Discovering the ideal worktables for your business plays a crucial role in optimizing your kitchen's productivity. These tables are available in a plethora of dimensions, offering a range of features like undershelves and backsplashes. Moreover, you can choose between square, rounded, or countertop corners to cater to your precise requirements. If you have specific criteria in mind for your kitchen worktable, our convenient worktable selection tool will swiftly identify all the tables that align with your needs. And don't forget to explore our stainless steel care guide to ensure the longevity of your valuable stainless steel equipment.

Gauges

18 Gauge stainless steel kitchen tables are often referred to as budget worktables or economy work tables because 18 gauge stainless steel is lighter and less expensive than other types. But depending on what you plan on using the worktable for, an 18 gauge model might be just fine! These kitchen worktables are great for sandwich or salad preparation, sorting items, or just for use as general work space! They are more susceptible to dents and dings, so keep that in mind if you're going to be tossing heavy items onto them or will be doing a lot of pounding and chopping.

16 Gauge commercial worktables are an excellent solution for food service professionals seeking both quality and affordability when adding a stainless steel kitchen table to their operation. Combining a higher level of durability over an 18 gauge model with a price that won't break your budget, these tables are a great all-around option. You'll find that many of our Regency brand tables are made of 16 gauge stainless steel, offering a perfect upgrade from an 18 gauge budget design.

14 Gauge stainless steel kitchen worktables, like the Spec Line Series from Regency or Advance Tabco, are the closest you can get to custom fabrication in terms of durability and quality. 14 gauge tables are often the table of choice for butcher shops because they withstand the repeated heavy blows of a cleaver or meat tenderizer without denting.

Types of Stainless Steel

What Does the Type of Stainless Steel Mean?

Type is another number you'll often see when looking at stainless steel, and it's usually used in conjunction with "series." In this case, they both refer to the same thing - the actual makeup of the stainless steel alloy.

While there are many different Series and Types of stainless steel available, our commercial worktables are available in both 300 (Type 304 to be specific) and 400 series (Type 430).

300 series stainless steel is more corrosion resistant than 400 series because it contains nickel, in addition to having a higher percentage of chromium. Since the 400 series stainless steel lacks nickel, it is slightly magnetic. 300 series stainless steel is not magnetic because it contains nickel.

Type 304 is one of the most common types of stainless steel used for commercial worktables due to its high resistance to corrosion and rust. With its low carbon content and high levels of chromium and nickel, this type of stainless steel offers superior durability that can withstand the rigors of daily use in any commercial environment. It's also easy to sanitize, making it ideal for busy kitchens.

Type 430 stainless steel is a lower grade of steel that contains chromium and iron, making it less resistant to corrosion than type 304 stainless steel, yet still ideal for environments with mild corrosion susceptibility. A low-cost alternative to type 304 worktables, type 430 stainless steel prep tables are perfect for performing basic tasks such as preparing fruits and vegetables, mixing ingredients, and plating meals.

Undershelves

Once you've settled on a gauge, you'll see there are still a lot of options to consider! Let's look at some of the most common commercial worktable options.

Open Base or with Undershelf?

Your choice between an open base worktable and one with an undershelf should align with your requirements. If you prefer easy access to rolling ingredient bins, open base commercial worktables are an excellent choice as they allow the bins to fit neatly underneath. On the other hand, worktables equipped with undershelves offer a convenient space for storing small appliances or food storage boxes. Additionally, some of our worktables featuring undershelves also include backsplashes.

Galvanized Undershelf or All Stainless Steel

If you're looking for a worktable with undershelf, you can choose between a galvanized steel undershelf or stainless steel undershelf.

Tables with galvanized undershelves usually also come with galvanized steel legs and plastic bullet feet, and they are more popular mainly because they cost a bit less than an all stainless steel table.

