Arcoroc Conique

Here the size determines everything, because the shape stays the same. With 20 cl you have a small glass for juice, milk or a short soft drink; it is also the size least likely to be knocked over on a crowded table. The 25 cl is the classic café size for soft drinks and water. With 28 cl you pour a small beer or a generous glass of water, and the 57 cl is the big brother for iced tea, lemonade for the children or a glass of water you do not have to refill every quarter of an hour. Anyone fitting out a venue usually takes two sizes: one small and one roomy.

Conical glasses are easier to fill to the top than straight ones, because the opening is wider than the base. That makes the range pleasant behind a bar: less spillage, faster working. For beer the 28 cl is the most usable size; pour at an angle and bring the glass upright for the last couple of centimetres, and you get a head without it running over the rim. For mixed drinks with plenty of ice the 57 cl works best, for instance with a cuba libre or a long gin tonic.

The simplicity is exactly what determines the lifespan. There is no thin flared rim that chips quickly, no stem that breaks and no decoration that fades in the dishwasher. The glasses stand compactly in a wash rack and dry fast, because there is nothing for water to sit in. Choose a glassware programme and let them steam dry afterwards. Check the rim with your finger now and then: if you feel a burr or a rough patch, the glass goes out of service.

Other series from the same maker are at Arcoroc. If you are looking for something that saves space in the cupboard, have a look at the stacking glasses. For the separate categories there are the tumbler glasses, the water glasses and the beer glasses. If you are fitting out a venue or a canteen, the overview at the hospitality glasses is usually a good place to start.