If there's something that even seasoned business owners tend to take for granted, it's how they choose the right restaurant equipment for their kitchen. It is an investment that can make or break the momentum of your restaurant.
To help you secure your business' success, we came up with this guide on how you can choose the right equipment that will suit your restaurant's needs.
In this blog, we will teach you about the things to look out for in selecting kitchen appliances, which brands to trust, and more. These tips will be crucial for you and your business' growth.
The Importance of Quality Equipment
Investing in high-quality professional kitchen appliances is a crucial investment for any food entrepreneur, as it ensures the smooth operation of their food business. To help you truly understand the importance of having quality equipment, we have broken it down to three main reasons just for you:
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Efficiency - Quality equipment reduces breakdowns, which can help avoid expensive repairs. This can be very crucial for your kitchen as this allows you to operate without worries aside from making sure that your guests enjoy your scrumptious menu.
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Safety - Securing high-caliber equipment does not only keep your operations flowing smoothly, but it also protects your customer and staff from any unwanted kitchen-related incidents. With the way social media works these days, any small incident may make or break your business.
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Longevity - Overall, owning high-grade professional kitchen appliances that can last a long time will allow your staff to be familiar with your equipment and give your kitchen an operational boost.
Common Types of Commercial Kitchen Equipment
With the burst of development and innovation of professional kitchen appliances, there is now plenty of equipment that can help your business grow. But of course, there are time-tested appliances that any kitchen must have to properly operate and survive. Here's a quick breakdown of this equipment and why it matters for your business.
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Ovens and Grills - From tasty burgers to the classic favorite pizzas, ovens and grills are must-haves for your kitchen, as they can cook a wide range of dishes—most of them are classic American favorites that will be a guaranteed hit among your customers.
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Refrigeration Units - More than just preserving meats and other ingredients, owning reliable refrigeration units is crucial for your kitchen, as they ensure food safety, maintain food quality, and allow you to have smoother and more efficient kitchen operations.
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Commercial Ice Machines - It’s no secret that everybody loves a good cocktail. That’s why it is essential to have a commercial ice machine that will allow you to save time when it comes to making high-quality cocktails and drinks in your restaurant.
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Flat Top Grills - With their versatility, you will be able to efficiently handle high-volume cooking, which makes them very significant for commercial settings. On top of that, they are also easy to clean, which makes room for smoother kitchen operations.
Obtaining all of these common commercial kitchen appliances is crucial for your business’ success. They allow flexibility and reliability when it comes to making sure your customers get to enjoy your menu.
Tips for Selecting the Right Commercial Kitchen Equipment
Now that you have a better understanding of the common types of commercial kitchen equipment, how do you know that you are buying the right one? Well, here’s a list of things to take note of in purchasing kitchen appliances.
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Assess Your Needs - Before you go shopping for kitchen equipment, make sure that you consider your menu items, volume of production, available space, and, of course, your budget. Achieving your goal of having an efficient kitchen operation starts with you assessing your needs.
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Quality is Key - Since you’re selecting a crucial investment in your kitchen, it is important that you choose high-grade and durable equipment that is guaranteed to last long-term. This will save you money in repairs and replacements in the future.
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Energy Efficiency - These days, it is also crucial for food businesses to not only provide a delicious menu to their customers but also incorporate environment-friendly initiatives. Having energy-efficient equipment not only saves the environment but also saves you money on utility bills as well.
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Maintenance and Cleaning - It is essential for you to regularly maintain and clean your equipment to keep your kitchen operating smoothly. In selecting your professional kitchen appliance, choose items with simple designs that are easy to clean and maintain.
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Understand Warranties - Before you go and lock in on your purchase, make it a habit to research your warranty options and customer support provided by the supplier. This will certainly give you peace of mind knowing that you will have guaranteed support if any issues arise regarding your commercial kitchen equipment.
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Consider Kitchen Layout - One of the things that you also need to consider in purchasing kitchen appliances is the layout of your kitchen. You have to make sure that you have accurate measurements and plan out the placement of each piece of equipment for a more efficient workflow.
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Read Reviews and Ask Recommendations - Most importantly, before purchasing any equipment, do your research and read reviews from other business owners or even ask for recommendations from industry experts. This can give you insights on which brands and models to trust, especially in commercial kitchen settings.
Trusted Brands in the Food Service Industry
Speaking of trusted brands, there’s a reason why successful business owners go to brands that have built solid reputations in the industry, as they offer reliable equipment and top-notch customer support. Here’s a quick list of the trusted brands in the food service industry that you can consider:
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True - A trusted brand in America since 1945, True has always delivered on their promise to provide a wide range of American-made commercial refrigerator products that are guaranteed to exceed industry quality standards while selling them at very competitive prices.
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Winco - Since 1992, this brand, Winco, has poured their hearts and dedication into providing the food industry a wide range of quality products that enhance food preparation, cooking, and dining experiences with chefs and restaurateurs in mind.
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Waring - Universally known to introduce the first blender in America, Waring is one of the leading manufacturers of professional appliances in the foodservice and laboratory industry. Waring has always been proud to offer continuously expanding collections of superior professional products.
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Imperial - This family-owned company’s goal has always been simple: to be the preferred global supplier of high-quality, top-value cooking equipment to the food industry. Since its birth in 1957, Imperial continues to provide consistent, top-quality equipment at lower production costs.
Sourcing Your Commercial Kitchen Equipment
Now that you have learned most about what you need in choosing the right commercial kitchen equipment for your business, it is also important to know where to source your professional kitchen appliances.
You don’t need to look further, as Charlie’s Fixtures is the right spot for you. It is one of the USA’s top 100 distribution giants operating in Los Angeles, CA, making it the perfect and reliable place to purchase your kitchen needs.
Don't Take Your Kitchen Appliances For Granted!
The key takeaway for this article is simple—don’t take your commercial kitchen equipment for granted. Be as critical and well-informed about them as you are about how you prepare for your menu. Learn to prepare, understand your needs, and most importantly, rely on trusted brands—they are one of the country’s trusted brands for a reason.
And when it comes to sourcing your professional kitchen appliances, you can rest assured that purchasing from one of the USA’s oldest distribution giants is the best move you can make. Visit Charlie's Fixtures, and start securing the right commercial kitchen equipment for your business!