Useful Equipment for a Commercial Kitchen

Commercial kitchens are busy places. They are a hub of activity from early in the morning when the prep team begins late at night when everything needs to be cleaned ready for the next day. As well as the right staff, you also need the right equipment to ensure everything runs like clockwork. In this article, we are going to take a look at a few useful items every commercial kitchen needs to stay efficient and hygienic.

Refrigeration

Domestic fridges and freezers are no good in a commercial kitchen. They lack the capacity and are not designed for commercial purposes. For obvious reasons, food must be stored at the optimum temperature, or it will spoil. You may also need to keep different foods separate from one another. For example, raw and cooked meats must be stored in different areas, and if you prep food for the following day, it should also be stored separately.

There are different refrigeration options available for commercial kitchens. A cold store is useful for keeping anything that needs to be kept cool long-term. A walk-in freezer is also handy if you use a lot of frozen goods or you store raw meat long-term.

An ice machine may also be useful. Ice can be added to drinks, so consider investing in one for your bar area. You can find out more by checking out the ice machines at fridge freezer direct.

Grills and Ovens

Unless you only serve cold dishes, a grill and oven are essential. Commercial ovens and grills are larger and better able to cope with non-stop use. In a smaller kitchen, a combined oven/grill is a better option. This can be used to grill sandwiches and heat up bread or bake potatoes.

Microwave ovens are useful too. Don’t make the mistake of thinking a cheap microwave oven is going to be enough; it won’t be powerful enough. Commercial microwaves are far more powerful and can heat or cook food in a fraction of the time.

A deep far fryer may also be needed, depending on the menu you have.

Coffee Machines

Coffee is a guilty pleasure of many of us, so instant coffee is a huge turn-off. If you want to impress your clientele, you need a high-spec coffee machine along with a grinder. Use it to brew delicious fresh coffee and create fab milk froth art. However, don’t forget to train your staff on how to use the machine, as poorly brewed coffee is not a great selling point.

Storage

Storage for dried food is essential. Dried goods such as rice and flour need to be stored in air-tight containers to prevent contamination from pests and anything else. Have a storage area close to your food prep area, so cooks and other members of staff can access what they need quickly and easily.

Finally, your kitchen will need a host of accessories, such as stainless-steel cookware, utensils, linens, plates, etc. Buy in bulk so you don’t end up with a shortage of anything.

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