What is the proper method for drying sanitized dishes?

Air drying is the proper method for drying sanitized dishes because it helps prevent the risk of recontamination. When dishes are air-dried, there is no physical contact with surfaces that could harbor harmful bacteria, which occurs when using towels or other materials for drying. Additionally, air drying allows for complete evaporation of water, ensuring that no moisture, which can promote bacterial growth, remains on the dishes.

Using towels can introduce contaminants, as they may not be thoroughly sanitized or could transfer bacteria back onto the dishes. Environmental drying is a vague term and does not specify a method, making it less reliable. Utilizing a heat source may be effective in certain contexts, but it is not recommended for drying sanitized dishes due to the potential for uneven drying or alteration of the dishes' integrity. Therefore, air drying stands out as the safest and most effective method for ensuring sanitized dishes remain free from contaminants.