Frequently Asked Questions
Q. "Can you use these tables anywhere else, or are they just for restaurants?"
A. The same qualities that make stainless steel work tables simply fantastic in the kitchen make them valuable nearly everywhere else too. High resistance to corrosion, difficult to dent or scratch, and a great ability to put up with hard daily use. They steam clean and sterilize easily and thoroughly without harboring bacteria like cuts and gouges in butcher block or plastic tables can. And stainless steel looks great! All this makes stainless steel work tables with solid base shelves ideal for labs, vet clinics, hospitals, outdoor settings, and of course, the home kitchen. We've seen open base work tables at airport security stations, dry pack canneries, and used as desks, too.
Q. "What is a liftgate and how do I know if I need one or not?"
A. A liftgate is a device on the back of a freight truck used to raise and lower items from the ground to the truck. The bed of a freight truck is about 56" high and is designed for loading/unloading at a loading dock or with a fork-lift, not to and from ground level, so getting very heavy or bulky items on and off the truck can sometimes be a challenge. If your delivery location is a residence or does not have a loading dock or fork-lift and the item is too heavy to remove from the truck by hand, you will most likely need a liftgate.
If your delivery location has a loading dock or fork-lift, you won't need a liftgate. Alternatively, some large or bulky items may be lightweight enough for you and your staff/friends/neighborhood teens/etc. to remove them from the truck, in which case you wouldn't need a liftgate either.
Q. "How can I tell if my existing table is 430 or 304 stainless steel?"
A. Type 430 is magnetic while type 304 isn't, so use a magnet and see if it sticks. If so, you have type 430 tables.
Q. "Which type of steel is better?"
A. That depends entirely on what your working environment is. For some working environments, the "economy" tables will work perfectly fine and last for decades. For more humid environments, or locations close to the seashore, the premium tables might be the better option for the long term. In all cases, we recommend purchasing the best equipment you can afford.
Q. "What do the different types of stainless steel (304, 316, etc) mean?"
A. The term "stainless steel" refers to specific grades of steel that contain more than 10% chromium. Stainless steel may also include a variety of other elements (such as nickel, titanium, molybdenum, etc); it resists corrosion and is generally a stronger, more reliable steel. The most common grades of stainless steel are:
Type 304: Aside from having a higher content of chromium than most other types of stainless steel, type 304 also contains nickel; this enables it to withstand most ordinary corrosion in architecture, is durable in typical food processing environments, and resists most chemicals.
Type 316: Similar to type 304, but also contains a small amount of molybdenum, which is an alloy element #304 does not contain (but one that provides even stronger resistance to some deterioration). Types 304 and 316 are grades of stainless steel that are most often used in plumbing, as well as in the manufacturing of kitchen utensils and sinks.
Type 409: Does not contain virtually any nickel at all, but also is the stainless steel that contains the least amount of chromium. Type 409 is more suitable for high temperature applications, which is why it's often used in automotive trim and exhaust systems, or hot water tanks.
Type 410: Also does not contain any significant nickel; its primary difference to type 409 stainless is characterized by the use of heat treatment for hardening and strengthening. Type 410 is not appropriate for severely corrosive applications, but used instead in environments that require high strength; this is why it's the type of stainless steel that's often used in surgical equipment.
Type 430: Another plain-chromium stainless steel, similar to type 409, but is usually used in decorative applications.
