Stainless Steel Carts With Drawers

Emily Hilton Interior Design Expert

Emily is a young, talented designer, whose professional interests gravitate towards kitchen and dining spaces. She prides herself on her attention to detail, obsession with functionality, and appreciation for craftsmanship.

Updated 20/03/2021

If you are the chef to know, or just a cook in the kitchen at home, sometimes you need some extra prep space, and if the counters are already busy, perhaps you need a stainless steel cart with drawers. Roll it in, do whatever you need, utilize the tools in the drawers, then roll it out when done. Easy peasy. And we have tons of available stainless steel carts for your selection.

Buying Guide

Stainless steel carts with drawers have a lot of built-in functionality. They act like miniature tables on wheels, which can help in accomplishing a myriad of tasks. Also, this type of furniture comes with drawers that allow for storage. The stainless steel carts with drawers are so useful that every home should have at least one.

You probably know about the advantages of having carts with drawers, and that's why you are shopping for one. To help you with your shopping task, this article is going to be a buying guide for stainless steel carts with drawers.

What types of stainless steel are there?

When shopping for a stainless steel cart, the first thing to assess is the primary material. Stainless steel does not come in a single type. In fact, there are more than 150 varieties.

However, the most common ones for a stainless steel cart are the 304, 316, and 430.

304 - This type is perhaps the most commonly used type of stainless steel for a home setting. It has an excellent resistance to corrosion and rust. Also, it's the cheaper option compared to the 316.
316 - This type comes with the addition of (Mo) molybdenum to increase strength and hardiness. The addition of an extra element makes this option more expensive. However, the 316 is more resistant to rust, which makes it an excellent choice if you are located near a salty body of water. If you are planning to place chlorinated solutions or chlorides in the steel cart, then the 316 is the better option as it's more corrosion-resistant.
430 - This type is not as corrosion-resistant compared to the 316 and 304. However, it has the advantage of being magnetic, which may be important for some purposes.

What types of wheels are used in stainless steel carts?

Since you are purchasing a stainless steel cart with wheels, you also need to decide if you want a swivel or unidirectional type.

Unidirectional - As the name suggests, it can only comfortably move forward or backward. It has the advantage of being more stable and affordable compared to the swivel. On the downside, it's a lot less maneuverable.
Swivel - This type of wheel can comfortably move in a 360-degree direction. Thus, it's a lot easier to move around. However, you will need a suitable locking mechanism to keep it in place. Also, it's costlier compared to the unidirectional.

How to determine the right number and size of drawers?

Typically, there's an inverse relationship between the number of drawers and size of each drawer. This means that if you want large-sized drawers, then the cart will only have a few of them. If you wish to have more drawers, then each of the drawers will have a smaller size. It's up to you to find the right balance.

What you are planning to store in the drawers will also play a key role in identifying the ideal size for you. If you are storing small items (e.g., pens, pencils, erasers), then it's better if you go for the smaller-sized but plenty of drawers. If you are planning to store large items, then you'd want to do the opposite.