Wire food baskets are an integral part of many food processing and commercial kitchen operations, but they must meet food safety standards and application-specific requirements. This includes the wire material itself and also design options, manufacturing capabilities, and quality control.
Learn how to evaluate your options when it comes to finding the right supplier for your wire food baskets, and why it’s so important to have choices in basket selection.
Wire Food Basket Selection – Important Product & Supplier Considerations
Many food processing facilities use food-grade stainless steel wire baskets to contain and convey products and ingredients, maintain cleanliness and safety, and ensure food quality. Along with knowing the details of the baskets you need, it’s important to find a supplier who can meet those requirements.Evaluating Potential Wire Basket Suppliers
Some considerations for choosing a supplier include:- Quality assurance: Your supplier should have ISO 9001 or other certifications related to quality management systems.
- Product specifications: Discuss your application and basket requirements to make sure they can meet your needs. Consider things like available materials, tolerances they can achieve, and their ability to work with your design and other requirements. Engineering support is also a helpful service if you are still planning or testing your design.
- Manufacturing capabilities: Learning about a supplier’s manufacturing operations and equipment gives insight into quality and turnaround times. Ask if they use automated or semi-automated processes or offer value-added services like CNC machining, assembly, or finishing.
- Customization capabilities: When standard baskets won’t do, look for a supplier who can manufacture custom wire baskets. This may include wire gauge or material, unique shapes and sizes, finishing, or other requirements that fit your application.
- Sanitation and maintenance: Baskets must meet requirements for sanitization and any clean-in-place (CIP) operations at your facility. Be sure your supplier has this information along with other design requirements. They may also be able to suggest maintenance or storage tips to keep baskets in good working order and damage-free through many cycles.
Benefits of Proper Food Processing Wire Basket Selection
The best suppliers will offer several standard and customizable options for wire food baskets. This benefits you and your food processing operations for several reasons, such as:- Improved food safety and hygiene: Baskets that are the optimal shape and size keep food products contained during preparation and processing. A design that works with your cleaning and sanitization processes (e.g., CIP, steam sanitization, bulk washing station) ensures that residues and particles are removed and equipment stays clean.
- Optimized process efficiency: Basket design affects functionality and how well the contents will fit and transfer in and out of it. A design that works seamlessly with your food processing operations and equipment will save time and reduce process redundancies. Features like ergonomic handles, shapes that nest or stack, and lids contribute to efficiency and product consistency.
- Lower operational costs: Opting for high-quality materials and manufacturing processes usually results in a product that is durable over time. An investment in wire food baskets that fit your operations precisely means you aren’t modifying your process or adding time to make the basket work. This limits damage and wear associated with using a “not quite right” product.
Why Use Stainless Steel Wire Baskets in Food Processing?
Stainless steel is one of the primary materials used in food processing applications, but not all types of stainless steel are suitable for use with food.
Stainless steel wire food baskets are often made from these types of stainless steel:
- 316 Grade and 304 Grade stainless: An austenitic metal with high chromium and nickel content, this material tolerates temperatures over 1000°F, resists strong acids, and resists pitting due to salt exposure.
Food-grade stainless offers these advantages:- Food-grade stainless steel meets strict food safety standards.
- Stainless steel can be cleaned with water, steam, and harsh cleaning agents without damage, corrosion, or rust buildup.
- It can withstand very low and very high temperatures, including cycling between extremes as part of the food preparation process.
- Stainless steel can be welded, machined, and formed easily.
>> Download the Stainless Steel Properties Reference Sheet
Marlin Steel, Your Trusted Wire Food Basket Supplier
Marlin Steel is a leading supplier of American-made, custom metal forms including stainless steel parts, racks, washing baskets, S-hooks, and sheet metal material handling containers. We offer robotic wire bending and direct current welding for quick and consistent wire food baskets with unmatched quality and performance. Additional capabilities include wire forming, welding, laser cutting, sheet metal punching, fabrication, bending, and stamping, 3D printing, and deburring. Comprehensive engineering support is also available.
Contact us to learn more about our standard and custom food processing baskets or for a quote on your next project.
Related Food Processing Basket Blogs
- How Custom Wire Baskets Can Improve Food Processing Product Flow
- 4 Food Processing Equipment Things You Should Know Before You Buy
- What is the Best Food Grade Stainless Steel?
Client Project Examples
- Stackable Stainless Steel Baskets for Food Processing Equipment
- Custom Wire Baskets for Large-Scale Food Processing Equipment
View our in-stock products or find your custom solution!
In-Stock Baskets CustomSolutions
View our in-stock products or find your custom solution!
In-Stock Baskets CustomSolutions
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