Starting a business can be intimidating. It’ll feel like jumping off of a cliff without knowing whether you’ll land on your feet or on your face. And with the economy of the world, that’s a risk that anyone cannot take lightly.
But there are things that you can do to secure your business’ future—that includes buying the essential restaurant supplies that will ensure that your operations run smoothly, and you can reward patrons with a product worth visiting.
For this article, we will walk you through on what these essential restaurant supplies are and how they are important for you.
Necessary Restaurant Kitchen Equipment Checklist
Smart entrepreneurs must always take into consideration the kitchen equipment that is necessary to ensure that their kitchen operations are running smoothly. With the flood of equipment for sale at varying prices, we’ve come up with our checklist to help you decide on what supplies you must not miss. Check them out.
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Ovens - These are automatically considered as the heart of your kitchen operations. It is in this kitchen equipment where you cook the food that you will be serving to your patrons. Here are some things you need to consider before purchasing one:
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Size - In purchasing an oven for your kitchen, make sure to always consider the size of your kitchen to ensure kitchen operations will run smoothly.
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Quality - When investing in your kitchen’s oven, always put into consideration that the oven you’re buying can withstand the test of time and the wear and tear of daily use.
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Function - Among many factors to consider in investing in an oven, one important factor is the kind of cooking that you need for the type of food you will be serving.
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Types of Ovens - The food you’ll be serving will determine the type of oven you’ll purchase. This will assist you in choosing.
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Commercial Oven - Many, if not all restaurants will have a commercial oven in their kitchen. This is perfect for even-style cooking and even baking other dishes.
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Combination Oven - A mix of a convection oven and a steamer, the Combination Oven is perfect for roasting, steaming, smoking, frying, baking, and even grilling.
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Convection Oven - The convection ovens come with fans that can help in ensuring that air properly circulates. This oven is essential for baking as well as tossing, roasting, and even dehydrating.
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Pizza Oven - Well, as the name suggests, this oven is for making pizza. Due to its high temperature, this oven can also handle various foods from desserts to meats.
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Conveyor Oven - Usually seen in your local food places, this oven is perfect if you’re looking to start a sandwich or pizza shop.
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Ranges and Ventilation - After knowing the type of oven that fits your kitchen, you are now on your way to choosing the perfect range and ventilation for your kitchen. This will help air circulate in your kitchen and will help keep your staff comfortable.
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Gas Range - These are known for their temperature control. Gas ranges will allow you to start at your desired heat range immediately and still are able to function even in the absence of electricity. They are harder to clean and have a higher risk of a fire and gas leak.
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Electric Range - These ranges are known for their efficiency and cleanability. Choosing an electric range can also reduce the risk of fire in your kitchen. Be sure to take note of your electricity bill though!
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Ventilation- Working inside a commercial kitchen can be a very uncomfortable task. That’s why it is necessary to have a great ventilation system that will provide a pleasant and healthy kitchen for your staff. Take note of these five factors:
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Air volume flow rate - The gauge on how much air moves through your ducts. Open flame grills will definitely require more ventilation.
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Static pressure - This is basically the friction or resistance against the air that is flowing in your system. Having a balanced static pressure helps in making sure air flows.
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Energy efficiency - Balancing your fan’s horsepower can be a great help in consuming energy properly. Underpowered fans will wear out faster while overpowered fans will waste too much energy.
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Size - Your fan placement should depend on available space or fire code safety requirements. This definitely needs to be a key part when planning the layout of your kitchen.
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Noise - The fans in your ventilation can be loud and will definitely add a lot of noise in your already busy work space. Consider the noise of your fans in selecting the ventilation system for your kitchen.
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Food Processors - Food processors can help in making chopping, slicing, shredding, grinding, and pureeing different types of food faster. While there are varying types of food processors, here are the four main types you should consider:
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Batch bowl processors - It is one of the more common food processors typically found in homes. It also collects food while processing.
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Continuous feed food processor - These types of food processors can be great for your busy commercial kitchens. These will allow you to constantly add food while processing.
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Buffalo choppers - These heavy-duty processors are really not necessary for commercial kitchens. These usually are all-metal processors that can also process meat.
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Combination processors - Well, a combination of batch and continuous processors.
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Mixers - if your kitchen is into making bread or desserts, you should consider investing in a commercial kitchen mixer. Be sure to pick your mixer depending on the volume of food you’re going to produce. Here are the types of mixers:
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Floor mixers - One of the most popular kinds of mixers when it comes to a commercial setting. These are high powered and are able to mix large amounts in a short time.
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Hand mixers - Also called stick mixers or immersion blenders, these are great for mixing things like soups and sauces. You can also emulsify, chop, or even mix at high speeds using this mixer.
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Countertop mixers - These are perfect if you have limited space in your kitchen.
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Food prep counters and cutting boards - Stainless prep tables, counters, and even cutting surfaces are essential to your new kitchen. Charlie’s Kitchen tip: Color-code your cutting boards based on the food they will be used for.
Restaurant Kitchen Equipment Lifespan
Having kitchen equipment that will withstand time and use is crucial in your kitchen operations. That’s why it's important to know their lifespan. It is also important that you maintain your kitchen equipment. The more you take care of them, the longer they can help you grow your business.
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Refrigerators and Freezers - These can last anywhere between 10 to 20 years depending on maintenance, quality, and usage.
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Cooking Equipment - Fryers, grills, ovens, and ranges can last between 10 to 15 years. Frequent cleaning and maintenance can help prevent grease build-up.
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Dishwashers - Commercial dishwashers usually have a lifespan of 7 to 12 years. Consistent cleaning of dishwashers and its filter can help extend its lifespan.
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Small Appliances - Blenders, mixers, and food processors have a shorter life span; around 5 to 10 years depending on the brand.
Proper maintenance, cleaning, and even repair can support the operations of your kitchen. It can even help you save money.
Buying vs renting restaurant supplies
Now that you’ve decided on what equipment to buy, the next decision you have to make is whether to buy or rent these supplies.
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Benefits of buying second hand equipment
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When buying second hand equipment, more often than not, they tend to be way more cheaper than purchasing brand new ones.
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Used equipment is also more common in thrift shops and garage sales.
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Cons of buying second hand equipment
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The huge negative of second hand equipment is the possibility of having unforeseen damages from its previous owners.
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There are fewer selections for second hand equipment.
Where to Buy Restaurant Equipment
After you’ve completed most of our checklist, the question now is where to buy top-of-the-line kitchen supplies? Well, Charlie’s Fixtures is the right place for you.
It is one of the USA’s top 100 distribution giants and has been operating in Los Angeles, CA, for more than three decades. So don’t miss the opportunity to purchase your essential restaurant supplies at Charlie’s Fixtures!
Success Begins With the Foundation of Your Kitchen!
Starting a food business doesn’t have to be risky. You just need to secure the essential restaurant supplies that can keep your operations smooth– whether it be your kitchen oven or your chopping board. Because just like in sports, it's your fundamentals that can help you achieve the success you long for.
And nothing can help you sleep comfortably at night better than knowing that you can purchase world-class restaurant supplies at one of the USA’s oldest distribution giants. All you have to do is drop by Charlie's Fixtures, and with just a click of your mouse, secure the future of your new business!