Tray & Flatware Cart

Silverware Carts: What You Need to Know

Tray carts enable users to move stacked trays and silverware to assembly lines and service areas in any establishment that uses trays, from buffets and cafeterias to banquet halls and healthcare facilities. These carts hold various tray sizes and have platforms that can remain in place or be moved up and down as the tray stack is depleted. Units are available with cylindrical or flat silverware holder configurations, as well as fixed, swiveling, or braking casters.

Common Questions About Tray Carts

Where are tray carts used?

Because these units simultaneously transport trays and flatware, they reduce the number of trips it takes to move items from a dishroom to a tray assembly or serving area. This kind of flatware cart can be used anywhere high volumes of trays and flatware are transported and commonly are found in healthcare centers, cafeterias, mess halls, buffets, and banquet facilities. Many models designed to be moved through the front of the house feature an aesthetically pleasing design that fits into dining room themes.

What should I consider when choosing a flatware cart?

Tray platforms for silverware carts come in various sizes to accommodate many different trays. You can select a tray dispenser that holds 14-inch by 18-inch trays, 15-inch by 20-inch trays, or 16-inch by 22-inch trays. Most carts are sized based on how much weight they can hold, so tray weight and thickness determine how many units can fit on the platform.

Many tray carts have solid, immobile platforms that support stacks of trays from the unit's base, but other configurations exist. If you want more flexibility with your unit and want to prevent your employees from stooping to reach trays at the bottom of the stack, consider choosing a dispenser with a cantilever mechanism. With this design, the stack of trays can be raised as they're removed. As springs rise with the lever, they self-level the platform to prevent it from becoming uneven and dropping the trays.

What are some features available on tray and utensil carts?

Many models have integrated silverware holders, typically mounted over the trays; they may come in the form of cylindrical bins or flat compartments. Operators can determine the optimal number of holders based on the amount and type of flatware an establishment uses. Some of these bins also are removable to simplify the cleaning process.

All tray dispensers have casters, so they can be transported from the dishroom to tray assembly areas in healthcare applications, cafeterias, or buffets. Casters come in different sizes, with larger options rolling over more difficult or uneven terrain. If the casters swivel, the cart has more maneuverability, and built-in brakes can lock the cart in place. Non-marking casters make an excellent choice if the cart will be used in areas where floors are scuffed easily and/or guests are present.