CaterKraft adds knee-operated hand wash basins for East Rand food businesses

CaterKraft has added knee-operated stainless steel hand wash basins to its range for butcheries, bakeries, takeaways and canteens in the East Rand. The new units are designed to meet hygiene rules and keep working during power cuts.

Why it matters: - Food premises need a dedicated hand wash point that is separate from sinks used for raw food and utensils. - The new basin is designed to help small kitchens meet hygiene rules while keeping handwashing available during load shedding and other power cuts. - The product is aimed at butcheries, bakeries, takeaways, canteens and prep rooms across the East Rand.

What happened: - CaterKraft, the Benoni maker and supplier of stainless catering equipment, added a knee-operated hand wash basin to its catalogue. - The basin is made in Benoni and is available in stock and custom sizes. - CaterKraft said the unit is meant for food premises that need a hands-free wash point.

The details: - The basin is made from 304 grade stainless steel. - The bowl has round corners and a tall splashback welded in one piece. - The unit hangs on a concealed wall bracket. - Staff push a panel under the bowl with a knee to start the water flow. - Water runs for an adjustable 7 to 20 seconds, then the valve closes automatically. - The design keeps clean hands off tap handles. - The valve and pipes sit behind a removable cover for plumbing access. - A foot pedal valve is available where long aprons make a knee panel awkward. - Brackets for soap and paper towel dispensers can be fitted on the splashback. - The standard basin is 400 mm wide. - A 300 mm compact version suits narrow walls, trailers and container kitchens. - An 800 mm trough with two knee valves lets two people wash at once at a staff entrance during shift change. - CaterKraft fits an inline strainer ahead of the valve where borehole water is hard. - The strainer helps prevent scale from making timed valves stick open. - Stock basins are usually ready in two to three working days. - Other sizes and custom work take five to seven working days. - CaterKraft delivers across Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Springs, Kempton Park and Germiston. - CaterKraft also sends units nationally. - Buyers can use their own plumber or ask CaterKraft to arrange fitting. - CaterKraft has made and supplied catering equipment from Benoni since 2016. - The company also handles custom fabrication, site measuring and fit-outs for takeaways, restaurants, bakeries, butcheries, canteens and school kitchens. - CaterKraft operates through Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd at 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401. - The company works within the same South African trade network as equipment supplier am.co.za.

Between the lines: - The product responds to a common kitchen compliance problem: handwashing points are often placed where they are easy to install, not where staff need them. - The knee-operated design reduces contact with shared surfaces and can keep working without electricity. - The hot water supply remains a planning issue, especially during longer outages. - CaterKraft’s range suggests the basin is part of a broader push into full kitchen fit-outs, not a standalone item.

What's next: - CaterKraft expects buyers to order standard units quickly or request custom fabrication for different site layouts. - The company will continue offering delivery and installation support across the East Rand and nationwide. - Customers needing hot water during outages may pair the basin with a small gas water heater.