I've been thinking about using a decanter for wine that I bought years ago.
I don't know if it is for wine, but it is similar to decanters that look
like this. It is Waterford Crystal, but not ornate. It would be used for a
bottle of wine, then washed. It is heavy. If we would not use this, I
doubt if I would buy a decanter (although I 'might' someday). We do not
drink nor serve nor keep liquor and this dear piece is lost.
http://tinyurl.com/34tdhs


If used, would you use this to clean a decanter after using for wine? Would
you use soap, or just rinse.
http://tinyurl.com/3bbpjp

Thanks so much.
Dee Dee

On Sep 22, 10:09 pm, "Dee Dee" > wrote:
> I've been thinking about using a decanter for wine that I bought years ago.
> I don't know if it is for wine, but it is similar to decanters that look
> like this. It is Waterford Crystal, but not ornate. It would be used for a
> bottle of wine, then washed. It is heavy. If we would not use this, I
> doubt if I would buy a decanter (although I 'might' someday). We do not
> drink nor serve nor keep liquor and this dear piece is lost.http://tinyurl.com/34tdhs
>
> If used, would you use this to clean a decanter after using for wine? Would
> you use soap, or just rinse.http://tinyurl.com/3bbpjp

I have seen decanters in many shapes from many eras. The ship's
decanter you show is often used for spirits, but I would find it just
as good for wine. Heavy red wines, especially port, will sometimes
stain the inside of the decanter with prolonged contact. I suggest you
fill the decanter only with enough wine for one meal and not use it
for long storage. The wine brush you show should be useful and allow
you to scrub all of the interior. Not many people use classic soap
anymore for washing dishes. Soap, such as bath soap, will build up a
film on surfaces, such as the well-known ring around the bathtub. Just
use a good liquid detergent for hand washing dishes. The fine print on
the label will likely say it uses biodegradable anionic and/or
nonionic surfactants which are the cleaners that replace soap.Some
have added lemon or other scent, and many would avoid that. However if
you rinse the decanter well several times, I do not detect lemon when
using lemon scented Joy. After rinsing the decanter several times, you
should use a final rinse or two with distilled water. Some tap water
contains traces of minerals that build up deposits inside the glass as
remaining water in the decanter evaporates. The decanter needs to be
turned upside down until completely dry, especially for the shape you
have. This helps any remaining water escape. Racks are made for
draining decanters and other tall containers. They usually have pegs
over which you invert the decanter. If the decanter is stable when
inverted, you may be able to just invert it over a heavy towel
overnight, and then stand it upright the next day.

> I have seen decanters in many shapes from many eras. The ship's
> decanter you show is often used for spirits, but I would find it just
> as good for wine. Heavy red wines, especially port, will sometimes
> stain the inside of the decanter with prolonged contact. I suggest you
> fill the decanter only with enough wine for one meal and not use it
> for long storage. The wine brush you show should be useful and allow
> you to scrub all of the interior. Not many people use classic soap
> anymore for washing dishes. Soap, such as bath soap, will build up a
> film on surfaces, such as the well-known ring around the bathtub. Just
> use a good liquid detergent for hand washing dishes. The fine print on
> the label will likely say it uses biodegradable anionic and/or
> nonionic surfactants which are the cleaners that replace soap.Some
> have added lemon or other scent, and many would avoid that. However if
> you rinse the decanter well several times, I do not detect lemon when
> using lemon scented Joy. After rinsing the decanter several times, you
> should use a final rinse or two with distilled water. Some tap water
> contains traces of minerals that build up deposits inside the glass as
> remaining water in the decanter evaporates. The decanter needs to be
> turned upside down until completely dry, especially for the shape you
> have. This helps any remaining water escape. Racks are made for
> draining decanters and other tall containers. They usually have pegs
> over which you invert the decanter. If the decanter is stable when
> inverted, you may be able to just invert it over a heavy towel
> overnight, and then stand it upright the next day.

With tea, we only use boiling water immediately after use of the
vessel to clean up. Do you think this would be ok for decanters too
or do you still recommend soap? What about soaking in really hot,
soap-less water?

