Founded in 1918, Franklin Machine Products emerged as a small manufacturing shop, specializing in components for commercial coffee urns. They have come a long way in the past 100 years and grown into a large manufacturer, that supplies an extensive line of kitchen parts and accessories. Some of their featured products include: The Baffle Boss, the ultimate tool for hood filter removal. Carbon Cure, which quickly removes grease from kitchen surfaces within minutes. The Fryer Splash Guard, a one-size-fits-all splash guard.
What’s new?
It’s a 10!
The Perfect 10 Spatula, a new item from FMP, empties a #10 can in less than 10 seconds! Reduce your labor and product wasted, by efficiently grabbing thick and viscous product with The Perfect 10 Spatula. This spatula works by using its unique flexible, curved blade edges. It can be used with items such as Sauces, pastes, puddings, and pie filling. The ergonomically designed large handle reduces wrist strain and features a long handle, to keep hands away from the product. It is chemical-resistant and will not absorb odors or contaminants. The spatula is made from a heavy-duty, durable FDA compliant copolymer polypropylene.
Detect Counterfeits
The UV Pro UV Light, a counterfeit detector uses UV spectrum light to validate security markings on currency, passports, license, and IDs. This detector is powered by 5 LED bulbs, includes a carrying strap and uses 3 AAA batteries (Not included).
Ready to Shop?
These are just some of the many Franklin Machine Products that we offer on our website. Shop all items here.
Calling all our valued Indiana customers, restaurant owners and foodservice operators! Join us on Thursday, September 28th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for our open house Demo Day!
This is your opportunity to try in demand products before committing to a purchase. It’s also a great chance for your employees to get hands on experience with equipment they’ll be working with regularly.
Swing by and put a face to the name
Our product consultants are always here to help you via phone or email. This is also a great time to meet them face to face, ask questions, and learn more about the work we do at Central. Explore our showroom and enjoy special pricing on the equipment and supplies we’ll have on display.
We’ll have reps from Globe, Edlund and Vitamix here to answer any product-related question.
We are excited to reveal our new podcast, The Central Brew! Sit back, relax and listen to industry-related news, Central promotions, and interesting foodservice tips.
To keep up with the latest, subscribe to Central’s email list and get exclusive benefits such as discounts, new product alerts and early access to our clearance list. You can also follow us on the following social channels for the latest blogs, foodservice industry news and more!
If you saw our recent Tuesday Tip on the differences between stainless steel and aluminum foodservice equipment and supplies, then you’re already a little familiar with a few of the classifications of stainless steel. I wanted to take an opportunity to expand upon these classifications (five in all) and overview a few areas from series to gauges you are likely to come across when researching stainless steel equipment.
Stainless Steel Classifications
1. Austenitic
Austenitic stainless steel is a very common type as it’s one of the most weldable. It’s used for a plethora of industrial and consumer applications, and can be divided into three groups: chromium-nickel (300 series), manganese-chromium-nickel-nitrogen (200 series), and specialty alloys.
2. Ferritic
Another common type of stainless steel, ferritic steel is comprised of iron-chromium alloys. Qualities include good conductibility and formability. Some common types of ferritic steel include 409 and 405 series used in mufflers, kitchen counter and sinks, exhaust systems, etc.
3. Martensitic
Martensitic steels include series 403, 410 and 420. This steel is similar to ferritic steel, but contains more of a balance of Chromium and Nitrogen.
4. Duplex
Duplex steel has a microstructure of equal amounts of ferritic and austenitic steel and usually contains around 25% chromium and 5% nickel. Duplex steel has a high yield strength and a greater resistance to corrosion cracking, and is primarily used in chemical plants and piping applications.
5. Precipitation Hardening
This type of stainless steel is characterized by it’s ability to be hardened by a solution and aging heat treatment. These are comprised of chromium and nickel.
Stainless Steel Gauges
The gauge is the thickness of the stainless steel. The lower the number of the gauge, the thicker and more durable the stainless steel. Common types of gauges are 18, 16, and 14. A 14 gauge worktable is much less susceptible to denting than an 18 gauge table.
The gauge of many types of stainless steel equipment and supplies, most notably stainless steel flatware, will include two numbers and may read something like 18/10, 18/8, or 18/0. This refers to the percentages of chromium and nickel, respectively, in the stainless steel alloy. Unlike how the lowest gauge is thicker than the higher gauges, the higher the nickel percentage has greater resistance to rust and corrosion.
