Restaurants, which are part of the foodservice industry, have enjoyed the growth of people appreciating their offerings. But to ensure their success, restaurant owners should invest in elements that can make their operations safe. A safe restaurant, after all, guarantees non-stop services to customers. It can also prevent workers from being injured and getting hospitalised.

To make your restaurant safe, you may want to invest in fire-rated stainless steel splashbacks.

The Importance of Fire-Rated Stainless Steel

Not all metals are made similarly. Some metals may resist heat but can still ignite when exposed to fire. They might even cause the quick spread of flames.

Stainless steel materials, fortunately, can withstand a fire for a respectable amount of time. They likewise do not ignite. They can even minimise flame spread, which can reduce the transfer of fire from one place to another. Ultimately, stainless steel materials are expected to be inert and stable despite being exposed to oxidising conditions. All these qualities make them beneficial for commercial kitchen applications.

You must remember, however, that they do not have any innate fire rating. The only way they can benefit a specific industry is if they are processed, utilised, and installed correctly. Choosing the right grades of stainless steel can also help in attaining the needed fire resistance.

Key Benefits of Stainless Steel Splashbacks

For your restaurant, you must opt for the right grades of stainless steel for your splashbacks to make the place safe and functional. Two stainless steel grades that you can consider for your establishment are grade 304 stainless steel and grade 316 stainless steel.

When opting for fire-rated stainless steel splashbacks, you can expect them to be resistant to fire. They can likewise prevent fire from spreading to your kitchen once it occurs.

Aside from their fire resistance, fire-rated stainless steel splashbacks can also make your kitchen beautiful. These splashbacks may feature finishes that can elevate the total appearance of your restaurant. Some finishes that your splashbacks may boast are shiny, brushed, matte, satin, and mirror. They can likewise feature some patterns based on your liking.

Fire-rated stainless steel splashbacks are also easy to clean and maintain. They do not boast any seams or grout, which prevents food or grease from making your surfaces dirty. As for their cleaning, you can do this just by utilising a simple cleaning product or solution. Stainless steel splashbacks can even resist corrosion and make your kitchen area feel larger and more spacious.

Acquire Quality Stainless Steel Splashbacks

To acquire high-quality fire-rated stainless steel splashbacks for your kitchen, you can contact us at Metcon Steel. We are a leading sheet metal fabricator in South Geelong that has been in the sheet metal and fabrication industry for more than 30 years. Our custom-fabricated sheet metal products are used in domestic, commercial, and industrial settings.

The post How Can Your Restaurant Benefit from Fire-Rated Stainless Steel Splashbacks? first appeared on METCON Steel.

Stainless steel can be classified into four types. One type, however, that is recommended for the environment with corrosive elements is known as austenitic stainless steel. Austenitic stainless steel has excellent mechanical properties and overall corrosion resistance that makes it great for the mentioned environment setting. To date, two grades of austenitic stainless steel that is utilised today are grades 304 and 316.

To know more about these two grades of austenitic stainless steel, then here are some important factors and elements that make them somehow different.

Overall Composition

As mentioned, stainless steel in general is comprised of iron and chromium. But what makes these two grades different is the percentage of their accompanying elements. 304 stainless steel has around 8 to 10.5% of nickel and 18 to 20% of chromium. Moreover, this austenitic stainless steel grade has manganese, silicon, and carbon, and iron. 316 stainless steel also has most elements found in 304 stainless steel. It has, however, around 2 to 3% of molybdenum that already alters its general features.

Strength and Durability

The strength and durability of both 304 and 316 stainless steel grades are exceptional. Additionally, the high percentage of chromium and nickel of both stainless steel grades allows them to obtain excellent resistance to corrosion and rust.

Corrosion Resistance

But the addition of molybdenum on 316 stainless steel grades allows them to possess an increased corrosion resistance. Even though molybdenum only accounts for 2 to 3% of 316 stainless steel, it can easily make the material resistance against environments that are exposed to chlorides and chlorinated solutions. Applications that would involve salt exposure can easily benefit from the increased corrosion resistance and longer lifespan of materials made from 316 stainless steel.

