One of the most important aspects to consider when opening a restaurant is the kitchen equipment.
A bad workman blames his tools. But at the same time, a good fast food cook needs the right tools to quickly produce tasty meals.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the essential restaurant kitchen equipment that every restaurant operator should consider investing in.
Essential quick service restaurant kitchen equipment
From fish and chip shops to kebab houses to pizza delivery restaurants, you need the right tools in your arsenal to produce delicious meals in an efficient way. But you want to be sure your investment in restaurant kitchen equipment pays off over time. That means investing in the right commercial kitchen equipment that will stand the test of time in a busy kitchen.
Let's take a look at some of the most essential pieces of restaurant kitchen equipment.
Refrigeration units
First and foremost, it's important to have a reliable refrigerator and freezer. These appliances are crucial for storing ingredients and keeping them fresh. Commercial refrigerators and freezers are designed to handle the heavy use and constant opening and closing that occurs in a busy kitchen. It's also a good idea to have a separate prep fridge for ingredients that need to be kept at a different temperature, such as meat and dairy products.
Kitchen range
Another essential piece of kitchen equipment is a range or stove. A commercial range or stove is designed to handle the high heat and heavy use of a busy kitchen. It's important to have a reliable and efficient stove or range in order to cook dishes quickly and consistently. Gas ranges are popular because they heat up quickly, but electric ranges could be a more appropriate option for more controlled cooking.
Convection ovens
A commercial oven is also an important piece of equipment for any restaurant kitchen. A good oven will allow you to bake, roast and broil dishes quickly and consistently.
Commercial convection ovens, which use a fan to circulate heat, are a great option for a busy kitchen as they allow food to cook more quickly and evenly.
Commercial pizza ovens
Pizzas are a super popular takeaway option with the potential for great margins. But you need some specialist kit to produce a restaurant-quality pizza. Commercial pizza ovens are capable of reaching much higher temperatures in the 400-500℃ range, while domestic ovens tend to max out at around 250℃.
Whether they are made from brick or stainless steel and powered by gas, electricity or burning wood, commercial pizza ovens are essential for serious pizza restaurants to achieve a puffy, charred crust, crisp base and molten middle.
Deep-fat fryers
Fries, battered fish, onion rings and more. A commercial fryer is essential, especially in quick service restaurants, to quickly cook items for a moist interior and crisp outer shell. Make sure to choose heavy-duty fryers that can handle the constant high-temperature cooking required in a busy restaurant kitchen.
Grill
A good quality commercial grill is also an important piece of equipment for a restaurant kitchen. A grill allows you to cook meat, fish and vegetables quickly and efficiently. A flat-top grill is a popular option as it allows you to cook a variety of dishes at the same time.
A commercial charcoal grill, or even a wood-fired grill, can also add a unique flavour to dishes and is essential for certain cuisines.
Heavy-duty mixer
A commercial mixer is also an essential piece of equipment for any restaurant kitchen. A mixer allows you to mix, knead and blend ingredients quickly and easily. A stand mixer with a variety of attachments, such as a dough hook and a whisk, is a great option for a busy kitchen.
Commercial potato chipper
Takeaways that get through a truckload of chips every night might consider investing in a commercial potato chipper. These automated potato slicers can produce whatever size, shape and texture of chips you need. And you’ll save on ingredients costs in the long run not having to buy pre-cut potatoes from a third-party supplier.
Knives, utensils and cutting boards
It's important to have a variety of small kitchen equipment, such as cutting boards, knives, pots and pans, baking sheets and utensils. These items are used every day in a restaurant kitchen and it's important to have high-quality, durable equipment that can withstand heavy use.
Colour-coded cutting boards are used to keep different types of foods – like raw and cooked meat, vegetables and dairy products – separate to prevent cross-contamination.
Invest in the right restaurant kitchen equipment for more efficient food production
Having the right equipment in your restaurant kitchen is essential for running a successful restaurant. A reliable refrigerator and freezer, range or stove, oven, grill, mixer and small kitchen equipment are all important for preparing and cooking dishes quickly and consistently.
While it can be a significant up-front cost, investing in the right kitchen equipment will ultimately save you time and money. By keeping this in mind and doing your research, you can select the kitchen equipment that best suits your restaurant's needs.
