Cambro

Buying Cambro

Cambro is the American brand you buy when you are tired of replacing things. The whole catalogue is built around moulded polymer, fibreglass and polycarbonate rather than metal, so it does not rust, dent or splinter, and it shrugs off the knocks a busy kitchen dishes out. You will know it best for Camracks (the colour-coded glass and dishwasher racks), Camshelving, Camwear food containers and Camtrays. None of it is the cheapest option on the shelf, but it is chosen because it lasts, it stacks and transports cleanly, and the colour-coding lets staff keep sections separated without thinking about it.

The two ranges most buyers come to Cambro for are Camracks and Camshelving, and both reward a moment of measuring before you order. A Camrack sits on the standard 500 x 500mm footprint, so it drops straight into a passthrough or conveyor washer and then doubles as storage and transport. The compartment count (you will see 16, 25, 30 and 49) sets how wide each glass can be: fewer, larger compartments for pints and tumblers, more, smaller ones for espresso cups and flutes. The rack height (Lordwell stocks everything from H92mm up to H320mm) sets how tall a glass it takes, and open extenders let you raise a base rack as your glassware changes. Camshelving comes in two families: Premium is the original heavy-duty system with the highest load rating, and Elements is the newer, more economical modular range that reconfigures quickly. Both are corrosion-proof polymer with a built-in antimicrobial core, which is why they are the default in walk-in fridges, freezers and wet areas where steel would rust. You buy a Starter unit, then extend the run with Add-On kits that share a post, and mobile versions (such as Elements XTRA) run on castors.

For storage and transport, Camwear is the clear polycarbonate line: CamSquares and food boxes from around 2 litres upward, with moulded graduation marks and lids sold to match. The square footprint tapers, so empties nest and full ones sit tight together in a fridge. For hot and cold holding, the insulated carriers do the work: the Cam GoBox top-loaders (the go-to for off-site delivery) and the front-loading Camcarrier and Ultra Pan Carrier hold food at temperature for hours with no power at all, with Camdollies to wheel them and Camchiller inserts when you need to stay cold. A note on stock before you commit: Lordwell holds some Cambro lines in its own warehouse for next working day when ordered before the cut-off, but the range is deep and most items are ordered in from the manufacturer, so we confirm the lead time with you before you pay rather than promise a blanket next-day.

Cambro: common questions

How do I choose the right Camrack, and what do the numbers mean?

Two measurements decide it: the diameter of your widest glass and the height of your tallest. The compartment count sets the diameter each glass gets, so a 16-compartment rack takes wide pints and tumblers, while a 25, 30 or 49 takes progressively smaller items down to espresso cups and flutes. The rack height (Lordwell stocks H92mm through to H320mm) needs to clear your tallest glass, and you can add open extenders to a base rack later if your glassware changes. Every Camrack shares the same 500 x 500mm footprint, so it fits a standard commercial washer, protects the rims through the wash, and then stores and carries the glasses without re-handling them.

What is the difference between Camshelving Premium and Elements?

Premium is the original heavy-duty system: the highest load rating and the choice for a hard-working cold room or a busy dry store. Elements is the newer modular range, more economical and quicker to reconfigure, which suits most back-of-house storage and prep areas. Both are made from corrosion-proof polymer rather than steel, with a built-in antimicrobial core, so neither rusts in damp or refrigerated conditions, and both use vented or solid shelves that lift out for cleaning. You start with a Starter unit and extend a run with Add-On kits that share the adjoining post, so plan the full wall length before ordering to get the post count right.

Are Camwear containers safe for the freezer and for hot food?

Yes. Camwear is clear polycarbonate, which is break-resistant and rated for freezer storage right through to hot-fill and bain-marie holding, so the same container moves from cold prep to the service line. It is dishwasher safe and carries moulded graduation marks for portioning. One thing to check when ordering: lids and seal covers are sold separately from the bases, so match the CamSquare or food box size to its correct lid (a translucent seal cover for an airtight fridge fit, or a poly lid for general use) rather than assuming one is included.

Do the insulated Cambro carriers really keep food hot or cold without power?

They do. The Cam GoBox and the front-loading Camcarrier (including the Ultra Pan Carrier) are thick-walled insulated carriers that hold temperature for several hours with no electricity, which is what makes them the standard for outside catering, ward meals and moving food between sites. They hold heat, they do not create it, so the food goes in already at temperature and the carrier keeps it there. Preheat or prechill the unit for the longest hold, add a Camchiller insert when you need to stay cold, and slide a Camdolly underneath to move a full carrier safely rather than lifting it. For drinks and soup, the round Camtainer does the same job.

How quickly can I get Cambro, and is it in stock?

It depends on the line. Lordwell keeps some of the fastest-moving Cambro items in its own warehouse, and those ship for next working day when you order before the daily cut-off. The full range runs to thousands of size and colour combinations, so most of it is ordered in from the manufacturer. When an item is order-in we confirm the lead time with you before you commit, so you always know the delivery date before you pay rather than being promised a blanket next-day that will not hold.

Cambro costs more than the generic equivalent, so is it worth it?

For anything that lives in daily service, usually yes, because the saving is in what you are not re-buying. The polymer, fibreglass and polycarbonate resist the chipping, rusting and warping that retire cheaper kit, and the colour-coding across Camracks, Camwear and Camtrays lets staff keep glass types, allergen prep or ward routes separated at a glance. It is designed for commercial warewashers and holding, and much of the range is NSF listed for food contact and hygiene. If a line is used occasionally a budget alternative may be fine, but for the racks, shelving and containers your team touches every shift, buying once tends to be the cheaper decision over a few years.