Commercial Stainless Steel Kitchen Bench

Commercial kitchen benches are built for the fast-paced and high-use environment that restaurant kitchens demand. They’re more resilient and easy to clean than conventional bench tops. They’re primarily made from materials like stainless steel, which can handle high temperatures, a lot of weight and frequent use without getting damaged.

Commercial kitchen benches come in a variety of designs, sizes and shapes, from tables to modular pieces that can be fit together to create the workspace you need. They’re versatile pieces of equipment that can be used as plating areas, for food preparation and for storing other benchtop kitchen appliances.

The right amount of bench space will vary significantly depending on the size, layout, and function of your kitchen. You’ll want to consider the workflow, which appliances you need to be on hand at all times, and how much space you want for plating up meals fresh from the oven and stacking dishes before they can go into the dishwasher. If you’re unsure of what kind of volume, layout, or type of kitchen prep tables you need, we’re happy to help. Contact us anytime and we can consult with you regarding what you need based on your kitchen use, how much space you’re working with, and how your staff typically use the kitchen.

Cleaning stainless steel is simple, and it’s one of the most food safe surfaces you can have in your kitchen due to how hygienic it is. Between meal prep, you can give it a spray with a cloth to tidy up any food spillage. At the end of each shift, or between meals if you’re prepping for certain dietary requirements, clean it up with soapy water or a commercial-grade stainless steel cleaner.

While some cream cleansers are fine for stainless steel, we’d advise using them only for deep cleans. They can wear the steel over time. When you get high grade 304 or 305 stainless steel, it’s incredibly corrosion resistant, though it’s still a good idea to wipe everything down after to dry it off to prevent water spots and the risk of gradual corrosion to a minimum. Finally, make sure you’re regularly disinfecting high-touch areas and remove food residue promptly to maintain food safety standards.

If you’ve got heavier countertop cooking appliances and need something heavy duty, we have plenty of options that can handle a sturdy amount of weight. Many Commercial Stainless Steel Kitchen Bench are built to handle heavy loads, with the most durable options capable of holding anywhere up to 300kg, more than enough for the average kitchen.

When you’re looking for an option that can hold more, we also recommend checking for reinforced undershelves, leg bracing, or lockable casters if they’re a moveable model. These ensure greater durability and will last you longer, getting you a better return on your investment. This is especially important when you're planning to place heavy appliances like mixers or meat slicers on the bench. If you’re unsure which model to choose, the team at REO can help, or you can check the manufacturer’s specifications on the product pages.

Models with splashbacks have an additional piece of stainless steel raised along the back edge of the kitchen bench. It helps prevent spillage, protects your walls, and makes cleanup easier at the end of the day. We recommend looking for splashback benches when you’re prepping anything moist - whether that’s jams, gravies, sauces, or simply want something to prep dough on.

You can also get models with drainage holes, making for easier and tidier cleanup of wet areas in the kitchen. By contrast, non-splashback benches provide open access from all sides, and their benefit lies in the fact they’re especially useful in more central areas where you want a kitchen island type setup.

Having an ergonomically designed kitchen layout is an essential part of creating an efficient and easy to navigate space for your staff to work in. It’s also important when it comes to reducing fatigue and preventing injury. Along with considering where to place your benches, you’ll also need to consider whether a kitchen bench with an adjustable height would be beneficial.

Typically, most benches are already at a comfortable height, sitting at around 850mm to 900mm off the ground. For flexibility when you’re setting up or rearranging, Commercial Stainless Steel Kitchen Bench with lockable casters not only allow you to organise your kitchen the way you see fit, but also help prevent accidental slips or movement while your staff are operating equipment, an essential consideration when you’re using hot appliances or anything with blades, whether that’s a meat mincer or a deep fryer.

Most benches will be made at the right operational height for almost all staff. Some tasks may benefit from having the ability to adjust the height of the bench, especially if you’re operating appliances that are trickier to handle if they’re too high up. They can make a big difference in reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries and promote a more comfortable working environment. One thing to bear in mind is that it’s generally better to keep your benches set at a certain height - whatever that may be - to avoid constant changes during busy service so you aren’t compromising efficiency.

In compact kitchens, every centimetre counts. To optimise space, consider benches with undershelves or drawers for added storage. Or, get a few different benches that have a modular design, including the likes of corner benches, to maximise the space you have available. Another option is to consider adding kitchen wall shelves behind your benches to store dry goods, crockery, or other kitchenware.

A workbench with an undershelf offers valuable extra storage, all without needing to expand your kitchen’s footprint. They’re an ideal option for storing pots, pans, food containers or small appliances, in turn, helping to keep the benchtop clutter-free. Undershelves also improve organisation and workflow efficiency by keeping essential items within easy reach during food preparation.

While some benches may also be made from laminate or timber, stainless steel options carry a lot of benefits. Commercial kitchens have a lot of heat, moisture and heavy equipment. Stainless steel won’t rot when exposed to moisture, is less likely to rust and can handle the high temperatures of cooking equipment without burning.

Stainless steel is also easier to clean, making it more straightforward to keep your food preparation areas hygienic and up to food safety standards. Built to last, they’re a hard-wearing option that will last for years with proper care and can keep up with the demands of a busy kitchen environment.

Yes, if you’re limited on bench space or need extra storage, you can also install kitchen wall shelves to gain more vertical storage instead. Some stainless steel kitchen benches also have the versatility that allows you to install cabinets, or you can purchase benches with cabinets built-in.

This enhances the overall utility of your commercial kitchen, allowing you to more readily store away appliances or stock. For personalised advice to choose the best option for your kitchen, you can contact our team at any time.

How many years of use you get from your kitchen bench will depend on use, care and maintenance and the materials it’s made from. Equally, if it requires assembly, ensuring that you’ve put it together correctly will also impact how well it’ll last.

Stainless steel kitchen benches are the best choice due to their more resilient nature. Equally, cleaning them regularly, and avoiding overloading them with too much weight will help extend their lifespan. Most high quality stainless steel benches can last you anywhere between 5 and 15 years.