Metal Food Trays Key Terms

Know metal food trays key terms to choose the right products for your business

You should be familiar with the different metal food trays key terms so you can get the right trays for your restaurant. There are different metals commonly used to make food trays, including stainless steel, aluminum and chrome, and each has unique characteristics. Other terms you'll come across pertain to the styles of trays available, such as Lazy Susan. Read the guide to find out more about metal food trays.

 

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a steel alloy that contains chromium. Stainless steel is resistant to rust, corrosion and staining. Stainless steel serving trays have a nice shine to them that lasts for years.
Try: See the stainless steel tray at Overstock.com.

Hammered stainless steel

Artisans make hammered stainless steel trays by hand, so each tray has its own unique appearance. To make a hammered stainless steel tray, the craftsman uses a small hammer to shape the stainless steel overlay. The surface of a hammered stainless steel tray may be smooth or it may have a rougher texture.
Try: You can see a hammered stainless steel tray at UnbeatableSale.com.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a silver white metallic element used to make lightweight metal products. Often aluminum metal trays are single-use products, although you can wash them and re-use them. These trays are often sold in bulk quantities because they are inexpensive.
Try: Instawares Restaurant Supply offers a number of aluminum metal food trays.

Chrome

Where aluminum metal food trays are often lightweight and disposable, chrome food trays are often heavier and designed for long wear. The shiny chrome plating on these metal trays needs special hand cleaning, but you can expect many years of service from this type of product.
Try: You can find chrome food trays in a large assortment of sizes and shapes at Galasource Ventures.

Griptite

Since metal surfaces are often smooth, a metal tray with a treated surface keeps dishes and cutlery from sliding around during service. Griptite provides that surface, and it is used to make many serving trays.
Try: Select one of the many griptite trays at The Betty Mills Company.

Lazy Susan

A Lazy Susan tray allows you to serve several foods from one tray. Most Lazy Susan trays have five or six service sections. You can find Lazy Susan trays in all kinds of metals.
Try: See the aluminum Lazy Susan trays at FoodServiceDirect.com.

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