What is 304 Stainless Steel?

304 stainless steel’s chromium content makes it amazingly resistant to rust and oxidation. This means it can take on a wide variety of acidic foods, cleaners, and even the odd splash of vinegar or lemon juice like a champ. So, if you’re setting up shop in a busy kitchen, 304 is your go-to pal for counters that stay shiny and new, even when the going gets tough.

Strength and Durability

Strength and durability? 304 stainless steel has them in spades. This stuff is tough enough to handle the hustle and bustle of commercial kitchens without breaking a sweat. Think of it as the kitchen warrior that won’t dent or give up on you when you accidentally drop that heavy pot. It’s built to last, making it a wise investment for any serious kitchen setup.

Hygiene and Cleanliness

Let’s talk about cleanliness, because in a kitchen, hygiene is non-negotiable. The non-porous surface of 304 stainless steel means bacteria and germs have nowhere to hide. A quick swipe with soap and water, and you’re good to go, keeping your kitchen spotless and your food safe.

 

 

What is 304 Stainless Steel Commonly Used For?

Being the ultimate food grade surface, 304 stainless steel can be found in every corner of our world, from the most intricate surgery tools to the bench you relax on at the park, proving time and again why it’s the MVP of metals.

• Kitchen Equipment Commando: From gleaming appliances and chef-worthy cookware to surfaces that laugh in the face of spills, 304’s ease of cleaning and rust resistance make it the king of the culinary castle.
• Food Processing Pro: In the world of food and drink production, 304 is the guardian of flavour and hygiene. It’s the go-to for equipment that keeps your food safe and tasting exactly as it should, all while being easy to clean.
• Architectural Ace: Fighting off environmental corrosion like a superhero, 304 is the architect’s first choice. Building facades, stylish door frames, and sleek windows all get their enduring shine and resilience from this steel wonder.
• Chemical Container Champ: Tanks and pipes in the chemical, dye, and paper sectors rely on 304 for its chemical resistance.
• Automotive and Aerospace Ally: When it comes to parts that need to withstand rust and oxidation without batting an eyelid, 304 stainless steel takes the driver’s seat in the automotive and aerospace industries.
• Medical Equipment Marvel: Sterilisable without a hint of resistance to corrosion, 304 makes the cut for medical instruments, surgical tools, medical devices and everything in the healthcare world that demands spotless sanitation.
• Water Warrior: For water and wastewater treatment, 304’s corrosion resistance means it’s the hero of pipes, tanks, and the gear that keeps our water clean and safe.
• Appliance All-Star: This stainless steel doesn’t just shine in commercial kitchens. From home refrigerators to industrial conveyors, 304’s versatility and durability make it the backbone of appliances big and small.

304 vs 430 Stainless Steel: What’s the Key Difference?

When comparing 304 and 430 stainless steel, it’s easy to see that their different properties make them best suited for different applications.

304 stainless steel is the more popular & durable of the two, higher in chromium (17.5% to 19.5%) and nickel (8% to 10%). This gives it some serious strength and durability, as well as giving it a higher resistance to corroding. If you need a steel to stand firm in a commercial kitchen where food hygiene is essential, this is the one you want in your corner, like a tough bodyguard.

430 stainless steel, on the other hand, is almost on par with chromium content (17%) but has almost no nickel in it at all (0 to 0.75%). It can handle mild corrosion, and it’s a good bit less expensive than 304.
But… It doesn’t quite have the same staying power and is a porous surface, so not recommended for food preparation in a commercial kitchen.

The perfect steel for you depends on where you’re using it. Need a tough, almost indestructible steel to handle food processing, medical equipment or just high hygiene environment? You can’t go wrong with 304. Want something that’ll thrive in a less harsh environment, like indoors, at home or in non-food environments? 430 should be just fine.

How to Tell the Quality of Your Steel Product

Want to play detective with your stainless steel grade? Here’s a fun party trick: grab a magnet. If it sticks, you’re likely dealing with a lesser grade, perhaps even the notorious 430. But if that magnet falls right off, give yourself a pat on the back; you’ve got high-quality 304 stainless steel.

Where Can You Find 304 Stainless Steel?

At Brayco, we’re all in on 304 stainless steel. That’s right—every bench, cabinet, shelf, and sink we offer is decked out in this premium metal. We’re throwing a stainless steel party, and you’re all invited.

