Commercial Shelving

Commercial shelving is designed to handle the load, humidity and temperature swings of a working kitchen, cool room or dry store. Frames and shelves are typically constructed from stainless steel, heavy-gauge wire or food-grade polymer rather than the lighter materials used at home. Fixings, shelf clips and feet are all rated for continuous daily use rather than occasional household loads.

The range covers tray racks for bakery and combi-oven trolleys, freestanding four-tier shelving kits with add-on bay options, mobile shelving units that dismantle for cleaning or relocation, and lockable stainless steel drawer units. Brands include Tagliavini for tray racks, 3 Monkeez for stainless drawer units, and Atlas and Cambro for general storage shelving.

A shelving kit includes the uprights, feet and all shelves you need to get started. An add-on bay shares uprights with an existing kit, so you pay less per bay when expanding a run. If you're fitting out a storeroom from scratch, start with a full kit for each freestanding unit, then use add-on kits to extend the run along a wall.

Measure your largest recurring load first — a full gastronorm tray, a bulk ingredient bin or a sheet pan — and choose a depth that fits it without overhang. Width is usually dictated by the wall or bay run you have available. Most four-tier kits in this range come in a couple of standard footprints, so check the product dimensions against your floor plan before ordering.

Yes, provided the floor surface is smooth and level. Units with swivel castors can be repositioned without lifting, and models like the Hupfer dismountable range break down flat for moving through narrow doorways or cleaning. Check the castor type listed on the product — some are suited to cool-room floors, others to dry-store tiles.

Tray racks are sized by the number of runners they carry, so match the runner count to your baking output first. Tagliavini racks in this range come in 20, 30 and 36 tray configurations. Confirm the runner pitch and external footprint against your oven mouth or cool-room door opening before purchasing, as these dimensions vary between models.

Wipe stainless steel shelves down with a food-safe neutral detergent and a non-abrasive cloth after each shift. Scrubbing pads scratch the surface and create spots where bacteria can harbour. Wire shelving can usually be removed from its uprights and run through a commercial dishwasher or soaked in a sink. Dry all components thoroughly before reassembling to prevent rust at contact points.

Freestanding units with a low shelf-to-height ratio are generally stable without wall fixing, but tall or lightly loaded units in high-traffic areas benefit from a wall bracket or anti-tip strap. Check your local council and WorkSafe requirements, as some jurisdictions have specific rules about unsecured racking in commercial premises. Your fit-out contractor can advise on anchoring for your specific floor and wall type.

Polymer and epoxy-coated wire shelving cope better with the condensation and temperature cycling of a cool room than bare steel. Cambro is a well-known brand in this space and is stocked here. Look for shelves described as corrosion-resistant in the product detail, and ensure any mobile unit you choose has castors rated for cold, damp surfaces.

Pricing varies considerably depending on the number of tiers, the material, the footprint and whether you're buying a full kit or an add-on bay. Basic four-tier kits sit at a different price point to heavy-duty mobile units or multi-tray bakery racks. Chefs Depot members save off RRP across the range, so signing up before you order is worth doing if you're fitting out more than one bay.