Total Price Value

What makes 304 stainless steel more popular to 316 stainless steel is due to its cheaper pricing. 304 stainless steel can already provide the needed durability, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance under most residential, commercial, and industrial applications despite its affordable value. 316 stainless steel, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive given that it can easily withstand more sensitive environments and last for a longer time.

Common Applications

304 stainless steel materials are mostly used in fabricating appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, air conditioning units, and so on. Heat exchangers, commercial food processing equipment, pipes, and fasteners can also benefit from this stainless steel grade. 316 stainless steel materials, on the other hand, can be used in making chemical processing and storage equipment, medical devices, refinery equipment, and other products that will be exposed to marine environments.

Knowing the differences between these two stainless steel grades allows you to choose the best one for your intended application. If you have more questions about these two stainless steel grades, feel free to ask us at Metcon.

The post Differences Between 304 and 316 Stainless Steel first appeared on METCON Steel.

One of the tools that are often utilised in commercial kitchens is benches. Kitchen benches are often made from materials that are durable enough to hold the weight of kitchen tools and food products. These worktops have received numerous enhancements over the past few years, ensuring that every kitchen function is carried out optimally.

Benefits and Advantages of Stainless Steel Benches

Stainless steel is one of the materials that can be used in fabricating kitchen benches. This type of benches is utilised by a lot of commercial kitchens due to the existence of their benefits and advantages. Some of the benefits of stainless steel benches are the following:

• Great Aesthetics: Even if the benches are found inside the commercial kitchens, their appearance must be eye-pleasing so that kitchen personnel would still be inspired to work effectively. Fortunately, stainless steel benches have great aesthetics that can make the whole kitchen enticing to look at.
• Trusted Durability: Aside from benches, stainless steel can also be used in fabricating different kitchen tools due to its accompanying robustness and durability. Stainless steel benches and other products do not easily crack, chip, or break. Minor scratches and dents may occur, but they cannot hugely damage the whole kitchen bench. The durability of these benches makes them long-lasting.
• Enhanced Versatility: Another great thing about stainless steel benches is that they can take any form or shape. Stainless steel can be easily fabricated into different form factors, which is great for benches that are intended for various locations in a commercial kitchen.
• Integrated Safety: One great feature of stainless steel benches that others do not possess is its integrated safety. Commercial kitchens must deal with food every day. With the installation of stainless steel benches, any food product can maintain their cleanliness since the surface of these benches do not allow germs to stay and penetrate their surface.
• Ease of Cleaning: The cleaning procedures for stainless steel benches are minimal compared to other types of benches. With stainless steel benches, wiping their surface with a cloth damped in dish soap solution is already enough to maintain their cleanliness.

Stainless Steel Benches in Commercial Kitchens

Given their benefits and advantages, commercial kitchens can truly maximise stainless steel benches when it comes to their daily business operations. Stainless steel benches are utilised to be the primary work surface area for kitchen personnel. From food preparation to serving meals, the surface of these benches can be used in placing different food products, tools, and others. These benches can also withstand the damaging effects of spills and other mishaps that may occur in the commercial kitchen.

Another great application of stainless steel benches in commercial kitchens is that they can resist very high temperatures in these areas. Since cooking meals will always be a part of commercial kitchens, it would be important for these benches to be sturdy enough to withstand heat and other elements.

The post Maximising Stainless Steel Benches in Commercial Kitchens first appeared on METCON Steel.

Despite these benefits, plain carbon steel can still rust and corrode easily. So, to solve the issue of corrosion, this specific alloy is further modified into different grades and types. Two of the most popular modifications for plain carbon steel are stainless steel and galvanised steel.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and carbon that is combined with a minimum of 10.5% chromium. The integration of chromium allows this alloy to obtain a thin passive layer of chromium oxide that can prevent the surface from corroding and deteriorating. Increasing the chromium percentage of stainless steel makes the alloy more resistant to corrosion. Some other elements that can be combined with stainless steel are nickel, molybdenum, silicon, and manganese.