On Sep 23, 7:56 am, Mydnight > wrote:
> > I have seen decanters in many shapes from many eras. The ship's
> > decanter you show is often used for spirits, but I would find it just
> > as good for wine. Heavy red wines, especially port, will sometimes
> > stain the inside of the decanter with prolonged contact. I suggest you
> > fill the decanter only with enough wine for one meal and not use it
> > for long storage. The wine brush you show should be useful and allow
> > you to scrub all of the interior. Not many people use classic soap
> > anymore for washing dishes. Soap, such as bath soap, will build up a
> > film on surfaces, such as the well-known ring around the bathtub. Just
> > use a good liquid detergent for hand washing dishes. The fine print on
> > the label will likely say it uses biodegradable anionic and/or
> > nonionic surfactants which are the cleaners that replace soap.Some
> > have added lemon or other scent, and many would avoid that. However if
> > you rinse the decanter well several times, I do not detect lemon when
> > using lemon scented Joy. After rinsing the decanter several times, you
> > should use a final rinse or two with distilled water. Some tap water
> > contains traces of minerals that build up deposits inside the glass as
> > remaining water in the decanter evaporates. The decanter needs to be
> > turned upside down until completely dry, especially for the shape you
> > have. This helps any remaining water escape. Racks are made for
> > draining decanters and other tall containers. They usually have pegs
> > over which you invert the decanter. If the decanter is stable when
> > inverted, you may be able to just invert it over a heavy towel
> > overnight, and then stand it upright the next day.
>
> With tea, we only use boiling water immediately after use of the
> vessel to clean up. Do you think this would be ok for decanters too
> or do you still recommend soap? What about soaking in really hot,
> soap-less water?

The decanter shown at the url appears to be fine cut crystal. Sudden
temperature changes sometimes will cause such cut glass to crack. I
would not use water much warmer than your hands can stand on most
glass other than pyrex or other type of glass designed for cooking.
Decanters of the type shown often are rather expensive. If one thinks
they can taste or smell a residue after using a hand dishwashing
detergent and rinsing well, I seem to recall that some wine supply
companies offer a special detergent for washing wine glasses and such.
I have never found a need for one, but someone else might.

On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:59:32 -0700, cwdjrxyz >
wrote:

>The decanter shown at the url appears to be fine cut crystal. Sudden
>temperature changes sometimes will cause such cut glass to crack. I
>would not use water much warmer than your hands can stand on most
>glass other than pyrex or other type of glass designed for cooking.
>Decanters of the type shown often are rather expensive. If one thinks
>they can taste or smell a residue after using a hand dishwashing
>detergent and rinsing well, I seem to recall that some wine supply
>companies offer a special detergent for washing wine glasses and such.
>I have never found a need for one, but someone else might.

I sure wouldn't subject a crystal or cut glass decanter to
near-boiling water either! Sounds like sure short-cut to an ominous
cracking sound.

I've had good luck over the years with warm water and a drop or two of
mild dishwashing detergent. One good trick if there is some stubborn
stain or residue that won't get cleared with some mild agitation is to
toss in about a cup of uncooked rice then shake well. The rice abrades
the stain away without damage to the glass surface.
Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com

On Sep 23, 12:57?pm, Ed Rasimus > wrote:
> On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:59:32 -0700, cwdjrxyz >
> wrote:
>
> >The decanter shown at the url appears to be fine cut crystal. Sudden
> >temperature changes sometimes will cause such cut glass to crack. I
> >would not use water much warmer than your hands can stand on most
> >glass other than pyrex or other type of glass designed for cooking.
> >Decanters of the type shown often are rather expensive. If one thinks
> >they can taste or smell a residue after using a hand dishwashing
> >detergent and rinsing well, I seem to recall that some wine supply
> >companies offer a special detergent for washing wine glasses and such.
> >I have never found a need for one, but someone else might.
>
> I sure wouldn't subject a crystal or cut glass decanter to
> near-boiling water either! Sounds like sure short-cut to an ominous
> cracking sound.
>
> I've had good luck over the years with warm water and a drop or two of
> mild dishwashing detergent. One good trick if there is some stubborn
> stain or residue that won't get cleared with some mild agitation is to
> toss in about a cup of uncooked rice then shake well. The rice abrades
> the stain away without damage to the glass surface.
> Ed Rasimus
> Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
> "When Thunder Rolled"
> www.thunderchief.org
> www.thundertales.blogspot.com

The rice is a good idea (some wine mags sell little ball bearings, but
rice is cheaper!). Another idea if red wine staining occurs is
Oxiclean or similar peroxide-ish cleaners, do a great job on crystal
stems or decanters.

