Spill containing refrigerator shelf assemby

A method of manufacturing a shelf capable of containing liquid spills thereon, the method comprising:

• providing a panel having a top surface;
• applying a frit layer to the top surface of the panel in a spill containment pattern;
• applying a hydrophobic compound to the frit layer arranged in the spill containment pattern;
• and
• not applying the frit layer and the hydrophobic compound to a central portion of the top surface of the panel such that the frit layer and the hydrophobic compound define a boundary of the central portion of the shelf panel.

A refrigerator shelf assembly, comprising:

• a refrigerator shelf panel having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface capable of supporting articles;
• and
• a hydrophobic surface applied in a spill containment pattern on the top surface of the refrigerator shelf panel such that the hydrophobic surface defines a boundary of a central portion of the top surface of the refrigerator shelf panel, wherein the surface area of the central portion is greater than the remaining surface area of the top surface,
• the hydrophobic surface comprising a frit layer applied in the spill containment pattern on the top surface of the refrigerator shelf panel and a hydrophobic compound coated over the frit layer;
• and
• at least one support bracket attached to the bottom surface of the refrigerator shelf panel.

A shelf assembly, comprising:

• a shelf panel having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface capable of supporting articles;
• and
• a hydrophobic surface applied in a spill containment pattern on the top surface of the shelf panel such that the hydrophobic surface defines a boundary of a central portion of the top surface of the shelf panel;
• and
• at least one support bracket attached to the bottom surface of the shelf panel such that the top surface of the shelf panel is completely free from intrusion or other obstruction, thereby maximizing the available shelf space on the top surface of the shelf panel.