Drip trays

First measure the space where the tray will go. Under a single tap, the 14 cm round tray is enough. It takes up little space and is easy to slide aside when you clean the counter. If you have a column with multiple taps, choose the 48 by 10 cm rectangular tray. It covers the whole row, so you won’t need to place two trays side by side. The 30 by 15 cm tray is in between and is deeper, which is handy if you also want to turn glasses upside down in it. Also check whether you need to catch drips at the sink rather than at the tap. The 27 cm sink overflow keeps the water in the sink at the same level, even if you lower a crate of glasses into it. The 15 cm and 110 mm funnels direct moisture exactly where you want it.

Position the bin so the faucet spout hangs well above it and not over the edge. If a drop lands just beside it, you’ll still end up with a wet spot on your counter. Leave a few centimeters of space at the front so you can hold a glass at an angle under the faucet without bumping into the bin. A non-slip mat underneath keeps the bin in place if you bump into it hard. Empty it during the shift and don’t wait until the end, because a full bin will slosh over as soon as you lift it. If you work at a venue, include the bin in the same standard set as your mobile bar setup.

For this job, stainless steel is the obvious choice. Beer, wine, and citric acid won't affect it, and the tray can go in the dishwasher. Rinse it after every shift. Sugar from soft drinks and liqueur becomes sticky and attracts fruit flies. Remove limescale with an acidic cleaner. Then dry it with a cloth, following the grain, to prevent streaks. Check now and then that the drain hole isn't clogged with pulp or foam.

For a dry bar, you need more than a drip tray. With coasters you catch condensation from a cold glass, and the glass racks keep dirty glasses together so nothing is left on the counter. If you want to further equip your workstation, take a look at the speed rails to keep bottles within reach. Find all the tools in one place under bar tools, and in the cocktail recipes you can see which tools to use for each drink.