Walk into the back of house at almost any café, restaurant or bar on the Gold Coast and you'll see the same thing: stainless steel benches, sinks, shelves and canopies. That isn't habit. Stainless is the material that best handles what a commercial kitchen throws at it every day, and it's what environmental health officers expect to see.
We've fabricated stainless for kitchens across the Gold Coast, Brisbane and northern NSW, from small cafés to venues like Lune Croissanterie and Surfers Paradise Golf Club. Here's why it's the default, which grade to use, and what affects the price.
Why commercial kitchens use stainless steel
It's hygienic. Stainless has a smooth, non-porous surface. Food, grease and bacteria have nowhere to hide, so it cleans and sanitises quickly. Fully welded joints and coved corners take that further by removing the gaps where grime builds up.
It doesn't rust or stain easily. Kitchens are wet, hot and full of cleaning chemicals. The right grade of stainless shrugs that off for years.
It handles heat. Hot pans, ovens and fryers next to a bench don't damage it, and it's non-combustible, which matters around cooking equipment and under exhaust canopies.
It takes a beating. Benches get loaded, knocked and dragged on all day. Stainless is strong for its thickness, so a well-made bench stays flat and rigid for the life of the fit-out.
It works out cheaper over time. It can cost more up front than laminate or painted steel, but it doesn't need replacing every few years. Over the life of a kitchen it usually comes out ahead.
304 or 316: which grade do you need?
Most kitchen benching is made from 304 stainless. It's the standard food-grade stainless, it holds up well indoors, and it's the cost-effective choice for most jobs.
316 stainless has added molybdenum, which gives it better resistance to salt and chlorides. It costs more, so we recommend it where it earns its keep:
venues close to the beach, where salt air gets into the kitchen
outdoor bars and kitchens
areas that see a lot of harsh cleaning chemicals or salty brines
On the Gold Coast, plenty of venues are within a few blocks of the surf. If yours is, ask us about 316 for anything near open doors or outside. It's an easy conversation to have at quote time and a hard one to fix later.
What we build for commercial kitchens
Everything below is made in our Arundel workshop to your drawings and measurements, then delivered and installed.
Benches and prep stations, with undershelves, drawers, upstands and cut-outs for equipment
Sinks and sink benches, including hand basins and multi-bowl units
Wall shelving and overhead rails
Splashbacks, folded on our 4 m press brake so long runs come out in one piece
Exhaust canopies and ductwork, made to Australian Standards
Servery counters and bar tops, including curved bars like the one we built for Surfers Paradise Golf Club
Because it's all made under one roof, the whole stainless package on a fit-out can come from one supplier. That makes it easier for your builder or shopfitter to coordinate.
What affects the price of kitchen stainless
No two kitchens are the same, but these are the things that move the price most:
Grade: 316 costs more than 304.
Thickness: heavier gauge for benches that carry heavy equipment.
Finish: a standard brushed finish is the usual choice; polished finishes take more time.
Size and shape: long runs, curves and lots of cut-outs add work.
Sinks and fittings: the number of bowls, drainers and taps.
Install: access to site and how much has to be fitted around existing equipment.
The quickest way to get an accurate price is to send us your drawings. If you don't have drawings yet, we can help put them together.
Looking after it, and when to call us
Stainless is low maintenance, not no maintenance. Wipe it with warm soapy water, rinse, and dry it off. Avoid steel wool and bleach-based cleaners, which can mark the surface and lead to rust spots.
If something needs fixing, such as a loose upstand, a leaking sink or a damaged panel, we do onsite maintenance for our hospitality clients too.
Planning a kitchen fit-out?
Send your drawings through and we'll come back with a free, no-obligation quote. Call Tyler on 0497 829 990 , email admin@trsfabrication.com.au, or request a quote online.
See our commercial kitchen services and exhaust canopies, or how long a job takes in How long does sheet metal fabrication take?