If you’re planning to open a new restaurant or catering business, you are going to have to purchase commercial appliances. The types of cooking equipment you have available are extremely important for your business, so it’s vital that you have the right tools for preparing mouth-watering food for guests.
Due to all the choices out there, setting up a commercial kitchen can be daunting. Here is our helpful guide to most of the various types of commercial appliances you can buy.
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Commercial Ranges – Gas or Electric?
The first thing to know regarding commercial ranges is that they are manufactured in gas or electric models. Both types have their own benefits and disadvantages.
Gas commercial ranges are more powerful, and a lot better suited for large scale commercial businesses. The gas appliances heat quickly and are generally a lot more durable. For preparing meals, gas ranges are the best type for culinary chefs. Gas fryers and ovens are often used in commercial kitchens because they generate much more power. Overall, this range of commercial range has less parts and can be easier to maintain and undergo less commercial repair.
That said, some of the commercial electric ranges offer benefits as well. For example, electric ovens offer superior baking options – such as convection capabilities. Electric commercial appliances are often easier and safer to use, and are cheaper. Most of the smaller commercial appliances, such as toasters, are exclusively electric.
Different Types of Commercial Appliances
There are many different commercial appliances for purchase, all of which are especially designed for your specific needs. Here are a few of the different subcategories of commercial appliances you can buy.
Commercial Exhaust Hoods
Exhaust hoods are an important part of any commercial kitchen. They’re required for safe use of the kitchen, as well as keeping in code with health requirements.
Commercial exhaust hoods serve a few different functions. They can be used to reduce smoke, steam, and hot air from a kitchen during cooking. They can also be used to eliminate grease and food particles.
No commercial kitchen can function without a good ventilation system. There are several different kinds of commercial exhaust hoods available for your specific kitchen and spacial requirements.
Commercial Walk-In Freezers
A walk-in freezer isn’t an appliance you would expect to see in a domestic kitchen! But, they are common in restaurants. These large freezers are important for any business running at a very high volume. Commercial kitchens require plenty of room to store frozen food and ingredients and that is why a walk-in is needed.
These walk-in freezers are also a must-have for commercial kitchens that have to freeze very large containers or boxes that wouldn’t fit in a residential freezer. You can buy many different sizes of walk-in freezers. They are custom-made to the kind of space you have in your kitchen.
Commercial Walk-In Coolers
You cannot have a good commercial kitchen without plenty of food. Commercial walk-in coolers are needed for keeping a lot of stock fresh. If you’re managing a very large scale restaurant, then a normal-sized refrigerator won’t do. Walk-in refrigerators make it much more convenient to store away food, as well as to easily 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 french fries to chicken wings, a commercial deep fryer can cook many delicious items for a restaurant. Some of these foods just cannot be made without a commercial fryer available. These are commercial appliances that become invaluable tools for cooking meals.
You are able to choose between electric or gas fryers. Electric fryers take a while longer to heat up, but they recover quicker after frying cycles. They are also simpler to manage. Gas fryers can go to higher temperatures, and they heat up faster than electric.
Beyond electric or gas, you can get stand-up fryers or countertop fryers. These can come in all kinds of different sizes and volumes, based on your needs.
Commercial Grills
The grill is generally the center of a commercial kitchen. This is where most of the hot meals are prepared, and it is crucial that your grill performs to your needs. Grills are sold in all shapes and models, and it is important to buy the one that’s best suited for whatever you are cooking in your restaurant.
You can have electric or gas grills. Gas grills deliver faster and higher heat. They will also cook more evenly than electric. Electric grills are usually less expensive and sometimes have more features. However, electric grills heat up slowly and can be difficult to maintain.
Commercial Steam Cooking Equipment
Steam cooking is a great technique that can be used for a variety of foods. This style of cooking is energy-efficient and cost-effective. Commercial steamers are available in countertop, floor, or microwave units. You can also get steam kettles, combi ovens, steam generators and portion steamers.
Steam cooking is very healthy for you, and also fast and efficient. It also offers a good way of keeping cooked food warm without drying out.
Commercial Toasters
Commercial toasters are important for kitchens that provide breakfast. Toasters can vary widely, depending on what their specific use is. You can get flat press toasters (great for sandwiches), commercial pop-up toasters, roller toasters, bun-grilling toasters and more. Even waffle irons can fit under this category.
For kitchens that cook a lot of breakfast, quick and efficient commercial toasters are essential.
Commercial Specialty Cooking Equipment
Some special food items can’t be cooked using regular commercial appliances – especially if you want them cooked at a high quantity. This is where specialized cooking appliances comes in.
Specialty equipment serves a single unique purpose. If you’re planning on cooking something specific, you probably want the exact appliance for the job. This equipment could include pasta cookers, crepe makers, sous vide immersion circulators and more.
Commercial Appliances In Review
Building a commercial kitchen can seem like a difficult job. It is very important that you understand the kind of equipment available for purchase first. The appliances that you buy will have to be specifically based on your kitchen space, and the kind of food that plan to be be serving.
Within the several categories of commercial appliances, there are so many models available. Purchasing the correct appliance for the task can make the difference to the success of your restaurant.