As mentioned, stainless steel becomes more resistant to corrosion due to the presence of chromium. This element, which was mostly added during the initial melting process, seamlessly combines with the oxygen for it to form a passive layer of chromium oxide. This specific layer deters the formation of rust or iron oxide and protects the surface from deterioration. The amount of chromium that is present on a specific grade of stainless steel determines its respective corrosion resistance.

Applications that are exposed to corrosive elements can benefit the properties of stainless steel. Some products that are made from stainless steel include food processing equipment, aerospace engine components, kitchen appliances, fasteners, and pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment.

Galvanised Steel

Galvanised steel is a type of steel that is coated in a zinc layer, which hugely offers surface protection and prevents the underlying steel from corroding. The layer of zinc is added after melting, refining, or shaping the steel plate or sheet. This layer acts as a protective barrier for the galvanised steel, making it possible for products fabricated from this material to last for a very long time.

The zinc coating of galvanised steel has two main functions. For one, it prevents the oxygen element from infiltrating the steel surface. Without oxygen, the possibility of corrosion will be minimised. Another function of zinc coating is it sacrifices itself to any corrosive element that is present in the surroundings. The coating may get damaged in the long run, but other parts of the coating will still shield the underlying surface from corrosion by attracting the oxygen into the coating, leaving the iron elements alone.

Applications that have small amounts of corrosion can utilise materials made from galvanised steel. Some of the products that can be made from galvanised steel include ductwork, automotive components, structural beams, railing, walkways, traffic signs, electric poles, and metal cabinetry.

Comparing Steels

When it comes to corrosion-resistance, stainless steel is believed to be better compared to galvanised steel. Stainless steel can easily maintain its corrosion resistance despite getting some scratches. Galvanised steel, on the other hand, may get exposed to corrosion once its zinc layer gets damaged. The appearance of stainless steel is also much better than galvanised steel since the former has a shiny, silver colour compared to the dull-grey pattern of the latter. One great thing about galvanised steel, though, is it costs cheaper than the stainless steel.

The post Material Differences Between Stainless Steel and Galvanised Steel first appeared on METCON Steel.

Aside from finding a perfect location, an effective and appropriate fitout can truly help a commercial butcher shop succeed. A commercial butcher shop fitout must possess all the needed equipment, furniture, and other tools to make it functional. This type of fitout must also match the needs and wants of the target market so that it can successfully lure a lot of potential and returning customers.

Basic Composition of a Commercial Butcher Shop

Commercial butcher shop must have all the tools needed for processing meat. These tools include a set of utensils, butcher’s knives, cleaver, bone saws, and cutting boards. Meat processing equipment must also be obtained to easily turn out any type of meat in just a few seconds. Food scales that are accurate and precise are also needed to make sure your customers can trust your shop.

Walk-in coolers and other refrigeration units must also be installed for effective storage and regulation of raw meat products. Freezers can also be utilised for products that need to be frozen for a certain duration. Another important product that a commercial butcher shop must contain is shelving. Shelving that is made from durable and high-quality materials can keep products fresh and clean. Worktables and butcher blocks are also essential in providing stable surfaces for the preparation and packaging of products.

Using Custom Fabricated Steel Material for the Shop

Most of the tools, furniture, and equipment that are needed for a commercial butcher shop can be made from different steel materials. However, most commercial butcher shop owners utilise custom fabricated steel material because of numerous reasons. First, products out of custom fabricated steel are very sturdy, which is very ideal for a butcher shop as it deals with pointy objects and heavy food products.

Custom fabricated steel products also come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. This characteristic alone is great for commercial butcher shops that have specific limitations when it comes to the available space and layout. Additionally, custom fabricated steel equipment and furniture are easy to clean and maintain. The time for cleaning these products is very limited since the daily workload of these shops is hectic. Cleaning and maintaining them easily can save time, money, and other valuable resources.

