A Guide to Wire Shelving Materials
Commercial wire shelves are used in restaurants, commissaries, and other foodservice operations to organize dry storage areas, as well as walk-in coolers and freezers. Unlike solid metal shelves, wire shelves are made with an open-air design that allows air to circulate around products, making them a great option for storing perishable goods. Because wire shelving units are used in vastly different environments that range from dry with low humidity to incredibly wet and humid, they are often given different finishes to make them more durable in certain conditions.
Stainless Steel
When wire shelving is made from stainless steel, an alloy commonly used in commercial foodservice equipment, it may be left uncoated by another material. Stainless steel is popular for its natural resistance to rusting, scratching, and denting, as well as its ability to withstand exposure to chemicals, food contact, and moisture. Those robust properties make it a versatile metal suitable for nearly any environment, but it is also the recommended finish for walk-in shelving. Different types of stainless steel vary in durability based on the ratios of the elements used to make them, with a higher number, like type 304, indicating a stronger composition.
Benefits:
- Naturally rust resistant
- Withstands moisture
Recommended for:
- Walk-in coolers and freezers
- Dry storage
Chrome & Chromate
Chrome shelves are generally made of a different metal, such as aluminum or galvanized steel, and given a chrome-plated finish, which may sometimes actually be a nickel-chrome mix. This finish is better suited to dry environments with low humidity and should not be used in walk-in coolers or freezers. Chromate is a less durable but more economical option that looks similar to chrome plating. Like chrome plating, it should only be used in dry, low-humidity environments, which excludes it from being installed in walk-ins.
Benefits:
- More affordable
- Sleek appearance
Recommended for:
- Dry storage
- Low-humidity environments
Epoxy
Metal shelving may also be coated in epoxy, which makes any type of metal resistant to corrosion. This allows the unit to be in dry storage or in cold, humid environments like a walk-in cooler or freezer. However, epoxy coatings can eventually chip, be scratched, or peel off. If this happens on a shelving unit in a walk-in cooler or freezer, the metal underneath will be exposed to the elements and ultimately rust, making the unit unsanitary. Epoxy coatings are usually green, but some epoxy-coated shelving systems are available in black.
Benefits:
- Most economic option
- Available in green or black
Recommended for:
- Dry storage
- Walk-in coolers and freezers
