Specialised Fasteners for Commercial Kitchen Appliances

As commercial kitchen appliance manufacturers prioritise energy efficiency and easy maintenance, they’re also being met with an increase in demand for their products. Spurred on by the recent growth of the travel and tourism industries and the surge in popularity of fast-food restaurants, appliance manufacturers are expected to ramp up the output of their products. 

However, as manufacturers not just in this industry but in many others aim to prioritise energy efficiency and product longevity, it’s easy to lose sight of some of the most important parts – standard fasteners. 

Fasteners can account for a significant number of a product’s parts, and they can have a high impact on product performance. To avoid costly regular maintenance and even product failure, it’s crucial manufacturers prioritise using parts that are not only durable, but able to perform in hot, wet environments. 

What kinds of fasteners do commercial kitchen appliances use? 

Commercial kitchen equipment comprises a range of products, from weighty 8-burner ovens to glasswashers. 

Most commercial kitchen appliances don’t need highly engineered solutions and can be produced using standard fasteners, but these parts still need to be optimised for use. For example, fasteners used in an oven that can achieve 250°C will need to be able to withstand considerable heat, whereas a fastener used in a dishwashing application will need to achieve excellent corrosion resistance. 

Here are some examples of key materials and coatings used for fasteners for commercial kitchen appliances: 

Stainless Steel 

• Stainless steel is a standard material for fasteners used in wet environments. Steel’s corrosion and stain resistance capabilities can be further enhanced by combining it with chromium and nickel, also making it resistant to abrasion and staining caused by chemical cleaning products.  

Galvanised Zinc 

• While zinc coatings also provide excellent corrosion resistance to steels, it brings the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. Galvanised zinc, on the other hand, provides some of the best corrosion resistance to steel fasteners, as its alternative application method avoids the possibility of hydrogen embrittlement. Galvanised zinc-coated fasteners are therefore well-suited to use in dishwashing or sink applications. 

Nickel-based Alloys 

• Nickel-based alloys are very resistant to heat, making them optimised for use in high-temperature cooking environments. Combining nickel with steel also creates very durable and corrosion-resistant fasteners for commercial kitchen appliances. 

Fasteners for commercial kitchen appliances come in a range of finishes, head styles, thread pitches and sizes. Some examples of standard fasteners used in kitchen appliances include: 

• Hex, Flange and Heavy Hex Bolts 
• Cap and Shoulder Screws 

• Rivet, Flange and Hex Nuts 
• Beveled, Flat and Sealing Washers 

At Optimas, we both manufacture and supply a wide range of standard fasteners of varying material types, and we also offer numerous coatings and heat treatments to optimise your parts for use. 

Our quality parts are sourced from our 4000 global supplier network, allowing appliance manufacturers to source locally while reducing their carbon footprint and mitigating supply chain disruption. 

Work with us to maximise your product quality and meet the demand for commercial kitchen appliances.