Upgrade to 304 stainless steel today—your kitchen deserves the best! Say hello to unbeatable durability and hygiene. We’re here to help you every shiny step of the way.

Back to top: What Is 304 Stainless Steel?

How to Remove Rust From Stainless Steel

 

1. Baking Soda

 

 

Back to top: How to Remove Rust From Stainless Steel

How to Clean Stainless Steel? From Streaks to Sparkling in No Time

 

Back to top: How to Clean Stainless Steel: From Streaks to Sparkling in No Time

20 Years, and Stainless Steel Excellence Continues On

Together, We Have Made a Truly Impressive Sandwich.

20 years ago, I ordered the first container of stainless steel benches and Brayco was born.
That container had 8 stainless benches in it, no sinks, just benches. When it arrived, I wasn’t disappointed with the quality, so I shoved a few ads in the local papers, and put up a few auctions on eBay to see how these few products would sell. Well, bugger me, the phones starting ringing and within 6 weeks, I was back ordering the second container. I drafted my brother in law Dan in to help sell them. This container had 15 products. I was going out on a limb now. Now we had some wall shelves and a single cabinet crammed in. What recklessness! My wife and a few of my friends started asking whether I would saturate the market.

Who would want that many stainless steel benches? Why are they so popular?
These are disturbing questions. When you’ve found something you like doing and it’s going well, you don’t like to think it’ll just fizzle out. The fun part of business is the growth. The connection with colleagues and customers. So, I started asking the customers why the hell they were buying so many benches from us. If I didn’t know the answer, maybe they would. Could we do even better? Could we grow?

The customers said it basically came down to 4 simple things:
1. Quality — the benches had to be good quality — sturdy, built for purpose and durable.
2. Price — we were priced well below the lazy competitors who’d been price gouging for decades.|
3. Availability — customers liked being able to get their stuff same day, not wait for weeks.
4. Range — we had an OK range of sizes, but they would have bought more if we had more to offer.

So, armed with this knowledge, we decided to make sure we followed these 4 ideas. We call them the 4-Pillars.
And now, 20 years later, you can see the result.
• Those 8 products have turned into a mind boggling range of over 1,200 products. Benches, sinks, shelves, cabinets, chairs, tables, wheels, taps in a vast assortment of sizes, styles, materials. So, range is covered.
• In 2003, we had a 96 square metre warehouse in Perth. Pokey. Now, we have over 20,000 sqm of warehousing across Australia and New Zealand — we are available. Pick it up same day. Buy online. Ring. Whatevs.
• And price? Well, in 2005 our smallest bench was $199. Today, despite a pandemic, a global financial crisis, and rampant inflation across wages, warehouse costs, freight and everything else thrown up at us, that same bench is $244. And we’ll bring the price down if we can.
• As for quality, we have tirelessly worked to improve the strength and quality of the products we sell. Crap doesn’t sell for long. And if something goes wrong we’ll fix it.

The result of all this? Each year now, we expect to sell over 24,000 shelving units, over 50,000 benches, sinks and cabinets and 60,000 chairs. That’s a lot. Hard to visualise, but let’s give it a go..

Let’s imagine that we got all of our customers together to make a sandwich, the biggest sandwich in the world. The current world record for the biggest sandwich is 74 metres. But I think we can do better.

Let’s put all the benches together that you guys have bought in one long line to form the longest bench. If we started building it on the outskirts of Auckland, then it would wind its way down the coast and end up somewhere in the middle of Hamilton. The bench would be 255,000 metres long. That’s quite a big bench. And we’d need a lot of butter. And a lot of people. And let’s hope there isn’t a shortage of lettuce when we do it.
But luckily, we have a lot of customers that might pitch in to help. There are 140,652 current customers of Brayco and Chairforce across New Zealand and Australia, enough to fill both Eden Park and Sky Stadium. If we all pitched in, I think the sandwich wouldn’t take long to make at all. Wouldn’t take long to eat it either.

So, thank you lovely customers. The Brayco team are wholly reliant on your goodwill and continued custom. We hope to earn it. We are committed to the 4-pillars approach — and hopefully, together, in another twenty years time, we can make a sandwich to stretch from Auckland, winding past Napier to Wellington or even South Island…

Commercial Kitchens in New Zealand: Enhancing Efficiency with Brayco

In New Zealand’s dynamic hospitality landscape, commercial kitchens are at the heart of operations, catering to a variety of large-scale endeavours. These specialised spaces, equipped with high-quality, affordable Brayco products, are designed to enhance efficiency, ensure safety, and boost functionality.