Some products that can be made from custom fabricated steel include sinks, basins, countertops, splashbacks, trolleys, and tables.

Metcon Steel Can Provide All the Needed Services

If you need any custom fabricated steel products for your commercial butcher shop fitout, feel free to contact us at Metcon Steel. Conveniently located in South Geelong, we offer over 30 years of industry knowledge and experience. We offer high-quality metal fabrication to many sectors of the industry providing fabricated constructions on a supply only or supply and install basis. Our market-leading, up to date machinery enables us to accurately cut, fold and fabricate a range of metals including but not limited to steel, galvanized, zinc, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, and brass.

The post Commercial Butcher Shop Fitout: Why Custom Fabricated Steel Material is the Best Choice first appeared on METCON Steel.

Numerous homeowners have been incorporating outdoor living spaces to their properties for a long time now. Given this fact, many manufacturers of furniture are now finding ways to improve the quality and longevity of their existing outdoor furniture items. One step that they have considered to do is to use stainless steel as the base material for their products.

Custom stainless steel furniture items are meant to compete with furniture items that are made from wood, aluminium, wicker, and wrought iron. Fortunately, these furniture items boast certain benefits that make them suitable for outdoor use.

They are Resistant to Elements

Stainless steel furniture items are known for their resistance against damaging elements. They are made from a material that can easily withstand the effects of moisture, corrosion, extreme temperatures, and chemicals. Their ability to resist these elements helps these furniture items last for a very long time. Any cleaning and maintenance works can also be done easily since most cleaning agents will not easily affect and damage the properties of these furniture items. Their quality also remains the same even with the presence of stains and spills as they can be wiped off easily.

They are Durable and Strong

The natural quality of stainless steel makes outdoor furniture items strong and durable. Aside from resisting damaging elements, any instances and occurrences of pressure and punishment against the stainless steel outdoor furniture are simply brushed off by their material. Another thing about stainless steel outdoor furniture items is that they are heavy. This added heft to them allows them to stay on their places amidst strong wind and force. Given these qualities, you can expect minimal dents and dings on their surfaces even after using them for a few years or decades.

They are Appealing and Stylish

Another great benefit of stainless steel outdoor furniture items is that they can blend well with any home design and layout. Stainless steel can be easily moulded into unique shapes, which makes furniture items out of this material work flawlessly with any outdoor space design. Aside from their shape, there are also other customisation options available for stainless steel outdoor furniture items. Some factors that can be readily customised by metal fabrication companies include colour, texture, and finish.

Buying custom stainless steel outdoor furniture like tables and chairs for your outdoor living or hangout space can truly grant you benefits that are mentioned above. If you want to have your outdoor furniture customised with stainless steel, then call us now at Metcon Steel. Our market-leading, up to date machinery enables us to accurately cut, fold and fabricate a range of metals including but not limited to steel, galvanized, zinc, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, and brass.

The post Benefits of Custom Fabricated Stainless Steel Outdoor Furniture first appeared on METCON Steel.

To date, there are four classes of stainless steel. These classes are classified according to their alloying elements that affect their overall microstructure.

One class of stainless steel that is most often used in different industries is the 300 series stainless steel. This specific series is classified as austenitic and can only be hardened through cold working methods. This class of stainless steel is known for its strength and low maintenance requirements, which makes the following grades of 300 series stainless steel the most used in fabrication.

304 Stainless Steel

Grade 304 stainless steel is known as the most common and most used austenitic stainless steel in the market right now. It typically contains 8% nickel and 18% chromium, which contributes to the corrosion- and oxidation-resistance of this grade of stainless steel. Some other alloying elements that can be found on 304 stainless steel are manganese, silicon, and carbon.

This stainless steel grade is also known for its extreme durability, which makes the material suitable for fabricating residential and commercial appliances, commercial food processing equipment, construction materials, storage tanks, and many more. Places like kitchens, hospitals, laboratories, and industrial buildings maximise products out of 304 stainless steel.

If your application requires excellent formability, then you must go for this grade of stainless steel. Additionally, 304 stainless steel fabrication is cheaper than other grades of stainless steel.

