Wire shelving looks the same from across the room, but the finish on the wire decides how long it lasts. Chrome and epoxy are the two finishes you see most in commercial kitchens. Put chrome in a wet walk-in and you will be scraping rust in a year or two. Put epoxy in a dry storeroom and you have spent more than you needed to. Here is how to choose.
For sizes and current models, browse our wall shelves and storage racks.
What Chrome Wire Is
Chrome wire is steel wire plated with a bright chrome finish. It is smooth, easy to wipe and looks clean in dry storage and front-of-house areas. It is a good all-round shelf in rooms with normal humidity.
The Heavy Duty Chrome Wire Shelf for Kitchens and the Heavy Duty Chrome Wire Storage Wall Shelf are chrome options for dry areas.
Where Chrome Struggles
Chrome plating is thin. Constant moisture, condensation and cleaning chemicals can get under it and start rust at welds and scratches. Walk-in coolers, dish rooms and areas near ice machines are hard on chrome.
What Epoxy Wire Is
Epoxy wire is steel wire with a baked-on polymer coating, usually green or gray. The coating seals the steel from moisture. That makes it the usual choice for walk-in coolers and freezers, prep areas with a lot of humidity, and dish rooms.
Options include the Heavy Duty Epoxy Wire Shelf and the Epoxy Green Coated Wire Shelf. For wall-mounted runs, use the Epoxy Green Wall Mounting Bracket for Wire Shelving.
Room by Room
- Dry storage for paper goods, canned goods and boxed product: chrome is fine.
- Walk-in cooler: epoxy.
- Walk-in freezer: epoxy.
- Dish room and near sinks: epoxy.
- Bar back storage for bottles and glass racks: chrome if dry, epoxy if near an ice bin or sink.
- Front-of-house display: chrome for the look.
What About Damage
Epoxy can chip if you drag heavy steel pans across it. A chip exposes steel to moisture. Train staff to lift, not slide. Chrome can scratch too, and scratches are where rust starts. Either way, handle with care and replace damaged shelves before rust spreads to food containers.
Cleaning
Use mild detergent and warm water, then rinse and let dry. Avoid steel wool and harsh abrasives on both. Follow the sanitizer label when you sanitize, and do not let sanitizer sit on shelves for hours beyond its contact time.
Mixing Finishes
Posts and shelves should match. Mixing a chrome post with an epoxy shelf in a cooler gives you a rust point right at the joint. Buy matching posts, shelves and brackets for each unit, and label the unit so replacement parts match later.
Setting Up a Walk-In Unit
Leave a few inches between shelving and the walls so air can move and you can clean behind the unit. Keep shelves away from the evaporator fan so product does not block airflow. Put raw proteins on the lowest levels and ready-to-eat foods above them. Level each unit with the post feet so shelves do not tilt and let containers slide. Check the leveling again after the first full load.
A Note on Stainless Wire
Some kitchens use stainless wire for the harshest areas. It costs more but handles moisture and chemicals well. For most walk-ins, epoxy is the practical middle ground.
Next Steps
Browse wire shelving for complete units, and check shelving accessories for brackets and posts. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right size and configuration.
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.
Heavy Duty Chrome Wire Shelf for Kitchens, Storage
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- ✅ Two Shelves Included per Box – Each package comes with two chrome wire shelves for added storage capacity and flexible organization.
- ✅ NSF Approved for Professional Use – Designed to meet strict standards for commercial kitchens, foodservice, and public environments.
- ✅ Heavy-Duty Chrome-Coated Steel Construction – Built for strength, stability, and long-term performance in demanding settings.
Heavy Duty Chrome Wire Storage Wall Shelf
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Heavy Duty Chrome Wire Storage
- 600 lb. Capacity – Heavy-duty build
- Airflow Design – Chrome wire shelf
Heavy Duty Epoxy Wire Shelf for Kitchens, Utility Rooms
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Heavy Duty Epoxy Wire Shelf
- NSF Approved Safe & durable
- Storage Solution Home & commercial use
Epoxy Green Coated Wire Shelf 1’’ Diameter Shelving Poles
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Epoxy Green Coated Wire Shelf
- Commercial Heavy-duty
- Epoxy-coated durable poles
Epoxy Green Wall Mounting Bracket for Wire Shelving
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Epoxy Green Wall Mounting Bracket
- Double Bracket Versatile use
- NSF Certified Health-safe
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.