Q&A

To help you get to know us even better, this page contains all the answers to the basic questions people ask our customer services department.

1. Why is opal such a highly prized material among hospitals ?
2. Is Arcoroc dinnerware compatible with different heating systems and temperature maintenance ?
3. Is Arcoroc dinnerware resistant to industrial washing conditions ?
4. Why choose a toughened product rather than an annealed one ?
5. What change in temperature can toughened items withstand ?
6. Where to find Arcoroc products ?
7. Are Arcoroc products tested before being marketed ?
8. How can Arcoroc ensure an optimum quality level for its products ?
9. Can all Arcoroc products withstand mechanical shocks ?
10. Is a toughened product more expensive than an annealed item ?
11. What to do if the items are not properly washed ?

1. Why is opal such a highly prized material among hospitals ?

This material does not present any porosity likely to retain microorganisms. That way, by avoiding the proliferation of germs, opal items retain all their hygienic characteristics.
Laboratory tests carried out by independent experts have shown that, due to the unique characteristics of this material, an opal item previously contaminated, will, once washed with detergent, eliminate bacterial risk

2. Is Arcoroc dinnerware compatible with different heating systems and temperature maintenance ?

As a matter of fact, Arcoroc has accomplished the development of items compatible with the various heating systems currently available on the market : thermo contact, forced air and, soon, induction.
For example, the design of the Hôtelière is perfectly adapted to the use of Thermo contact with the perfectly flat base of the items available in the range.
In addition, Arcoroc products are also particularly designed with hot liquids or hot food in mind. Warmth retention is excellent and similar to other materials such as china for example.

3. Is Arcoroc dinnerware resistant to industrial washing conditions ?

All Arcoroc items, plain or decorated, have been designed to withstand normal industrial washing conditions.
Three factors need to be taken into consideration to reach optimum washing conditions :
- the dishwasher.
- the detergents.
- the water quality.

4. Why choose a toughened product rather than an annealed one ?

Tempering also known as toughening is a manufacturing process, which increases product life. In effect, a toughened item lasts 10 to 50 times longer than an annealed one.

5. What change in temperature can toughened items withstand ?

A toughened item can withstand sudden changes in temperature of more than 135 °C whereas an annealed item can only tolerate a change in temperature of 70 to 80 °C.
For example, it is possible to remove a beer mug out of the dishwasher to cool it down straight away into cold water for immediate use, without risk of breakage.

6. Where to find Arcoroc products ?

Arcoroc products are distributed by wholesalers and Cash and Carry outlets. To find your nearest Arcoroc distributor, please contact us

7. Are Arcoroc products tested before being marketed ?

Absolutely. All Arcoroc products are submitted to stringent tests designed to guarantee top quality levels whilst their functionality is tested directly by the professionals themselves.

8. How can Arcoroc ensure an optimum quality level for its products ?

Particular attention is paid to quality controls :
- A first control is carried out by visual or automatic examination meaning that the pieces, which fall below the visual quality level required, are rejected.
- A second control is carried out via a sampling method, according to statistical sampling standards recognised by all industrials, helping us to check the resistance and reliability of the items as well as their aesthetic and dimensional characteristics.
All samples are submitted to mechanical, thermal and chemical tests designed to guarantee that the production meets the quality standards set. These production controls allow us to reject product batches, which do not comply with these standards.

9. Can all Arcoroc products withstand mechanical shocks ?

To guarantee resistance to mechanical shocks, Arcoroc uses a manufacturing process called toughening. Because products have different uses, they don't actually all need to be shock resistant and the reason why all items are not shock resistant is that Arcoroc manufactures products designed to match the specific needs of every catering professional.
To identify toughened products, Arcoroc applies a logo with the "extra resistant" indication on all relevant packaging.

10. Is a toughened product more expensive than an annealed item ?

Yes, the initial purchase price of a tempered item may be 15 to 20 % higher than that of an annealed item but, as the breakage of toughened items is far lower compared with annealed items, a toughened product ends up costing less in so far as the replenishment cost will be much lower than that of an annealed product.

11. What to do if the items are not properly washed ?

Should a white film appear on the glass or the dinnerware look a bit dull, put the products in a dinnerware renovator or dip them into vinegar.
If you notice an improvement it was due to a lime scale or food deposit. To avoid such problems in the future you should :
- Soften the water used
- Use a detergent designed for the level of lime scale in the water If you don't notice any improvement the problem comes from :
- The detergent used (too aggressive)
- The water which is too soft or hard
The phenomenon is irreversible.

To avoid these problems reoccurring, you should :
- Check the level of lime scale in the water
- Follow carefully the maximum and minimum recommended amounts of detergent
- Check that metallic items (saucepans, silver cutlery…) do not alter in the wash, creating a deposit or attacking other items. If the glass turns blue, it means that too much rinsing liquid has been added.
If the water turns yellow, this means that the iron content in the water is too high.