Choosing commercial kitchen shelving starts with the space itself. The right shelving for a dry storage room may not be the best choice for a walk in cooler, prep area or high moisture environment. Before comparing materials or shelf styles, consider what you need to store, how much weight the shelving must support, how much room is available and the conditions where the shelving will be used.
What Should You Consider When Choosing Commercial Kitchen Shelving?
- What food, supplies, containers or equipment will be stored
- The weight the shelving system needs to support
- Available floor, wall and vertical storage space
- Whether the area is dry, humid, refrigerated or frequently cleaned
- Sanitation and cleaning needs
- Whether the shelving should be stationary, mobile or wall mounted
Already Know What Kind of Shelving You Need?
Compare commercial kitchen shelving for dry storage, walk ins, prep areas, bulk goods and other restaurant and foodservice storage needs.
What to Consider Before Buying Commercial Kitchen Shelving
Material matters, but it should not be the first decision. Start by defining how the storage will actually be used. That makes it easier to narrow the choices without buying more shelving than the space needs or choosing a finish that is poorly suited to the environment.
What Are You Storing?
Cases of dry goods, cookware, ingredients, food containers, smallwares and cleaning supplies place different demands on a storage system. Consider the size, shape and frequency of use of the items that will live on each shelf.
How Much Weight Does the Shelving Need to Hold?
Do not assume all commercial shelving has the same capacity. Load ratings vary by shelving material, dimensions, configuration and manufacturer. Check the stated capacity for the exact shelving system being considered and account for the heaviest expected load.
How Much Space Is Available?
Measure available width, depth and height before choosing a system. Also consider doors, refrigeration equipment, prep tables, cleaning access and traffic paths so the shelving improves storage without making the space harder to work in.
Will It Be Used in a Dry, Humid or Cold Area?
Environment is one of the biggest factors in material selection. Standard wire shelving may work well in many dry areas, while corrosion resistant finishes, polymer or aluminum may make more sense where humidity, condensation or frequent washing is expected.
Does the Shelving Need to Be Adjustable or Mobile?
Adjustable shelves make it easier to accommodate changing inventory and container sizes. Mobile shelving can help with cleaning or repositioning, while wall mounted shelving can preserve floor space near prep areas and workstations.
Match Shelving to the Kitchen Environment
There is no single shelving material that is automatically best for every part of a commercial kitchen. Use the storage environment to narrow the options, then confirm the specifications of the individual product before purchasing.
| Kitchen Area | Options to Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
|
Dry Storage
|
Chrome or standard wire | Open construction supports visibility and airflow in lower moisture storage areas. |
|
Walk Ins & Coolers
|
Green epoxy, polymer or aluminum | Corrosion resistant materials and finishes may be better suited to humidity and condensation. |
|
Prep Areas
|
Wall shelving or appropriately placed freestanding shelving | Keeps frequently used supplies accessible while making better use of available wall and floor space. |
|
High Moisture Areas
|
Epoxy coated, polymer, aluminum or stainless | Materials selected for corrosion resistance are generally better suited to repeated moisture exposure. |
|
Bulk Storage
|
Dunnage racks | Provides low level support for cases, bags and heavier inventory while keeping stored goods elevated. |
Check the Exact Product, Not Just the Material Name
Two shelving systems made from similar materials can have different load limits, finishes, certifications and approved environments. Always review the specifications for the exact product and configuration you plan to use.
Commercial Kitchen Shelving Materials Compared
Material choice affects where shelving works best, how it responds to moisture and how it fits into the kitchen's cleaning and storage routine.
Chrome Wire Shelving
Chrome wire shelving is commonly considered for dry storage and other lower moisture areas. Its open wire construction makes inventory easy to see and allows air to move around stored items.
Green Epoxy Wire Shelving
Green epoxy coated wire shelving is generally better suited to humid or moisture exposed environments than standard chrome shelving. It is often considered for cooler and foodservice areas where added corrosion resistance is useful.
Aluminum Shelving
Aluminum is lightweight and corrosion resistant, making it useful to consider for foodservice areas where moisture, cleaning and easy handling are priorities.
Polymer Shelving
Polymer shelving provides another corrosion resistant option for foodservice storage. It can be useful where moisture resistance and easier cleaning are important parts of the buying decision.
Stainless Steel Shelving
Stainless steel can be a strong choice for demanding commercial environments because of its durability and resistance to corrosion. Whether it is necessary depends on the application, cleaning routine, available budget and specifications required for the space.
