Even before I started my career in the world of wine, coffee and tea, one of my favorite brands was Bodum. I love the innovative designs, look, feel, and unique “Europeanness” of all of their products. They are just cool and stylish at the same time. I write extensively (some might say ad nauseam) about form follows function and its importance in crystal wine glasses, coffee pots, crystal decanters, cookware, essentially anything related to fine consumables. That’s why I was so intrigued when I discovered Bodum’s double-walled glasses.
Borosilicate glass vs. traditional glass
Borosilicate glass has been around for a long time, since the end of the 19th century. It was developed by a German glassmaker named Otto Schott. Normal glass is made up of quartz, soda ash and calcium carbonate and is known as “soda lime” glass. Borosilicate glass adds boron to the mix. The result is glass that is strong, heat resistant and lighter than traditional glass. Borosilicate glass is widely used in chemical laboratories (medical grade glass) for its chemical and heat resistance. With these properties in mind, Bodum’s clever designers developed their next-generation double-wall glasses.
The benefits of double wall glass
In addition to looking great on the bar or table, Bodum’s insulated glassware and cookware are highly functional. You can serve hot or cold drinks or food in it and it keeps them just as hot or cold longer than its non-double-walled counterparts. Another great feature is that they are shatter and scratch resistant and can withstand temperature changes that can cause regular glass to crack or break. The icing on the proverbial cake is that Bodum double wall tumblers are dishwasher and microwave safe. I often advise against washing certain high-end glassware and stemware in the dishwasher, even if a company says you can. It’s probably more a testament to my frugality than the aesthetics of the glasses; if I spend a significant amount of money on a good glass of wine, I’m not going to risk it moving or hitting something else in the machine. With that said, I feel pretty safe in saying that it’s okay to put Bodum’s double wall tumblers in the dishwasher. I’ve seen the glasses go through the dishwasher over and over again, and they haven’t clouded one bit.
Types of Bodum glasses
Bodum features a plethora of double-walled glasses, more or less a type for whatever drink you want to drink. Plain water glasses, pint glasses, coffee mugs, espresso shot glasses, tall glasses… if it’s drinkable, you can serve it in a Bodum double wall glass.
So there you have it. If you want durable, functional and attractive glassware or cookware, Bodum’s double wall line is the way to go.
Health!