The Advantages of Modular Shelving
In any business, foodservice or otherwise, space comes at a premium. This makes your choice of racking and shelving an important one. With a huge choice of materials and components to choose from you can find yourself searching for answers, which is probably how you arrived here. If you're having trouble choosing the right shelving, you've come to the right place.
Finding the right shelving improves workplace safety. Overstocked storage units can lead to protruding items, which can cause potential hazards for your staff. Height isn't always the answer either, as bulky items stored at head height will be a big strain to lift. This could even cause the unit to tip over, potentially ruining a costly amount of stock. Therefore, it's best to organise a managable middle section, where the bulk of your most common ingredients can stock can be stored.
Benefits of modular shelving
A good storage solution is one that should support your workflow, allowing you to take stock of inventory with ease and with each component serving a clear purpose. If you are struggling to cope with the slightest overstock it might be time to review your storage space.
Efficiency, durability and hygiene are all major considerations when it comes to shelving, and thankfully many products offer these requirements.
An effective shelving solution will:
- Create safer working conditions for your staff
- Preserve and extend the lifespan of your ingredients by improving airflow
- Make it easier for you to organise your inventory
- Help you identify goods and stock at a glance
- Improve kitchen and stockroom hygiene
- Maximise your available space
- Save time in construction and configuration
- Minimise lost stock through spillages and protruding items
- Make your storage areas easier to clean
- Resist rust and corrosion
- Give you a longer service life
Materials
There are many questions to ask when it comes to shelving material. Do you need storage for damp environments such as cold storage or warewashing areas? Will the environment be humid or ambient temperature?
Zinc
Galvanised zinc gives a level of protection from corrosion and moisture, but is not suitable for cold or frozen storage. This material is however perfect for dry storage or heated storage areas including warehouses and stockrooms.
Epoxy coated steel
Epoxy resin coated units boast high resistance to moisture, humidity and corrosion which can be found in environments such as walk-in freezers and cold storage. The coating can include a built-in antibacterial agent such as microban which protects your shelving from mould and bacteria. This is ideal for food service environments, as it can help prevent contaminated food.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene shelving is incredibly durable and boasts the highest resistance to corrosion and rust over other materials. Another benefit of this material is that it is dishwasher-safe. This makes cleaning your shelving much easier and less time-rich.
Fibreglass
Some units are made from a resin and fibreglass composite, which makes them highly durable and gives resistance to high and low temperatures
Stainless Steel
Shelving made from stainless steel is commonly used for heavy applications, being one of the most versatile and durable materials available. The steel used on these units tends to be nylon-coated to help resist rust, providing a long service life.
Shelving Types
What will define your choice of storage? Is it your space limitations, type of stock or the surrounding conditions?
Mobile VS. Stationary
When deciding on a mobile or stationary shelving unit, think about the demands on your staff. For example, mobile units will become heavy when fully laden and require physical effort to transport. Stationary units will obviously be installed for the long-term and because of this, they can be more difficult to clean thoroughly. Mobile units can be pushed together to access the floor space, which makes them more versatile.
Finally, space is also an important factor, as mobile units can be pushed together temporarily when not in use. This is ideal for storage areas with limited space, as contents can take up less space in this way.
Modular kits
With the ability to customise your shelving and leave room for extention, kits are ideal especially for new storage requirements. Also, if you plan to setup several shelving systems for your stock, you will benefit from the interchangable parts and spares for the kits.
Modular storage can grow and change alongside your business needs. Most modular shelving also requires no tools to construct, so can be assembled and configured to your needs easily.
Storage types
Kitchen Wall Shelves
Using vertical space is another great way to maximise your storage. Empty walls harbour a great deal of potential, even in the smallest restaurant kitchens. Even appliances such as microwaves can be shelved, making more room for food preparation.
Durable hooks can be used to store pots, pans and other cookware items which is both convenient for chefs and space-saving.
Kitchen Cupboards
A commercial kitchen cupboard means much more than practical storage, but can provide a hygienic platform to help with preparation. Sliding doors and a stainless steel construction make these units easy to access and keep clean, both essential in a food service environment. These are available in a wide range of sizes, including wall-mounted and free standing units to make the most of your kitchen space.
Dunnage Racks
Raising ingredients such as flour or sugar off the floor is vital in food storage. Keeping them well-ventilated and dry is essential to conform to regulations, and dunnage racks make this easy. The rack platform is made of polypropylene, which is easy to clean and highly resistant to damp.
These racks can act as the perfect additional storage for overstock, or for ingredients that you use daily. This could save you a lot of time, and means saving your shelving space for less bulky items with less risk of lost stock and a messy cleanup.