Supplies for commercial stainless steel equipment are minimal. The beauty of stainless steel is that it is very low maintenance. Beyond some basic supplies for cleaning and polishing, stainless steel does not require any other maintenance.

When purchasing supplies for a stainless steel commercial kitchen you will want the basic cleaning supplies plus a stainless steel cleaner or polisher. A typical antibacterial cleaner will be sufficient for cleaning all surfaces of stainless steel. You only need to use a stainless steel cleaner or polisher once a day to keep your equipment lustrous. Do not use abrasive cleaners or steel sponges for cleaning stainless steel or you will risk scratching the surface. As you shop for supplies for commercial stainless steel equipment, keep the following in mind:

1. Use stainless steel cleaner or polisher to keep industrial stainless steel sinks and other equipment looking fresh.

2. Purchase standard antibacterial cleaners for regular cleaning of stainless steel equipment.

3. Locate providers of cleaning cloths and sponges that are safe for use on stainless steel equipment.

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Purchase commercial stainless steel equipment cleaner or polisher

At the end of the day in a commercial kitchen, stainless steel counters, sinks and cabinets look pretty shabby. After hours of food preparation and multiple wipe downs, stainless steel equipment can have a film on it and look dull. Using stainless steel cleaning products will remove any residue left on the equipment and leave it with a lustrous finish.

I recommend: Cyber Clean is a janitorial supply company that has a selection of several stainless steel cleaners and polishers to choose from. It provides a discount on all of its cleaning supplies. 3M is a manufacturer and retailer of stainless steel polish. Its products have a pleasant scent and are streak free.

Use multi-purpose cleaners for continuous cleaning of stainless steel cabinets and other equipment

A commercial kitchen is under constant cleaning. Stainless Steel kitchen equipment is great because it has antibacterial properties and is easy to clean. Many of the same cleaners that you would use on tile, granite and other surfaces are also safe for use on stainless steel.

I recommend: Find antibacterial cleaning products at Reliable Paper. Its products are safe for use on stainless steel commercial kitchen equipment and will not cause corrosion. Commercial-grade, green kitchen cleaning products are available at the FoodServiceWarehouse.com. It has several multi-purpose cleaners that are safe for stainless steel equipment cleaning.

Find a provider that sells cloths and sponges that are non-abrasive for stainless steel equipment

Having the right cleaning products is not the only solution to keeping stainless steel kitchen equipment clean and in top condition. It is also important to use the proper cloths and sponges to keep the surface of the stainless steel scratch free. Using abrasive sponges or cloths will scratch the surface and leave the finish of the stainless steel dull.

I recommend: Theyhaveit.com is a janitorial supply company that carries disposable and non-disposable cleaning cloths which are safe for use on stainless steel equipment. Another company that carries cleaning cloths is JanSan Supplies.com. It has a large variety of non-abrasive cloths to choose from.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When using bleach to clean stainless steel kitchen equipment always follow up with warm water. Bleach can cause corrosion on stainless steel surfaces and cause them to rust.

To some people there is nothing lovelier than a stainless steel commercial kitchen, with its gleaming stainless steel counters, cabinets and tables. There is a reason that most restaurant kitchens are composed of stainless steel equipment. It is highly durable, can withstand high temperatures and is safe for food preparation - important in an efficient restaurant kitchen. Place commercial stainless steel equipment in every part of the kitchen, from the stove hood to the dishwashing sinks.

When selecting commercial stainless steel equipment for a restaurant, consider how much space you have and the layout of your kitchen. Stainless steel equipment lasts a long time if properly cared for.

A stainless steel commercial kitchen includes:

1. Prep tables and counters
2. Hand washing, bar and dishwashing sinks
3. Buffet and kitchen lines
4. Storage bins and containers
5. Stainless steel cabinets

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Improve kitchen efficiency with stainless steel kitchen equipment

Stainless steel tables - prep tables - play an essential part of any restaurant kitchen. Prep tables allow staff to prepare multiple food items at one time, without the risk of cross contamination. One prep cook can portioning raw chicken at one stainless steel table while another chops fresh vegetables. Not only do prep tables keep food safe, they increase kitchen productivity.

I recommend: Look for prep tables or stainless steel counters that are at least 36 inches high, for comfort while preparing food. Food Prep Innovations carries prep tables in many sizes, some with built in storage shelves. Pair prep tables with rubber floor mats, which are more forgiving and safer than concrete or tile floor.

Meet health and safety codes with stainless steel industrial sinks

Health codes require hand washing stations throughout a restaurant. Stainless steel hand washing sinks are a necessity. Keep dishes and cooking supplies clean with stainless steel dishwashing sinks - designed to accommodate large, bulky dishes.

I recommend: Small hand washing sinks don’t take up a lot of room and because of their small, useless size, employees won’t be tempted to use them for non-hand washing activities, such as rinsing vegetables or other health code violations. Find out more about proper hand washing techniques at AllFoodBusiness.com.

Use commercial stainless steel equipment to serve and store food

Buffets are popular dining trend, but pose potential health risks. Minimize food spoilage and cross contamination with stainless steel buffet lines, which are easy to keep clean and are good insulators, keeping food at their safest temperatures. Stainless steel inserts used on buffet lines and chaffing dishes help regulate food temperatures better and are more durable than plastic inserts.

I recommend: GalleyLine.com is a leading manufacturer of stainless steel buffet lines and stainless steel cabinets. Outfit your buffet with quality stainless steel inserts found at Afinox.com.

