Glassware and stemware are the fragile items found in your kitchen and home bar. While you may not want to take the risk of damaging your precious dishes and glasses on the move, leaving them behind is also not an option. This guide contains all you need to know about packing glassware and stemware items for a move.
Difference between glassware and stemware
Before you proceed to comprehend the packing and moving procedure for your fragile items, let's understand as to how both items differ?
While glassware includes tableware items made of glass-like beer mugs, jars, and dishes; stemware comprises all those drinkware items that contain a stem standing on a base like Wine and Martini glasses.
You may follow a similar method to pack both kinds of items, you'll need to handle them differently in order to make your packing more organized and hassle-free.
How to pack glassware
Packing glassware items like drinking glasses, jars, and dishes require careful and efficient handling. Using the supplies and following the steps outlined below will ensure that your glassware makes it through the move without any mishaps.
Packing supplies you'll need
To pack glassware, you'll need the supplies mentioned in the list below:
- Dish Carton
- Cell Pack
- Stack of packing paper
- A roll of packing tape
- A permanent marker
Procedure for packing glassware
To pack your glassware, start with dishes like plates and bowls. When you're done with the dishes, you can keep the light-weight glasses on the top. You can either pack all the items in a single box or have a separate box for each category.
TIP: When packing, put the heaviest items in the bottom of the box. So, if you're packing plates and bowls along with your glassware, they should go in first.
- The first thing to do is to prepare the dish carton. For this, crumple some paper and put it in the bottom of the box. You can make this layer up to 3-4 inches tall to provide a good amount of cushioning.
- Next, wrap your plates individually and place each of them on their side in vertical direction. Make sure that they are kept tight in their position so that there is no movement during the transit.
- Once you have completed the layer, stuff balls of paper in the spaces and then spread a few layers at the top. After this, pack the bowls by putting one corner of paper inside it and wrapping the rest of the paper around the dish.
- Place the packed bowls on their side one by one and finish the layers. Once again, cover the empty spaces with balls of crumpled paper.
- For packing glasses, place a layer of cell dividers on top of the crushed paper. These cells will keep the pieces of glassware from bumping into each other during the transit.
- To start packing your glasses, take one piece and lay it on the side on the corner of a stack of packing paper. Roll it in 2-3 sheets of packing paper, tucking in the extra paper as you roll.
TIP: When wrapping your glassware, you can tuck some of the excess paper into the open end of the pieces to add some support.
- Once the piece is wrapped, place it rim-side-down in one of the cells. This would utilize the natural strength of the piece, making it less likely to break.
- Once all the cells are filled, add a layer of crushed paper. Then, place a cardboard piece (which should have come with your cell pack) over the first layer of glassware. Place another set of cells on top of this, and you're ready for another layer of glassware.
- Continue repeating the process until all your glassware is packed. If you have extra space left in the box, fill it with crumpled packing paper. This will keep your glassware and other items from shifting around inside the box during the move.
- Now, add one final layer of packing paper on top of everything as cushioning and tape the box shut.
Packing beer glasses
Packing beer glasses is quite similar to packing any other kind of glass except for the fact that these vary in their structure and sizes. There are a lot of varieties of beer glasses among which many are considered as stemware while the beer mugs are considered as glassware.
Here's how you can pack your beer glasses in an organized manner.
Clean your beer mugs
Before you pack the beer mugs for your move, make sure that they're clean. Having clean beer glasses when you arrive in your new home will allow you to sit back and relax that much sooner. Run them through the dishwasher if you're short on time or wash them by hand.
Separate the beer glasses by type
As different beers are served in different types of glasses, you may have variously sized and shaped beer glasses. Some are thicker and have handles called mugs, while others may be slightly dainty and have a stem.
The thinner beer glasses that might require an extra layer of cushion and extra care may include:
- Pilsner
- Snifter
- Tulip
- Goblet
- Flute
The sturdier and thicker beer glasses include:
- Mugs, Seidels or Steins
- Weizen
- Pint
- Stange
List of packing supplies you'll need
- Packing paper
- Cell box
- Sturdy box
- Tape
Here are the steps to pack your beer glasses:
- Assemble the cell box and set it aside. Take another box and put a layer of crumpled packing paper at the bottom, keeping it as levelled as possible.
