Catering shelving: which type to choose, and where it works best.

Shelving is one of those things that’s easy to overlook, but it has a big impact on how a kitchen or storeroom actually works. Poor shelving leads to clutter, stock on the floor and awkward access. Good shelving simply makes storage easier to manage day to day.

We stock and recommend Craven racking and shelving because it’s designed specifically for commercial environments, comes in sensible configurations, and is well priced for equipment that’s in constant use.

Quick guide to the Craven shelving types we supply

Nylon wire shelving (NYM)

A strong, versatile all-rounder, particularly suited to areas where airflow and easy cleaning matter. Craven’s nylon wire shelving is suitable for refrigeration, deep freeze and wet food storage, with a wide temperature tolerance.

• Best for: cold rooms, freezers, wet storage areas, general back-of-house storage
• Formats: 3-tier or 4-tier
• Typical sizes: widths 600–1800mm; depths 300–600mm; heights up to 2400mm

Zinc chromate wire shelving (ZIM)

A practical, cost-effective option for dry environments. Zinc chromate shelving is robust and widely used for general storage, but is not intended for cold rooms or constantly damp conditions.

• Best for: dry stores, crockery, boxed goods and stockrooms
• Formats: 3-tier or 4-tier
• Typical sizes: widths 600–1800mm; depths 300–600mm; heights up to 2400mm

Stainless steel wire shelving (SWM)

This offers the ventilation benefits of wire shelving combined with stainless steel durability. It’s well suited to areas that require frequent cleaning or are exposed to moisture.

• Best for: prep areas, cold rooms, freezers and high-use back-of-house spaces
• Formats: 3-tier or 4-tier
• Typical sizes: widths 600–1800mm; depths 300–600mm; heights up to 2400mm

Solid stainless steel shelving (SSM)

Solid stainless shelves provide a continuous surface where smaller items or containers need stable support. They’re easy to wipe down and suited to both dry and refrigerated storage.

• Best for: small items, containers, boxed goods, dry stores and cold rooms
• Formats: 3-tier or 4-tier
• Typical sizes: widths 600–1800mm; depths 300–600mm; heights up to 2400mm

Stainless steel perforated shelving (SSPM)

This option sits between solid and wire shelving. The perforated surface allows airflow while providing a smoother shelf than open wire.

• Best for: areas where airflow is needed but a flatter shelf surface is preferred
• Formats: 4-tier as standard
• Typical sizes: widths 600–1800mm; depths 300–600mm; heights typically around 1675–1700mm

Epoxy-coated shelving

Some Craven shelving is also available with an epoxy powder coating. This provides a hard, abrasion-resistant finish designed for high-impact or specialist environments. It is not recommended for cold rooms or freezer use.

3-tier vs 4-tier: which should you choose?

• 3-tier: useful where headroom is limited or taller items need easier access
• 4-tier: ideal where you want to maximise storage within a fixed footprint

Choosing the right shelving usually comes down to where it’s being used and what’s being stored. Using wire, solid or stainless options in the right areas avoids workarounds later and keeps storage practical as needs change.

If you’re unsure which shelving configuration or size is right for your space, feel free to call us on 01379 641223. We can also advise on related storage solutions, including Craven’s range of catering trolleys, where mobile storage would be more practical.