Every plate, glass and fork travels a loop: from the table in a bus tub, through the dish area in a rack, and back to the line or the bar. Bus tubs, dish and glass racks, bus carts and dishtables are the four pieces that keep that loop moving, and when any one is short, dishes pile up and the line runs out of plates mid-service.
Shop the equipment in this article: bus tubs and cleaning supplies, glass and dish racks and catering trolleys and bus carts. Freight is included on every order.
This guide covers how to choose and size each piece, with dimensions from our product pages, plus the layout habits that keep clean and dirty apart.
Bus tubs
Bus tubs carry dirty dishes from tables to the dish area. Shallow tubs are easier to lift; deeper tubs hold more but get heavy fast. These are common practice tips:
- Plan at least two tubs per busser station, plus spares at the dish area.
- Color code tubs: one color for dishes, one for silverware, one for trash, so staff sort while they clear.
- Keep a separate tub for silverware so it can soak before washing.
See the full range in bus tubs and cleaning supplies.
Dish racks and glass racks
Dish racks are made to fit commercial dish machines. Peg racks hold plates, flat racks hold bowls and trays, compartment racks hold glasses and cup racks hold mugs. For glasses, match the compartment count and height to your tallest glass, adding extenders if needed.
Racks double as storage. Glasses washed, dried and stored in the same rack are handled less, so fewer break. The Food Code, as adopted in Virginia (12VAC5-421-1960), calls for washed and sanitized items to be air dried, and a rack is the easiest place to do it. Your local health department has the final say. Browse glass and dish racks.
Behind a bar, racks store well in an underbar cabinet. Our GSC-2224 is 24 W x 22.5 D x 33 H in. with a drip tray top and open shelves, and our GRSC-2224 is 22.5 D x 24 W x 30 H in. with two sets of adjustable rack slides.
Bus carts
Carts move full tubs and racks without carrying them, which saves backs and cuts breakage in large dining rooms, banquet halls and cafeterias. The Thunder Group PLBC3316B on our site is a three tier bus cart on casters, 33-1/2 x 16-1/8 x 37 in. For heavier loads, our CART-TUC-2133 is an 18 gauge stainless three shelf cart, 33 x 21 x 33 in., with solid shelves, 4 in. casters with two brakes and a capacity of about 260 lb. Compare all catering trolleys and bus carts.
Dishtables
Dishtables create a soiled side and a clean side around the dish machine or sink.
- Soiled side: our Prepline PSDT-48R is 48 in. long and 30 in. deep with a 20 x 20 x 5 in. pre-rinse bowl and a 3.5 in. drain basket, at a 36.5 in. working height.
- Clean side: the Prepline PCDT-48R is 48 L x 30 D in. in 18 gauge type 304 stainless, also at a 36.5 in. working height, where clean racks drain and air dry.
On our site the soiled tables come left or right in 36 and 48 in. lengths, and the clean tables come in 36 in. left or right and 48 in. right. Check which side of the machine each table sits on and match the height to your dish machine. See all dishtables.
How many of each?
There is no code formula. Common practice is to count your peak: how many covers turn in the busiest hour, how many plates, glasses and pieces of silverware each cover uses, and how fast the dish machine or sink can turn racks. Then add enough racks and tubs that the line never waits on the dish area, plus spares for breakage.
Layout and flow
- Dirty items come in on one side and clean items leave from the other. Avoid paths where clean and dirty cross.
- Leave room for a loaded cart to turn.
- Store clean racks off the floor on shelving or a rack, away from splash.
Cleaning and replacement
Wash bus tubs daily; they collect grease and food. Run racks through the machine regularly and replace cracked racks and tubs. Wipe carts and casters and sanitize dishtables at the end of each shift.
Frequently asked questions
How many bus tubs does a restaurant need?
Common practice is at least two per busser station plus spares at the dish area. Busy rooms often need more.
What size are commercial dish racks?
Racks are made to fit commercial dish machines. Check your machine’s manual for the rack size it takes.
Do I need a soiled and a clean dishtable?
Most dish machine setups use both, so dirty racks load on one side and clean racks drain on the other. Ask your health department about your layout.
Next steps
Freight to the 48 contiguous states is included in every price, non-powered items have a 14 day return window from delivery, and lease-to-own financing is available on orders of 500 dollars or more.
Models in this guide at a glance
The models linked above are listed here with the main points from each product page, so you can compare them side by side before opening the full listings.
Stainless Steel Glass Rack Storage Cabinet with Rack Slides (model GRSC-2224)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Glass Rack Storage Cabinet
- Integrated drain plumbing
- Adjustable rack slides
Commercial Glass Rack Storage Cabinet & Bar Station with Built-In Drip Tray
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Built-In Embossed Drip Tray: Top surface serves as an efficient drying station for freshly washed glassware.
- Dual Drain System: Advanced drainage setup ensures quick water removal, preventing pooling and moisture buildup.
- Commercial-Grade Stainless Steel: High-quality, corrosion-resistant construction built for long-lasting durability in busy kitchens.
Thunder Group PLBC3316B 33-1/2″ x 16-1/8″ x 37″, 3-Tier Bus Cart with Casters, Black (model PLBC3316B)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model PLBC3316B.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Right Side Clean Dishtable – Prepline PCDT-48R 30″D x 48″L (model PCDT-48R)
- Brand: Prepline
- NSF Listed for Quality
- Right Side Design
- Knock Down Packing
- Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor
Thunder Group ALDN2036 20″ x 36″ x 12″, Heavy-Duty Dunnage Rack, Aluminum, 1,500 lb Capacity, NSF (model ALDN2036)
- Brand: Thunder Group
- Sold individually.
- Thunder Group model ALDN2036.
- Freight and liftgate delivery included to the continental United States.
Before you order
- Measure the space and every doorway on the delivery path, and compare them with the dimensions on each product page.
- Check the spec sheet for power, gas or water requirements and match them to what your building has.
- Compare capacity with your busiest day rather than your average day.
- Read the warranty terms for the brand before you order.
Delivery, warranty and payment
- Delivery: delivery within the continental US is included in the price on the product page, and freight orders include liftgate service.
- Warranty: each product carries its manufacturer warranty. Terms by brand are on our warranty page.
- Financing: lease-to-own financing through Clicklease is offered on items of $500 and up. See how financing works.
- Quotes: buying for a business and need a written quote? Call +1-877-558-2253 or use our contact page.
Not sure which model fits?
Call +1-877-558-2253 with your space, power supply and daily volume, and we will help you narrow it down.