Stainless Steel Council Session 1

Around the office, we get a lot of questions about stainless steel.  So the Prima Stainless Steel Council has decided to educate consumers on the finer points of commercial stainless steel products, in particular stainless steel work tables and stainless steel prep sinks.
Today we're here to answer your questions on rust.  Most think that stainless steel cannot rust.  I'm here to tell you that it most certainly can.  It is after all steel.  Steel is made of carbon.  Carbon + water = oxidation or rust.  To keep steel from rusting, different metals are added to the steel to keep it nice and shiny.  The most popular types in food service are 304 and 430 (Types are named and determined by the SEA - Society of Automotive Engineers).  For type 304, they add (by weight) 18% Chromium and 8% Nickel.  This is your basic 18/8 type configuration - very popular.  Type 430 steel is a chromium alloy with very little or no nickel.  It is cheaper to make and less resistant to corrosion. Yet under the right heat applications, it can be stronger than 304.
What does all this mean?
1)  Use type 304 in water applications, use 430 in most others.
2)  Clean wisely - the chromium will only hold up to so much.  If you're using harsh chemicals or ammonium on your stainless steel wash it down with hot water and a very mild cleaner or use a standard stainless steel cleaner after every use to keep you steel from corroding.
3)  Type does not determine strength, it determines corrosion resistance.

Until next time...
Stay Chill!

Globali-what?

Question: What is the truest definition of globalization?

Answer: Princess Diana’s death.

Question: Why?

Answer: An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, driving a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky, followed closely by Italian paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles; treated by an American doctor, using Brazilian medicines.

This is sent to you by a wannabe Irishman, using American Bill Gates’ technology, and you’re probably reading this on your computer, that uses Taiwanese chips, and a Korean monitor, assembled by Bangladeshi workers in a Singapore plant, transported by Indian truck drivers, hijacked by Indonesians, unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen, and trucked to you by illegal aliens.

That, my friends, is globalization in a broad sense.


Courtesy of What Is Globalization? 
by Mike Murphy
March 29, 2010 

http://www.achrnews.com/Articles/Blog_Editors/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000787628

Attack of the killer price increases!

As most know, the months of January and July are hated; mostly because one is freezing and the other is scorching hot.  Besides that, they are also the months when manufacturers have their price increases.
Alas, poor consumer, True has issued another price increase!  That's right, beginning July 2010 - prices are going up!
The moral to this story?  STOCK. UP. NOW!  If you're even considering buying New Commercial Equipment this year, purchase before July, 1, 2010.  Even if you don't need it in your shop, buy it before July 1st.  Most stores, including ours, will be flexible on that delivery date.  As long as they know when you need it and that you're willing to pay for it up front, they're most likely easy-going about storing it for awhile.
The bad news this time is a 4% increase.  It was 7% last time so consider yourselves lucky!  True is merciful!
They're one of the best brands on the market with excellent after sale support and lots of parts distributors across the US.  Their resale value is also high so consider a True!

Stay Chill!

Coffee

Its been an interesting month since I last graced the web with my random coldness.  :)
Our company has been expanding into the coffee arena.  Not just normal coffee, but specialty coffee - good coffee, better than Starbucks coffee.  We already sell Bunn and Fetco and all the other standards in the restaurant world but now we're breaking out into a whole new world of coffee.  I wish the genie could be here and grant us an easier way to break into the market.  Its been slow going, but a rewarding March.  First of all, I'm finally comfortable talking about ESpresso machines.  Not EXpresso.  You'll get your tongue chopped out around here for saying that.  If you enjoy espresso and know what SO espresso is, then you'd better go to this site right now!  Your life may depend on it.  Or at least some good coffee may depend on it.
Stay Chill!!

T-72F and the TS-72F Changes

True has announced that their T-72F and their TS-72F models are no longer going to be in 230/60/1 configurations.  In order to become more energy efficient, they have taken the models down to the normal 115/60/1 configuration.  The cord and plug on these units are now the NEMA-5-20R.
Please make a note of the voltage of the unit you're getting if you're planning on purchasing a True T-72F or a True TS-72F in the near future.  Our inventory is currently 230/60/1 but soon we (and most other vendors) will only have the 115/60/1.
Also, some models are being discontinued by True due to lack of demand.  Most importantly the TS-28 series and the TS-53 series are no longer being produced.

Stay Chill

NOTICE: Kelvinator Scientific

Just a quick customer note:  As of right now, we are no longer selling Kelvinator Scientific from National Refrigeration. At this point, we would not recommend buying Kelvinator Scientific nor would we say that they are even honoring their warranty anymore.  We have had several customers have problems with their units and not be able to get a hold of anyone in warranty.
We'll let everyone know when we are able to establish contact and get rumors confirmed about what's going on with Kelvinator Scientific.

Stay Chill!