Ingredient bins keep flour, sugar, rice, beans and other dry goods clean, sealed and easy to scoop. They replace open bags that tear, spill and invite pests. Bakeries, pizzerias and restaurants that go through dry goods quickly use them daily. Here is how to choose the right size and style.
Shop the equipment in this article: Thunder Group PLIB002S 2 gallon (40 cups) ingredient bin, Thunder Group PLIB005S 5 gallon (80 cups) ingredient bin and Thunder Group PLIB010S 10 gallon (150 cups) ingredient bin. Freight is included on every order.
Sizing
Ingredient bins are sized by gallons and often by cups of capacity. Size by your usage between deliveries and by the bag size you buy.
A 2 to 5 gallon bin suits smaller items like spices, breadcrumbs or specialty flours on a shelf. A 10 to 11 gallon bin fits a shelf and holds many common bags. A 20 to 27 gallon mobile bin rolls under a work table and holds large bags of flour or sugar.
A 50 lb bag of flour needs a large bin. Check the product page for capacity before you buy.
Thunder Group PLIB002S 2 gallon (40 cups) ingredient bin
Thunder Group PLIB005S 5 gallon (80 cups) ingredient bin
Thunder Group PLIB010S 10 gallon (150 cups) ingredient bin
11 gal shelf ingredient bin, 266 cup capacity
IBIN-28 27 gal mobile ingredient storage bin
Mobile ingredient storage bin with sliding lid
Shelf Bins vs Mobile Bins
Shelf bins sit on wire shelving and pull out like drawers. They save floor space and keep ingredients at waist or eye level. Mobile bins have casters and roll under a work table, putting flour and sugar right where the baker needs them.
Lid Style
Sliding lids open without needing room above the bin, which is ideal under tables. Hinged or flip lids are easy to open with one hand. Clear lids let staff see what is inside and how full it is.
Space and Clearance
Measure the height under your work table and the depth of your shelves before ordering. Mobile bins must clear any undershelf. Leave room to pull shelf bins forward and open the lid.
Food Safety
Keep dry goods at least 6 inches off the floor as many health departments require; mobile bins on casters usually meet this, but confirm with your local health department. Label each bin with the contents and the date it was filled. Do not top off old product with new; empty, clean and dry the bin, then refill so older product does not sit at the bottom.
Scoops
Keep a scoop with each bin, stored in a holder or on the lid, not buried in the product. Buried scoop handles collect bacteria from hands.
Cleaning
Empty and wash bins on a regular schedule, such as every time they run out. Wash with warm soapy water, rinse, sanitize and dry fully before refilling. Moisture in flour causes clumping and mold.
Pest Control
Sealed bins are one of the best defenses against pantry pests like weevils, beetles and rodents. Keep lids closed at all times, not just at night. Sweep under mobile bins regularly, since spilled flour and sugar attract pests. If you find insects in a bin, discard the contents, wash and sanitize the bin, and check neighboring bins and shelves before refilling.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- What dry goods do I store and how much between deliveries?
- Shelf bins or mobile bins under tables?
- Do I need clear lids?
- What height clearance is under my work tables?
- Where will scoops be stored?
Next Steps
Compare sizes in our ingredient bins category and add shelving from wire shelving. 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.
Thunder Group PLIB002S 2 Gallon (40 Cups), 11-3/4″ x 14-1/2″ x 8-5/8″ (model PLIB002S)
- Brand: Thunder Group
Thunder Group PLIB005S 5 Gallon (80 Cups), 11-3/8″ x 23-3/8″ x 17″ (model PLIB005S)
- Brand: Thunder Group
Thunder Group PLIB010S 10 Gallon (150 Cups), 19-1/4″ x 23-3/8″ x 17″ (model PLIB010S)
- Brand: Thunder Group
11 gal Shelf Ingredient Bin – 266 Cup Capacity with Lid
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- 11 gal Shelf Ingredient Bin
- Clear Lid: Quick ingredient view.
- Durable Build: Strong PC & PP.
IBIN-28 27 gal Mobile Ingredient Storage Bin – 680 Cup (model IBIN-28)
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- 27 gal Mobile Ingredient Storage Bin
- Holds 680 cups dry goods.
- Sliding lid & clear front.
Mobile Ingredient Storage Bin with Sliding Lid – 22 & 27 Gal Capacity
- Brand: Express KitchQuip
- Mobile Ingredient Storage Bin
- Holds 540–680 cups dry goods
- Sliding lid with clear front
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.