Restaurant Kitchen Equipment Notes
Buying The Right Restaurant Kitchen Equipment - Important Factors To Consider in 2023
Restaurant kitchen equipment is vital for a restaurant's proper functioning, impacting food quality and service.
The right equipment enables quick food preparation, affecting service time.
Commercial kitchen equipment impacts the safety of restaurant staff and customers; regular maintenance is essential.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing Restaurant Kitchen Equipment
Quality: Check the quality in person to ensure all parts function correctly.
Consider procuring equipment from recently shut-down restaurants to save costs without sacrificing quality.
Space Consideration: Plan for the amount of space the equipment will occupy to avoid a cluttered kitchen.
Dining area takes up approximately 60% of restaurant space, leaving less than 40% for the kitchen.
Consider buying multipurpose equipment if space is limited.
Pricing: Understand how frequently the equipment will be used.
For infrequently used equipment, consider second-hand options to save money.
Create a restaurant kitchen equipment list in order of priority.
Consider multipurpose equipment to avoid extra expenses.
Ease In Using The Equipment and Cleaning: Choose equipment that is easy to use, clean, and maintain.
Equipment should be made of alloys like stainless steel to prevent bacteria.
Choosing the Right Supplier: Choose suppliers who help install and provide repair services and needed maintenance.
Conduct detailed research about every supplier before investing.
Hiring a Restaurant Kitchen Planner: Consider hiring a professional restaurant kitchen planner, especially if it's the first time purchasing equipment.
Checking for Leasing out Option: Consider leasing equipment if you do not have the required amount of money to invest in your restaurant business in one go.
Equipment with short life spans, like ice machines, is suitable for a monthly lease.
Vendors may offer leased equipment like coffee makers and coolers.
Restaurant kitchen utensils are readily available second-hand in the market.
Essential Commercial Restaurant Kitchen Equipment List
1. Refrigerators and Freezers
Choosing the right commercial refrigeration equipment is vital for maximum kitchen efficiency.
Types include Reach-In Coolers, Walk-In Coolers, and Restaurant Freezers.
Refrigeration ranges from small coolers to large walk-in refrigerators and freezers.
The size of the unit depends on the size and nature of the restaurant.
Restaurants that use frozen food on a large scale should opt for a walk-in freezer.
A proper refrigeration unit is essential for storing perishable foods, maintaining quality, and ensuring a safe environment.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing the Refrigeration Unit
(i) The Exterior and Interior Dimensions of Space: Determine exterior and interior dimensions of the kitchen space.
(ii) Restaurant Operations, Menu, and Cuisine of your Restaurant: The use of your refrigerator will depend on the menu of your restaurant, the size depends on the Restaurant's operations.
Refrigerators should be bought first hand as the new equipment comes with a warranty period.
It is always suggested to research different industrial brands/manufacturers that produce refrigeration units for a commercial kitchen.
Approximate Price- Four-Door Refrigeration – Rs.85,000 onwards
2. Slicers
A slicer cuts meat and other foods quickly and efficiently.
It maintains consistency and uniformity, especially important for QSRs.
Types include food slicers, vegetable slicers, and meat slicers.
Consistent slice thickness reflects quality and helps maintain portion control.
Factors to Consider while Buying Slicers
(i) Speed: Choose a high-powered unit for frequent use to slice food faster and more efficiently, preventing overheating.
(ii) Use: Consider the purposes for which the slicer will be used to determine the required thickness and power.
Slicers are available in manual and automatic types.
Electric slicers are precise and consistent, essential for QSR kitchens.
Approximate Price of a slicer: Rs. 5000- 10,000
Bread Slicer (0.5 HP Motor): Rs.40,000.00
3. Ovens
Select an oven according to your cooking needs.
Commercial ovens perform various functions, from heating soup to preparing different dishes.
They should be easy to use, clean, and maintain.
If the restaurant includes baked goods, a convection oven is essential.
Convection ovens have a fan and exhaust system, making them suitable for pies, cookies, and dehydrating.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Commercial Oven
(i) Usage: Electric ovens are cheaper and distribute heat effectively but may result in higher heating costs.
Gas ovens are more economical in the long run.
(ii) Reliability and Durability: Research the brand before investing.
