Burnishing Silverware

Burnishing silverware is an economical resolution to repairing the nicks, scratches and scraps received daily in the restaurant business. Commercial burnishing systems will extend the life of your tableware, restore the beauty and shine and save you money.

How Do Commercial Silverware Burnishing Machines Work? Commercial burnishing systems are referred to as barrel tumbling systems, in that the actual device is a hexagonal-shaped barrel and, during use, there is a tumbling motion. The movement causes the tumbling media to roll or meld into the nicks and scraps of the silverware. When completed, the silverware is sparkling, shiny and perfectly smooth again.

You will need the following items for silverware burnishing:

1. Commercial barrel finishing system
2. Tumbling media
3. Polishing compounds

There are a variety of sizes and options available in commercial silverware burnishing machines. The Kramer Industries K Series and K14 Series barrel finishing systems are excellent machines designed specifically for commercial use. The K14 Series commercial barrel finishing system is a smaller bench or tabletop model, and the K Series is the larger floor-model size.

Stainless steel shot is the tumbling media used in the silverware burnishing systems. It is recommended for aggressive or faster processes because the particles are substantially heavier than other media; it exerts added pressure and increased resistance which reduces finishing time. Stainless steel shot also eliminates the need for rust inhibitors.

Polishing compounds burnish the finish of the silverware and tableware. Kramer Kramco 910 burnishing compound adds the final brightness and shine during the final phase of the silverware repair and restoration process.

Commercial Uses for Silverware Burnishing Machines

1. Repair and restore flatware and hollowware
2. Repair and restore metal serving dishes
3. Repair and restore metal tableware
4. Polish silverware, flatware, hollowware and tableware

Do not place dissimilar pieces together in the barrel tumbling machine; it could cause scratches and marring of the items. When loading the pieces in to the burnishing machine do not put hollowware in the barrel finishing machine in the same compartment with flatware or tableware.

Do not try to burnish knives at it usually does not work and can cause more scratches to the finish and can dull the blade edge.

Always carefully read the directions for the silverware burnishing system in order operate it properly. Do not overfill it with pieces or media.

The size of burnishing system to purchase will depend solely upon the amount of traffic your restaurant has on a daily basis and your hours of operation. You will need to determine the number of times the silverware is used, washed and reused each day in order to calculate the barrel tumbling capacity needed as well as the amount of stainless steel shot to have in storage.

Purchasing a commercial silverware burnishing system is a sound business investment for a restaurant and will improve the customer service and appearance of the food presentation impact.