Nearly all facilities can benefit from having a utility cart of some type, from foodservice to retail to manufacturing. Utility carts are utilized for a variety of tasks that involve carrying either large or heavy items or a large load of different items. Utility carts come in a variety of materials, including wire, plastic, aluminum or stainless steel. The choice of material should be based on the usage of the cart although it may be tempting to make your selection based on price.
Plastic utility carts are great for applications where there is a lot of activity because they are less likely to damage walls and doorways in case they get bumped or handled roughly. Additionally, plastic carts are typically lighter in weight so they are easier to handle. Another benefit to a plastic cart is that it can products that may be damp, or even wet, as the shelves are usually solid and plastic won’t rust or corrode. This is why many foodservice bussing carts are made of plastic. One of our most popular plastic utility carts is the Lakeside UC54CGY two shelf utility cart.
Wire utility carts are usually lighter weight and easy to handle but you can find heavy duty wire utility carts. Wire utility carts often ship knocked down, which can save money on freight. Additionally, with a wire utility cart that can be knocked down, you can wash and sanitize the cart shelves in a pot sink. We carry a wide variety of wire utility carts from Metro that are NSF.
Aluminum utility carts are lighter than stainless steel but have the benefit of being able to carry very heavy loads without concern for the shelves bowing or bending. Aluminum is strong and durable and, like plastic, it resists rust and corrosion. It is also lighter weight than stainless steel. Aluminum carts are usually a good choice for back of the house applications. New Age Industries aluminum utility carts are very popular with our institutional customers.
Stainless steel utility carts are highly durable and considered the sturdiest cart option. Stainless steel is a great option when you need a highly durable, rugged utility cart that may be used in front of the house applications because it can have a sleek and polished appearance. Stainless is also rust and corrosion resistant but it can rust if it gets scratched or damaged in some way on the surface. The Lakeside Heavy Duty 3-shelf utility cart is one of our more popular stainless steel carts.
The material that is best for your utility cart depends on where it will be used and what it will be used to carry. Select from wire, plastic, aluminum or stainless steel to meet your needs. Cook’s has a wide variety of utility carts in each of these materials.
