Tritan is a brand name. Eastman, an American chemical company, makes it as a copolyester, a family of plastics related to the polyester in a water bottle but tougher and clearer. Drinkware makers buy it as pellets, melt it and mould it into glasses. When a glass is sold as “Tritan”, it should be made from Eastman’s material.
Two very different things called Tritan
This trips up many buyers. Schott Zwiesel, the German glassmaker, also sells glasses called Tritan, and those are real crystal glass made with titanium and zirconium instead of lead. They ring, they break, and they belong on the dinner table. Eastman’s Tritan is plastic and belongs by the pool. Before you buy, check which one the listing means. The full story is in what is Tritan: glass or plastic.
What Tritan does well, and what it does not
Tritan plastic, honestly
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does it look like glass? | The closest of the tough plastics. Clear, with no blue or yellow tint when new. |
| Does it break? | It is shatter-resistant: a drop on stone usually leaves it whole. It can still scratch. |
| Dishwasher? | Yes. Eastman says it is dishwasher-safe and reports a Tritan mug still clear after 500 cycles. Use the top rack. |
| BPA? | Eastman says Tritan contains no BPA or BPS. A 2011 study questioned hormone-like activity in some BPA-free plastics, Tritan included; Eastman disputes it. |
| Heat? | Fine for cold and room-temperature drinks. No microwave, no boiling water, no hot car. |
| Does wine taste different? | No controlled study was found. The shape of the bowl matters more than the material. |
Where Tritan wine glasses belong
Pool
Glass is banned at most pools. Stemless Tritan sits well on wet tiles and in a wet hand.
Patio and garden
Stemmed Tritan looks like stemware to guests and survives a fall onto stone.
Boat
Stemless, low and heavy at the base. Pour small and keep a hand on it.
Picnic and beach
Light to carry and allowed where glass often is not. Check the posted rules.
Homes with kids and dogs
Wine on the sofa without worrying about bare feet and broken glass.
Catering and banquets
Restaurant suppliers sell Tritan lines, such as Libbey Infinium and Front of the House Drinkwise, for outdoor service.
How to tell real Tritan from plain plastic
- The word Tritan is in the listing, ideally “Eastman Tritan”. “BPA-free plastic” alone can be acrylic, SAN or anything else.
- The recycling code is 7. Tritan carries the “other” code. So do polycarbonate and acrylic, so the code alone proves nothing, but a 6 means polystyrene.
- Dishwasher-safe without conditions. Acrylic glasses usually say hand-wash. Tritan glasses usually say dishwasher-safe.
- It feels firm. Tritan is rigid and has some weight. A glass that flexes like a cup is a softer plastic.
Choosing the right Tritan glass
- Stem or stemless. Stemmed for the table, stemless for the pool, the boat and anywhere a glass gets carried. See plastic stemless wine glasses.
- A bowl that narrows at the top. It keeps the aroma in, exactly as a glass bowl does.
- Size. Around 12 to 16 oz suits most wines. Very large bowls look empty with an outdoor pour.
- A smooth rim and no seam. A mould line up the stem is the quickest sign of a cheap glass.
- A heavier foot. Light glasses tip over outside. A solid base stays put.
Making a Tritan set last
Tritan does not shatter, but it does scratch, and scratches are what turn a clear glass cloudy. Put it on the top rack, skip abrasive sponges, and carry the set with a cloth between the glasses. Sunscreen and oil leave a film: wash with warm water and a mild soap after a day outside. Keep it away from heat. Washing in more depth: how to wash wine glasses.
Wondering whether acrylic would do? The two are compared side by side in acrylic vs Tritan wine glasses.
Tritan wine glasses: your questions
What is a Tritan wine glass?
A wine glass moulded from Tritan, a clear copolyester plastic made by Eastman. It looks close to glass, resists shattering and goes in the dishwasher.
Is Tritan plastic or glass?
Eastman's Tritan is plastic. Schott Zwiesel also sells Tritan crystal, which is real glass made with titanium and zirconium. Check which one a listing means.
Is Tritan safe for wine?
Eastman says Tritan is made without BPA or BPS. A 2011 study questioned hormone-like activity in some BPA-free plastics, Tritan included, and Eastman disputes it. Keep it away from heat.
Can Tritan wine glasses go in the dishwasher?
Yes. Use the top rack. Eastman reports a Tritan mug still clear after 500 dishwasher cycles.
How do I know a glass is really Tritan?
The listing names Tritan, ideally Eastman Tritan, and says dishwasher-safe. A listing that says only BPA-free plastic may be another material.
Keep reading
Some links on this site are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, a small commission may be earned at no extra cost to you.