Whether you are opening a new commercial kitchen or refurbishing an existing one, you will need high-quality commercial equipment for your business to function at peak performance.
You may have thought about or already purchased equipment that is lower-end or costs considerably less than what you would find in a commercial kitchen company. While saving money is something every business owner would like to do, you typically will sacrifice quality this way. So, before you buy numerous low-end items that you will soon need to replace, consider the many reasons to buy quality commercial kitchen equipment.
Benefits of Commercial Kitchen Equipment
It is customary to consider how a purchase will benefit you. Commercial equipment for your kitchen helps your business in several ways.
- Durable – The appliances, cookware, and other necessary pieces are crafted for heavy use. Think about how many times you use the microwave in a restaurant kitchen versus your kitchen at home. Generally, a commercial microwave is used frequently (if not constantly), whereas a home microwave is used around a handful of times daily. This is why an appliance meant for the home will not hold up in a restaurant kitchen. It was not engineered for that amount of use.
- Increase Efficiency – The right equipment in a commercial kitchen helps build a successful business. When you have an expertly equipped kitchen, time-consuming tasks can be completed in minutes. For example, grating several pounds of carrots by hand on a box grater will take a lot of time. However, a food processor can grate the carrots in minutes.
Energy Savings – Manufacturers build energy efficiency into their commercial kitchen equipment. This is better for the environment and your bottom line. - Improved Space Management – A commercial kitchen typically has no room to spare. Purchasing equipment that can multitask is a smart way to free up space because a single item is on a shelf rather than several. For example, a commercial-grade stand mixer with a few attachments can replace several pieces.
- Higher Resale Value – Buying and selling used equipment is typical in the restaurant business. A well-cared-for, top-quality appliance will fetch more than a lesser-quality one that has been overused.
Best Commercial Kitchen Layouts
- Galley Layout – In a galley-style kitchen, the various work zones are spread out around the room’s perimeter. This allows your staff room to walk around without being in each other’s way.
- Island Layout – As the name suggests, the main food preparation area is in the centre of the kitchen, with other zones surrounding it on the perimeter. The island-style kitchen is an excellent choice for kitchens with ample space.
- Assembly Line Layout – The assembly line kitchen is the most uncomplicated layout to achieve. The food preparation goes down the line, and the finished product arrives at the end, ready to serve.
If you are not sure which layout is best for your kitchen, you can work with our professional kitchen designers, who can offer customised solutions that will work for you.
Must-Have Commercial Kitchen Equipment
When setting up your commercial kitchen, it is easy to become overwhelmed by all the choices available. Create a list of gear you would like to have and a list of must-haves to keep you on track.
Must-Have Equipment:
- Top-quality chef’s knives
- Ovens
- Cooktops
- Microwaves
- Mixers
- Slicers
- Refrigeration and freezing system
- Dishwasher/sanitiser
- Food wrapping stations
- System of shelving (though not an appliance, a vital part of any commercial kitchen
- Appropriate cooking equipment
Commercial Kitchen Cleaning Tips
Your employees need to know what is necessary to maintain a clean kitchen. These tips should help you and your staff understand what is required to maintain a clean kitchen.
- Make Cleaning Non-Negotiable – Once a few employees think cleaning tasks are unnecessary, the feeling will spread like wildfire. Then you will have a serious attitude problem (and cleanliness problem) on your hands.
- Create Check Lists – Accountability is a way to ensure cleaning happens regularly. Making daily, weekly, and monthly checklists will guide your staff and show areas needing improvement and attention.
- Follow-Up – It will not take long for your staff to discover if anyone is following up on required cleaning tasks. Make sure you or an assigned staff member check to see if the cleaning is being done.
Safety in the Kitchen
It is nearly impossible to over-emphasise safety in the commercial kitchen. Here are three top tips to help ensure your commercial kitchen is a safe workplace.
- Insist on Regular Handwashing – Not only does this keep your employees safe, but your customer safety is also improved.
- The Right Gear – Your staff should wear approved clothing to reduce the chances of mishaps. Additionally, wearing the correct personal protective clothing (gloves, aprons, and closed-toed shoes) should be non-negotiable.
- Highlight Fire Safety – Make sure your staff know what to do in case of a fire, including where to find the fire extinguisher and safety rules for preventing fires. For example, never store flammable aprons or towels near the stove.
Learn more
When you need commercial kitchen equipment in Victoria, your interests are best served by Tob Lab Commercial Kitchen. Our skilful team and years of experience put us ahead of the competition. We are here to offer you end-to-end solutions for your commercial kitchen, not just sell equipment and disappear.
To learn more about how we can help make your kitchen the best it can be, feel free to contact us. We would be happy to discuss your vision for your commercial kitchen.
