Giant List of 20 Essential Restaurant Kitchen Equipment
When attempting to set up a restaurant, it’s important to consider equipment that’s specifically tailored for the restaurant style and atmosphere you want to create. For instance, owners that plan on a full menu of alcoholic beverages with cold and hot food items may need to choose more elaborate equipment even if your restaurant will only serve cold menu items like sandwiches and salads.
The kitchen is the powerhouse of any restaurant and the place where the menu “runs the game.” Therefore, you’ll need high-quality restaurant equipment that can cope with the pressures of busy restaurant use.
Commercial kitchen demands a great deal of commercial equipment such as ranges, hoods and ventilation systems, ovens, walk-in coolers, freezers, mixers and so on.
Besides that, the workflow in the kitchen comes in as very important. For example, you put the ice machine and beverage station near the dining room. Since waiters every time need some ice, they’re not walking all the way through people. So, you want to make sure the workflow.
It can be a little confusing at the beginning, and the restaurant equipment list keeps getting longer and longer.
Thorough planning and research are the necessity to maximize the kitchen capability and flow. Think about the following 20 crucial restaurant equipment.
3-Compartment Sink
The 3-compartment sink is used in restaurants because it provides a means of sanitizing dishes without using a sanitizer. This is required in restaurant kitchen because you need to get rid all the germs of the food to protect public health.
The 3-sink process of washing dishes approved by most health departments requires a 3-compartment sink. Three-sink operation employees one compartment for washing, one for rinsing, and one for sanitizing. Most health departments demand for every restaurant to have a 3-compartment sink, even when a commercial dishwasher is available, so that backup method is ready in case the dishwasher goes down.
Compartment sinks can hide the plumbing underneath for a sleeker look and easier cleaning. Corner appliances are available to make the most of the space you have to work with.
Commercial Dishwasher
For food protection and proper operation, you still require some high-quality basic equipment. One important item needed is washing equipment. For efficient work the dishwashing units are mandatory, and they’re also generally demanded by health departments.
What’s great about commercial restaurant dishwashers is that they dispense dishwashing chemicals or liquid automatically and ensures that the water temperature is kept at a certain temperature throughout the day. These stations are vital for preventing the spread of foodborne bacteria and illness.
Trying to skip on purchasing the right commercial dishwasher for the restaurant could come back to you like a boomerang.
Whatever commercial dishwasher you choose should be capable to manage the basics, but what the basics are, will vary for different commercial kitchens and some appliances can provide extra benefits for the restaurant business.
Range
If kitchen chef prepares food over an open flame, you’ll require a kitchen range. The range is the kitchen’s power station, so it’s crucial to pick range that satisfies cooking and esthetic demands. Like residential ranges, commercial models can be either gas or electric.
Typical electric ranges employ coils to heat food, whereas chef cooks directly on the flat surface of smooth-top electric ranges. Electric induction ranges use magnetic coils beneath a ceramic glass top to generate heat. The stovetops of induction ranges stay cooler than standard or smooth-top variations but need special magnetic cookware to work.
You might want to “skip” electric appliances since they’re more prone to break and they can raise utility bill sky high. A massive, 6-burner gas range is perfect for a commercial restaurant kitchen. Vulcan ranges are some of the most durable, so they’re great for busy restaurant kitchens.
Commercial Refrigerators & Freezers
Refrigeration equipment must be on kitchen equipment list since it prevents food from spoiling or melting. While refrigerators and freezers are critical, different types of restaurants require different features and capacities.
Luckily, there are many types of refrigerators to choose from. Therefore you can find the perfect one whether you’re opening a sandwich shop, fancy bar, or a deli.
Before deciding, take into account the size of the operation. There are even outdoor refrigeration and freezing models available if interior space is a space limited.
No matter what type you pick, cooling unit will be paramount for the restaurant. Find professional help for installation and make sure you know how to adequately maintain cooling unit as it can be costly to repair.
