Stainless Steel Cart
Buy the best stainless steel cart selected and recommended by interior designers. By Emily Hilton.
You probably already know the benefits of kitchen carts: they provide extra prep surfaces, come with convenient storage space, are mobile, and can be used in many ways. Of course, not all of them are built to withstand the rigors of daily use—but that is not the case for stainless steel carts! Quite the opposite, these utility carts are incredibly durable and can last for years without much maintenance. Luckily, we’ve gathered some of the best types of stainless steel trolleys out there for you to take a look at!
Stainless Steel Cart
Buying Guide
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.