Can racks come in several style options designed to meet the needs of any sized kitchen from a small catering kitchen to a large industrial size kitchen, or on a store or pantry shelf. If you're in the market for a good storage system to organize your canned goods or save space in your staples pantry, compare your options closely before making a decision.

The canned food storage rack can be as large as a stationary shelving system or as small as an eight-can rack to set on your countertop. If you'd prefer to keep your storage mobile, there are wheeled options that can easily be transported around the kitchen for convenient access. The key is finding the right size and style can rack to fit your needs. Consider the following when looking for the right canned food storage rack for your business:

1. Measure your available space to see if you can accommodate a large can rack shelving system which can help you organize your canned goods in a larger pantry or corner of the kitchen.

2. Find a mobile rack unit for easy access anywhere in your kitchen or other food preparation area.

3. Consider a front loading can storage rack for easy stocking.

4. Choose a first in/first out rack system so you can easily load and use the oldest canned goods first.

Action Steps
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Consider a shelf-style stationary can rack

Can racks types and styles vary widely but most include shelving with areas designed to fit canned goods of varying sizes. Stationary racks should also be constructed with sturdy frames and have stabilization options to secure them in place.

I recommend: The Mission Restaurant Supply store offers an aluminum constructed shelving system that fits both #10 and #5 size cans. Choose from several styles and designs of racking systems at Shelf Reliance. Their system features a front-loading can rack that rotates cans so the first can in is the first can out.

Consider buying a mobile food storage rack system

If you're constantly running to the pantry for canned goods, consider investing in a rack system on wheels that can easily be brought to your workstation. Mobile rack systems can save you valuable time during a busy service.

I recommend: Choose the Harvest system at Canning Pantry for your mobile canned good needs. A similar system is available at CPAPC Restaurant Design & Supply. It features a welded aluminum frame with polyethylene work top surface and sturdy wheels.

Find a front loading can goods rack

Front loading systems are ideal for smaller areas with access to only one side. They work better for staples you will be going through quickly unless they are made to be first in first out systems.

I recommend: The small sized front loading can rack at AlwaysBrilliant.com is an example of a small scale can rack that can be used in home or restaurants. YourFoodStorage.com also offers the front loading smaller sized rack that can be expanded into a larger system.

Utilize a first in/first out can goods storage system

The most efficient of the canned good storage systems is one that controls which cans are used in which order. The roll-down can rack, or any other style of first in first out storage is great for large scale pantries, kitchens or catering businesses that want to make sure their canned goods are being used in a timely fashion. Some systems load from the top, while others load from the back or even the front.

I recommend: Organize It offers a top-loading storage system good for both home and restaurant use, or consider the industrial size rack at CanRackWorld.com. The cans load from the front and roll down to unload as a first in first out system.

Can racks come in all shapes and sizes, so you're sure to find the right one for your restaurant kitchen from the wide selection available. Can storage doesn’t have to be expensive either; you can find a can storage rack to fit every budget.

Without the proper can goods storage system in place, it’s easy to let some canned goods get pushed to the back of the can food storage rack and forgotten. You need a can storage rack that lets you manage your canned goods. A roll down can rack or FIFO (first in/first out) can goods rack is good an example. Regardless of the type of canned food storage rack you choose, it should be sturdy and capable of holding the weight of full cans of food.

Typically can racks fall into three categories:

1. Stationary storage can racks.

2. Moveable or wheeled can racks.

3. Can goods storage systems that promote proper organization and usage.

Action Steps
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Find sturdy stationary can racks

Whether it's simple shelving designed to hold the weight of multiple heavy cans or something more elaborate, a stationary food can storage rack should be stable and have wide shelves. Be sure to bolt the food storage can rack to the wall for additional stability.

I recommend: Warehouse Equipment and Supply Co. offers a wide range of industrial-strength shelving that you can use as canned food racks. You can configure their product in any way you like, which gives you additional flexibility to meet your space constraints. Can Rack World sells products that can also be set up as stationary can racks.

Choose wheeled can racks for easy access to canned goods

While they don't offer as much storage space, wheeled can racks can get the canned food close to the food preparation area. You can load these canned food racks in the stockroom with canned goods that you plan to prepare for the upcoming meal, then wheel them to the cooking and food preparation area.

I recommend: YourFoodStorage.com has a large selection of wheeled can food racks in all sizes. Central Restaurant Products is another company that provides these type of can racks for sale.

Pick can racks with roll down storage

Choose first in, first out (FIFO) can racks to make the best use of your canned good inventory. If possible, find roll down storage racks that are front loading. With these, you put the canned food on one level of the rack and it rolls down to the next level for selection. With this process you always use the older canned goods first.

I recommend: Cook’s Direct and R & B Wire Products, Inc. both offer a number of FIFO can racks in a range of sizes to fit almost any space. Since most FIFO systems are also stationary, remember to secure the can racks to the wall so they don’t tip over.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most can racks come with some assembly required, so take the time to read and follow directions to assemble your can racks correctly.
• •  Order any accessories and extensions offered with your can racks. These options can give you more storage space at a minimal cost.

Restaurateurs know that a well-designed kitchen is essential to speedy service and lack of waste, which is why it's important to check out can racks pricing and costs. Can racks should be part of every dry goods storage area in a commercial kitchen. Not only will several racks make the kitchen more efficient, when placed in appropriate locations for each production area, but they can also reduce the number of spoiled goods forgotten on a back shelf.
When shopping for a can storage rack, there are three main types to choose from. Think carefully about how you'll use the racks. For example, will mobile or stationary racks be most useful to you? What size cans will you primarily store in them? And how much in the way of canned goods does your restaurant typically use? Then, consider which of the following best fits the bill:
1. Stationary canned food racks for sturdy storage
2. Wheeled can goods storage for mobility
3. Storage can racks that encourage the use of the oldest cans first

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Select stationary food storage can rack products

Stationary can rack shelf products are suitable for most commercial kitchens and typically hold about 162 #10 cans or 216 #5 cans. Most are made of heavy-duty aluminum for years of service. A full rack, standing about 71 inches high, generally sells for between $360 to $500. A full rack with a flat aluminum top goes for around $400 to $500.

I recommend: Restaurant Equipment World sells both stationary and mobile full can racks. Mission Restaurant Supply also offers heavy-duty aluminum can racks.

Choose wheeled food can storage rack products

Can rack food storage units on wheels are useful whenever you need to move products safely. They are often found in kitchens with smaller storage areas. As with stationary racks, they are almost always made of heavy-duty aluminum. Half racks, holding about 72 #10 cans or 96 #5 cans, generally sell for about $450 to $550 and full racks are usually $600 to $750.

I recommend: Central Restaurant Products sells full and half racks on wheels. KATOM Restaurant Supply sells a variety of can racks, including those that are mobile.

Consider roll-down can storage rack products

First in, first out (FIFO) can goods rack products help you rotate your supply in the easiest manner possible. FIFO racks allow you to load cans on one shelf and have them roll down to the next shelf, near the front, encouraging employees to use the oldest cans first. Sometimes these can racks also called 'gravity fed' racks. A full FIFO can rack sells between $400 and $1,000, generally.

I recommend: Cook's Direct sells FIFO can food storage racks made of long-lasting aluminum, as does Ace Mart Restaurant Supply.