Defining a Commercial Kitchen

A Commercial Kitchen is a hub designed for large-scale food production. These kitchens are equipped with specialised furniture and a variety of tools and appliances that allow for the efficient handling of bulk orders. At Brayco, we provide a range of products that contribute to the smooth running of these kitchens.

Brayco: Enhancing Commercial Kitchens

Brayco’s contribution to commercial kitchens ranges from benches and sinks to cabinets and shelves, Brayco provides a range of products to meet the unique needs of each commercial kitchen.

 

Stainless Benches

Brayco provides a range of benches, each designed to meet different needs. From flat benches of varying depths to splashback benches, waste collection benches, and even premium splashback benches, Brayco caters to all requirements. Extras for these benches include leg attachments, underbench drawers, 2-tier overselves, splashback extensions, and more.

 

 

Stainless Sinks

Brayco offers a variety of stainless sinks of different depths, along with dishwasher sinks, wall-mounted sinks, and knee-operated sinks. Extras for these sinks include shelf options and tabs.

 

 

Commercial Kitchen Cabinets

Brayco’s variety of stainless cabinets includes standard cabinets with either a hinged or sliding door, drawer cabinets, sink cabinets, and even a coffee cart. Choose a standard adjustable feet or lockable castors – no extra charge. Wall-mounted cabinet options are also available.

 

 

Commercial Kitchen Shelves

Brayco provides a range of shelf options, including premium coolroom/freezer shelving, chrome wire shelving for dry store, epoxy wire shelving for cool rooms, stainless steel shelf units, and wall-mounted solid or pipe shelves. Extras such as 2-tier overselves, leg brace rail kits for underbench storage, and shelves for sinks are also available.

 

 

 

Taps

Brayco’s range of taps includes pre rinse taps, mixer taps, and hands-free taps, each designed to increase efficiency and promote hygiene.

 

 

Trolleys

Brayco offers a range of economical polypropylene and stainless trolleys which can help ease the transportation of goods within the kitchen, contributing to the smooth running of operations.

Importance of a Well-Designed Commercial Kitchen

Investing in a well-designed commercial kitchen is crucial for several reasons:

• Efficiency: A properly designed layout can optimise productivity and minimise time wasted on unnecessary movements.
• Safety: Commercial Kitchens need to adhere to strict safety standards to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of staff and customers.
• Functionality: A well-designed kitchen maximises the use of available space, making it easier for staff to navigate and work efficiently.
• Food Quality: The layout and equipment in a commercial kitchen directly impacts the quality of food produced.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Investing in a well-designed commercial kitchen from the start can save money in the long run by preventing costly renovations or equipment replacements.

Find out about commercial kitchen work stations and their equipment below:

Workstation	Essential Equipment
Cooking Area	Commercial-grade stoves, ovens, grills, fryers
Food Preparation	Ample stainless steel benchtop space, cutting boards, food processors
Dishwashing Area	Industrial-grade dishwashers, sinks
Storage Area	Multi-functional open shelves, walk-in refrigerators, and freezers

 

Safety and Hygiene in a Commercial Kitchen

In New Zealand, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene is a must. A clean kitchen helps ensure the food tastes as it should, keeps your staff healthy, and earns your customers’ trust. Using non porous surfaces and materials that are easy to clean, like Brayco’s 304 food grade stainless steel benches, reduces the risk of food contamination or pest infestation. Routine cleanups and staff training are essential for smooth operations.

Compliance with safety regulations and best practices is vital for any commercial kitchen. Regular inspections by health authorities ensure that these safety standards are upheld, offering both staff and customers a secure and trustworthy environment.
Choose 304 grade stainless for a commercial kitchen environment. Cheaper brands offer the more porous 430 grade steel that may not comply with food safety regulations. Always check with your local authority before purchasing equipment and furniture for your kitchen.

Your commercial kitchen stands to be the core of an operation that meets and exceeds the highest standards of quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. At Brayco, we’re committed to helping you achieve this vision with our expansive range of high-quality, affordable products.

Client Profile – Rio’s Iconic Bar

At the end of 2021, an iconic bar lit up, fizzing with good vibes and edgy design. Just over a year into business, Rio’s bar has become well-loved for its delicious bar bites, seasonal cocktails, carefully curated wine and beer list, and the rotating list of local DJs to help guests shake the week off and welcome the weekend.

