Ingredient Bins

Ingredient Storage Bins: What You Need to Know

KaTom carries a variety of ingredient bin sizes and styles. Countertop bins come in stackable versions to conserve space and keep ingredients conveniently nearby. Mobile ingredient bins are mounted on casters for easy movement while still following food code rules that require the bins to be kept off the ground. Choose a flour bin with integrated scoop storage to make sure you stay compliant with FDA and local food codes that forbid a scoop from being stored in the ingredients.

Ingredient containers, sometimes called flour bins, are great for any establishment doing lots of baking. A large ingredient storage bin can keep your powdered ingredients, such as flour or sugar, dry while preventing potential contamination. The flour storage containers found here are made to be food safe in a commercial environment, meaning they can be cleaned thoroughly enough to prevent bacterial growth. We'll answer common questions about our ingredient bins below to help you decide on the right ones for your needs.

Common Questions About Ingredient Bins

Why do I need special ingredient containers?

Commercial foodservice establishments are held to a high standard when it comes to food safety, and part of these standards include rules as to where ingredients can be stored. Flour, sugar, and other dry ingredients cannot be left in contact with the floor, where they are more likely to be impacted by pests. This means most large ingredient bins have casters on the bottom that keep them off the floor and enable easy movement. The flour storage container must also be made in such a way that ensures thorough cleaning, which means it must be made of a nonporous material without uncleanable nooks and crannies. If the health inspector finds you storing dry ingredients in a bag on the ground, you'll be penalized. More than that, though, ingredient storage bins are safer than storing flour in its bag, and your customers will be safer if you use the right tool for the job.

Should I get a flour bin on wheels?

Our mobile ingredient bins are great for any operation that isn't constantly using the ingredients from a single spot. If you do the majority of your baking in the morning, for example, wheeling the large flour bin out from the back room is much easier than trying to lug thirty-plus gallons of flour without wheels.

The second major factor in determining whether you need a mobile ingredient storage bin is how much of the ingredient you're storing. Smaller countertop ingredient bins are great for small quantities of flour or sugar, but if you're baking on a commercial scale you'll need more storage space than those can provide. Two-, five-, or even ten-gallon ingredient bins can work without wheels, but as soon as it gets too heavy for you to lift, you'll need some way to move the bin around.

Consult the product specification page for the ingredient bin you're considering to ensure it can hold the weight you need as well. While our bins are listed by the volume they hold, if you have a particularly heavy material you may exceed the weight limit before you exceed the volume limit.