What equipment is needed for a commercial kitchen?
Equipping a Commercial Kitchen
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail, or so the old saying goes, but when embarking on a new commercial venture, you may want to consider these words carefully, particularly if your business involves catering.
Most catering businesses that fail in their first year do so due to bad organisation. This could be down to not having a clear booking and event management system, inaccurate records of inventory and expenses or a lack of a marketing plan, but most commonly it is simply down to not having equipped your kitchen to efficiently cater for all customers. To make the most of your catering business and give you the greatest chance of success, it is important to create an effective kitchen layout, incorporating all equipment required to serve high-quality food.
What equipment is needed for a commercial kitchen?
Most commercial kitchens need similar equipment, but specific requirements vary by the volume of people they cater to daily. All commercial kitchens must follow strict rules and regulations that may involve specific items being implemented or safety equipment and extraction systems being installed. They will all require correct signage displayed prominently throughout their kitchen to remind all to always adhere to health and safety guidelines. But what kitchen equipment is needed for commercial kitchens to be ready to serve? Below is a catering equipment list that includes all the standard equipment you will need:
| Fridges and freezers | Maintaining the correct temperature of raw and cooked food is necessary for health and safety, shelf-life and quality product, which is why it is imperative to be on any food catering equipment list. |
| Cooking ranges and combination ovens | There is a variety of cooking equipment available for different forms of cooking. You will need options to roast, bake, boil, steam and fry to be able to offer a varied menu. |
| Stainless steel tabling and bespoke fabrication | Stainless steel is easy to clean and maintains high hygiene standards. Often used as tabling for food prep, cleaning stations and food storage, stainless steel tabling can be made to fit. |
| Cold rooms and freezer rooms | Designed as a large room capable of storing frozen, fresh or cooked food at the correct temperature and a prerequisite of any commercial kitchen equipment list to deal with menu demands. |
| Servery counters | Units that store hot and cold food ready for service. This is usually where the salad bar would be kept cool or staples like chilli con carne, baked beans or mushy peas would be kept hot. |
| Vegetable preparation units | A vegetable preparation unit should be included in every commercial kitchen equipment list to avoid cross-contamination and help make the vegetable preparation process more efficient. Used for chopping, peeling, dicing, shredding and pulping. |
| Ventilation and extraction systems | Not only an essential item but also a legal requirement. A fan will be located above any equipment that creates fumes or odours and extracts them along the ducting outside and returns fresh clean air. |
| Dishwashers, glasswashers and utensil washers | A busy kitchen needs to be able to clean thoroughly and quickly during a busy period, and a large kitchen needs washing equipment that can handle vast amounts of crockery and cutlery, so ensure one is on your catering equipment list. |
At Abraxas, we take great pride in helping all our customers prepare for success by providing optimum kitchen design to aid efficiency and supplying a wide range of commercial kitchen equipment, ensuring you can handle any order. Get in touch with our expert team to discuss your project and discover how we can help you.
What is the most important kitchen equipment for restaurants?
The kitchen is the heart of the restaurant and having the correct equipment efficiently located can be the difference between a canteen and Michelin stars. A restaurant will always be judged on three things, service, food quality and price, but if you get the first two right, then the price won’t matter. To give yourself the best chance at success, ensure your kitchen includes the following:
- Ranges/Ovens
- Grills/Griddles
- Deep Fryers
- Steamers
- Microwaves
- Reach-In Fridges and Freezers
- Walk-In Fridges and Freezers
- Food Preparation Tables
- Food Processors
- Commercial Dishwasher
- Three-Compartment Sink
- Shelving and Storage
- Pots, Pans, Utensils, Measures and Timers.
Additional items for kitchen health and safety
A commercial kitchen equipment list is not complete without all health and safety equipment required by law to ensure your kitchen operates efficiently and in compliance with all regulations. With over 25 years of experience, you can be assured that Abraxas can guide you towards a fully compliant commercial kitchen that includes all the following items:
- Hand Wash Sink
- Ventilation System
- Safety and Compliance Signage
- Fire Blankets
- Fire Extinguishers (Wet chemical – Class A and F)
- First Aid Kits
- Accident Books
- Day Dots
- Coloured Boards
- Protective Screens
- PPE
- Grease Traps
- Thermometers
- Anti-Slip Mats
Have more questions about the food catering equipment list?
What is the most important piece of equipment in the commercial kitchen?
There is no one piece of equipment that stands above the rest as many rely on others to ensure an efficient system. You need to be able to safely store ingredients, sufficiently cook meals, thoroughly clean equipment and much more in between. If you are still unsure what equipment is needed for your commercial kitchen, contact us and we will be more than happy to advise.
Is there equipment leasing or financing options available for businesses on a budget?
Absolutely. Most commercial enterprises are on a budget when they start up and so we offer superb leasing deals on our dishwashers and glasswashers and can also source leasing deals on other commercial kitchen equipment you may require.
Can you provide tips for maintaining and cleaning catering equipment to extend its lifespan?
Regular cleaning of all kitchen equipment is highly important to extend its lifespan and comply with health and safety laws. It is also recommended by manufacturers to regularly service and maintain your kitchen equipment and at Abraxas we offer a great service at a fantastic price. Click here to find out more.
What are some budget-friendly alternatives for catering equipment, especially for startups?
On top of the option to lease some equipment to help spread the budget when you are just starting, you can also buy high-quality refurbished equipment, economy brands and models, combination ovens or look at finance options to avoid large upfront costs.
What are the cost considerations when purchasing catering equipment for a new business?
Getting a lower price on any items from your commercial kitchen equipment list will be a huge benefit as you will have to budget for initial purchase price, installation costs, operational costs, servicing and repair costs and depreciation. Contact us at Abraxas to discuss your full kit-out including installation and service and maintenance plan, all at a competitive price.
What safety considerations should be kept in mind when preparing my commercial kitchen equipment list?
It is always advisable to speak to industry experts when compiling your catering equipment list to ensure you don’t leave off anything that results in your kitchen being non-compliant or in any way dangerous. One of the most important systems to install before anything else is the ventilation system to prevent build up of smoke, heat, odours, fumes and possible gases and toxins whilst offering improved air quality and energy efficiency.
