The Benefits of Stainless Steel Benches for Your Kitchens, Laboratories & Hospitals
It is important for surfaces in a kitchen to be able to withstand daily wear and tear over a long period of time. Stainless steel is one of the best options, as they make a durable, corrosion-resistant, easy to clean and versatile surface, perfect for the busiest kitchen.
Here are some benefits of stainless steel benches for kitchens, Laboratories & Hospitals:
Aesthetics Combined with Function
Stainless steel benches will keep a smooth, shining surface if cared for with regular, basic maintenance. This creates a simple but versatile aesthetic that can fit into any kitchen. This, combined with the functional properties of stainless steel, makes it an easy decision to use stainless steel benches in your kitchen.
Range of Products for Commercial Kitchens
The ability of stainless steel to be cold worked allows it to be formed into many shapes and sizes, thus making a wide range of stainless steel products available. From stainless steel sink benches to benches with splashbacks, you’ll be able to find one for your needs. Britex offers a wide selection of standard stainless steel benches for a variety of functions, as well as customisable options.
BenchTech Flat Island Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, legs and solid undershelf.
BenchTech Mobile Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, legs + castors and solid undershelf.
Available lengths: 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.
BenchTech Work Benches with 150mm Splashbacks
BenchTech Work Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, legs and solid undershelf. Includes 150mm high splashback.
Available lengths: 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.
BenchTech Corner Work Bench with 150mm Splashback
BenchTech Corner Work Bench with 150mm splashback. Supplied with solid undershelf and legs.
Range of Products for Laboratories
The ability of stainless steel to be cold worked allows it to be formed into many shapes and sizes, thus making a wide range of stainless steel products available. From stainless steel sink benches to benches with splashbacks and sinks, you’ll be able to find one for your needs. Britex offers a wide selection of standard stainless steel benches for a variety of functions, as well as customisable options.
Standard design for health project 'Dirty Utility' rooms. Includes flushing rim (sluice) sink and standard bowl. Fully customisable.
Peninsula Bench with sink and extra high splashback designed specifically for laboratory applications. Manufactured from grade 304 or acid resistant grade 316 stainless steel. Custom designs available.
Work Station with sink and extra high splashback designed specifically for laboratory applications. Manufactured from grade 304 or acid resistant grade 316 stainless steel. Custom designs available.
Corner Bench with sink designed specifically for laboratory applications. Manufactured from grade 304 or acid resistant grade 316 stainless steel. Custom designs available.
Range of Products for Hospitals & Aged Care
The ability of stainless steel to be cold worked allows it to be formed into many shapes and sizes, thus making a wide range of stainless steel products available. From stainless steel sink benches to benches with splashbacks and sinks, you’ll be able to find one for your needs. Britex offers a wide selection of standard stainless steel benches for a variety of functions, as well as customisable options.
Stainless steel rack for storing bed pans and bottles in hospitals and aged care facilities.
Sanitary and Bacteria-Resistant
Unlike stone or wood, which are also commonly used to make kitchen countertops and benches, stainless steel is a non-porous surface. This not only allows it to be easily cleaned, but creates conditions that prevent moisture and organic matter buildup, making it virtually impervious to bacterial growth.
Robust and Durable
Stainless steel is resistant to chipping and cracking, making it suitable in kitchen environments that experience heavy usage daily. The overall strength of the material also makes it great in benches built to withstand heavy loads.
Minimal Maintenance Required
Even though stainless steel is designed to resist corrosion from most common chemicals in the kitchen, it is still susceptible to dirt, rust and damage due to prolonged exposure to grime, grease, and other corrosive agents. The good news is, your stainless steel benches will last a lifetime just with periodic, basic cleaning. If possible, wipe down your stainless steel bench after each use with warm water and a clean washcloth. Remember to pay careful attention to the edges and joints of your bench, where corrosive agents may collect in crevices. For more stubborn stains, soap, water, and a sponge will usually do the trick. Make sure your last step is always to rinse with warm water and wipe with a soft towel until dry.
Long Lifespan
With regular maintenance, you can expect your stainless steel benches to last for decades and still look exactly like it did the day you bought it, even in harsh environments. This certainly can’t be said for wooden countertops, which need to be replaced every few years. Granite surfaces may last longer, but can be less sanitary due to its more porous surface.