Common Stainless Steel Series
The series of stainless steel relates to the the classification of stainless steel listed above. Some common types of series you are likely to come across include 200 series, 300 series, and 400 series.
200 Series
200 series stainless steel contains 16-18% chromium, 3.5-5.5% nickel, 5.5-7.5% manganese, as well as smaller doses of sulfur, carbon, phosphorous, and nitrogen. 200 series usually refers to austenitic stainless steel, and is used in a variety of applications such as automotive parts, clamps, cookware, food service equipment, kitchen utensils, sinks, etc.
300 Series
16-18% chromium, 6-8% nickel. 300 series is also an austenitic classification of stainless steel, offering good levels of conductibility and high strength with solid corrosion and oxidation resistance. It’s used in a variety of industrial products.
400 Series
10.5-11.7% chromium and varying, but relatively low, degrees of nickel, carbon, manganese, silicon, sulfur, phosphorus and nitrogen. Contains titanium. Designed primarily for the automotive industry, in particular exhaust systems.
Have anything to add? Let us know in the comments!
Another NAFEM (North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers) is in the books! We had a great time walking the floor and learning more about new trends and designs that are making a splash in the world of foodservice. We got to catch up with some of our biggest vendors, as well as meet potential new ones, and discover innovations to better enable us to continue fulfilling our purpose – to equip people who feed the world.
Here’s what was hot at this year’s show.
Enhanced Technology
Technological innovations have redefined the ways nearly all industries conduct business. From the mainstream use of smart phones to advanced computer systems that save us all time and money. This is especially true in the world of foodservice. At the show we saw our share of internet-enabled remote and programmable equipment that assists in automating cooking processes while providing that individualized experience customers expect. Examples include the abundance of new coffee makers and espresso machines that can be programmed to make that trendy, high-end latte in a fraction of the time (and price) as traditional espresso machines.
There were also plenty of innovations in the beer and wine scene, like this “Growler to Go” machine that allows users to hit a button and fill their own growlers.
Putting the Customer First in Food Preparation
Manufacturers continue to go out of their way to deliver new solutions to better enhance the customer experience. This year’s big focus was on color-coding supplies to prevent cross-contamination, accommodating guests with dietary restrictions. This includes tools for allergy-friendly food preparation. Be on the lookout for more purple products, like storage containers and cutting boards, that signify the product is may contain a popular allergen, like peanuts.
San Jamar unveiled their new bandage dispenser with blue bandages that standout more in food dishes than traditional beige bandages, making them easier to spot and keeping sanitary food prep practices the main priority.
More Environmental and Budget Friendly Options
Another trend in recent years is putting an emphasis on social responsibility and being conscience of energy consumption. This year, every category offered new products that provide high performance without consuming the amount of energy they used to. Such products include holding and transport equipment that can retain heat longer without a utility hookup, and green servingware options.
Water-saving options were also plentiful.
As a distributor, trade shows like this provide an incredible opportunity to network and learn more about what we can be offering to better serve our customers. But the benefits don’t stop there. NAFEM is a great opportunity for anyone involved in the foodservice industry. Meet with like-minded industry professionals, share stories, learn from the best, showcase your products and discover innovations that could transform the way you do business. The next NAFEM will be hosted February 7 – 9, 2019 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. We hope to see you there!
The holiday season is officially upon us! Time to deck the halls and catch up on industry happenings, Central blogs, and promotions for the week of November 27 – December 3.
To keep up with the latest, subscribe to Central’s email list and get exclusive benefits such as discounts, new product alerts and early access to our clearance list. You can also follow us on the following social channels for the latest blogs, foodservice industry news and more!
Happy Friday! What a week! As we celebrate the arrival of the weekend, let’s review the top foodservice-related news stories this week, and catch up on exclusive Central content and promotions.
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Questions? Live chat with one of our knowledgeable product consultants!
Connect With Us!
To keep up with the latest, subscribe to Central’s email list and get exclusive benefits such as discounts, new product alerts and early access to our clearance list. You can also follow us on the following social channels for the latest blogs, foodservice industry news and more!
Happy Friday! The end of the week is the perfect time to catch up on the latest foodservice industry happenings! Check out industry news, Central blogs and promotions for the week of October 9 – 15, 2016. Enjoy!
To keep up with the latest, subscribe to Central’s email list and get exclusive benefits such as discounts, new product alerts and early access to our clearance list. You can also follow us on the following social channels for the latest blogs, foodservice industry news and more!
