You will often find stainless steel bench in commercial kitchens. These provide excellent work surfaces for this type of application since the material is nonreactive, hygienic, temperature resistant, corrosion resistant, and easy to maintain. They can last much longer than other types of surfaces including porcelain tiles. They are much cheaper and more practical than options like natural stone. However, you still need to make sure that you get exactly the right type of bench for the kitchen. Consider the following when making a selection:
Grade
Stainless steel comes in several grades with each having their own specific properties. They have slightly different compositions that account for the differences. The most common types of stainless steel are Grade 304 and Grade 316. The former is more affordable and much easier to find. It has about 20% chromium and 8% nickel by weight. The rest is mostly iron. Its corrosion resistance makes it good enough for use in home appliances, pipes, heat exchangers, and commercial food processing. The latter contains more nickel and also has molybdenum for better corrosion resistance. It can perform better but the cost can be prohibitive.
Dimensions
There are benches that come in standard sizes. These might be fine for kitchens with large floor areas and open layouts. However, they might be less suitable for small spaces and odd layouts. Fortunately, you can always get custom benches to match your space precisely. Consult with your restaurant fitout manager to find ways to make this happen.
Storage
The benches come in different designs. Some are plain worktops and nothing more. Others have shelves underneath to hold pots, pans, and everything else needed in the kitchen. You might also find stainless steel bench cabinets below the surface to keep more sensitive items safe. There are also benches with sinks to make it easier to transition from washing ingredients to preparing them. Make sure that you get the right combination with enough storage. Arrange them in a way that makes sense for the workflow.
Construction
Having a good grade for the stainless steel is only half the battle. You should also ensure durability by checking the construction of the benches. Some manufacturers are known to produce tougher products than others. This might be worth a look if you will be dealing with a demanding kitchen schedule and handling heavy ingredients or equipment.
Your investment will provide massive returns if you make the right selection.
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