone. They are designed for any outdoor gathering and also for everyday use.
Some people readily take advantage of these new products, while others believe that wine tastes better by the glass. Glass substitutes can interfere with subtle, nuanced flavor and wine 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 why you might like silicone wine glasses:
- Silicone glasses are unbreakable. These drinking vessels are made of durable silicone and are completely shatter-proof. You can carry your drink with you without worrying about the glass breaking. These glasses won’t break if you drop them or throw them in the sink. You can squeeze or smash them and they will return to their original shape.
- Comfortable. The silicone glasses fit comfortably in the hand and do not slip out of your hand. Although they are soft to the touch and malleable, they are still strong enough to carry your drink around without fear of spills. The cups keep your drink cold but do not cause an unpleasant cold feeling on your hands and fingers. Due to the insulating properties of silicone, the temperature of your beverage will not increase from the temperature of your hands. Silicone glasses do not sweat when filled with iced drinks like regular glasses or plastic cups. This means fewer water stains on your furniture.
- Safe and eco-friendly. Silicone jars are made from food-grade, FDA-approved silicone. Silicone is a safe food contact material when used for low-temperature applications. There is not yet enough research to prove that silicone is a food contact-safe material for long-term use at high temperatures. You can use silicone glasses for cold drinks or put them in the freezer without fear of chemical transfer. Just be sure to wash them thoroughly before first use. Reusable silicone drinkware is a more environmentally friendly choice than disposable cups, which can lead to waste problems. By offering more waste-free events, these cups help reduce the amount of landfill waste.
- Practical for outdoor events. It is never a good idea to serve drinks in regular glasses if there is a risk of injury from broken glass. Using silicone glasses is a good solution to enjoy wine in the pool or other outdoor areas where it is not safe to use glass. They come in handy when you’re gardening or resting in a hammock. They are easy to take to a summer picnic or camping trip.
- Multipurpose. Although these unbreakable glasses are intended for wine, they can be filled with any drink. They easily hold water, beer, lemonade, juice, or your favorite cocktail. You can use them like ice makers or kitchen bowls or to put the children’s snacks in them. The flexible silicone glasses are heat and cold-tolerant and suitable for a temperature range of -40°C to 230°C.
- Easily washable. If you use silicone glasses for red wine, they will not stain. You can simply wash them with hot soapy water or put them in the dishwasher. They can withstand many rounds in the dishwasher and will never fade, warp, or chip.
- Lightweight and packable. Because silicone glasses can be flattened, they can be easily stored in your suitcase without taking up too much space. They can be carried in a backpack or bag without fear of scratches or dents. Whatever pressure is applied to the surface of the silicone wine glass, it immediately springs back to its original shape and is ready for use.
- Safe for children. Sometimes you hesitate to use the glassware, especially when children or pets are running around. If you’re looking for something your kids can drink from safely, you’ll love silicone drinking cups. The silicone glasses ensure easy handling by children as the glasses are soft and their little hands can grip them better. Children look forward to drinking juice from it. If there are glasses in different colors, children can identify which cup belongs to them. These glasses are also a safe option for people who have problems with dropping things.
Related product: Silipint 12-ounce Unbreakable Silicone Wine Glasses (Amazon)
Disadvantages of Silicone Wine Glasses
- These glasses feel quite flexible, and if you grip or hold them tightly, your drink may spill. Don’t overfill the glasses and don’t squeeze too tightly when picking them up.
- Silicone glasses smell slightly of plastic out of the packaging. The smell should disappear after you run them in the dishwasher. A solution of white vinegar and water left in the glasses overnight also helps eliminate the initial odor.
- The glasses tend to collect dust and pet hair on the outer surface. Always store these glasses properly to keep them clean and ready for use.
- Real glass is more pleasing to the eye. Although silicone glasses are superior to plastic, they are not suitable for some occasions that require special serving procedures.
- Real glass makes the wine experience much more pleasant for the consumer. Wine lovers prefer real glass over their alternatives and even choose special glasses for certain wines.
- The opening can be too small and most people have to squeeze the sides of the glass to drink from the opening. Such a small opening does not allow the consumer’s nose to smell the aroma of the wine and truly enjoy all aspects of the wine.
Silicone glasses have many advantages over traditional glass cups. In addition, these glasses can be a conversation piece.
On the other hand, there are occasions when you would prefer to pour, serve, and taste your favorite wine from elegant and aesthetically pleasing wine glasses. Silicone and traditional wine glasses 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. If you’re worried about breakage and someone might get hurt, keep a set of these handy silicone cups on hand. Bottom up!
Related product: Pavilion Gift Company Silicone Wine Glass, Multicolored (Amazon)
