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Maintenance practices and product care guidelines

Craster products are made to last when looked after correctly. This guide covers how to clean and maintain each material.

Find your product's material below — if you're unsure which it is, check the product's webpage or its data sheet. 

General care

Unless a product is specifically marked as dishwasher safe, please follow these general rules:

  • Handwash with a mild detergent and a soft, non-abrasive cloth.

  • Avoid abrasive scourers, bleach, and harsh acidic or caustic chemicals.

  • Don't leave items to soak in water, and dry thoroughly after washing.

  • Check the product's webpage or data sheet for anything specific to your item.

Only Porcelain and PVD-coated stainless steel are dishwasher safe — and we still recommend handwashing PVD products for the best results.

In this guide

 

Wood & timber

Lacquered timber (including Wenge table legs)

Covers: solid and veneered timber with a lacquered finish, including wenge-finished table legs.

Cleaning: wipe with a non-abrasive cloth and a mild detergent, then wipe with a damp cloth to remove all detergent and dry thoroughly with a towel.

Avoid: abrasive scourers or cleaning products (these damage the lacquer), the dishwasher, soaking in water, heat lamps and hot plates.

 

Oiled wood

Covers: solid wood with a mineral oil finish (such as oak).

Cleaning: wash with a non-abrasive cloth and soap, rinse under running water to remove all detergent, wipe off excess water, then leave to dry fully in a rack with the end grain exposed. Do not stack until completely dry.

Maintain: re-oil regularly with Craster Mineral Oil, and as soon as the wood begins to feel dry, to maintain the natural timber.

Note: strongly coloured foods may stain oiled wood — use greaseproof paper for protection.

Avoid: the dishwasher, soaking in water, heat lamps and hot plates.

 

 

Stone

Marble

Covers: solid marble finished with Lithofin Stain-Stop.

Cleaning: wipe with a non-abrasive cloth and soap, then rinse under running water. Not dishwasher safe.

Maintain: reapply Lithofin MN Stain-Stop every 3–6 months, depending on use.

Note: Stain-Stop will not prevent marking from acidic or alkaline substances — if in doubt, use baking parchment or greaseproof paper. Use a trivet or mat to prevent scratching and to protect the surface from hot items.

Avoid: abrasive scourers, which can scratch the surface.

 

Slate

Covers: natural slate with a mineral oil finish.

Cleaning: handwash only. Slate is a natural material, so handle it carefully to avoid chipping.

Maintain: the protective mineral oil coating (supplied by Craster) should be reapplied regularly. If the coating degrades, acidic foods such as citrus can mark the surface and leave a pale bloom. To remove a mark and refinish the coating:

  1. Handwash the slate in warm water with a mild detergent and a soft cloth.

  2. For persistent stains, use a stiff plastic-bristled brush and a paste of baking soda and washing-up liquid, then wash again as in step 1.

  3. Allow the product to dry fully overnight in a drying rack.

  4. Apply a new coat of Craster food-safe Mineral Oil, following the product instructions.

  5. Leave the oil to penetrate and cure for 24 hours before using again.

Avoid: abrasive scourers.

 

Glass & Acrylic

Soda lime glass

Covers: float glass food display and dispensing products, some of which are hand blown (see the product webpage for specifics).

Cleaning: handwash with a mild detergent and a soft cloth.

Note (juice dispensers): minor chipping around the tap hole is normal, due to the hand-blown material and manufacturing process. This area is sealed and covered by the tap.

Avoid: abrasive scourers (which scratch the glass), the dishwasher, and hot liquids or extreme changes in temperature.

 

Acrylic

Cleaning: handwash with a soft cloth to avoid scratches.

Avoid: abrasive cleaning products or cloths (the material will scratch) and the dishwasher.

 

Transparent PETG

Covers: PETG products, suitable for cold or ambient food only — do not heat.

Cleaning: wipe with a non-abrasive cloth and a mild detergent.

Avoid: the dishwasher, abrasive products or cloths (the material will scratch), and warm foods or heat lamps.

 

Glass furniture

Covers: toughened float glass with UV-bonded stainless steel locators.

Cleaning: clean with glass cleaner and a clean cloth. Clean spillages with a neutral detergent diluted in warm water.

Avoid: abrasive cloths, cleaners or scouring pads.

 

Metal

Powder-coated metal frames

Covers: powder-coated mild steel. The powder coat protects the steel from rust but can be damaged by knocks — take particular care not to knock frames together or against hard surfaces.

Cleaning: wipe clean with a slightly damp, non-abrasive cloth and a mild detergent.

Storage: don't leave frames in contact with liquids for prolonged periods. Store clean, dry frames in a dry location.