On Sep 23, 12:57?pm, Ed Rasimus > wrote:
> On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:59:32 -0700, cwdjrxyz >
> wrote:
>
> >The decanter shown at the url appears to be fine cut crystal. Sudden
> >temperature changes sometimes will cause such cut glass to crack. I
> >would not use water much warmer than your hands can stand on most
> >glass other than pyrex or other type of glass designed for cooking.
> >Decanters of the type shown often are rather expensive. If one thinks
> >they can taste or smell a residue after using a hand dishwashing
> >detergent and rinsing well, I seem to recall that some wine supply
> >companies offer a special detergent for washing wine glasses and such.
> >I have never found a need for one, but someone else might.
>
> I sure wouldn't subject a crystal or cut glass decanter to
> near-boiling water either! Sounds like sure short-cut to an ominous
> cracking sound.
>
> I've had good luck over the years with warm water and a drop or two of
> mild dishwashing detergent. One good trick if there is some stubborn
> stain or residue that won't get cleared with some mild agitation is to
> toss in about a cup of uncooked rice then shake well. The rice abrades
> the stain away without damage to the glass surface.
> Ed Rasimus
> Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
> "When Thunder Rolled"
> www.thunderchief.org
> www.thundertales.blogspot.com

Oh yes, and I am also in the camp of one or two drops of liquid
dishwashing detergent, and then multiple rinses.

On Sep 23, 11:51 am, DaleW > wrote:
> On Sep 23, 12:57?pm, Ed Rasimus > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:59:32 -0700, cwdjrxyz >
> > wrote:
>
> > >The decanter shown at the url appears to be fine cut crystal. Sudden
> > >temperature changes sometimes will cause such cut glass to crack. I
> > >would not use water much warmer than your hands can stand on most
> > >glass other than pyrex or other type of glass designed for cooking.
> > >Decanters of the type shown often are rather expensive. If one thinks
> > >they can taste or smell a residue after using a hand dishwashing
> > >detergent and rinsing well, I seem to recall that some wine supply
> > >companies offer a special detergent for washing wine glasses and such.
> > >I have never found a need for one, but someone else might.
>
> > I sure wouldn't subject a crystal or cut glass decanter to
> > near-boiling water either! Sounds like sure short-cut to an ominous
> > cracking sound.
>
> > I've had good luck over the years with warm water and a drop or two of
> > mild dishwashing detergent. One good trick if there is some stubborn
> > stain or residue that won't get cleared with some mild agitation is to
> > toss in about a cup of uncooked rice then shake well. The rice abrades
> > the stain away without damage to the glass surface.
> > Ed Rasimus
> > Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
> > "When Thunder Rolled"
> > www.thunderchief.org
> > www.thundertales.blogspot.com
>
> Oh yes, and I am also in the camp of one or two drops of liquid
> dishwashing detergent, and then multiple rinses.

I have had dark deposits in a crystal decanter that I use for Port. A
friend recommended trying denture cleaner tablets to remove the
accumulation.
They work quite well. Then try detergent and many rinses.

In article >,
says...
>
>
>
>I've been thinking about using a decanter for wine that I bought years ago.
>I don't know if it is for wine, but it is similar to decanters that look
>like this. It is Waterford Crystal, but not ornate. It would be used for a
>bottle of wine, then washed. It is heavy. If we would not use this, I
>doubt if I would buy a decanter (although I 'might' someday). We do not
>drink nor serve nor keep liquor and this dear piece is lost.
>http://tinyurl.com/34tdhs
>
>
>If used, would you use this to clean a decanter after using for wine? Would
>you use soap, or just rinse.
>http://tinyurl.com/3bbpjp
>
>Thanks so much.
>Dee Dee

Dee Dee,

WineEnthusiast (www.wineenthusiast.com), has several bendable wands, that work
with most decanters. Seems that they come in about three sizes, and maybe four
shapes. I have a drawer full of them and use them after every wine dinner.
Some are good for normal wine glassware, too. One thing that I would recommend
is a good drying rack/stand for your decanter(s). I've got several, and some
work with different styles, better than others. Only decanter that I cannot
use a stand on is the Riedel Lyre, which was a gift, but I do love the look.
When one starts doing cleaning with decantes, you cannot have too many
different stands and cleaning wands. Advice: use a surfactant, like Jet Dry,
in your final rinse.

