The characteristics of a kitchen floor drain mat

The key to keeping a kitchen floor clear of fluids is with the smart design of a drain mat. We all know that the kitchen can be a slippery place, with a concoction of fluids usually spilling onto the floor throughout a day. This is especially true of a commercial kitchen, where food is being prepared at multiple workstations in a busy and fast-moving environment. But a drain mat can make any kitchen a much safer place by keeping standing liquids off of the floor - letting the chefs monitor their masterpieces and the servers deliver their dishes without fear of an accident.

It is the clever design of a drain mat that allows it to filter away standing water and make kitchens safer. There are some rubber kitchen mat options that provide a solid underfoot surface. These mats are comfortable to stand on and provide a useful waterproof area. But a lot of these rubber kitchen mat options are completely non-absorbent, which means any spilled fluids will not go anywhere, creating a standing puddle on the rubber surfacing. However, a drain mat has a different physical make-up that makes it particularly valuable in the kitchen. A drain mat is made of rubber, but rather than being a solid sheet, it features a number of engineered holes in its design. The holes can vary in shape and range from small to large in size, depending on the specific product being used.

The main benefit of the drain mat is that spilled liquids are easily filtered away from the kitchen floor surface. Fluids flow into the holes in the mat, rather than staying on the floor surface and creating puddles, keep the standing area safe and dry. It is this unique drainage hole construction that makes a drain mat a vital addition to a kitchen, especially in a larger commercial setting where there are more workstations and staff members. Water is frequently splashing onto a kitchen floor, not to mention other fluids such as grease and oil, and it is extremely helpful not to have to worry about those liquids causing an underfoot hazard.

While the primary benefits of a drain mat are linked to the dispersal of water, tackling liquid spills is far from the limits of a mat’s use. In a kitchen you are likely to get plenty of loose debris dropping onto the floor, such as small pieces of food. In a hectic restaurant environment, cooks don’t have time to retrieve every scrap that goes astray. But when a chef is using a drain mat – particularly one with larger holes – debris such as food morsels can also drop into the holes to keep the floor surface clear. Beyond the dispersal of debris and liquids, a rubber kitchen mat can provide a better feel under the feet of the chef. All rubber surfaces have a natural grip to them, but the drainage holes in a drain mat add even more traction for those speeding around the kitchen, while maintaining a comfortable feel. The holes also provide a boost in practicality, as it can easily be hosed down after use with the water draining away naturally.

A rubber drain mat will have a very distinctive appearance. A lot of the mats feature something akin to a honeycomb effect of holes covering the entirety of the rubber surfacing. This means that the drainage holes are closely linked and large enough to draw a substantial quantity of fluids away from the surface. This in turn makes the mats very effective in their drainage capabilities. Other drain mat variations may have smaller holes, spaced further apart. These might allow for a lower level of drainage, but feature an added level of grip or comfort due to the extra surface area of the mat. As with all things, the type of rubber surfacing that a chef prefers on their kitchen floor will probably come down to a matter of personal taste.

While there are plenty of variations in the types of rubber mats and rubber flooring available, some are best suited to use in the kitchen. Some of the drain mats available are made out of a synthetic rubber type called nitrile. Nitrile rubber mats are much better at standing up to substances like oil and grease than mats made from most recycled and natural rubbers, making them perfect for the messy kitchen environment. The rubber surfacing can be installed in tile or mat form to suit every need. The advantages add up to make a drain mat a vital kitchen component and a mainstay in restaurant preparation areas everywhere.