Improve Your Food Transport System with Food Carts

Food delivery carts and insulated containers keep meals and ingredients fresh and hold them at food-safe temperatures during transportation. Insulated carts keep food hot or cold or both; models like the Cambro Pro Cart Ultra use electricity and multiple temperature zones to store hot and cold food at the same time. Let’s explore the uses, types, and benefits of investing in carts for your commercial kitchen operation.

Types of Food Carts and Containers

Generally speaking, carts and containers fall into two main categories:

• Transport carts and containers safely move food and ingredients between locations or venues while keeping them hot or cold.
• Portable food and beverage stations serve as mobile hubs on a buffet line or as small storefronts like the CamKiosk models.

Food cart categories further break down by temperature.

• Heated models provide dry or humidified heat to keep meals food safe at temperatures above 141 degrees F.
  • Dry cabinets are more energy efficient and are a good choice for dry or crispy meals such as fried chicken.
  • Humidified cabinets are a better choice for moist foods like meat or barbecue.
  • Portable proofing cabinets help bread and dough rise. They do not exceed 45°C or 115 degrees F so that yeast cultures stay healthy.

• Cold carts are ideal for beverages, salad bars, or any ingredients or chilled menu items that must be refrigerated below 4°C or 40 degrees F.
• Transport Containers, like the Metro Mightylite , are light and economical and provide food-safe holding for 5+ hours with both top-loading and front-loading options.

Many carts are insulated, and some feature electric heating or cooling elements to maintain temperatures for longer.

Also read: 5 Reasons to Invest in the New Cambro Containers: CamSquare® FreshPro

Where Food Carts and Containers are Used

Food transport carts are familiar to caterers and live event chefs, but food service professionals in various industries gain value from utilizing both transport carts and portable stations:

The Benefits of Investing in Food Carts and Containers

Convenience:

• Carts can be prepared in one location, easily transported, and set up in different areas.
• Most food carts and containers are sized to fit standard-sized food pans, and many are stackable, which improves versatility.
• Ideal for outdoor events, parties, and catering services.

Freshness:

• Carts often have heating and cooling features to keep the ingredients fresh and food safe.
• Preserve the quality of the ingredients and meals, even in outdoor or remote locations.
• Put out enough product to fill your food pans and crocks, then have fresh product backup containers stored in the cart, ready to go.

Save money:

• Carts can be cost-effective, especially if you frequently organize events or cater to large groups.
• Instead of renting salad bars or relying on external services, having your own portable salad bar or station saves you money in the long run while ensuring consistent quality.

Streamlining operations and reducing waiting times:

• Efficient management of food pickup and delivery operations.
• Timely and organized delivery to customers.

How food carts help you do more with less

1. Streamlined Staffing:

• Requires minimal staffing, compared to traditional food/salad bars where staff members are needed to assemble and serve meals.

2. Extreme Portability:

• Highly mobile carts allow restaurants or commercial kitchen operations to set up stations in different locations as needed. This flexibility enables them to cater to various dining areas or outdoor events without additional infrastructure or labour.

3. Reduced Maintenance

• Many carts (especially those from Cambro) are constructed with durable materials that are easy to clean and maintain. Components such as pans and trays are dishwasher safe, further streamlining the cleaning process.

4. Reduced Equipment Costs:

• Modular units are easily assembled, disassembled, and transported, eliminating the need for expensive custom-built installations and reducing maintenance and repair costs associated with stationary equipment.

Featured Food Cart and Container Brands

Cambro

Cambro is an industry leader in durable kitchenware and storage; its portable food, beverage, and holding carts are no exception. Customizable models meet your specific needs—whether for transporting beverages, setting up a grab-and-go station, or transporting food between venues at temperature.

Cambro’s insulated transport units come with a variety of features to ensure you get the unit best suited to your unique commercial kitchen needs.

• Electric and non-electric
  • Cold and hot holding or hybrid models featuring both cold and hot zones
  • Top- and front-loading
  • Compatibility with standard catering equipment and pans
• Compartments and shelves can be added for optimal freshness and organization.
• Customizable with your company’s branding and signage

Metro Transport Containers

The Right Tools for the Right Job

Russell Hendrix has decades of experience helping commercial kitchens design, buy, and install innovative foodservice solutions. Contact your local RH Rep to learn more about incorporating food transport carts, stands, and containers into your commercial kitchen workflow.

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