What must clean dishes do before they are stored?

Clean dishes must be air dried before they are stored to prevent the growth of bacteria and ensure they remain sanitary. When dishes are towel dried, there is a risk that the towel may not be perfectly clean or may harbor bacteria, which can be transferred back onto the dishes. Air drying allows for a natural evaporation process that effectively removes any remaining moisture without introducing contaminants.

Additionally, storing dishes while they are still wet can also lead to moisture being trapped, which promotes the growth of mold and mildew. Therefore, ensuring that dishes are fully air dried before storage is an important step in maintaining food safety and hygiene standards in food handling environments.