Backsplash

Splash Guard: When you intend to place your commercial worktable flush against a wall, selecting a model equipped with a splash guard is advisable. A splash guard serves to shield the wall from spills and splatters, simplifying the cleaning process. You can find more budget-friendly worktables with a 1 1/2" high splash guard, while premium, heavy-duty options offer 5" or even 10" high splash guards.

Edge Types

Square / Flat Edge: Some commercial work tables, like our Regency models, have squared-off edges on all four sides. This makes it easy to place several work tables right next to each other.

Rounded Edge / Bullnose Edge: Many of our Advance Tabco work tables have a rounded front and rear edge, with square side edges. The rounded front edge is easier to clean while the square sides still allow easy side-by-side placement.

Countertop / Marine Edge: Some of our premium Spec Line Advance Tabco tables feature a countertop (sometimes called marine) edge, which places a drip-containing ridge around the perimeter of the work surface.

Table Tops

Poly Top Worktables: A poly topped work table is a good choice for butcher shops, bakeries, meat counters, food processing plants, and delis since the top doubles as a cutting board!

In conclusion, the Guide to Commercial Worktables has provided valuable insights into selecting the ideal worktables for your business, a critical step in optimizing kitchen productivity. With a diverse range of dimensions and features such as undershelves and backsplashes, these tables cater to your specific needs, offering options like square, rounded, or countertop corners. For a seamless selection process, our user-friendly worktable selection tool can swiftly identify tables that meet your criteria. Don't forget to explore our stainless steel care guide to ensure the longevity of your valuable stainless steel equipment.

The choice of stainless steel gauge is a crucial consideration. 18-gauge tables offer budget-friendly options suitable for various tasks, while 16-gauge models strike a balance between durability and affordability. For those demanding the utmost in durability, 14-gauge stainless steel tables, provide unmatched quality and resilience, making them ideal for specialized environments like butcher shops.

Understanding the type of stainless steel is equally important. Type 304 stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant option, perfect for the rigors of commercial kitchens. In contrast, Type 430, while less corrosion-resistant, is a cost-effective alternative suited for milder corrosion environments.

When it comes to undershelves, the choice between open base and undershelf models depends on your specific needs. Open base tables facilitate easy access to rolling ingredient bins, while undershelf-equipped tables offer convenient storage for small appliances and food storage boxes. Some even include backsplashes for added functionality.

For additional customization, consider the material of the undershelf, with options including galvanized steel for budget-conscious buyers and stainless steel for a sleeker look.

The presence of a backsplash or splash guard is vital, especially when placing your worktable against a wall. It helps protect the wall from spills and simplifies cleaning. The height of the backsplash can vary from 1 1/2" for budget-friendly options to 5" or 10" for heavy-duty models.

Tabletop materials, such as poly tops for cutting board functionality and wood tops for bakeries, add versatility to your choice. Drawers offer convenient storage for tools and accessories, and understanding the art of measuring worktables accurately ensures a proper fit for your kitchen space.

Incorporating these considerations into your decision-making process will help you make informed choices when selecting commercial worktables that best suit your operational needs and preferences.

Wood Top Worktables: Bakers often choose woodwork tabletops for their bakery. Many woods top baker's tables feature 4" high "risers" to help keep flour and other ingredients on the table when preparing dough or other baked goods. Coved (rounded) corners enable easier cleanup.

Drawers:
Adding a drawer or two under a worktable can help you keep frequently used tools like knives, labels, gloves, and cutting boards close at hand. Most tables over 8' long come with 6 legs for stability and that's something to keep in mind when you're thinking about adding drawers.

Undershelves:
Utilizing Undershelves: Undershelves serve as a practical and straightforward solution to enhance your kitchen's efficiency. Whether you need additional equipment storage, space for consumables, smallware’s, or more, an undershelf proves to be a valuable addition to any bustling kitchen.

Mastering the Art of Measuring Worktables: A crucial aspect of selecting the perfect unit for your kitchen space is understanding how to measure a worktable accurately. Distinguishing between the dimensions of individual components such as drawers, legs, and side panels, and the table's overall size, is essential to ensure a proper fit.