- When the packing paper is in place, place the cell box on top and adjust the size of the cells to fit the glasses. If it's too small, slide the pieces of cardboard until the cell will snugly fit one glass.
- After you've adjusted the cell box you can begin wrapping the glasses.
- For the beer glasses without stems, start by laying a stack of packing paper on your workspace.
- Lay a glass on its side on the corner of the packing paper and begin rolling the glass toward the opposite corner. Wrap the edges of the packing paper and tuck any extra inside the glass for extra support. Tape the paper if necessary.
- Once they are all wrapped, you can begin placing them in the individual cells. Since these glasses are generally thicker and heavier, they should be packed at the bottom layer of the box, while any lighter, more delicate glasses should be packed on top.
- When the cell box is full, put a layer of crumpled packing paper on top of the glasses and a layer of flat cardboard followed by another layer of crumpled packing paper. The second layer of paper will be followed by the next layer of glasses.
- To pack the beer glasses with handles and stems, the process is similar as with the stemless beer glasses, but you should add another layer of packing paper or even bubble wrap to protect the stem from damage during transit and to provide additional support.
Packing Stemware items like martini and wine glasses
Packing stemware items is pretty simple, but their fragile structure and unusual shape require extra care in handling them. If you have a collection of delicate stemware such as martini or wine glasses, pack your treasured belongings with proper material so that they arrive at your new home unscratched.
Follow the steps explained herein to ensure your delicate stemware's safety during the move.
Packing supplies needed
For packing stemware, you should have the following supplies:
- Cell box
- Packing paper
- Bubble wrap
- Packing peanuts
- Strong packing tape
- Marker
Using a cell box
A cell box is a cardboard box containing thin cardboard dividers so as to keep its content stationary on a move. Buy a cell box from a moving supply company or get it at a liquor store or supermarket. This will keep your glasses separate and prevent them from banging together and shattering during transport.
Wrapping and packing martini and wine glasses
When wrapping stemware, start with the stem part and then cover the rest of the glass to ensure it safety during the move. Follow the steps listed here:
- First take a sheet of paper and roll it 3-4 times. Then wrap this paper around the stem part of your glass.
- Next, ball up a piece of tissue paper or packing paper and stuff the inside of the glass to support it.
- Lay down 2-3 sheets of paper down on a flat surface and place the glass on the corner in a way that it's perpendicular to the paper.
- Pull the corners over the glass and carefully roll the glass until it is completely wrapped, tucking the extra paper as you go. You can then wrap the glass again with newspaper or bubble wrap for added protection.
Note: Don't use bubble wrap without protective paper over the glass first--the bubbles can leave permanent impressions on the glass.
After the glasses are carefully wrapped, you can begin gently sliding them into each cell with the help of these steps explained as follows:
- Ball up a piece of paper and place it inside the cell first for extra cushioning.
- Next, carefully place the glass inside the compartment, stem first. Fill the empty space with paper or bubble wrap. This will keep your glasses still during transport and prevent them from rattling around, breaking, or getting scratched.
- When you are finished, add a layer of bubble wrap over the top of the box and close the flaps.
- Gently shake the box to make sure nothing rattles--if so, you'll need to add more cushioning to fill the gaps. Last, secure the top and bottom of the box with tape.
Labelling the glassware and stemware boxes
Write "Fragile" on all boxes containing your glassware and stemware. Also, add an arrow or write "This Side Up" to indicate which position the mover should carry and load the box. You may want to inform your movers of the boxes' contents verbally and ask them to take extra care when moving them.
Hire professional packers
The easiest way of packing glassware and stemware is to leave it to the professionals. They are trained in the proper packing methods and use high-quality material to ensure your fragile items arrive at your new home without a scratch.
Interested in finding reliable moving services near you? Just fill out our fast and easy quote form to receive up to seven FREE, no obligation quotes from moving companies in your area today.