Rio’s slick look and ambience is all down to its owners, who completely overhauled the space and built it from scratch back in 2021. The upstairs venue was created with a modern décor in mind and to make the most of the balcony overlooking ‘the strip’.

To best serve customers and create more space for them, the owners chose a u-shaped bar with the help of a selection of high-quality Brayco products. Brayco splashback benches and sink benches formed the base of the bar, before encasing it with a beautifully contrasting timber bar.

 

 

The splashback benches are industry standard, ready for all the pummelling of a pumping bar, and easy to assemble and clean. Rio’s fitted the timber bar over the splashback component for a seamless look, while underneath power points, taps and wiring were cut and concealed within the splashback. A Brayco rail kit was used to stabilise and reinforce the benches, while storing a well-used dishwasher.

 

 

Beyond the cocktail shakers’ post (aka the bar), the contemporary and industrial look of Rio’s continued with Chairforce supplying chairs, stools, and tables. Rio’s chose a selection of Replica Tolix items, inspired by French designer Pauchard, which are brilliant for commercial venues with their stackable and sturdy design. At Rio’s, you’ll see in the bar area Replica Tolix bar tables, with steel bases and solid timber tops, complemented by the lightweight and durable Replica Tolix bar stools with back rest. In the dining zones, the smaller Replica Tolix dining tables and Replica Tolix chairs create a seamless backdrop for the seafood platters and coconut margaritas adorning them.

 

 

Next time you’re lucky enough to explore, make sure you pop in and experience the great space and menu at Rio’s Bar for yourself. If you’re looking for your own commercial venue fit out, come and visit our friendly staff at our warehouse – Call us now!

Client Profile – Smokey Joes Rubs

Smokey Joe’s Rubs originated in the home kitchen of its passionate owner Joe two years ago. Joe loved preparing healthy food, full of flavour, and wanted all-natural spice mixes to transform his own meals. Like many good businesses, when you see a gap in the market, you create the product yourself!

So, Joe worked with local suppliers to source a vast array of herbs and spices that he personally dries, roasts, grinds and blends to create his award winning range of rubs and loaded salts. Two years in, Smokey Joe’s Rubs has expanded exponentially, and the old home kitchen was no longer cutting the mustard seed. The variety and volume of spices needed a bigger home due to the building clientele and a large selection of IGA supermarkets, butchers and BBQ stores across the country stocking the rubs.

Smokey Joe’s Rubs has now opened a beautiful shopfront with commercial kitchen at the back, in Perth WA, which displays the full range of spices and loaded salts, plus a selection of sauces, dips and glazes.

For his commercial kitchen, Joe came to Brayco to choose good quality, steel storage solutions to maximise the space and continue making the spices in small batches to maintain product integrity. Chrome Wire Shelving was an ideal choice to store the myriad tubs of spices, which are a popular choice for kitchens due to the thick, sturdy steel supporting its four shelves (with the option for additional shelves).

Stainless steel flat benches are loaded up with further tubs of spices and the grinding machinery, perfect for commercial kitchens and ready for grinders to test their strength. Joe also selected some wall-mounted stainless steel shelves, positioned above the benches to keep items handy when working.

Brayco provided its expert advice on how to lay the shelves and benches out to maximise the space and Joe’s selection shows how well these products can support a busy, productive kitchen.

If you’re looking for help with good quality (and value) storage solutions for your commercial kitchen, contact us for a chat. Brayco has seven locations across Australia and New Zealand, stocked to the brim, so we can have products ready for dispatch or pick up within 24 hours of your order.

Designing Your Commercial Kitchen

The kitchen should be considered the heart of your restaurant or cafe. Factors that can determine the success of your restaurant/café, such as food quality, lead time and order efficiency rely heavily of the strategic design of your kitchen’s layout.

To optimise the flow of food production, commercial kitchens should not be using the same design principles of domestic kitchens, as they serve a completely different set of criteria.

Of the many fundamental aspects to consider when designing or refurbishing your commercial kitchen, we recommend first considering what your commercial kitchen will require. In most cases, you will need:

• Dry storage
• Refrigerated storage
• Freezer storage
• Food preparation station
• Designated cooking space
• Service area
• Dish pit/wash-up area

Helpful Tips

1. Research Local Health Codes

By obtaining the required permits for your food service operation, you’ll ensure your business has a firm foundation. Every state and local area has its own codes, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with them prior to designing your space. Topics such as ventilation, waste storage and lighting should be addressed in this stage of planning. A good starting point is the New Zealand Food Standards Code, which can be downloaded here. Alternately, you may enquire directly with your local public health department to find more information on applicable regulations for food service industries.

