Congratulations!

You have a restaurant. You also have about one million decisions to make.

Every day.

If you’re reading this, you’ve probably selected (and installed) a few shelving units in your time. You know the right shelving is key to keeping food safe in your operation. Of course, the shelving you choose needs to be strong and have a lifetime warranty against rust and corrosion—but, it also needs to fit the right application.

Shelving is the foundation of food storage. The ROI of being efficient in selecting the right shelving application is evident in every step of food prep. Here are six questions you need to ask before selecting the right type of shelving for your restaurant:

1. Where will it be used?

Walk-in food storage calls for shelving that is durable and has the inability to rust. It sounds impossible, but that is exactly what you get with Camshelving. Cambro is so confident in this that all Camshelving comes with a lifetime warranty against rust and corrosion. Vented shelf plates encourage air flow throughout your cooler for perishable food products. Cambro Camshelving has Camguard^TM, an antimicrobial protection permanently molded into shelf plates to inhibit the growth of mold, fungus and bacteria. Plus, Camshelving shelf plates are extremely easy to clean.

For dry food storage, especially heavy items need shelving designed to be the toughest and most hard-wearing. Camshelving Premium Series supports 2,000 lbs. per unit, ensuring the heftiest items are kept safe and secure for the lifetime of your restaurant. For cans specifically, Cambro recently released the Ultimate #10 Can Rack. Gone are the days of hidden cans and accidental drops, the Ultimate #10 Can Rack is a front-loading, gravity-fed system that makes it easy to store and inventory cans. These racks are designed to fit on a single shelf or fill your full unit.

If you’re looking to outfit your janitorial area, Cambro’s Camshelving Basics Plus Series is for you. Lightweight and reliable, the Basics Plus Series is resistant to scratching, peeling, warping and corrosion. This shelving series is easy to assemble and comes at a great value.

2. Does it need to be mobile?

There are many advantages to having a shelving unit that can move. Easily clean underneath units by simply wheeling them out of the way. Mobile units also help employees transport items throughout large kitchens. With mobile shelving, applications are endless. If you’re looking to wheel around a fully stocked unit, Shelf Rails keep all your items securely in place.

3. Do you have the space?

If you’re like most restaurant operators who are looking to maximize their front of house space, your back of house is likely a little smaller than you’d prefer. High Density Camshelving, also known as track shelving, is the ideal solution for space-challenged locations that still need to pack a lot of product. Cambro’s High Density Camshelving Storage System is made up of two stationary end units that anchor a raised floor track. That means there are no bolts, glue or drilling associated with this type of shelving. High Density mobile units sit between the stationary units, easily rolling on top of the track. Foodservice operators can increase their storage capacity by up to 50 percent with High Density shelving.

4. Do you need versatility?

Are you looking for a shelving unit that can do more? Customize the mobile, storage-based Cambro Flex Station. Each unit holds various kinds of food pans and food boxes to suit the specific needs of your restaurant. Fruits and vegetables are easily organized in bins between divider bars to keep everything organized and easy to reach. Plus, you’re able to easy move the unit around the kitchen for a variety of applications. If you’re looking to mix built-in storage and traditional shelving, Camshelving divider bars can make it happen. A custom storage unit is instantly created by adding divider bars and food pans or boxes straight or at an angle in between traditional shelves. The options are endless!

Pro Tip: When storing food within divider bars, maintain food safety protocols by using Camwear SlidingLids on top of Food Boxes.

5. Do you need vented or solid shelf plates?

If you’ve never used Camshelving, most likely all you’ve worked with is vented shelving. Solid shelf plates have many pros, including being easier to clean and naturally containing drips or small spills to one surface. If you’re looking to keep small items, like spices or condiments, on shelving, solid shelf plates prevent them from falling over. When using shelving in a walk-in, vented shelf plates still have some big benefits like helping promote air circulation and providing increased visibility. Air circulation is extremely important for keeping perishable items fresh in coolers and freezers, and being able to see through shelves makes it much easier to take inventory.

However, who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? Many restaurants elect to have their Camshelving units with all vented shelving except for the bottom shelf. What originally started in the healthcare sphere has made its way to the commercial market. Solid bottom shelves are often required by health inspectors because they protect the contents on the bottom shelf from mop splashes and generally prevent messes on your shelves from landing on the floor.

6. Are you storing expensive items?

Everything is valuable in a restaurant, but some things are just a little more valuable than others. Keep exclusive steaks, seafood, wine, champagne and spirits under lock and key with Cambro’s Security Cage for Camshelving. Rust-free and constructed from heavy-duty stainless steel, Cambro’s security cage is ideal for freezers, coolers and dry storage. If you don’t need to keep your entire shelving unit safe, Cambro offers a smaller design to be used on one shelf. Security cages are also great for use with shelving in janitorial areas where employees’ personal belongings are held. Backpacks and purses are held visibly and securely under lock and key.

Now that you’ve answered these key six questions, you should have a good idea of the type of Camshelving your operation needs and the immense impact it will have on your business.

What kind of shelving are you in need of? Contact your local Cambro rep for a free shelving consultation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: ADRIANA DESIDERIO IS THE DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER AT CAMBRO.