Hunt

In article . com>,
says...
>
>On Sep 23, 11:51 am, DaleW > wrote:
>> On Sep 23, 12:57?pm, Ed Rasimus > wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Sun, 23 Sep 2007 08:59:32 -0700, cwdjrxyz >
>> > wrote:
>>
>> > >The decanter shown at the url appears to be fine cut crystal. Sudden
>> > >temperature changes sometimes will cause such cut glass to crack. I
>> > >would not use water much warmer than your hands can stand on most
>> > >glass other than pyrex or other type of glass designed for cooking.
>> > >Decanters of the type shown often are rather expensive. If one thinks
>> > >they can taste or smell a residue after using a hand dishwashing
>> > >detergent and rinsing well, I seem to recall that some wine supply
>> > >companies offer a special detergent for washing wine glasses and such.
>> > >I have never found a need for one, but someone else might.
>>
>> > I sure wouldn't subject a crystal or cut glass decanter to
>> > near-boiling water either! Sounds like sure short-cut to an ominous
>> > cracking sound.
>>
>> > I've had good luck over the years with warm water and a drop or two of
>> > mild dishwashing detergent. One good trick if there is some stubborn
>> > stain or residue that won't get cleared with some mild agitation is to
>> > toss in about a cup of uncooked rice then shake well. The rice abrades
>> > the stain away without damage to the glass surface.
>> > Ed Rasimus
>> > Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
>> > "When Thunder Rolled"
>> > www.thunderchief.org
>> > www.thundertales.blogspot.com
>>
>> Oh yes, and I am also in the camp of one or two drops of liquid
>> dishwashing detergent, and then multiple rinses.
>
>I have had dark deposits in a crystal decanter that I use for Port. A
>friend recommended trying denture cleaner tablets to remove the
>accumulation.
>They work quite well. Then try detergent and many rinses.

Or, try warm vinegar, or even a few drop of cholrine bleach, with the
requisite rinses. A product, also sold at Wine Enthusiast is Stemshine. I've
used the liquid form for a decade now, and it works nicely, for the normal
residue in glassware. Also, after dinner, rinse wine glasses, especially reds,
for hand cleaning the next day, when the effects of the wine and dinner have
worn off. I always schedule a half-day, after a big dinner, just to hand
clean all of my glassware.

Hunt

On 25 Sep 2007 02:51:15 GMT, (Hunt) wrote:

>Or, try warm vinegar, or even a few drop of cholrine bleach, with the
>requisite rinses.

Bleach works well on decanter stains IME. It is much undervalued, and
people look at you with horror when you suggest it these days. When I
had a vacation job in a bakery (late 70s) it was the ONLY cleaning
agent we were allowed to use on working surfaces as it did not taint
the bread and cake mixtures.

--
Steve Slatcher
http://pobox.com/~steve.slatcher

On Sep 23, 4:09?am, "Dee Dee" > wrote:
>
>
> If used, would you use this to clean a decanter after using for wine? Would
> you use soap, or just rinse.http://tinyurl.com/3bbpjp
>
My mother - who as a young girl was 'in service', as they say - always
recommended using lead shot pellets to clean a decanter (swilled round
in water as I remember). There must be something in it because one
can now buy boxes of small round metal pellets for this same purpose.

