Running a commercial kitchen is very different from making meals at home. And because you will be cooking food on a larger scale, you will need bigger cookers, ovens, and modern food preparation tools. Commercial kitchen equipment is generally divided into four categories: equipment used to receive and store food, equipment used for food preparation, food preparation equipment, and equipment that can hold and dispense cooked food.
All these pieces of equipment are necessary for the smooth running of your kitchen. However, they can also be quite expensive. With the countless brands in the market, it can be hard to choose the best for your needs. Here are four guidelines that can simplify your shopping experience.
Make Sure You Ask for Commercial Grade
There is a huge difference between the cooking equipment that you use for your own domestic needs and that which you use commercially. Commercial cooking involves large volumes and repetitive cooking cycles. You need appliances that are designed for these demanding tasks. If you try to use a domestic-grade oven for baking pizza in a pizzeria, you will waste a lot of time in the process.
The small appliance might also heat up and develop other mechanical problems from being overworked beyond its capacity.
Determine Whether to Buy New or Used
The other decision to make is between buying brand-new equipment and used equipment. Ideally, everyone would love to buy equipment off the shelf and take it back to their commercial kitchen. But this is not always realistic for businesses if the costs are too high. It is important to know that you can still get pretty amazing deals on used equipment from people who are closing shop or moving. Once you find used commercial restaurant equipment, contact a professional to check it and ascertain that it is in working order before buying.
Think About Your Financing Options
Your budget is what determines what the market can offer you. Start by asking banks and other lenders for support, and then create a reasonable budget. Remember that if you cannot buy new equipment, you always have the option to lease.
Make Sure the Equipment Is Certified
When investing in the restaurant business, you need to make sure that you follow health codes. A code violation can cost you a lot. Check for the set safety foundation logos on your equipment before making a purchase.
These are the considerations that you must make when buying commercial kitchen equipment. Take time and choose trusted and reliable brands for the best experiences.