Protect your commercial stainless steel equipment with proper cleaning and maintenance

Go into any used restaurant supply store and you will see stainless steel equipment everywhere. Stainless steel is one of the most durable and longest lasting materials. To properly care for your stainless steel equipment, wash it every day following each shift, with a sanitizing cleaner and hot water. It may be tempting to want your commercial stainless steel equipment to shine like new. However, don't use any toxic cleaners, like metal polishers on food prep surfaces.

I recommend: The best cleaning supply for stainless steel is simple household bleach. Olive oil, club soda and vinegar are other common cleaners that work safely used on stainless steel.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Never use steel wool to clean commercial stainless steel equipment, as it can scratch and leave behind bits of metal that can contaminate food.

Pricing and costs of commercial stainless steel equipment is an important aspect of setting a budget for any commercial kitchen. Stainless steel is a popular choice for commercial kitchens because of its easy upkeep and durability. Stainless steel also has great anti-bacterial properties, making it the perfect choice for food-prep stations.

Another benefit of stainless steel commercial equipment is that it is a green product. Stainless steel does not adversely affect the environment and it's recyclable. Some items to think about as you search for stainless steel kitchen equipment are counters, work tables, cabinetry, buffet tables and sinks. Consider the following:

1. Price stainless steel counters and work tables;

2. Work with stainless steel cabinet makers to get an estimate for your kitchen;

3. And get cost information for stainless steel sinks and buffets.

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Get pricing information for stainless steel counters and tables

Stainless steel counter tops will vary greatly in price depending on the size of the commercial kitchen. You can purchase stainless steel work tables online. Expect to pay around $600 for a basic table that is two-feet by two-feet and around $1,500 for a larger 96-inch by 24-inch table with an over head rack.

I recommend: Gilmore-Kramer is a company that specializes in stainless steel kitchen equipment. It has a large inventory of stainless steel tables to choose from, including basic tables, those with sliding cabinet doors under the table and flexible work centers. KitchenSource.com provides custom commercial kitchen counters. Contact a specialist from this company to get an exact quote for your commercial kitchen.

Contact vendors to price stainless steel cabinets

Because each kitchen is so different, it isn't possible to give a viable estimate for stainless steel cabinetry. Some options to consider for cabinets are that stainless steel covered cabinets are much less expensive than solid steel cabinets. They are just as easy to clean and look very similar to solid stainless steel.

I recommend: Stainless Steel Kitchens custom designs stainless steel cabinets for home and commercial kitchens. Contact its specialists to design a stainless steel commercial kitchen that will keep your restaurant running smoothly. Another provider of stainless steel kitchen cabinets is Lasertron Direct. It offers standard and custom designs for home and commercial kitchens.

Find pricing information for commercial stainless steel sinks and buffets

Stainless steel sinks are available from small hand-washing stations to large dish-washing stations. A hand-washing station will generally run under $100, while a large dish-washing station can cost around $1,000. Stainless steel buffets range in cost, depending on the size and features. You can find a small, three-compartment buffet table for around $1,000.

I recommend: ACityDiscount is a vendor of commercial stainless steel equipment, including sinks. Browse its inventory of small hand sinks, multiple sink dish-washing sinks and more. Another provider of stainless steel buffets is Afinox. It has a solution for every buffet line.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Going with a brushed finish on stainless steel equipment will cut down on finger prints and smudge marks.

If you are buying commercial stainless steel equipment, you should learn commercial stainless steel equipment key terms. This is particularly true if you are unsure of what pieces of equipment you need to stock in your restaurant’s kitchen.

Many of the commercial stainless steel equipment key terms in this guide revolve around major pieces of equipment. Whatever commercial stainless steel equipment you buy should meet food industry guidelines for food preparation.

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Prep table

A prep table allows you to prepare food in one location. Because a stainless steel prep table has a non-permeable surface, you can safely work two food items side by side. For example, you can prepare chicken for cooking on one side of the table and chop salad greens on the other. Some prep tables have shelves below them for storage.

I recommend: See the variety of prep tables at Instawares.

Hand sink

A hand sink's only purpose is to clean and sanitize worker's hands. It is small on purpose. That way, employees can wash their hands in an area of the kitchen that is off limits to food preparation.

I recommend: PlumbingSupply.com has a selection of hand sinks, some of which have knee or foot pedals.

Bar sink

A bar sink sits in the work area of the bar. It's deep enough to hand wash glasses. You can do some food prep at a bar sink, but its size limits the amount you can do.

I recommend: You can see the bar sinks for sale at Faucet.com.

Cabinets

Commercial stainless steel cabinets are good storage facilities for your kitchen equipment. Shelving is adjustable. Some cabinets have doors, while other models have an open front. You can also order cabinets with drawers.

I recommend: Stainless Steel Kitchen has a sample commercial steel cabinet to view. This particular model meets food industry requirements for height and cleaning.

Buffet server

A buffet server can hold hot or cold food. A hot model may have heating elements to keep food at the precise temperature necessary to serve it safely. A cold buffet server uses either a refrigerator element to keep foods cold, or relies on ice to keep the food properly chilled.

I recommend: Kitchen Supply Direct has an example of a hot buffet server made out of stainless steel.

Pot racks

Stainless steel pot racks suspend from the ceiling of the kitchen. You can hang pots and pans from them, as well as oversized utensils. Many pot racks have adjustable hooks that allow you to space the hooks however you want to accommodate the size of your cookware.

I recommend: You can find a stainless steel pot rack at Equipment House.