316 Stainless Steel

Another popular austenitic stainless steel that is widely fabricated in different industries today is grade 316 stainless steel. The overall composition of this stainless steel grade includes 10% nickel, 16% chromium, and an additional 2% for molybdenum. Just like 304 stainless steel, this stainless steel grade also contains manganese, silicon, and carbon as additional alloying elements.

The inclusion of molybdenum makes the stainless steel recommended for more intricate applications. Some common applications of 316 stainless steel include marine or high saline environments, chemical processing and storage equipment, medical devices, and refinery equipment. This type of stainless steel can also withstand environments that contain sulfuric acid, chlorides, or bromides.

As mentioned, 316 stainless steel can easily withstand environments with a high amount of corrosive elements. Moreover, if you need to constantly place the material underwater, then opt for this stainless steel grade.

Knowing the basic properties and applications of these types of stainless steel can help you choose the one that applies to you. If you want help in fabricating them, just contact us at Metcon Steel.

The post What are the 2 Most Common Types of Stainless Steel Used in Fabrication? first appeared on METCON Steel.

Benefits of Fitting Out Cafés and Restaurants

Fitting out cafés and restaurants can help you gain a couple of benefits. First, fitting out your place helps you eliminate various health hazards like mould and asbestos that are found in your kitchen, storage, and dining area. Professionals who are doing fit out projects make sure that your business will not be contaminated by any harmful elements out there.

Aside from health hazards, fit outs are also a great way of renovating and modifying the overall style and design of your café or restaurant. Some of your existing café or restaurant elements like chair material or paint colours might deviate your place away from being comfortable. So, you must carefully assess the design and layout of your interior to achieve a great fit out. Any worn-out materials must also be replaced to avoid any signs of aging around your business.

Stainless Steel Materials are Great for Fit Outs

Some areas in your café or restaurant are constantly exposed to people and other elements. With this frequent exposure, most things and surfaces around these areas may get worn out and damaged easily. They may even be contaminated with bacteria and germs that can be harmful once they have reached the food of your consumers. Luckily, one material that can be used for your café and restaurant fit outs is stainless steel.

Stainless steel boasts a couple of features that make it the best material for fabricating seats, benchtops, door handles, and other things found on your business. For starters, this specific material is non-porous and corrosion-resistant, which means every stainless steel product in your café or restaurant will surely last for a long time. Even with the presence of scratches, the overall composition of stainless steel will still prevent corrosion from developing.

Germs, bacteria, and other harmful elements do not survive on stainless steel products. In fact, this type of metal is one of the most sanitary surfaces that you can find in the industry today. Cleaning stainless steel products is also pretty straightforward since they do not allow food, dust, and other small particles from sticking and holding on the surface.

Apart from your dining area, all features above also make stainless steel suitable for fitting out the kitchen area of your café or restaurant. From shelves to cooking ware, you are guaranteed of a kitchen that is free from corrosion, bacteria, and other harmful elements. You can also expect a boost in the productivity of employees and the amount of revenue. To help you out with stainless steel fit out, you can give us a call at Metcon. We offer a range of options from fabricating and installing one-off single benches to complete commercial kitchen fit outs.

The post Stainless Steel Fit Outs for Cafés and Restaurants first appeared on METCON Steel.

One material that is hugely recommended for commercial kitchen applications is stainless steel. Cooking utensils, tools, and storage that are made up of stainless steel normally last longer than other materials. As a matter of fact, professional cooks and other kitchen staff would prefer using stainless steel products over copper, aluminium, and others due to their accompanying benefits and properties.

Safe for Food Preparation and Storage

What is great about stainless steel kitchen products is that they don’t react to the food. Meaning, any food that is cooked, stored, and placed on stainless steel products won’t have any effect on their quality and taste. Moreover, the surfaces of cookware and storage products out of stainless steel don’t allow microorganisms from inhabiting them. This property makes stainless steel great for commercial and even residential kitchen applications.

