Having the right equipment is crucial for any restaurant’s success. Investing in high-quality, durable equipment will ensure efficient operations and delicious food preparation for years. When choosing new restaurant equipment, it is important to consider your menu, kitchen size and layout, budget, and expected volume. Factoring in these elements will help you select the perfect tools and appliances for your specific needs.
Cooking Equipment
The cooking equipment provides the heart of any commercial kitchen. Investing in reliable, high-powered appliances will ensure you can quickly and consistently prepare menu items. Gas and electric ranges provide consistency and control over cooking temperatures. Choose a model with multiple burners to handle simultaneous cooking tasks. Convection ovens cook evenly and can handle large batches. Deep fryers allow quick cooking at high temperatures for crispy fried foods. Opt for a commercial model with advanced safety features and oil filtration. Use flat griddles to cook burgers, pancakes, and other greasy foods. Char broilers or lava rock grills add smoky barbecue flavor. High-powered microwaves rapidly reheat refrigerated items. Conveyor toasters can toast hundreds of slices per hour.
Refrigeration Equipment
Proper refrigeration preserves ingredients and final dishes. Different refrigeration units allow you to store foods at the ideal temperature precisely. Reach-in units provide easy access to frequently used ingredients and cold foods. Choose solid-state compressors for reliability. Large walk-in units offer ample cold storage for bulk ingredients, meats, dairy, and more. Opt for energy-efficient models. Compact under-counter fridges and freezers fit below counters and stations. Great for beverages, toppings, and service backup. Beverage Refrigerators and Freezers are designed to chill bottled and canned drinks. Some units have glass doors to showcase beverages.
Food Preparation Equipment
The right food prep tools improve efficiency, increase output, and maintain consistency. Quickly purée, grind, chop, slice, and knead large batches with a heavy-duty food processor. Use blenders for smooth sauces and emulsions—evenly slice meats for sandwiches and entrées with a commercial slicer. Break down tough cuts with a meat tenderizer. Heavy-duty mixers knead dough, whip cream, and stir batters. Juicers extract fresh juices from fruits and vegetables. Digital scales ensure accurate portioning. Use measuring cups and spoons for consistent baking and mixing.
Dishwashing Equipment
Sanitizing dishes, glassware, and tools is required in any commercial kitchen. Reliable dishwashers streamline this critical task. Choose a high-temp dishwasher that reaches 180°F for proper sanitization. Conveyor-style washers can handle hundreds of dishes per hour. Sturdy racks neatly organize clean dishes for air drying: tray washers, clean sheet pans, baking trays, and large items. A deep sink with an overhead sprayer faucet assists with hand washing, prep, and thawing.azz quickly grinds up food waste to keep sinks and drains clear. Choose corrosion-resistant models made for commercial use.
Serving Equipment
Elegantly presenting final dishes is part of a quality dining experience. Invest in attractive and functional serving equipment. Offer appetizers, bread, and side dishes on stainless steel trays and platters. Glass serving ware adds sophistication. Keep food piping hot or ice cold with chafing dishes, warming platters, beverage dispensers, pan holders, and more. Use chafing dishes and food warmers to hold entrees and sides at safe serving temperatures. Dispense cold drinks, coffee, tea, and other beverages from insulated dispensers at self-serve stations.
Storage Equipment
Proper ingredients, tools, and final dish organization ensure an efficient workflow. Sturdy storage equipment maximizes your kitchen space. Install wire shelving and rack systems to use vertical space for compact storage. Organize ingredients and serving ware for easy access. Clear, stackable food storage containers keep ingredients visible and organized. Locking lids ensure freshness. Use bins and canisters to store dry bulk ingredients like flour, sugar, and spices. Scoops are included for easy portioning. Get food warmers to safely hold cooked foods at a temperature in heated cabinets until ready to serve.
Small wares
The small kitchen tools and accessories are vital for the day-to-day operations of prep and service. Stock a variety of pots, pans, tongs, spatulas, spoons, whisks, and all other essential kitchen tools. Choose commercial-grade stainless steel. Equip your kitchen with sturdy pots, pans, sheet trays, baking dishes, oven-safe pans, and more. Purchase commercial dining sets with durability and style in mind. Prioritize stacks, glasses, and mugs. Have plenty of linen napkins, tablecloths, aprons, and cleaning rags. Purchase materials that withstand frequent washing.
Kitchen Equipment
The back-of-house restaurant supplies support daily kitchen operations, sanitation, and cleanliness. Always keep ample stock on hand. Industrial cleaners, degreasers, and detergents for cleaning all equipment, surfaces, and floors. Look for eco-friendly options. Essentials like commercial-grade garbage bags, mops, brushes, gloves, and other janitorial gear. Stock to-go containers, paper products, labels, cling wrap, aluminum foil, and other takeout packaging items. Maintain a first aid kit with bandages, burn cream, gauze, and other critical supplies—post safety signage.
Conclusion
Investing in the right restaurant equipment allows you to efficiently prep, cook, store, and serve your delicious menu items. Prioritize versatile, commercial-grade appliances and tools that improve workflow and provide years of reliable performance. Purchase equipment designed especially for restaurants to meet the unique demands of high-volume commercial cooking. With the proper equipment in place, your kitchen will gain the capacity to consistently pump out high-quality dishes that exceed your guests’ expectations. Be sure to purchase all the kitchen supplies for smooth daily operations, easy cleaning, and safe practices. With this complete restaurant equipment guide, you’ll be set up for success!