Repair: touch up small areas of damage with Craster touch-up pens.

Avoid: abrasive products; strong, alkaline, acidic or bleach-based chemicals; the dishwasher; and prolonged contact with liquids.

 

Polished stainless steel

Cleaning: remove fingerprints with a microfibre cloth. For general cleaning, use warm water and a pH-neutral washing-up liquid, then rub dry with a lint-free cloth in the direction of the finish to prevent staining.

Avoid: spirits, turpentine, bleach, and caustic or aggressive cleaning agents; and abrasive sponges, hard brushes or steel wool. These can permanently damage the finish.

 

PVD-coated stainless steel (copper & brass finishes)

Covers: food-grade stainless steel with a durable external PVD coating.

Cleaning: dishwasher safe, though handwashing is recommended for the best results. Wash with mild soap, water and a soft cloth, then dry thoroughly.

Avoid: abrasive scourers, and any agents designed to remove tarnish or rust, such as acidic or caustic agents or bleach.

 

Steel table furniture

Covers: mild steel with a powder-coated finish, or a stainless steel finish.

Cleaning: carefully remove loose surface deposits with a wet sponge. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth with a neutral detergent diluted in warm water (do not use solvents), then wipe thoroughly with clean, fresh water to remove all residue.

Avoid: abrasive cloths or cleaning solutions.

 

Porcelain

Covers: vitrified porcelain with a food-safe glazed finish.

Cleaning: dishwasher safe and microwave safe.

Avoid: abrasive scourers, which can damage the glazed finish.

 

 

Cork

Covers: natural cork.

Cleaning: handwash only, with mild soap, water and a soft cloth. Avoid soaking, and leave to dry in a rack or dry with a cloth.

Note: strongly coloured liquids may stain cork.

Avoid: abrasive scourers.

 

 

Laminate (HPL) furniture

Covers: products with an MDF core, HPL surface and PU edging (Wenge, Marble, Wood and Tobacco finishes).

Cleaning: wipe with a damp cloth. Clean spillages with a neutral detergent diluted in warm water.

In use: never use sharp objects such as knives directly on the surface, and always use a protective pad under hot objects or ovenware.

Avoid: abrasive scourers or cleaning products (these damage the HPL surface), and placing hot objects or ovenware directly on the surface.

 

 

Powered units — heating, cooling & trolleys

Safety first:

Always disconnect the unit from the mains before cleaning, and keep water away from the electrics. If water enters a unit, make sure it is completely dry before plugging it back in.

For operating instructions, please refer to the manual available to download on each product's webpage.

 

Heating units

Covers: Dekton, black-lacquered oak/ash and electrical components.

Cleaning: clean the oak/ash sides with a non-scouring sponge, a small amount of detergent and water. Remove the detergent with a damp cloth, wipe down and allow to air dry.

Avoid: placing food directly on the surface, the dishwasher, and abrasive cleaning products or cloths (the material will scratch).

 

Hot & Cold trolley

Covers: Dekton, lacquered oak/walnut and electrical components.

Cleaning: clean the oak sides with a non-scouring sponge, a small amount of detergent and water. Remove the detergent with a damp cloth, wipe down and allow to air dry.

Avoid: abrasive cleaning products or cloths (the material will scratch).

 

PCM cooling units

Covers: stainless steel with a polished finish.

Cleaning: remove fingerprints with a microfibre cloth. For general cleaning, use warm water and a pH-neutral washing-up liquid, then rub dry with a lint-free cloth in the direction of the finish.

 

Note: the cooling (PCM) tube is not suitable for the dishwasher.

Avoid: spirits, turpentine, bleach, and caustic or aggressive cleaning agents; and abrasive sponges, hard brushes or steel wool.

 

Cool Tray

Covers: a Liner made of Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) and a Cold Cell with an anodised aluminium body and two glass-filled nylon end caps. The cell contains hydrogel: a non-toxic substance of 90% water and 10% sodium polyacrylate.

Cleaning: wipe clean with a damp, non-abrasive cloth and a mild detergent.


Safety:

  • Risk of frost burn — handle the Cold Cell with care when frozen, and wear insulated gloves.

  • Do not remove the plastic end caps from the cell.

  • If the Cold Cell is damaged, stop using it immediately and recycle responsibly.

  • If it is leaking, avoid inhaling, ingesting or any skin contact with the hydrogel.

 

Avoid: the dishwasher, submerging the Cold Cell or Liner in water, and dropping the Cold Cell.

 

Need help?

If you have any questions about caring for your product, our Customer Experience Team is happy to help at info@craster.com.