(iii) Size of the Commercial Ovens: Determine the proportion that will fit in your kitchen space.
Approximate Price- Oven Single Double Deck Tray Electric- Rs. 40,000 onwards.
4. Ranges / Cooking Line
A commercial range includes separate cooking areas using gas, electricity, or induction.
It consists of a range top and a range base.
Cooking ranges should be purchased new.
Factors to Consider While Choosing Commercial Ranges
(i) Gas or Electric Range: Gas ranges provide more precise and instant temperature regulation.
Electric ranges are chosen when gas is unavailable or electricity is cheaper.
Electric induction ranges have stovetops that stay cooler but require unique magnetic cookware.
(ii) Size of the Ranges: Choose between heavy-duty and standard-duty commercial ranges based on restaurant size and volume.
Approximate Price- Three Burner Cooking Range: Rs. 18,000 onwards.
5. Mixers
Mixers are vital for restaurants, especially for baking or bread making.
Factors to Consider while Purchasing a Mixer
(i) Type and Size of the Mixer: Buy a sizeable heavy-duty mixer for large volumes of dough and sauces.
Consider a countertop or stick mixer for minimal use, Then if you need to mix dense material for doughs like those of pizzas, use a Spiral Mixer.
For heavy batter mixing, use a planetary mixture.
(ii) Type of Usage: Choose light-duty, standard duty, or heavy-duty mixers based on usage frequency and mixture thickness.
Approximate Price- Palantry Mixers 20Ltr- Rs.35,000 onwards.
6. Sinks
Sinks provide running water and washing space for food and dishes.
They are essential for maintaining hygiene and cleanliness.
Approximate Price- 1 unit sink: 8500, 2 unit sink: 14000, 3 unit sink : 20000
7. Fire suppression unit system / Fire extinguishers
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 57% of all restaurant fires are a result of cooking equipment
Fire suppression systems become essential and become your first line of defense.
They are installed into the current hood of a kitchen.
A multipurpose powdered extinguisher will help with most other types of fire, including electrical.
The fire extinguishers get refilled/replaced every year so you can either buy it first hand or second hand.
Approximate Price: Fire suppression system- Above 1 Lac, Fire Extinguishers- 800-1000/Piece
8. Shelving
Appropriate shelving is essential for storing both perishable and non-perishable food products.
They provide a safe, contaminant-free environment for ingredients, food, dishes, and serving tools.
Factors to Consider before Installing Shelves
(i) Mobile or Stationary Shelves: Mobile shelving units can be pushed together to save space when no one is working with them and can be rolled apart when an employee needs to access their contents.
(ii) Area of Shelving: Consider mobile units for areas cleaned weekly or monthly.
Approximate Price Rack/ piece- Rs.14,000.00
9. Kitchen Cooking Utensils
Any restaurant kitchen needs a versatile range of utensils for different functions in the kitchen, like preparation, cooking, baking, and others.
Utensils Required for Food Preparation
Chef’s Knife, Cutting board, Can Opener, Measuring Cups, Measuring Spoons, Mixing Bowls, Colander, Vegetable Peeler, Potato Masher, Whisk Salad, Spinner, Grater, Shears, Citrus Juicer, Garlic Press, Paring Knife, Bread Knife, Honing Steel, Knife Sharpener, Food Processor
Utensils Required for Cooking
Spatula, Stirring, Spoon, Tongs, Ladle, Oven Mitts, Trivet, Splatter Guard, Thermometer
Utensils Required for Cookware & Bakeware purpose
Stainless Steel, Skillet, Sauté Pan, Small Saucepan, Medium Saucepan, Large Pot, Cast Iron Skillet, Grill Pan, Baking Sheet Pan, Casserole Dish, Broiler Pan, Stockpot
Other Miscellaneous Utensils
Food Storage, Containers, Aluminum Foil, Towels Sponges, Heavy Sponges, Dish Rack, Ice Cube Tray, Small Trash Bags, Large Trash Bags, Small Trash Bin, Large Trash Bin
Restaurant kitchen equipment is the most critical part of a commercial kitchen . Investing in this restaurant kitchen equipment will indeed cost you a lot, but in the long run, each penny that you spent on this will be worth it!