Wall Mounted vs. Freestanding Commercial Kitchen Shelving
The best configuration depends on how much inventory needs to be stored and where staff need access to it.
Wall Mounted Shelving
Wall shelving works well when frequently used supplies need to remain close to a prep area or workstation without taking up additional floor space.
It is particularly useful where available wall space can support storage above counters, work surfaces or other active areas.
Freestanding Shelving
Freestanding shelving is usually the better fit when substantial storage capacity is needed in dry storage rooms, stockrooms, coolers or back of house areas.
It also provides more flexibility for shelf spacing, larger inventory and storage layouts that may change over time.
What Does NSF Certification Mean for Commercial Kitchen Shelving?
NSF certification is commonly used in commercial foodservice to identify equipment that has been evaluated against applicable public health and sanitation standards. NSF/ANSI 2 includes food equipment such as shelves and addresses areas including materials, design, construction and performance.
For a buyer, the important distinction is that NSF certified applies to the specific product or shelving system. It should not be assumed simply because shelving is made from wire, aluminum, polymer or another material commonly used in commercial kitchens.
Requirements can also differ by jurisdiction and application. If shelving is being purchased for a new restaurant, renovation or inspected commercial kitchen, confirm what the appropriate regulatory authority requires before ordering.
NSF Certified Does Not Mean Every Shelf Is Approved for Every Environment
Check the certification and environmental rating of the specific shelving model rather than assuming every product made from the same material has the same approved use.
When Wire Shelving May Not Be the Best Choice
Wire shelving works well for many restaurant storage needs, but it is not automatically the right choice for every application. The environment, inventory and available space may point toward another material or storage style.
Frequent Moisture
Compare polymer, aluminum or other corrosion resistant shelving when repeated moisture exposure is expected.
Small Bottles or Containers
Shelf liners can create a flatter, more stable surface for smaller items stored on open wire shelving.
Limited Floor Space
Wall mounted shelving may make better use of vertical space near prep stations and work surfaces.
Heavy Cases and Bulk Goods
A low level dunnage rack may make more sense for bags, cases, boxes and other heavier bulk inventory.
Start With the Storage Problem, Not the Product
The goal is not to use the same shelving everywhere. It is to choose a storage system that fits the inventory, location and way the kitchen operates each day.
Accessories That Help Complete Commercial Kitchen Storage
Accessories should solve a specific storage problem rather than simply add more pieces to the shelving system. Start with what needs to be stored, then choose accessories that make those items easier to organize, access or support.
Choose Accessories for the Items You Need to Store
Shelf liners are useful when bottles, jars, bags, small containers or other items need a flatter surface than an open wire shelf provides.
Other shelving accessories can help divide inventory, improve organization or adapt a shelving system as storage needs change.
When adding accessories to an existing shelving system, confirm dimensions and compatibility with the exact shelving model before purchasing.
How to Organize Commercial Kitchen Shelving
Choosing the right shelving is only part of the storage plan. Placement should make inventory easier to find, rotate, clean around and restock during normal kitchen operations.
Place commonly used ingredients and supplies where staff can reach them without disrupting the work area.
Position heavier inventory lower where appropriate for the shelving system and kitchen workflow.
Keep similar ingredients, containers and supplies together to make finding and restocking items easier.
Organize inventory so older stock can be used before newer stock when first in, first out rotation applies.
Use appropriate shelving or dunnage racks rather than placing bulk food and supplies directly on the floor.
Leave enough room around shelving and stored inventory for routine cleaning and maintenance.
How High Should Food Be Stored Off the Floor?
The FDA Food Code model generally calls for food to be stored at least 6 inches above the floor, with specific exceptions. State and local jurisdictions adopt and enforce their own food codes, so restaurants should follow the requirements of the regulatory authority that applies to their location.
Commercial Kitchen Shelving FAQs
Shelving.com helps restaurant and foodservice buyers compare commercial kitchen shelving based on storage environment, material, available space, expected load and how the shelving will be used.
What shelving is best for a commercial kitchen?
What shelving works best in walk ins and coolers?
Does commercial kitchen shelving need to be NSF certified?
Is green epoxy shelving better than chrome?
How much weight can commercial kitchen shelving hold?
How high should food storage be off the floor?
Should I use wall mounted or freestanding shelving?
Foodservice Standards Referenced in This Guide
Food safety and equipment requirements can vary by location. Shelving.com recommends confirming current requirements with the regulatory authority responsible for the restaurant or foodservice facility.
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