Mobile shelving helps maintain order and speed in a kitchen. Whether it’s used in a commercial kitchen, catering business or storage area, mobile shelving allows staff to quickly move inventory, store ingredients and maintain an organized workspace. However, when corrosion overtakes wire racks, this crucial piece of equipment can go from being a time-saver to a major problem. When wire shelving loses its mobility, kitchens can experience delays, disruptions and an increased risk of accidents.
How Corrosion Develops in Foodservice Environments
Foodservice environments, particularly kitchens, are prone to moisture, humidity and chemical exposure, making metal shelving especially vulnerable to corrosion. Over time, repeated exposure to cleaning chemicals, spilled food and steam can lead to rust and deterioration.
“It was just falling apart. It was old and decrepit, literally falling apart because the plastic [coating] was cracking and the wheels were not turning. They were mobile, now they’re stationery because the wheels didn’t turn,” said Oyler.
The Impact of Corroded Shelving on Your Kitchen
Corroded and immobile shelving can create a variety of problems for your kitchen, including:
- Operational Slowdowns: In a kitchen where speed is critical, immobile shelving can cause frustrating delays. Whether it’s preventing staff from quickly getting what they need or creating bottlenecks during busy shifts, the inefficiency caused by stuck or sluggish shelves can lead to slower service, unhappy guests and potential losses in revenue.
- Food Safety Risks: Corroded shelving presents serious food safety concerns. Rust and debris can contaminate food and storage items, compromising hygiene standards and potentially violating health regulations. Corrosion also makes it harder to clean shelves thoroughly, increasing the risk of bacteria and cross-contamination.
- Increased Maintenance Costs: When mobile shelving begins to rust, the cost of replacements can quickly add up, creating a costly cycle.
- Staff Safety Concerns: Employees may strain themselves trying to move heavy, immobile shelves, and oftentimes grimy wheels can buckle under pressure and become unstable.
How to Finally Break the Cycle
- Posts and shelves are made from composite plastic wrapped around a steel core that is impervious to rust yet extremely durable.
- Shelf plates are constructed with Camguard™, an antimicrobial protection permanently embedded into Camshelving shelf plates.
- Wheels are designed with a durable plastic material that glides easily and will never rust or corrode, ensuring your mobile units keep moving!
“[Cambro] wheels, they don’t bend and are easy to clean,” said Oyler.
While it may seem costly upfront, investing in high-quality, corrosion-free shelving will save you money in the long run by preventing the constant need for replacements and eliminating labor-intensive cleaning processes.
“In the night, you can pop the shelves out and run them to the dish machine,” said Oyler. “We can just take a power washer to the bars and mainframe. The nice thing with the Cambro [shelving], it’s sturdy, it’s solid, easy to tear apart, easy to put together and the parts are interchangeable.”
Investing in rust and corrosion-free Camshelving prevents immobile shelving from wreaking havoc on your kitchen—and your bottom line. Contact your local Cambro sales rep today to get started!
AUTHOR: ADRIANA COCHRAN IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