Food Prep Equipment
Preparation tables, counters, and cutting surfaces are crucial commercial kitchen appliances and come in different sizes. Pick prep surfaces made from stainless steel. Stainless steel is firm against corrosion, withstands attack from food and meat sauces, and can resist the strong cleaning products used in a restaurant kitchen.
As for cutting surfaces, pick plastic or wooden cutting boards. Plastic boards are better for sanitization but can form deep grooves that can cache bacteria. Wooden boards are sturdier than plastic ones and don’t form grooves so easily.
Preparation tables should be stainless steel for food safety and durability causes. Choose tables with built-in shelves to add extra storage in a commercial kitchen.
Oven
Most of the ranges come equipped with an oven. If kitchen operation bases around baking, it’s the best solution to choose a range with a convection oven setting. Different from standard ovens, a convection oven has a fan and exhaust system that blows hot air around the food. They are great models for toasting, roasting making cookies or pies.
Anyhow, for foods that are made from a batter like cakes and bread, choose a regular oven. Relying on the type of restaurant, you may require special restaurant supplies like a deep fryer, flat grill, or industrial salamander broilers.
Besides, any operation that needs heat to prepare food is necessary to have adequate ventilation equipment installed. Range hoods, which placed on top of grills and stoves, use fans to remove moisture, grease, and heat by filters and out of the commercial kitchen. Range hoods are necessary for cooking operations and can be custom made to fit any space.
Grill
Whether you’re making tasty Italian sandwiches in a panini press, flipping pancakes on a griddle, a commercial grill is an essential part of your kitchen. They come in all kinds of sizes, shapes, and styles, making it easy to choose the model that will ideally meet the needs of your restaurant.
A flat top grill is perfect for preparing burgers and breakfast meals, while a charcoal grill is better for steaks and barbecue. The choice comes down to the kind of food you’re going to serve, and you might need both.
Commercial Hood
A commercial hood is imperative for adequate ventilation and to keep air quality. Hoods are needed by law for restaurants in some states.
Call a professional to install a commercial kitchen hood if you don’t have experience with ventilation systems since they can be challenging to set up regularly. For safety reasons, you’ll need to install commercial hood properly.
Walk-In Cooler
A walk-in cooler is mandatory for any restaurant or bar. It’s the only way to store large amounts of food safely. This appliance should be near to the restaurant kitchen. Although walk-in cooler has larger cold storage space and can be custom built to fit any kitchen, smaller restaurants may not need them.
Ice Machine
For a business that offers beverages, ice machine is indispensable like a commercial dishwasher. Ice machines make ice and then distribute it into an ice container. While ice is required for serving soda and iced water, you can also use ice machines to make blended drinks such as pina colada, frozen espresso, and cocktails.
Commercial Shelving
Shelving helps restaurants to be organized, and it can be used to store and arrange anything from food to utensils. Many shelves are heavy duty and are made from durable materials, providing them to hold lots of items without bending. Plus, certain racks are rust-resistant and contain epoxy coatings that make them ideal for use in humid environments, such as freezers and refrigerators.
Adequate shelving can be a perfect option for storing different stuff in a kitchen as well as perishable and nonperishable foods. Moreover, having an organized storage system will simplify the kitchen process. Shelves and racks come in different sizes and materials to satisfy aesthetic preferences and storage needs.
Slicers
Slicers are often used with cutting meat, cheese, or other foods with precision and speed. If you need a slicer, consider how often you’ll need. If your slicing is low volume or sporadic, a manual food slicer is a better and cheaper solution.
Anyhow, for larger amounts of food or foods that require to be sliced to precise proportions, pick an electric slicer instead. Electric ones are automatic, which can save time and work. Besides, most electric slicers can switch from automatic to manual mode.
Have additional questions about commercial dishwashers for your business? Talk to a specialist today! (714) 784-5522 or fill out our contact form
