What Commercial Kitchen Shelving is Best for Wet areas or Refrigerated Spaces?

When it comes to Commercial Foodservice shelving, all shelving isn't alike. Especially when we're dealing with a wet environment like a walk-in, dish drying rack or food processing plant where the shelving unit is constantly bombarded by water & humidity. Also in Hawaii, with our close access to the beach, it makes for lots of salt in our air that can lead to quick corrosion of most metals.

Here are our top recommendations for shelving in a wet or refrigerated space:

1. Never use Chrome Shelving in a wet space or refrigerated environment - PERIOD!

As much as we all love Chrome shelving with its good price point & abundant availability, we do not recommend it for any type of installation that exposes it to moisture. Over a short period of time, you will see the shelving start to corrode and health inspectors will be red flagging you to have them replaced immediately. Plus being in the middle of the ocean, Hawaii's shipping times can be lengthy and you don't want to be waiting for replacements for too long.

2. What is a Good Option for Shelving in a Wet or Refrigerated Space?

Like we said earlier, although Chrome shelving has a good price point, you don't want to use it in a wet or refrigerated environment. Spend a little more money & go with our Metro Epoxy coated shelving at a minimum. The coating will help protect against corrosion for a longer period of time. Epoxy isn't perfect as it can rub off over time and expose the material underneath to moisture which will lead to corrosion. But it is a step up from Chrome for not much more money.

3. What is a Better Option for Shelving in a Wet or Refrigerated Space?

Epoxy is a good first investment for shelving in a wet or refrigerated space but over time it can corrode just like Chrome due to rough handling of the epoxy finish. A better recommendation would be the Metro Super Erecta PRO which will give you the Epoxy coated finish with an added upgrade of Polymer shelf mats. This allows the operator to remove & clean the mats easily. The mats will protect the epoxy coated finish which will minimize corrosion points. It also puts a barrier between the shelf and food products so if corrosion is present, it's not in contact with the corrosion.

4. What is the BEST option for Shelving in a Wet or Refrigerated Space?

In general when it comes to wet environments, we highly recommend MetroMAX shelving because most to all its material is polymer which makes is not susceptible to corrosion. It's easier to clean with its removable mats just like the Super Erecta Pro.

5. Which MetroMax Shelving will work Best?

There are 3 types of MetroMax Shelving:

MetroMax Q has metal posts with Polymer Mats

MetroMax i is all polymer except for the stainless steel shelf corners

MetroMax 4 is entirely Polymer

Depending on your preference & budget, you can pick the MetroMax system that is right for you. Any of the 3 MetroMax systems will be the best option for a wet or humid environment.

For more information about shelf organization, the best types of commercial kitchen shelves available, or what shelving options may be optimal for your kitchen, contact PAC RIM REPS your local Hawaii Metro Foodservice Representatives today.

Industry's First BLIZZARD R290 All-in-one Slide-out Cooling Cartridge

Everest Blizzard R290 fully detachable, self-contained condensing unit is an industry first with its all-in-one slide-out cartridge.

The process of getting your unit back up & running is simple and quick with no hassles of trouble shooting & replacing sensor after sensor.

If temperature goes up & it is determined that brazing is required, a cartridge is sent on qualified units. Once the new cartridge is received, the replacement process can be done in about 30 minutes. Just slide the old one out and the new one in - no brazing, no hassle!

Everest Blizzard Slide-out Cartridge

When you think about it, once a cartridge is replaced its like getting a brand new unit! The system is equipped with a built-in sensor to prolong compressor life & promote fire safety. Another great feather is the Blizzard is virtually maintenance free. The Auto-reverse fan keeps the compressor cool and blows out debris from the condenser coil helping to keep it clean.

At Everest Refrigeration, Customer service is their top priority and piece of mind is just as important as any piece of technology. The new Blizzard R290 Cartridge was engineered with safety, speed & convenience in mind. Their main goal was to reduce down-time and eliminate risk of R290 ignition by providing braze-less repairs.

Please contact us PAC RIM REPS your local Hawaii Everest Representative for more info or ask us where you can purchase Everest Refrigeration in Hawaii. We are here to assist you with your refrigeration needs, before & after your purchase.

Mobile or Stationary Shelves for a Commercial Kitchen?

There are two basic types of mounting and assembly pieces for kitchen shelving units: mobile (those that move) and stationary (those that cannot be moved). Which one you choose depends on what you are trying to accomplish or have to work around.

metro Max moblie Shelf

When Would I Need Mobile Shelves?

Especially in Hawaii, real estate is pricy so kitchens can be tight! For kitchens that are limited in size, mobile mounting may be ideal as units can be pushed aside and relocated when they’re not in use, creating more space. Mobile systems are handy when it comes time to cleaning behind the units. If you are using the systems for ingredient storage, the units can easily be moved outside for routine cleaning. You can also use mobile units as carts to transport items from place to place with ease.

Why are Mobile Shelves More Expensive?

Mobile shelving systems have the added casters which makes the units slightly more expensive. Keep in mind that sometimes casters need replacing depending on the chemicals used or temperature fluctuations they are exposed to but typically cause little problems. Also note that the casters have bumpers which will add a few extra inches in width to your systems. So if you're designing a space & trying to fit a specific area, keep that in mind.

Metro Max Stationary Shelf

What is the Most Popular Commercial Kitchen Shelving?

In general, stationary shelving systems are the preferred choice because most times you're not moving these pieces around and they also have a better price point. To save on space, you can always order S-hooks which will eliminate intermediate posts between systems and allow for easier access to corner areas. You cannot install S-hooks on mobile units.

So depending on your specific situation, you can determine which style is best for you. As always, consider the environment before selecting your shelving! Hawaii has high humidity & salt in the air so our MAX systems would be preferable over Chrome or green wire shelving. We want operators to get the best ROI on their shelving investment by not having to replace them within a year of operation.

For more information about shelf organization, the best types of commercial kitchen shelves available, or what shelving options may be optimal for your kitchen, contact PAC RIM REPS your local Hawaii Metro Foodservice Representatives today. We can assist you in designing your space to fit your specific shelving needs!