Aluminum vs Stainless Steel: Making the Right Choice for Your Commercial Kitchen

Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel

What’s the best option for your commercial foodservice operation? 

In the world of commercial foodservice, choosing the right equipment for your operations can make all the difference in the success or failure of your business.   

Selecting the right equipment has a significant impact on the efficiency of your operation, as well as the longevity of your investment in custom or semi-custom hardware. 

In the world of commercial foodservice, two of the most popular materials for the construction of foodservice equipment are aluminum and stainless steel. 

Both materials provide foodservice operators with unique benefits and restrictions in the construction of quality foodservice equipment. 

Understanding the pros and cons of both materials can assist foodservice operators by making better, more informed choices that are carefully tailored to the unique needs of different business types and locations. 

In this article, we explore these two popular construction materials and provide insights to help foodservice operators better choose between aluminum vs stainless steel.

An Introduction to Aluminum vs Stainless Steel

Aluminum and Stainless Steel are two of the world’s most popular metal construction materials. 

This is especially true in the world of commercial foodservice and material handling. 

Both metals are lightweight, durable and long-lasting metals that are used in a variety of solutions for foodservice operators. 

However, aluminum and stainless steel have very different compositions and performance characteristics that provide for different usage objectives in a commercial setting. 

The primary characteristics of each metal include:

Aluminum:

• Lightweight – Aluminum is much lighter than other similar metals like stainless steel which makes it a favorite in kitchen environments for its easy transport and handling capacities. The lighter weight of aluminum can help to reduce worker fatigue and make it easier for your employees to handle and manipulate than heavy metal construction.
• Naturally Corrosion Resistant – In its construction, aluminum forms a thin oxide layer that helps to protect it from corrosion. This can be especially helpful in commercial kitchen environments that are wet or damp, which could encourage the growth of mold, rust and other impediments. 
• Commercial Food Safe – Aluminum is non-reactive and food-safe, that’s why it’s used in a variety of kitchen materials from cups and baking sheets to racks and shelves. This food-safe characteristic is extremely important in the world of foodservice, where keeping things clean is paramount to running a healthy, efficient organization.
• Heat Conductive – Aluminum provides great heat conductivity, providing for rapid heating up and cooling down in a short period of time. This can be critical for foodservice operators as aluminum equipment can help operations effectively cool hot goods in an organized and effective manner.
• Durable – While one of the primary characteristics of aluminum is its lightweight nature, it is also strong enough to withstand normal wear and tear. With an easy process of cleaning and maintenance, aluminum can be quickly sanitized and holds up great for long-term usage.
• Cost-effective – Aluminum is more cost-efficient than similar traditional metals like stainless steel which are regularly used in commercial kitchen applications. 

Stainless Steel:

• Premier Corrosion Resistance – Stainless steel is the leader in metals with its resistance to corrosion. There are several different types of stainless steel used in the commercial foodservice industry, some of which offer better corrosion resistance than others; such as 304 series stainless steel. The chromium found in stainless steel construction provides a thin, invisible layer of chromium oxide when exposed to oxygen that protects the metals from rust. 
• Hygienic–The non-porous nature of stainless steel makes it highly sanitary and easy to clean, which is critical in commercial kitchens where hygiene is non-negotiable. Stainless steel surfaces can be easily cleaned and sanitized, making it a favorite for use in kitchen settings.
• Durability & Strength – Stainless steel is ridiculously durable and resistant to damage. This makes the material a favorite in the construction of items and equipment that need to hold up for the long run.
• Aesthetic Appeal – Stainless steel has a very clean and modern appearance, which can be critical to upscale and open-setting kitchens where customers can see food preparation.
• Resistance to Wear & Tear – In both commercial kitchens and material handling environments, the equipment can be exposed to heavy wear and tear. Stainless steel’s toughness makes it better qualified to hold up in the long term against daily banging and heavy wear.

Choosing between Aluminum vs Stainless Steel as a Foodservice Operator 

Making the choice between aluminum vs stainless steel can be a challenge for foodservice operators. 

There are a number of factors and considerations to make when choosing what is best for your unique location and objectives. 

Some of the most critical factors to consider include: 

Budgetary Constraints: The most critical component in choosing between stainless steel or aluminum construction comes down to the budget for the equipment in question. As with most things, budget is the primary driver for commercial applications, so knowing the long-term costs of replacing equipment vs the higher-end initial investment can be critical to a new operation’s success or failure. 

Equipment Usage& Demands: The next key consideration for foodservice operators is how the equipment will be used. Does your location need a mobile, lightweight solution? Or is long-term resistance to wear and tear paramount for your high-demand location? Knowing how your location will use its equipment makes all the difference in determining the best solution for your equipment needs. 

Hygiene and Sanitation needs: In most commercial kitchens, hygiene is at the top of the list. While aluminum and stainless steel both have their unique pros and cons with respect to hygienic qualities, stainless steel tends to be used more for applications that rely on quick clean-up and sanitation abilities whereas aluminum tends to be more mainstream in your everyday foodservice, hospitality, catering, etc. establishments. 

Long-term vs Short-term: Stainless steel is the hands-down winner for longevity, especially in high-demand operations. However, not every operation can budget for full stainless steel usage. That’s why it’s critical for foodservice operators to weigh the costs between a higher initial investment with a longer lifespan, versus a shorter lifespan with a lower initial investment cost.

Aluminum vs Stainless Steel at Channel Manufacturing

At Channel Manufacturing, we design and manufacture professional commercial kitchen equipment in both aluminum and stainless steel models and varieties.

Our aluminum equipment is constructed with all-welded, heavy-duty, high-tensile extruded aluminum. Our type 6063-T5 alloy aluminum alloy is a durable aluminum that enables the construction of durable aluminum equipment that features a lifetime guarantee against rust.

Our stainless-steel equipment is constructed with all-welded 18 gauge, 304 series stainless steel that provides premier-level corrosion resistance and strength for a myriad of commercial applications.

We help our foodservice operators with multiple options for standard-sized or custom equipment that is carefully crafted to meet the unique and specific objectives of foodservice applications across both smaller and larger operations in foodservice and material handling.

Aluminum vs Stainless Steel: Conclusions for Your Foodservice Operation

For decades, both aluminum and stainless steel have held their place as critical equipment for commercial applications.

The best choice between the two metals comes with a variety of considerations and factors that depend on the specific demands of a restaurant or other commercial foodservice operation.

Stainless steel is the go-to material for applications that require a longer life cycle and higher demands on the equipment.

Aluminum, on the other hand, is lighter, more affordable, and outperforms in locations where mobility is paramount.

Most foodservice operators find that blending the two construction materials is the best solution, using aluminum for the construction of equipment that has less wear and tear, and using stainless steel in applications that need a greater degree of durability.

By understanding the differences and capabilities of aluminum vs stainless steel, foodservice operators can make better, more informed decisions about how to maximize foodservice equipment to target the unique needs of specific locations.

We hope that this article has helped to provide context and insight into these two widely used metals in the world of commercial foodservice.

Our team here at Channel Manufacturing is standing by to assist you with your commercial foodservice objectives.

Contact us today and find out how we can help your team maximize your equipment budget to target the unique needs of your business.