Counter Tops and Cabinets for Restaurants Key Terms

Understand common restaurant counter top and cabinet terminology

In a restaurant, counter tops and cabinets are an essential part of the business. So before you select counter tops and cabinets for your restaurant, you should have a good understanding of the industry's key terms. This guide will help you figure out the pros and cons of counter tops made from stainless steel, Corian and granite. You will also learn about specialty cabinets, such as heated holding cabinets, back wall counters and humidified display cabinets.

 

Stainless steel counter tops

Stainless steel counter tops are ideal for use in busy restaurant work areas because they clean up easily and resist abrasions, corrosion and rusting. Stainless steel is manufactured by combining steel and chromium.
Try: For more information on exactly what stainless steel counter tops are made out of, as well as other reasons why the surface is ideal, check out SpecialtyStainless.com.

Corian counter tops

Corian counter tops are made from a solid surfacing material that can be cut, drilled and formed into almost any size and shape. Corian counter tops are stain-resistant, easy to clean and do not require any special sealing. The disadvantage of Corian is that it will be damaged by hot items, such as pots, that are above 212-degrees Fahrenheit.
Try: Corian was created by DuPont, which offers lots of information about the product.

Natural granite counter tops

If you want to install more luxurious counter tops in the public areas of your restaurant, then consider natural granite counter tops. Natural granite is one of the hardest, natural products on earth. It can't be damaged by heat, is scratch-resistant, and once polished, it retains a high-gloss shine. The disadvantage to granite is that it is porous and can stain. You can protect your granite from stains by sealing the surface.
Try: Countertop Rock is a great source of information about natural granite counter tops. From the linked page, scroll down to learn about honed granite, polished granite and flamed granite. The website also explains the benefits of granite and how to care for it.

Heated holding cabinet

If your restaurant makes a large quantity of food in a short period of time, then you might want to invest in a heated holding cabinet, also called a warming cabinet or transporting cabinet. A heated holding cabinet is a large cabinet on wheels that will keep food hot while it is waiting to be served. Most cabinets come with tracks on the inside, so you can simply slide in a hot tray of food.
Try: Visit Central Products to see pictures of various types of heated holding cabinets. Click on the pictures for more information.

Back wall counters

Back wall counters are great because they can be used for almost anything. They typically come with adjustable storage areas and are topped with a large, open counter space and back splash. The units are not fixed, so they can be moved if you decide to change your restaurant layout.
Try: For a picture of back wall counters and more information, visit Display Case Showcase.

Humidified display cabinet

A humidified display cabinet is used to keep food the proper temperature and texture while it is on display, waiting to be purchased. It contains a heater and humidifier to keep the food fresh and warm.
Try: To see a picture of a humidified display cabinet and get more details, check out Instawares.

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