2. Know Your Menu

Creating processes to execute each dish will help shape your design in that it will determine which appliances and tools your kitchen requires. In this stage of planning, you can ensure your staff has ample counter space to work. For example, food preparation should be positioned between storage and the cooking area to achieve the ideal flow. When space permits, you should segregate preparation into different processes. Meaning, raw meat/fish prep, vegetable prep, poultry and desert will each have different preparation stations. Understanding the space and tools your kitchen requires will allow you to streamline food preparation processes. But if you find yourself in a tight situation and need help to create extra work space (most of us do), not to worry! Check out Brayco’s Stainless Steel Over Bench Shelves.

3. Involve the Chef & BOH Staff

A haphazardly designed kitchen ultimately creates obstacles for your chef and back-of-house team. When possible, involve your team in the design process so their skills and expertise may be utilised. Input from the kitchen and BOH staff will help you determine the ideal placement of appliances and kitchen tools, therefore creating a smooth kitchen flow that will make your cooking and clean-up routines seamless.

Choosing Your Layout

Different layouts suit different types of restaurants. Here we’ll look at the suitability standards for each type.

Which Floor Plan is Best for Fast Food?

Fast food outlets work best with a centralised strip serving the assembly line. The assembly-line configuration is ideal for kitchens that need to serve a large quantity of people quickly. Under this model, kitchen equipment is situated in a line with the food preparation station at one end and the service station on the other, which encourages the quick production of food by sending it down the line. This layout works particularly well for restaurants with a limited menu, such as pizza or sandwich shops.

Which Floor Plan is Best for Catering Businesses?

Kitchens used to cater events generally have varied menus comprised of multiple courses. The zone-style layout typically works best. Under this blueprint, each station has its own space which allows BOH staff to divide and conquer. Restauranteurs can simply employ a specialized chef to tackle each station. Each workstation should have its own allocated area which usually requires a large and open working kitchen space, so this model does not suit small kitchens.

Café: Small spaces with few staff members benefit from an open design. An open kitchen layout allows your team to maximise a small space. An increasingly popular model consists of a glass partition between the service area and guest seating, which allows guests to see all the action. You can even create a chef’s table by placing bar stools by the kitchen. This gives your guests a unique and special experience while you are maximizing your venue’s potential. It’s no surprise that small spaces can be tricky to fit out, which is precisely why Brayco carries such a wide range of products in a large number of sizes, with speciality ranges to fit corners and the narrowest spaces.

Which Floor Plan is best for Large Restaurants? The island-style commercial kitchen layout features a central “command centre” or passthrough point for all dishes, which facilitates constant communication between the chef, cooks, and BOH staff. The island-style design is typically comprised of cooking equipment at its centre, while storage units, food prep and washing stations are located along its perimeter. This set up is ideally suited for restaurants with lots of kitchen space.

Where to buy Commercial Kitchen Furniture

Brayco supplies commercial kitchen benches, sinks, cabinets, shelving systems and much more. Products are supplied flat pack for easy delivery. Assembly is a breeze and sales staff are on hand to give advice if needed.
With over 450 products, Brayco is sure to have what you need, as most products come in a variety of shapes and sizes with many customisable to suit your requirements.
It’s not hard to understand why so many restauranteurs are opting for stainless steel cabinetry, countertops and accessories – it’s super sleek, ultra-hygienic and enhances the overall look of your kitchen.

About Ordering from Brayco

Brayco deliver across New Zealand. You’ll find the showroom in Auckland, which you’re welcome to visit.
Office hours are as follows: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
Chrissy Hutching is your contact in the New Zealand office.
She’d be glad to share her expertise with you and has been helping Brayco’s New Zealand customers since 2008.

Tolix Chair: What is it?

Tolix Chairs are a classic style of chair that has been around for a long time. Both at home and abroad, you’ve most likely sat in a Tolix chair in your favourite pub or restaurant.

Tolix chairs are trusted by the US Army and are common in restaurants and cafés, bars and public spaces. Tolix chairs have been featured in interior design publications worldwide and are a must-have in designer kitchens. Visit Replica Tolix range for more info.

 

Who invented the Tolix Chair?

