If you’re looking to open a new restaurant or catering business, you are going to want to purchase commercial appliances. The types of equipment you have available are extremely important for your restaurant, therefore it is crucial that you purchase the right equipment for cooking tasty food for your customers.
Due to all the options out there, setting up a commercial kitchen can be daunting. Here is our helpful guide to most of the various types of commercial appliances available.
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Commercial Ranges – Gas or Electric?
The first thing to understand about commercial ranges is that they are manufactured in gas or electric models. Both types have their benefits and drawbacks.
Gas appliances are much more powerful, and better suited for large scale commercial businesses. The appliances heat quicker and are generally a lot more durable. For cooking, gas ovens are the better option for restaurant chefs. Gas fryers and stoves are typically in commercial kitchens because they generate more power. Overall, this model of commercial range has fewer components and is easier to maintain and need less commercial repair.
But, some of the commercial electric ranges offer benefits too. For example, electric ovens provide superior baking options – such as convection. Electric commercial appliances are typically simpler and a lot safer to use, and are cost-effective. Most of small commercial appliances, such as toasters, are always electric.
Different Types of Commercial Appliances
There are loads of different commercial appliances out there, all of which are utilized for your exact needs. Here are a few of the different types of commercial appliances that you can buy.
Commercial Exhaust Hoods
Exhaust hoods are an essential addition to a commercial kitchen. They are needed for safe use of the kitchen, plus keeping in code with health standards.
Commercial exhaust hoods serve a couple of different functions. They can be used to reduce fumes, steam, and hot air from a commercial kitchen while cooking. They can also be used to get rid of grease and food particles.
No commercial kitchen can function with no good ventilation system. There are a number of different brands of exhaust hoods for purchase for your kind of kitchen and spacial requirements.
Commercial Walk-In Freezers
A walk-in freezer is not an appliance you would see in a residential kitchen! But, they’re very normal in restaurants. These large freezers are necessary for any restaurant operating at a very high volume. Commercial kitchens require a lot of space to keep frozen food and that is why a walk-in is needed.
These commercial freezers are also important for commercial kitchens that need to freeze very large objects or boxes that would not fit in a residential freezer. You can get several different sized walk-in freezers. They are custom-fitted to the kind of room you have in your kitchen.
Commercial Walk-In Coolers
You can’t have a good commercial kitchen without a lot of food. Commercial walk-in coolers are needed for keeping a lot of food fresh. If you are managing a large scale restaurant, then a normal-sized refrigerator won’t do. Walk-in coolers make it far easier to stash away food, as well as easier to grab out what you need. As with a walk-in freezer, these commercial appliances need to be specially fitted for your kitchen space.
Commercial Fryers
From chicken wings to french fries, a commercial deep fryer can cook many tasty food for a restaurant. Some foods just cannot be cooked unless there’s a commercial fryer available. These are appliances that will become invaluable assets for cooking appetizers and side dishes.
You are able to choose between gas or electric fryers. Electric fryers take a longer to heat up, but they recover quicker between frying cycles. They are also much easier to maintain. Gas fryers are able to go to higher temperatures, and they heat up faster.
Beyond gas or electric, you can get stand-up fryers or countertop fryers. These can come in all kinds of different sizes and volumes, dependent on your needs.
Commercial Grills
The grill is commonly the focus of a commercial kitchen. This is where most of the hot dishes are prepared, and it’s vital that your restaurant’s grill performs to your needs. Commercial grills are made in all shapes and sizes, and it is important to have the one that is best suited to whatever you’re cooking in your restaurant.
You can get electric or gas grills. Gas grills offer faster and higher heat. They also cook more evenly. Electric grills are usually cheaper and may have more functions. However, electric grills heat slowly and can be difficult to maintain.
Commercial Steam Cooking Equipment
Steam cooking is a great technique that can be done for many types of foods. This type of cooking is energy-efficient and cost-effective. Commercial steamers come in countertop, floor, or microwave models. You can also purchase steam kettles, combi ovens, steam generators and portion steamers.
Steam cooking is very healthy for you, and also fast and efficient. It also provides a ideal way of keeping prepared food warm and not drying out.
Commercial Toasters
Commercial toasters are essential for kitchens and restaurants that provide breakfast. Toasters can be very different, based on what their use is. You can purchase flat press toasters (excellent for sandwiches), commercial pop-up toasters, conveyor toasters, bun-grilling toasters and more. Even waffle irons can fit under this category.
For commercial kitchens that sell a lot of breakfast foods, quick and efficient commercial toasters are essential.
Commercial Specialty Cooking Equipment
Some unique food items cannot be prepared with regular commercial appliances – especially if you need them prepared at a high volume. This is when specialized cooking appliances comes in.
Specialty equipment serves a single unique function. If you’re planning on cooking something specific, you probably desire the exact tool for the job. This equipment could include pasta cookers, crepe makers, sous vide immersion circulators and more.
Commercial Appliances In Review
Equipping a commercial kitchen can feel like a daunting task. It is important you understand the models of commercial appliances available to buy first. The commercial appliances that you choose will need to be specifically based on your kitchen space, and the types of food that plan to be be serving.
Within the many types of commercial appliances, there are many brands available. Choosing the best appliance for the task will make all the difference to the success of your restaurant.