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Commercial Work Table Guide

Finding the right work tables for your business is pivotal to your kitchen's efficiency. Tables come in dozens of sizes with a variety of options, including undershelves and backsplashes, and can have square, rounded, or countertop corners to accommodate virtually every need. If you know the specific properties of the kitchen work table you'd like to purchase, our work table selection tool will quickly locate all of the tables that meet your specifications. To make sure you take care of your valuable stainless steel, be sure to check out the stainless steel care guide!

Gauges

18 Gauge stainless steel kitchen tables are often referred to as budget work tables or economy work tables because 18 gauge stainless steel is lighter and less expensive than other types. But depending on what you plan on using the worktable for, an 18 gauge model might be just fine! These kitchen work tables are great for sandwich or salad preparation, sorting items, or just for use as general work space! They are more susceptible to dents and dings, so keep that in mind if you're going to be tossing heavy items onto them or will be doing a lot of pounding and chopping.

16 Gauge commercial work tables are an excellent solution for food service professionals seeking both quality and affordability when adding a stainless steel kitchen table to their operation. Combining a higher level of durability over an 18 gauge model with a price that won't break your budget, these tables are a great all-around option. You'll find that many of our Regency brand tables are made of 16 gauge stainless steel, offering a perfect upgrade from an 18 gauge budget design.

14 Gauge stainless steel kitchen work tables, like the Spec Line Series from Regency or Advance Tabco, are the closest you can get to custom fabrication in terms of durability and quality. 14 gauge tables are often the table of choice for butcher shops because they withstand the repeated heavy blows of a cleaver or meat tenderizer without denting.

Types of Stainless Steel

What Does the Type of Stainless Steel Mean?

Pro Tip

Type is another number you'll often see when looking at stainless steel, and it's usually used in conjunction with "series." In this case, they both refer to the same thing - the actual makeup of the stainless steel alloy.

While there are many different Series and Types of stainless steel available, our commercial work tables are available in both 300 (Type 304 to be specific) and 400 series (Type 430).

300 series stainless steel is more corrosion resistant than 400 series because it contains nickel, in addition to having a higher percentage of chromium. Since the 400 series stainless steel lacks nickel, it is slightly magnetic. 300 series stainless steel is not magnetic because it contains nickel.

Type 304 is one of the most common types of stainless steel used for commercial work tables due to its high resistance to corrosion and rust. With its low carbon content and high levels of chromium and nickel, this type of stainless steel offers superior durability that can withstand the rigors of daily use in any commercial environment. It's also easy to sanitize, making it ideal for busy kitchens.

Type 430 stainless steel is a lower grade of steel that contains chromium and iron, making it less resistant to corrosion than type 304 stainless steel, yet still ideal for environments with mild corrosion susceptibility. A low-cost alternative to type 304 work tables, type 430 stainless steel prep tables are perfect for performing basic tasks such as preparing fruits and vegetables, mixing ingredients, and plating meals.

Gauge to Inches Conversion Chart

Get precise measurements for your stainless steel work table by converting gauges to inches for accurate sizing.
Gauge (ga)
Standard Steel (inches)
Galvanized Steel (inches)
18 0.0478 0.0516
16 0.0598 0.0635
14 0.0747 0.0785

Undershelves

Once you've settled on a gauge, you'll see there are still a lot of options to consider! Let's look at some of the most common commercial work table options.

Open Base or with Undershelf?

Whether you want an open base work table or one with an undershelf depends on your specific needs. For example, open base commercial work tables are nice if you'd like to keep a rolling ingredient bin or two close at hand since they'll roll right under the table. A work table with an undershelf provides a convenient place for small appliances or food storage boxes. Some of our worktables with undershelves also come with a backsplash. Our Regency commercial work tables are available in all of these styles.

Open base worktables with undershelves holding kitchen equipment

Galvanized Undershelf or All Stainless Steel

Pro Tip

If you're looking for a work table with undershelf, you can choose between a galvanized steel undershelf or stainless steel undershelf.

Tables with galvanized undershelves usually also come with galvanized steel legs and plastic bullet feet, and they are more popular mainly because they cost a bit less than an all stainless steel table.

Backsplash & Edge Types

Backsplash

If you plan on positioning your commercial work table up against a wall, it's a good idea to choose one with a backsplash to protect the wall from drips and splashes, making cleanup easier. More economical work tables might come with a 1 1/2" high backsplash, while higher end, heavier duty tables are available with a 5" or even 10" high backsplash.

Edge Types

Square / Flat Edge: Some commercial work tables, like our Regency models, have squared-off edges on all four sides. This makes it easy to place several work tables right next to each other.

Rounded Edge / Bullnose Edge: Many of our Advance Tabco work tables have a rounded front and rear edge, with square side edges. The rounded front edge is easier to clean while the square sides still allow easy side-by-side placement.

Countertop / Marine Edge: Some of our premium Spec Line Advance Tabco tables feature a countertop (sometimes called marine) edge, which places a drip-containing ridge around the perimeter of the work surface.

Table Tops

Poly Top Work Tables: A poly topped work table is a good choice for butcher shops, bakeries, meat counters, food processing plants, and delis since the top doubles as a cutting board!

Wood Top Work Tables: Bakers often choose wood work table tops for their bakery. Many wood top baker's tables feature 4" high "risers" to help keep flour and other ingredients on the table when preparing dough or other baked goods. Coved (rounded) corners enable easier cleanup.

Comparison of poly top work tables and wood top work tables

Accessories

We offer many work table accessories to help you get the most out of your purchase! Some of the most popular are:


Table Mounted Shelving:
Available in single and double-deck configurations, as well as adjustable height and fully welded, table mounted shelves can add a lot of versatility to your work table.
Casters:
Casters for your work table will make it easy to move for cleaning. If you'd like to add casters to your table, keep in mind that you'll be raising the counter height unless you shorten the work table legs. If you decide to cut the legs down, it's a better idea to cut the legs from the top rather than the bottom. It will look nicer (and won't catch employees' pant legs), plus it will be easier to insert the casters since you won't have to de-burr the inside of the legs!
Welded-In Hand Sink:
Several of our work tables come with a stainless steel sink welded right into the table top, adding convenience to your workstation.
Drawers:
Adding a drawer or two under a work table can help you keep frequently used tools like knives, labels, gloves, and cutting boards close at hand. Most tables over 8' long come with 6 legs for stability and that's something to keep in mind when you're thinking about adding drawers.
Undershelves:
Undershelves are a convenient and easy way to help increase the productivity of your kitchen. A great place for extra equipment, consumables, smallwares, and more, an undershelf is an ideal addition to any busy kitchen.
Cutting Boards:
Cutting boards are simple, yet effective, kitchen accessories that help you maintain the same level of consistency and efficiency without the risk of scratching or tarnishing your worktop. Adding a cutting board to your work table can be incredibly useful and help your employees prepare food safely and quickly.
Understanding how to measure a work table is important when finding the proper unit for your space. Differentiating between the size of your kitchen work table's components (like drawers, legs, and side panels) and its overall size will help you get the right fit.

How to measure a work table

Work Table Cut Down Service Man cutting down the legs on a work table to a lower height, for casters

If you want to add casters to your work table yet maintain the same working height, or have some shorter staff members where a lower table would help them work more comfortably, we can help! For an extra fee when ordering any of our in-stock work tables, our warehouse workers will cut the table legs down to help you achieve the exact height you are looking for. These items are customizable: Stainless Steel Work Tables with Undershelf, Stainless Steel Open Base Work Tables, and Equipment Stands and Mixer Tables.


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