Xavier Pauchard, a sheet metal craftsman by trade, set out to develop chairs that would withstand the elements while appealing to retail and restaurant owners as a fashionable addition to their businesses.

The stackable chair “Chaise A” debuted in the mid-1930s, and “Monsieur X,” as Pauchard was known, developed the prototype to construct it with a few adjustments.

In addition to providing restaurant and cafe owners with robust, balanced, and aesthetic cafe furniture, Xavier Pauchard identified a quick solution to a real problem. Tolix has become synonymous with ease of use.
The “Chaise A,” Tolix’s initial chair design, has been revised since its inception and is extremely popular in Australia and New Zealand.
The renowned “Fauteuil D” stool has stood the test of time as a timeless design that may be utilised everywhere.

How does Tolix Style differ from other styles?

A Tolix chair, or any Tolix design that seats people, is made of high-quality, rust-resistant metal that has been galvanised by immersing it in molten zinc.

The “X” design that acts as a structure for the chair’s seat gives Pauchard his nickname. As a result, your frame will be robust and stable.
In Pauchard’s day, a single chair was made utilising 100 time-consuming methods. Developments in machinery and technology have, of course, altered the manufacturing process.

Xavier Paurchard’s Replica Tolix Chairs

You may wonder why replica tolix chairs are so widely available.
The fact is that the concepts of Xavier Pauchard were never patented, which was a common omission at the time. Despite its ups and downs, the Tolix design has been copied all over the world for decades.

The Manufacturing Process of Tolix Chairs

Even while good design never goes out of style, copies that do not conform to the highest requirements of quality materials can not hold up in busy kitchens. A Tolix chair can cost up to three times what you’d expect to pay to upgrade your living space, depending on where you purchase. This sets Brayco apart from the competitors.

We attempt to deliver the highest quality products at the most reasonable pricing, all of which are designed to last in hectic restaurant environments. Tolix chairs are sourced by Brayco from reputable manufacturers who adhere to strict criteria. Because they cut out the middlemen, Brayco can provide you with the best quality at the best price.

Are Tolix Chairs Suitable for Outdoor Use?

Tolix chairs are easy to clean and maintain. However, they are not intended for outdoor use. The air chair is composed of weather-resistant plastic and is a superior choice for outdoor use.

Is it possible to sit in a Tolix chair and be comfortable?

Tolix chairs provide the appropriate level of comfort for the job. Its popularity would have waned long ago if their function didn’t match customer needs. Varied colour possibilities, various materials, such as wood, and rounded corners for child safety are among the new design components that do not jeopardise the chair’s lifetime.

Which Tolix chair is the most comfortable?

The amount of time it takes to service a customer determines the user’s or company owner’s comfort level. Tolix chairs come in a variety of forms and materials, and can be used in a variety of domestic situations, such as kitchens, living rooms, and home offices.

What exactly is a Tolix Stool, and how do you use it?

For commercial use surrounding bar areas, Tolix bar stools were well-known at hotels, bars, and outdoor bars. In industrial kitchens, home bar spaces, and modern designs, they blend space with an ambient look. Tolix stools are distinguished by their solidity and balanced form.

Tolix Chairs Come in What Colors and Designs?

Pauchard Tolix designs are available in various styles, from chairs to tables and stools, from Brayco. Many of our seats come in up to eight distinct colour combinations, ensuring that you’ll find the ideal Tolix chair to match your cafe or restaurant. You can choose from a large range of chair and barstool heights in each of the three categories to suit your needs. To give your venue that special touch, there are many various table tops to pick from. Checkout Chairforce Tolix chairs to learn more.

Where to buy Tolix Chair’s in New Zealand

Harry Bray, Brayco’s director, promises his clients a top-notch, cost-effective experience with no compromises on quality or prices.

Brayco keeps its warehouses stocked and welcomes both businesses and people to shop there.

Visit our Auckland showroom to see if the Tolix chair range might be an excellent addition to your venue.

Shop online or speak with one of their helpful customer service specialists about your needs. Choose your Tolix furniture from our large range with confidence, and it will be delivered to your home.

With New Zealand-wide shipping and in-store pickup, you might have your Tolix chair this week.

Epoxy vs Chrome shelving – which is best for you?

