How to choose a serving trolley?
If you work in a cafeteria, hotel, restaurant or school, you know how important it is to have a functional, practical and durable serving trolley. Whether you have to carry bins, dishes or boxes from one room to another, the trolley you use must have a good load capacity, wheels adapted to your needs and ideally handles to make your movements more pleasant. In this article, we will discuss the differences between the trolleys and their accessories available on our site.
The different trolley models
Folding back trolleys
Trolleys with folding backs are generally preferred for moving products in warehouses, cold rooms, on docks, etc.
Thanks to their folding backrest, it is possible to recover storage space that can be allocated to the storage of consumables, supplies, chairs or other elements related to the management of an establishment.
With its solid, smooth and often non-slip platform, this model of trolley is ideal for transporting goods in cartons or plastic bins from the truck to the storage area.
As the backrest is foldable, it is easy to store after use. In addition, because it is lightweight and has a small footprint, it is easily transportable.
Stainless steel trolley
This type of trolley is a real must-have and can be found in all sectors of activity. The stainless steel trolley, or metal trolley for some, has excellent durability. With 2, 3 or 4 shelves, it can carry more or less any load.
The undeniable advantage of stainless steel trolleys compared to other materials is its excellent resistance to rust which helps to keep it clean and presentable.
The gauge of the steel plays an important role in the durability of the trolley. The lower the gauge, the stronger and more durable the steel will be.
Plastic trolley
Often lighter than its stainless steel counterpart, the plastic trolley is an interesting economical alternative.
It is resistant to most commercially available chemicals, easily cleaned and shock resistant. In general, the plastic trolley is resistant to chips, dents and stains where metal would be scratched and dented.
Trolley components and accessories
Components
Handles
- Moulded handles
For durability and continuity of design, moulded handles are most commonly found on plastic and transport models, as they provide an excellent grip.
- Vertical handles
Most commonly found on metal and heavy duty trolleys, this type of handle allows people of different heights to push the trolleys while maintaining proper posture. The risk of accidents and injuries can be limited.
Trays
We offer stainless steel and plastic serving trolleys with 2, 3 and 4 shelves.
The presence of many shelves is a guarantee that you are buying a trolley with a good load capacity. However, it is important to take into consideration that the more shelves a trolley has, the smaller the spacing between the shelves.
Castors
- Brakes
They are not always present. And you have to ask yourself whether they are necessary.
If you do not use your trolley in a flat area and if you have small loads to move, brakes are not necessary. If, however, you plan to use a trolley in areas with uneven ground, where safety is required, consider a trolley with one or more castors with brakes.
- Swivel or fixed
Depending on your application, one or the other (or a combination of the two) may be best. If the trolley is for room service you will probably need to have excellent manoeuvrability. Therefore, a trolley with swivel castors is preferable.
If the use is for wide transport areas with straight aisles, two or four fixed castors will help to keep the trolley stable when moving.
- Non-marking
This type of castor is very interesting for facilities with hard tile, wood or linoleum floors. The non-marking castors will help prevent damage and will not leave marks on the floors.
Accessories
Garbage bins
Whether it is a bin liner holder or a polypropylene bin to be attached to a trolley, the presence of this accessory allows a user to dispose of all the rubbish without having to clutter a tray.
The combination of several garbage on a trolley allows waste to be sorted beforehand.
Bumpers
Often made of rubber, impact bumpers are mounted on the uprights just above the castors and help protect walls, doors and furniture.
Walls
Some trolleys have closed or partially closed bases with shelves inside. Advantages of this configuration include spill prevention and hiding boxes or cleaning supplies.