Beyond the basic needs for a food storage container that is going to help keep food safe from cross-contamination, extend the shelf life of food and withstand heavy usage, many operators don’t realize that the shape of the container is an important factor to consider as well. The shape can help improve operational efficiency as well as space efficiency.
As an overview, Cambro has two types of food storage containers that provide similar functions: Squares and Rounds – both are available in three distinct materials, have a high temperature and chemical resistance and are designed with graduations on the front to let you see exactly how much you have left so that you don’t over prepare or run out of product. Deciding which one is right for your application can be tricky.
Having visited many kitchens, one can see that it is rare for restaurants to keep a mix of both Squares and Rounds to store their ingredients. Usually it’s all Squares or all Rounds that fill up their shelf space. Most operators use either of these because that’s what they first used when they began their careers in foodservice. They continue to use this same style of container throughout their operation.
Even restaurateurs who specialize in making their own salad dressings or sauces (hence have a need for stirring and mixing ingredients) often use a Square Container. The same goes for bakeries that predominantly use Round Storage Containers to store their ingredients. It is rare to see Squares which in some cases could have helped maximize storage space.
In this blog, we will discuss these two products and provide examples to help make that decision a little easier for you.
- The square shape provides 33% better space usage.
- When used with a Seal Cover you can increase storage space by stacking multiple containers.
- Red, Green and Blue covers available for color coding, product identification and improved organization.
- Can be inter-stacked for storing when not in use.
- Corner edges provide easy-pour to reduce spills.
- Round shape is ideal for mixing ingredients, stirring soups, stocks and sauces.
- Round shape allows improved air circulation around the container when stored in walk-in or reach in cooler.
- Designed with molded-in handles for ease carrying.
- Inter-stacking saves space for storing when not in use.
- Snap-on covers fit tightly to allow for transporting ready to serve or partially prepared foods.
Conclusion: Which One is Better?
We could make this simple and say “everybody wins” since both Square and Round containers provide enhanced food safety, support inventory management and withstand heavy usage, but that would be so anti-climactic. So to make this more interesting we are going to let you declare the winner.
Tell us if you are a Square or a Round aficionado and why? 10 random winners from all that respond will get a case of 2 Qt. Squares or Rounds and (Matching Lids), your choice!
Contest Details
Entries accepted until Friday at 9am Pacific. Posts are accepted on the Cambro Facebook page, in a Twitter post with @Cambro1 or comment on this blog.