Wire shelving units are a visually pleasing and budget friendly option for both businesses and homeowners. Chrome and Epoxy are the most common types of wire shelving units due to their durability, versatility and large load capacity. However, figuring out which option is best suited for you can be confusing. When looking to buy shelving units, it is important to recognise your primary use for the product, and consider, then assess which option is best for you. Here’s few important variables to consider when choosing racking:

• Load capacity – what is going to be stored on the shelf?
• Environment of your space, cold, dry/wet, outside / inside?
• Size /shape of the room – e.g. display, coolroom, garage
• Assembly – can i do it myself?

So what’s the difference?

Chrome Wire Shelving 

Although chrome shelving is usually the slightly more expensive option, it is commonly considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing. This is primarily due to the smooth texture and reflective silver surface. This sleek look is also amplified by the poles sitting within the shelving, creating a streamline appearance. This makes chrome shelving ideal for locations where it will be on display, such as showrooms or retail stores. They are also commonly used in array of commercial environments such as storerooms, kitchens, and offices. Chrome shelving not only looks good, but is incredibly well made and very sturdy. However, it is also important to consider that chrome shelving is only suitable for dry environments where this is no humidity or dampness.

Epoxy Wire Shelving

Epoxy shelving is cheaper and provides a sleek alternative look to chrome shelving. It is also incredibly versatile as it has a temperature range of 0°C to 300°C and can be used in both wet and dry environments. The rubberised coating allows for it to be water resistant, which protects against rust and corrosion. This makes Epoxy perfect for environments that may be wet, damp, humid or those that fluctuate often in temperature. Some common uses for epoxy shelving units include coolrooms, garages, sheds, food storage and warehouses. Epoxy also prevents the buildup of bacteria, ensuring that it is a safe storage option against germs. In conjunction with this, epoxy is resistant to chemical exposure which is important if using a range of chemicals within the food service industry.

What do you need to consider before making a purchase?

LOAD CAPACITY

Both chrome and epoxy shelving have the potential to be strong, but this varies greatly from brand to brand. When shopping for your shelving it is essential to consider the load capacity of each shelf and the thickness of the steel used. It is worth taking the time to compare brands, even if they look the same a closer examination will show a difference in quality.
(We would like to add here that Brayco uses a thicker diameter of steel than most competitors, so they are very sturdy and have a large loading capacity of 150kg per shelf.) As with any shelf unit, it is also necessary to note that it is important to ensure that the weight is distributed evenly across the shelf to avoid excessive stress on your shelf and for safety when used for storage of larger loads.

ENVIRONMENT

For high moisture or cool rooms you will need to choose the epoxy shelving with the rubberised coating. These are idea for garage, coolrooms, even for such locations as a bottle shop storage or wine cellar.
Look for adjustable feet as many floors are uneven and this useful feature will guarantee optimal stability of the shelving.
Looking for a mobile unit? Opt for castors. These create versatility and portability, but your overall load capacity is reduced so consider the use and suitability before choosing to go mobile. Perfect to store table linen, that can to be moved to and from the dining room for a convenient storage/delivery unit. Or use an epoxy unit for pool towels that can be wheeled inside at the end of the day.

LOCATION / SHAPE OF THE ROOM

Are you just looking for one unit, or to fill a whole wall, or even 2 or 3?
This shelving is easily tailored to each customer’s space and needs with the new S hook accessory. Create straight, L or U configurations which allow for no corner posts for more space and better access.Simply hook the S hook onto the end of each shelf and hang the next shelf onto it, no end poles needed. S hooks are available in chrome and epoxy to match each type of shelving.
Add shelf dividers to the end of each bay to keep your load from falling off the end – a handy accessories to look for when choosing your unit.

ASSEMBLY

A distinct advantage of both chrome and epoxy units is the simple assembly. The unique clip design allows a shelf to be located anywhere along the height of the pole, and any number of shelves added.
These best-selling wire shelving kits come complete with everything needed to quickly create extra storage space (4 shelves included). Shelving units can be assembled in minutes.  Add as many shelves as you like!
Simply snap the black clips in position on the uprights, then drop the shelf over the uprights onto the clips and press into place, no tools are required. Your hardest task will be making sure the 4 clips are at the same height so the shelf is level, this is an easy fix by counting the conveniently placed grooves in the poles and ensuring each clip is fixed to the same height.

Brayco has an extensive range of sizes available for both epoxy and chrome from 457 to 1524mm wide in 1800mm height, with extras including castors, extra shelves, s hooks and shelf dividers.

For the full range of Brayco wire shelving including all sizes and pricing, click the link