Standard Equipment Stands

Contrary to popular misconception, equipment stands are not the same things as work tables. Commercial work tables are designed so that food can safely contact the table surface. This has to do with the stainless steel construction of the work table. Type 304 stainless steel is the best quality, food safe stainless steel. Equipment stands, however, are designed to hold small commercial kitchen equipment such as mixers and blenders, and is not designed to be a direct food preparation surface. 

Standard equipment stands are typically constructed of aluminum or stainless steel for corrosion and rust resistance. The flat top surface is necessary for the equipment to properly rest atop the stand and function normally, but the flat surfaces also make the stands easier to clean. There is typically a lower shelf on these types of stands, ideal for storing other pieces of small equipment or accessories. For instance, if you typically store a mixer atop your equipment stand, it may make sense to store extra dough hooks and beaters in a tub on the bottom shelf.