Dunnage Racks

Dunnage Racks from Channel Manufacturing

In the busy world of commercial foodservice, storage solutions are at the forefront of importance in terms of ensuring smooth, efficient operations.

One form of commercial foodservice storage that is often overlooked are dunnage racks, which are among the most essential storage tools in commercial kitchens, supermarkets and food distribution centers, not to mention normally required by health and sanitation codes.

Sturdy dunnage racks play a critical role in the functioning of an efficient commercial foodservice operation. Most importantly, these strong racks, which are usually low to the ground, keep goods elevated in commercial spaces, helping to keep contents on the rack safe from contaminants.

This brief overview of Dunnage Racks provides a quick overview of what a dunnage rack is, how they are used in commercial settings, and why they are critical to the efficient operation of a commercial operation.

What are Dunnage Racks?

Dunnage racks are one of the most simple but critical tools in the foodservice operator’s arsenal.

These simple racks are no more than elevated platforms that are made from durable materials, typically aluminum, to help keep your products off the floor in busy commercial environments.

Dunnage racks vary in size and design, but for the most part, are low-profile shelves that keep things stored a few inches to a few feet off the ground.

These powerful racks are designed to hold heavier goods while withstanding the intense wear and tear often found in commercial kitchen environments.

While their construction and design vary, dunnage racks are created to support the heavy demands of bulkgoods with weight capacities ranging from 500 pounds to well over 2000 pounds, depending on the material construction.

The primary purpose of a dunnage rack is to help keep items off of the floor, thus protecting them from moisture, dirt, and pests. Their design also encourages better air circulation, helping to keep products fresher and more hygienic to help decrease food waste while simultaneously meeting food safety regulations.

What are the key benefits of Dunnage Racks for Foodservice Operators?

Enhanced Food Safety & Hygiene 

If you are a foodservice operator, you know that one of the primary concerns for any foodservice business comes down to food safety.

Ensuring that your guests have a safe and healthy experience with your food is paramount to running an efficient business.

Dunnage racks assist foodservice operators by helping to ensure that from the minute your bulk goods are delivered to your business that they are kept free from any contaminants that could be found on the floor.

They also help to ensure that your restaurant or other commercial operation complies with local regulations regarding the storage of items at your commercial location.

Additionally, the design of dunnage racks reduces the exposure of moisture to bulk food ingredients as the circulated airflow of the design of the rack helps to discourage the creation of condensation that could occur by placing items directly on the ground.

This can be especially critical if goods are stored in walk-in refrigerators or freezers where proper airflow is critical to food safety, food freshness and shelf life.

Improved Operational Organization & Efficiency

Busy foodservice operations can quickly become overcrowded and disorganized, especially during the times of highest demand.

Dunnage racks provide foodservice operators and team members with designated locations to store bulk ingredients as they come into the back of house.

With well-planned dunnage racks, your team members can more easily find and access critical ingredients instead of having to search through boxes scattered across the floor.

They also provide foodservice operators with an easier system to help plan, track and itemize inventory to help better manage stock levels, helping to reduce overbuying or shortages of critical ingredients.

Providing team members with a more organized way to manage stock levels helps to increase the overall efficiency of a commercial operation, thus increasing the bottom line of the business.

Heavy Weight Capacities 

In the foodservice industry, most deliveries consist of heavy bulk ingredients.

Knowing how to store and deal with those ingredients is critical to the overall success of the operation.

Dunnage racks provide a solution for these heavy, bulk items as they are designed to accommodate heavy loads.

Whether your commercial kitchen is using them for canned goods, bulk flour, or heavy kitchen equipment, the dunnage rack provides a storage solution that is easily accessible and easily managed.

Versatility throughout Back-of-House Workflows

Dunnage racks are not designed to be used for one specific purpose or product, but rather as a solution for a wide range of commercial foodservice applications.

The dunnage rack works in a variety of foodservice settings, from providing safe storage in refrigerated spaces to helping organize heavy bulk items from the time of delivery.

The ability for these racks to be used in a wide range of environments and settings makes them a valuable and critical asset for foodservice operators and their teams.

Easy Maintenance

Keeping everything clean and hygienic is critical in any foodservice setting.

By keeping items safely off the ground and away from contaminants, team members can more easily access and clean space under and around stored goods.

The design and construction of the dunnage rack also support easier maintenance of commercial spaces, as these racks can be easily wiped down and sanitized.

Moreover, dunnage racks are usually created from materials like aluminum or stainless steel, and feature open or slotted surfaces, further supporting the hygiene of these surfaces that are easily cleaned.

In foodservice operations, where cleaning operations are critical and routine, the ease of maintenance of dunnage racks provides foodservice employees with a platform to ensure that food products are kept safe more easily.

Choosing the Right Dunnage Racks for Your Foodservice Operation

Choosing the right dunnage racks for your unique foodservice operation can be tricky if you don’t know where to start.

Some of the most important considerations include:

• Construction Material: When choosing dunnage racks, one of the most important considerations is what the rack is constructed from in terms of materials. Aluminum is one of the most popular options for dunnage racks as this material helps to create stronger, more durable racks. Other popular choices include stainless steel construction and polyethylene construction.
• Loading Capacities: The next consideration when planning for dunnage racks is the load capacities of specific racks. Knowing the potential expected demands of your potential dunnage racks can help you most accurately plan for racks that fit the unique demands of your organization.
• Sizing and Height: Dunnage racks are designed and built in a variety of types and styles. Consider the spaces which you will be using dunnage racks and choose racks systems that fit and accommodate spaces within your commercial operation. Height restrictions may also be dependent on local health regulations that can spell out different requirements depending on your local rules and compliance.
• Mobility and Transport: For foodservice operations that need to relocate or move ingredients, consider dunnage racks that are built with transport and mobility features. This could include tough casters to help roll dunnage racks around your location.

Conclusion on Dunnage Racks 

Dunnage racks are one of the simplest, yet most effective tools in the commercial foodservice industry.

These elevated storage spaces help foodservice operators run a more efficient operation while ensuring the longevity of food safety and compliance with local rules and regulations.

Their durability, versatility and ease of maintenance make them an invaluable asset for foodservice operators and their teams, helping to create a safer and more organized environment for commercial kitchens.

Need help with your dunnage racks?

Here at Channel Manufacturing, our team designs and manufactures a variety of high-quality dunnage rack solutions for the foodservice industry.

Get in touch with us today to see how our team can best help you plan for your new dunnage racks to help meet the demands of your unique operation today!