Wire shelving is the workhorse of back-of-house storage. It holds dry goods, paper, cases of cans and produce, and it goes in walk-ins, dry storage rooms and along the back wall of the line. It is simple equipment, but the wrong finish, depth or layout can cost you space and cause rust within a season. This guide covers what to decide before you order.
Shopping for this equipment? See our wall shelves and storage racks.
Start with the Room, Not the Shelf
Measure the wall length, the ceiling height and the door swing. Then measure the aisle. Most kitchens need at least 36 inches of clear aisle so a person can carry a case and turn around. If you are loading from a hand truck, plan for more. Write down where outlets, light switches, drains and floor sinks are so a shelf leg does not land on top of one.
Next, count what you store. A rough rule is to add up the cases you receive on your biggest delivery day and plan shelf space for about one and a half times that. Storage always fills up faster than expected.
Choosing Depth and Length
Common shelf depths are 14, 18, 21 and 24 inches. Shallow shelves work for spices, sauces and small boxes along a narrow wall. Deeper shelves suit bulk cases and produce boxes, but items at the back get lost, so use deep shelves only where you store full cases. Longer shelves hold more but need more poles or supports for heavy loads. Keep the heaviest items on the lower shelves.
Finish Matters More Than You Think
Chrome wire looks clean and works well in dry storage. It does not do well in wet, humid spaces. Epoxy coated wire, usually green, resists moisture better and is the common pick for walk-in coolers and freezers. Match the finish to the room. If a shelf goes into a cooler, choose epoxy.
Heavy duty chrome wire shelf for kitchens
Floor Units vs Wall Mounting
Floor units on poles are flexible and can be moved. Wall mounted wire shelves free up floor space for mops, carts and dunnage racks, and they make floor cleaning easier. For wall mounting, use the matching brackets and anchor them into studs or solid masonry. Drywall anchors alone will not carry loaded shelves.
Wall mounting bracket for chrome wire shelving
Epoxy green wall mounting bracket for wire shelving
If you are building or extending a unit, check that poles and shelves match in finish and size. Mixing chrome poles with epoxy shelves in a cooler defeats the purpose.
Cleaning and Food Safety Habits
Health inspectors commonly look for food stored off the floor. Many jurisdictions expect the bottom shelf to sit about six inches above the floor so staff can clean underneath. Confirm the exact requirement with your local health department. Wipe shelves on a schedule, and pull everything off once a month for a full clean. Wire shelving lets air move and light pass through, which helps in coolers, but crumbs and spills drop to lower shelves, so store raw proteins on the bottom and ready-to-eat items above.
Questions to Ask Before You Buy
- Will this shelf live in a dry room, a cooler or a freezer?
- What is the heaviest item I will put on it?
- Do I have at least a 36 inch aisle after installation?
- Will the bottom shelf clear the floor for cleaning?
- Am I mounting to studs or masonry, or do I need a floor unit?
- Do I need to add shelves later, and will the parts match?
Common Mistakes
Buying the deepest shelf because it holds more, then losing product at the back. Using chrome in a walk-in. Overloading the top shelf. Forgetting that door swings and compressor units need clearance. Each of these costs time every single day.
Where to Start
Browse the full range of wire shelving and shelving accessories and match finish and depth to each room. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right size and configuration.