Everyone has to start somewhere when it comes to setting up a new business operation. Food and catering services are no exception, especially when it comes to deciding what equipment you’ll need to get things running smoothly.

To help streamline the process, we at Cookline have prepared a short guide to some of the more common types of equipment you’ll find in commercial kitchens.

Cooking Ranges

The most obvious starting point is the cooking range. These come in various sizes and designs, and comprise the whole gamut of stoves, fryers, ovens, grills, and more, all of which are suited to assisting chefs in prompt and easy meal preparation.

Refrigeration

Keeping food fresh and safe for consumption is one of the most important objectives in any commercial cooking enterprise. Depending on the type of business, you’ll need refrigerators, freezers, and ice makers to ensure that you can serve your customers high-quality meals.

Food Preparation

Food preparation equipment, consisting of mixers, slicers, food processors, and choppers, is a vital addition to any restaurant serving high volumes of food. They all have one thing in common: they assist chefs in preparing ingredients quickly, reducing prep time, and increasing efficiency in the kitchen.

Storage

Shelving units, storage racks, and cabinets. You’re going to need them if you want to keep your ingredients and supplies organized, reduce clutter and make it easier to get to what you need. Plus, they help to maximize kitchen space, especially in small setups, making them an essential part of any commercial kitchen.

The Key Factors

But it’s not enough to know what your kitchen needs. There’s also several key factors you’ll have to consider.

Functionality: You have to ensure that your purchased equipment can do the jobs you need for your menu.

Size: Consider the size of the equipment and ensure that it can fit into the kitchen space without interfering with the workflow. Moreover, determine the size of the equipment required based on the volume of food it needs to prepare.

Energy Efficiency: Energy consumption is an important consideration, especially when it comes to saving on utility bills, so try to find models that are energy efficient

Durability: The best kitchen equipment is the kind that’s built to last, withstand heavy usage, and requires minimal maintenance.

Refrigeration for Restaurants

One of the most crucial tasks for a restaurant or catering service, is to ensure food is properly refrigerated. Not only does it improve food safety, quality, and overall operational efficiency, it helps your business maintain the high standards expected in food service.

Food Safety and Hygiene

Proper temperature control keeps food from going bad and prevents bacterial growth. Perishable items, in particular, are very vulnerable and require precise temperature controls to ensure a good shelf life.

Food Quality

Exceptional culinary experiences require high-quality ingredients. Commercial refrigerators help maintain your food products’ taste, texture, and nutritional value, especially for foods that require specific temperature settings, such as fresh produce, dairy, and meats.

Inventory Management

Proper refrigeration plays a very important role in reducing food wastage, increasing cost savings, and promoting sustainability. Good storage conditions ensure food and ingredients are used before they spoil, inventory turnover is manageable, food quality remains consistent and operational costs are low.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

Energy efficiency can be crucial for your business, especially in regards to utility costs. Modern refrigaration systems use advanced features such as digital temperature controls and automated defrost cycles for lower operational expenses and optimum performance.

Regulatory Compliance

Restaurants, catering, and other food services are required to comply with stingent food safety and hygeine standards. Investing in proper refrigeration plays an important part in meeting these standards and delivering a satisfying and memorable culinary experience for your customers.