Steel is fantastic stuff. An iron alloy, it’s strong, doesn’t chip, bend, or crack easily (though it does scratch), and it stays shiny over years of use. But there’s just one problem: it rusts. Enter stainless steel, a metal alloy with about 10-11% chromium. When exposed to air, the chromium in the metal forms a film of chromium oxide over the surface. This film is passive and non-toxic, and most importantly, it prevents the steel from rusting by shielding it from air and moisture. Even if the metal gets scratched, the chromium oxide reforms seamlessly. This combination provides all the excellent properties of steel without the worry of rust.

Stainless steel is by far the most popular choice for canteen and food service areas – chances are, you have some stainless steel in your own kitchen at home. Stainless Steel is popular in food service industries because it’s a very easy surface to clean and maintain, especially important in areas where spills and stains are an everyday occurrence. Stainless steel can be quickly wiped down to remove grease, oil, and other food splatters, and, unlike other materials used in canteen areas, stainless steel is non-porous. This means fluids and bacteria from food cannot penetrate the material and remain to possibly cause a food safety issue over time.

Over time, canteen equipment can become dingy and discoloured, but this doesn’t happen as often with stainless steel as it’s resistant to smudges and stains, repelling, rather than absorbing them. In fact, the shine and lustre of stainless steel often lasts far longer than most other materials, as long as you regularly apply a metal cleaner as preventative maintenance.

Storage racks are an essential part of any professional canteen environment; from Michelin star restaurants to greasy spoons. At Action Handling, we supply a range of stainless steel shelving perfect for maximising storage space, efficiency, food safety and cleanliness.

In conclusion, stainless steel is a lot more robust and sturdy than aluminium, timber or ceramic, allowing you to protect your investment. If you put in the time and effort, stainless steel will reward you with a gleaming and glistening workspace for years to come.

For more information about our hygienic non corrosive shelving, bespoke steel fabrication service, or any other product advice, call our friendly sales team – we are here to help.

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