"Hunt" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> says...
>>
>>
>>
>>I've been thinking about using a decanter for wine that I bought years
>>ago.
>>I don't know if it is for wine, but it is similar to decanters that look
>>like this. It is Waterford Crystal, but not ornate. It would be used for
>>a
>>bottle of wine, then washed. It is heavy. If we would not use this, I
>>doubt if I would buy a decanter (although I 'might' someday). We do not
>>drink nor serve nor keep liquor and this dear piece is lost.
>>http://tinyurl.com/34tdhs
>>
>>
>>If used, would you use this to clean a decanter after using for wine?
>>Would
>>you use soap, or just rinse.
>>http://tinyurl.com/3bbpjp
>>
>>Thanks so much.
>>Dee Dee
>
> Dee Dee,
>
> WineEnthusiast (www.wineenthusiast.com), has several bendable wands, that
> work
> with most decanters. Seems that they come in about three sizes, and maybe
> four
> shapes. I have a drawer full of them and use them after every wine dinner.
> Some are good for normal wine glassware, too. One thing that I would
> recommend
> is a good drying rack/stand for your decanter(s). I've got several, and
> some
> work with different styles, better than others. Only decanter that I
> cannot
> use a stand on is the Riedel Lyre, which was a gift, but I do love the
> look.
> When one starts doing cleaning with decantes, you cannot have too many
> different stands and cleaning wands. Advice: use a surfactant, like Jet
> Dry,
> in your final rinse.
>
> Hunt

Thanks. After I posted, I did order from the wineenthusiast some port
glasses, and I saw that bendable wand(s). I wasn't sure whether it was
another unusable brush. I guess I'll have to really study them to see
which one I want. Maybe I'll look at the drying rack/stand also. I'm
still not sure whether I want to go thru all this trouble for one bottle of
wine for DH and me.

My port glasses (which were not expensive to begin with ) $22, I think, but
with a foil cutter, the S&H of $9 was a little steep for me. I suppose the
S&H costs decrease/increase incrementally the more one orders. I'm used to
buying everything for "free shipping under $59 or $100, or Amazon free
shipping.

My glasses arrived intact, but three out of 4 of them had flaws. I called
and they were immediately replaced. Good company in that particular order.

Thanks for the tip re Jet Dry, I wouldn't have thought of it, even though I
use it in the dishwasher. I only have two Reidel glasses, but I do wash them
by hand; the rest of mine goes in the dishwasher. No parties, so it's
always easy. My new dishwasher has a place for the smaller wine glasses to
keep them from tipping over. Someday I'm going buy a wine-glass rack for
tall stems to put in the bottom rack of the dishwasher, so maybe I'll use
them more often.

Thanks for your help.
Dee Dee

> wrote in message
ups.com...
> On Sep 23, 4:09?am, "Dee Dee" > wrote:
>>
>>
>> If used, would you use this to clean a decanter after using for wine?
>> Would
>> you use soap, or just rinse.http://tinyurl.com/3bbpjp
>>
> My mother - who as a young girl was 'in service', as they say - always
> recommended using lead shot pellets to clean a decanter (swilled round
> in water as I remember). There must be something in it because one
> can now buy boxes of small round metal pellets for this same purpose.
>
>
Ouch! Poor decanter.
Dee Dee

"Dee Dee" > wrote:

> After I posted, I did order from the wineenthusiast some port
> glasses, and I saw that bendable wand(s). I wasn't sure whether
> it was another unusable brush. I guess I'll have to really
> study them to see which one I want. Maybe I'll look at the
> drying rack/stand also. I'm still not sure whether I want to go
> thru all this trouble for one bottle of wine for DH and me.

JFTMOR: I totally quit using decanters (and I have more than half a
dozen here at home) years ago, for quite an array of reasons. What I
do have at hand is a clean empty bottle and a funnel. For wines with
deposit, I double decant: First decant (via funnel) into the empty
bottle, rinse the original bottle, pour back the wine, rinse other
bottle and funnel, and that's it. The advantages:

- No more hassle with stains in the decanter, especially if a wine
isn't finished on the same evening;

- no more problems with drying decanters;

- no more fruit flies for decanters without stoppers;

- much easyer pouring from bottle (with drop-stop foils)
minimizing the risk of staining the table cloth;

- no more risk of confusion when serving more than one wine
(especially when people help themselves).

To the reasoning that "red wine in a crystal decanter is the most
beautiful table decoration" I answer: "Sorry but for us wine geeks
the most beautiful table decoration is the original bottle with the
original label."

M.