Long-Lasting and Durable

To avoid any unnecessary expenses, commercial kitchen owners would want to buy products that can last for a long time. You can never go wrong with stainless steel products since they are made up of low-carbon steel and chromium, both of which are strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant. Additionally, stainless steel kitchen products can retain their shiny appearance as they don’t easily absorb any stain. So, expect your stainless steel products to look as if they are still new and unused.

Compatible with Colours and Materials

The use of stainless steel can enhance the appearance of your commercial kitchen. This enhancement is brought by the material’s ability to blend with a broad range of materials and colours. Even if you have a kitchen with a traditional or a contemporary interior, you can expect your stainless steel countertop and products to go with and even add flair to your existing style.

Maintenance is Easier

Stainless steel products are easier to clean because of their non-porous nature. Being non-porous means that your stainless steel products and countertops will prevent any food from holding on the surface. Washing and wiping these products with a suitable cleaning solution can easily remove dirt and stain from heavy kitchen operations. Scratches that can be found on these products can also be eradicated with the help of metal or copper cleaners and a rag. With proper maintenance, you can expect your commercial kitchen to be hygienic and sanitary all the time.

With stainless steel materials, you are ensured that your commercial kitchen will perform better since your products are now more reliable, safer, and more durable. To have your own stainless steel kitchen products and fit-out, visit us now at Metcon.

The post Why is Stainless Steel Perfect for Commercial Kitchen Applications first appeared on METCON Steel.

Design Considerations

Drawers

Drawers that allow you to keep tools such as knives, gloves, and labels at hand will make working in the kitchen much more time-efficient, which is crucial in a commercial kitchen environment.

Casters

Stainless steel benches that come equipped with caster are really convenient, allowing your staff to move the bench freely as they please. This is particularly useful for cleaning purposes. Nevertheless, note that the casters will increase the height of the workbench.

Under-shelves

Another design particularity that many commercial grade benches come with is under-shelves. When you have a small commercial kitchen, this means that you should maximise all the space you have at your disposal – otherwise, chaos will sink in. A bunch of under-shelves attached to your workbench can be life-saving for storing small ware and extra equipment.

Material Considerations

18-Gauge Stainless Steel

An 18-gauge stainless steel is considered as the most affordable choice for benches. However, it is not as durable as compared to its more expensive counterparts. It is advisable to use for preparing salads, sandwiches, sorting items, or even providing the necessary space for general work. Since it is more prone to dents and dings, it is not advisable to load heavy items on the surface of the workbench.

16-Gauge Stainless Steel

This is a good option for commercial units that seek a balance between affordability and quality in steel benches. It is still affordable but its durability ranks higher than an 18-gauge. Aside from that, it is also versatile meaning that such a workbench is compatible with most applications.

14-Gauge Stainless Steel

Furthermore, if your priority is getting a higher degree of durability and quality, then this alternative should most likely meet your needs. Many times, butchers choose this type of worktable because it can resist heavy-duty use, being suitable for rough applications, without having to worry about denting or anything of the kind.

Type 304

One of the most popular types of stainless steel is type 304. It is rust and corrosion resistant with high nickel and chromium content and low carbon level. This mineral content allows heavy-duty utilisation since it can successfully fit into any commercial environment and be the perfect fit. Sanitising such a table is effortless, as well as maintaining it in top form. This is what makes it ideal for busy commercial kitchens.

Type 430

Type 430 stainless steel is a lower grade of steel, which includes a degree of iron and chromium. This means that this type of stainless steel isn’t as resistant to corrosion as other types. Still, it would be a decent option for environments with mild susceptibility to corrosion. Plus, it is quite low-cost while being a good option for working with veggies and fruits, plating meals and combining ingredients.

Have your commercial kitchen stainless steel bench installed by Metcon Steel. Aside from that, we can work with you to design, fabricate and if needed install your customised projects and sheet metal needs.

The post Design and Material Considerations in Installing Stainless Steel Benches in Commercial Kitchens first appeared on METCON Steel.