Types of Food-Grade Stainless Steel
The most common types of stainless steel used in the kitchen are type 304, 316, and 430. Although all are corrosion-resistant and similar to some degree, there are some key differences that you should be aware of when buying a stainless steel bench.
304 Steel
304 steel is the most common type of steel used for food preparation. With iron alloyed with high levels of chromium and nickel, this type of steel is highly resistant to rust and corrosion and can be easily formed into various shapes for many different uses. The chromium layer protecting the steel underneath is resistant to organic acids from fruits, vegetables, as well as the chemicals from cleaning solutions. One weakness, however, is its sensitivity to chlorides and highly acidic environments.
316 Steel
316 steel is similar to 304 steel in that it has a high chromium and nickel content. However, it also contains molybdenum, which gives it extra strength and resistance to chloride and acid attack, making it suitable for even the most corrosive food preparation environments. This is why it is also used in marine environments and medical implants. The one downside is its cost, which means that you should consider whether you really need 316 steel or if 304 steel works for your purposes.
Britex stainless steel products are all made of 304 or 316 stainless steel to maintain high quality and durability.
Corrosion Resistance of Stainless Steel
There are two main types of corrosion to watch out for in stainless steel: pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion. Pitting corrosion occurs across the surface of a stainless steel bench as chlorides or other agents attack the chromium layer protecting the steel underneath.
Crevice corrosion, on the other hand, does not occur in plain sight, but rather in corners, joints, and crevices. It is caused by the trapping of chlorides and corrosive agents in a space they cannot diffuse out of, creating the perfect environment for rapid corrosion.
No matter which type of stainless steel you choose for your kitchen, you will have some degree of corrosion resistance. However, it depends heavily on the type of stainless steel how much corrosion resistance you can expect from your bench. For maximum corrosion resistance, it is recommended that you go for benches made with 316 stainless steel. This important property can be maintained with periodic cleaning, allowing your stainless steel benches to last for years.
Common Stainless Steel Benches for Your Kitchens, Laboratories & Hospitals:
BenchTech 300mm Wall Shelf; various standard sizes.
Available sizes: 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.
BenchTech 300mm Pipe Shelf; various standard sizes.
Available sizes: 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.
Stainless Steel flat sheet shelf with wall mounting brackets. Manufactured to standard and custom dimensions as required.
Stainless Steel shelves manufactured from heavy duty square tubing. Made to standard and custom dimensions as required. Commonly used in commercial kitchen areas.
Stainless Steel Benches With Sinks
BenchTech Single Sink Benches - Right Hand Bowl
BenchTech Single Sink Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, RHS bowl, legs and pipe undershelf.
Available Stainless Steel benches length: 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.
BenchTech Single Sink Benches - Left Hand Bowl
BenchTech Single Sink Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, LHS bowl, legs and pipe undershelf.
Available Stainless Steel benches length: 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.
BenchTech Single Sink Benches - Centre Bowl
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BenchTech Single Sink Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, Centre bowl, legs and pipe undershelf.
Available Stainless Steel benches length: 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.
BenchTech Double Sink Benches - Right Hand Side
BenchTech Double Sink Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, RHS bowls, legs and pipe undershelf.
Available Stainless Steel benches length: 1800mm & 2400mm
BenchTech Double Sink Benches - Centre
BenchTech Double Sink Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, centre bowls, legs and pipe undershelf.
Available Stainless Steel benches length: 1800mm & 2400mm
BenchTech Double Sink Benches - Left Hand Side
Available Stainless Steel benches length: 1800mm & 2400mm
BenchTech Single Sink Benches are made from 1.2mm grade 304 stainless steel complete with a 2.0mm corrosion resistant zinc plated steel substrate.
A single bowl with 90mm European Waste (50mm Connection) and 1.2mm grade 304 stainless steel pipe shelf supplied as standard.
BenchTech Flat Island Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, legs and solid undershelf.
BenchTech Mobile Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, legs + castors and solid undershelf.
Available lengths: 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.
BenchTech Work Benches with 150mm Splashbacks
BenchTech Work Bench, 600mm wide supplied standard with benchtop, legs and solid undershelf. Includes 150mm high splashback.
Available lengths: 900mm, 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm.
