Essential appliances for starting a restaurant

When you're starting a restaurant, one of the most important things to consider is what equipment you need to kit out your kitchen. This is where the magic happens, so you want to make sure you have everything you need to create delicious dishes your customers will love.

The right kitchen equipment may seem like a big financial investment, but can save you money in the long run. It's important to choose the right appliances that are both easy to operate, maintain and keep clean.

Professional catering equipment is designed to take a beating and is often very robust and durable. Investing in good quality equipment can help you avoid costly maintenance and repairs down the line, so don't be afraid to spend a bit more on your key pieces of equipment.

Lastly, good quality appliances can help you create a much more efficient kitchen workflow, which can save your employees time and labour. Much of the manual labour in prep work can be removed with a few time-saving appliances so these are definitely worth a look.

But what items exactly do you need? Here's a list of the 10 essentials to have in your restaurant kitchen.

1. Oven and stovetop

Whether you're looking for a small or large stove, this is an absolute must-have for any commercial kitchen. You need a way to cook all your food, after all. When choosing a stove or oven, make sure to consider the size of your kitchen and how much space you have to work with.

You will also want to think about what kind of foods you'll be cooking the most often. If you're planning on doing a lot of baking, for example, you might want an oven with more than one rack. If you'll be cooking for very large groups, you will probably need a stove with more burners and space for larger pots and pans.

 

2. Refrigerator

Another essential for any restaurant kitchen is a good refrigerator. This is where you'll store all your perishable ingredients. It's important to choose one that's big enough to accommodate everything you need, but not so big that it takes up too much space in your kitchen.

You'll also want to make sure the commercial fridge you choose has a good energy certificate to help keep electrical costs down. Simple things like making sure you don't position it next to a heat source or in direct sunlight can also impact energy costs.

 

3. Freezer

If you plan on stocking up on ingredients in bulk or prepping meals in advance, a commercial freezer is a very useful appliance. Again, make sure to choose one that's the right size for your needs and don't forget to leave enough space around it so that air can circulate properly.

Something else to consider is whether you want a standing freezer to save floor space in your kitchen, or a chest freezer which is often easier to see what goods you have in stock. These kinds of questions that are very important when considering your purchase.

 

4. Commercial dishwasher

A dishwasher is probably the most important appliance to have in any busy commercial kitchen. Having one will save you loads of time and energy when it comes to cleaning up after meal service, and is crucial in getting your dishes and cups back in service during busy times.

When choosing a dishwasher, don't make the mistake of thinking a home model will suffice. These typically run wash cycles that can take over an hour. A commercial dishwasher takes only a few minutes before your dishes are returned sparkling clean.

5. Planetary mixer

If you're planning on baking or cooking large quantities of food, then a professional food mixer is a great idea for your kitchen. Planetary mixers are designed to handle much larger batches of mixture than home mixers so they'll save you time when preparing recipes.

A very important thing to consider when choosing a mixer is how easy it is to use and clean, and how loud it is. You want a powerful motor, but not one that adds extra noise to an already busy kitchen.

 

6. Blender

A blender is another key appliance for any commercial kitchen. Whether you're looking to make smoothies, soups, or sauces, a good quality blender will make your life much easier.

When choosing a blender, be sure to pick one that's powerful enough to handle the foods you want to blend. For example, if you want to crush ice and nuts, it will need a powerful motor. This is another appliance that needs to be easy to clean so look for removable attachments.

 

7. Meat mixer

If you're planning on serving any kind of meat dishes, professional meat mixers allow you to take control and create your own unique products. Combining meat with different herbs and spices is a great way to stand out from your competitors and this appliance takes out the heavy work.

They are also great because they have been designed for intensive daily use and should last for many years to come with a little care and maintenance.

8. Potato peeling machine

If you're looking for a time-saving kitchen appliance, the potato peeling machine stands out from the rest. Peeling potatoes can be a lot of work, but this kitchen helper gets the job done in just two to three minutes. In a busy restaurant kitchen, having one of these on hand can be a godsend.

A potato peeling machine can also be used for other vegetables, such as carrots, beets and celeriac. Best of all, the machine washes the vegetables for you at the same time so they are ready to cook as soon as they’re done.

 

9. Boiling pan

A boiling pan is a crucial appliance for larger commercial kitchens. With its big capacity, it can be used to prepare soups, sauces, stews, vegetables and rice dishes with ease. The boiling pan is also very versatile – it can be used for many different cooking methods, like blanching and poaching.

When choosing your boiling pan, it's important to remember that you'll need one that has the right capacity to suit your needs. For this, you'll need to have an idea of how many people you'll be serving and how often.

 

10. Espresso machine

An espresso machine is another great addition to any restaurant kitchen. Not only will it make it easy to prepare delicious coffee drinks for your customers, but it will also add a touch of luxury to your establishment.

Espresso machines come in a variety of styles and sizes, so you'll always be able to find one that fits your needs perfectly. When choosing an espresso machine , look for one that is sized right for your needs. They should also be easy to clean, as well as maintain.

These are just a few of the appliances we recommend for every commercial kitchen. Of course, every business is different and you may need other equipment as well, depending on the type of cuisine you're serving or the scale of your operation. But these ten essentials will give you a great starting point as you outfit your new restaurant's kitchen.