Starting a commercial kitchen is a very exciting process. From dreaming up a menu to designing your logo, it’s the start of a new chapter that provides a world of opportunities.
However, getting off the ground with your commercial kitchen takes a lot more than graphic design. In fact, the largest portion of your startup process involves sourcing the right equipment to get the job done — including gas burners, benches and other commercial cooking appliances.
Let’s take a look at some needed equipment for commercial kitchens, including the tools required, product suggestions and what you need to consider in each category.
The ultimate list of restaurant kitchen equipment
There are dozens of equipment pieces you could use inside your commercial kitchen. However, what equipment will your restaurant kitchen need in the beginning?
There are four major categories:
- Cooking appliances
- Kitchen accessories
- Food prep tools
- Serving and storage
Let’s examine all the essential equipment for commercial kitchens by category.
Cooking appliances
Cooking appliances refer to the electric (or gas) appliances needed by kitchens in multiple industries. Many of these are mission-critical to a startup and should not be neglected under any circumstance.
There are five different kitchen appliances needed for a commercial kitchen:
Ovens
Whether you’re roasting, braising, baking or broiling, you’ll probably need an oven to make the magic happen. In fact, depending on your niche and the size of your business, you may need to purchase more than one.
There are several different types of ovens in the marketplace:
- Gas ovens — Gas ovens are known to hold extra moisture while baking, which is why it’s a great option for bakers and confectioners.
- Convection ovens — These unique appliances circulate hot air to maintain an even temperature around your food.
- Electric ovens — A standard oven in most appliance stores with hit or miss quality (depending on the brand).
Gas stoves for commercial kitchens
The oven you purchase for your commercial kitchen may not necessarily come with a stove. This is an important type of cooktop (normally located on top of your oven) that should always be a part of your startup costs. You can use commercial gas burners to quickly heat up your ingredients, resulting in more effective temperature control.
You have several types to choose from:
- Gas burning ranges and stoves — From single burners to double burners, you can quickly establish yourself in a commercial kitchen while saving extra time and money (especially if you need gas stoves to cater events).
- Induction stoves — These appliances are extremely high quality and reduce possible burn hazards, although they may be pricier than other oven types.
- Electric stoves — Many commercial kitchens start out with an electric stove. But unless you purchase the right brand for your niche, you may not be satisfied with your results.
Don’t be afraid to ask around and find brands of gas stoves that commercial kitchen owners love.
Freezers and refrigerators
Raw ingredients and special dishes need a cool place to stay in your kitchen.
Depending on the size of your commercial kitchen, you may want to begin with chest freezers and standalone refrigerators. As you grow, however, you should look into upgradable options like walk-in freezers and fridges.
Sinks
Commercial kitchens must be outfitted with prep sinks and sanitation stations to comply with local and federal law. You are required to have at least three:
- A sink for washing your hands
- A sink for washing food
- A sink for rinsing mops
Need more than this? You may want to buy a dishwasher to manage accruing dishes.
Grill
If your commercial kitchen wants to offer grilled foods, it will be imperative to buy a gas or electric grill before opening day.
There are dozens of different models on the market depending on what you need, from smokers and pellet grills to standard electric units. The option you pick depends on what you cook.
For example, you may want to use a charcoal grill for low and slow cooking. However, if you need to work fast, a gas grill may be your best option.
Kitchen accessories
Unlike the previous category, kitchen accessories are less space-consuming items that assist with your food preparation process. You may not need them for every dish you make, but they will probably get used at least once or twice a day.
A few suggestions include:
- Food processors — Anything that can mix food quickly, including blenders, immersion blenders and juice processors.
- Mixers — Quickly combine meats, bread and dough-based sweets in a multipurpose mixer built to last.
- Slicers — A slicer can cut up deli meat, bread and vegetables without forcing you to do more manual labour.
Food prep tools
Food prep begins with a careful understanding of what you have, what you need and how much space is required. Every commercial kitchen must be outfitted with at least a few of the following suggestions:
- Prep counters — Portable cooking benches and stations may be the best option in kitchens with less formalised workflows.
- Cutting boards — Industrial-sized cutting boards can handle large amounts of food at once.
- Cooking equipment — Woks, pans and other cooking tools should be of the highest quality you can afford (like carbon fibre).
- Safety equipment — Gloves, oven mitts, glasses and other materials may be necessary to run your commercial kitchen.
Serving and storage
The last point of consideration for a commercial kitchen space is the storage, display and management of food. In addition to your pots and pans (along with other key equipment), be sure to procure:
- Storage racks — Make sure these are heavy enough to manage your ingredients, containers and canned goods.
- Serveware — Choose the right plates, forks and cups for your guests, and have a little fun deciding on their look and feel.
- Storage containers — Whether you opt for plastic, glass or rubber totes, be sure your food storage solutions are durable and easy to clean.
Shop restaurant commercial kitchen equipment from
Nationwide Electrical
There are a lot of equipment considerations when starting a commercial kitchen, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed at the start. However, you can reduce some of this stress and feel more confident in your decisions by pairing with a skilled appliance provider like Nationwide Electrical.
After more than 40 years of service to the restaurants of Australia, Nationwide Electrical has the time, talent and tools necessary to get your venture off the ground. Our high quality guarantee ensures we offer nothing but the best, and our commitment to honesty, integrity and transparency is evident in everything we do.
Get the kitchen equipment commercial businesses need to succeed. Shop online with Nationwide Electrical today and discover a world of appliances right at your fingertips.
