Types of Tray and Dish Dispensers

A mobile dish dispenser consists of a base with casters and one or more wells to hold plates or other dishes. Choose a freestanding plate dispenser for mobile buffet setups, temporary catering lines, or applications where dishes need transporting between multiple locations. This plate dispenser type is also handy in the kitchen to safely transport clean plates from the dish room to a plating area.

Business types: Caterers, event venues, cafeterias, and hospitality

Drop-in dispensers are installed directly into a counter and require a permanent cabinet. They offer the benefit of a sleek, professional look for customer-facing usage. Choose this type of dispenser if your business has a permanent buffet setup, has the space for stationary plate dispensers, and utilizes other methods for transporting dinnerware.

Business types: Restaurants with permanent buffets and cafeterias

Open dish caddies are dish dispensers that have exposed tubes or wells. These dispensers are ideal for various applications, including cafeterias, buffets, or salad bars.

Benefits of open dish caddies:

• Easier to clean, maintain, and adjust
• Visible how many plates remain in the dispenser at any given time
• Great for high-volume establishments

The sleek sides of enclosed dish dispensers look professional in establishments where you want a more upscale appearance.

Benefits of shielded dish dispensers:

• Help to keep your plates concealed and protected from contaminants and breakage
• Have a more decorative appearance as a step between open units and drop-in units

Use a heated plate dispenser to keep plates warm until use, which keeps food hot for longer. These dispensers are crucial for businesses that need to keep meals at food safe temperatures during plating.

Benefits of heated plate holders:

• Keeps food hot between the plating area and the dining room
• Reduces thermal shock on dishes from carrying hot foods
• Using a restaurant plate warmer can help upgrade the customer experience

• Tray dollies: For operations that only need to store and transport trays, tray dollies have large tray capacities and are designed specifically for transportation purposes. Using these makes storing and moving large numbers of cafeteria trays easier, which keeps your service running smoothly.
• Freestanding tray dispensers: A freestanding tray dispenser mirrors the style of mobile plate dispensers with open or enclosed options. Choose one with built-in napkin dispensers and silverware bins for quick tray setup in a fast-paced environment. 
• Drop-in tray dispensers: Like drop-in plate dispensers, a drop-in tray dispenser mounts in your existing countertop. They are great for high-volume venues with plenty of cabinets and counter space available to set up your tray dispensing system.

• Combination glass rack and saucer dispensers: A specialty combination glass rack and saucer dispenser combines a 20” x 20” glass rack dispenser with a freestanding plate dispenser in one convenient unit. They hold coffee cups and saucers simultaneously, allowing you to store, transport, and dispense the necessities for a hot beverage station with one cart.
• Pellet dispensers: For operations that rely on a pellet system, using pellet dispensers keeps pellets hot and handy for staff. This feature saves your operation money by preserving these pellets.

• Adjustable plate dispensers: An adjustable plate dispenser allows you to use the same dispenser for many plates of all different sizes. This feature is ideal for operations that change china often.
• Standard plate dispensers: Featuring a fixed diameter for a specific plate size, standard plate dispensers offer an inexpensive option for operations using the same china consistently.

• Springs: A spring-loaded plate dispenser uses springs that slowly lift the plates toward the top of the well so they are always easy to reach. Different manufacturers use different spring designs, some of which let you easily attach and detach springs for quick height adjustments.
• Self-leveling: If dispensing plates evenly is a priority, choose a self-leveling dispenser to keep the plates or dishes level during storage and dispensing. This feature creates a professional appearance and protects your dinnerware from breakage.
• Counter cut-outs: Drop-in dish dispensers require cut-outs in the countertop, so make sure you can accommodate the cut-out requirements if you choose a drop-in unit. Also, check unit specifications to ensure everything fits properly.
• ADA height plate dispensers: If your buffets are ADA height, you may need ADA height plate dispensers to fit properly when installed in your cabinetry.
• Dish dispenser well covers: Dish dispenser well covers protect the dishes from contaminants and keep the heat inside the wells of heated units so that they can operate safely.