If you’re looking to open a restaurant or catering service, you’re going to have to buy commercial appliances. The types of equipment you have available are very important for your business, so it is vital that you have the correct tools for preparing tasty meals for your guests.
Due to all the options out there, setting up your commercial kitchen can feel overwhelming. Here is our guide to some of the different types of commercial appliances available.
Looking for commercial appliance repair? Click here.
Commercial Ranges – Gas or Electric?
Something to know about commercial ranges is they’re made in gas or electric models. Both have benefits and disadvantages.
Gas appliances are much more powerful, and a lot better suited for large scale commercial businesses. The appliances heat quickly and are usually more durable. For cooking, gas ranges are the preferred choice for restaurant chefs. Gas fryers and gas ovens are typically used in commercial kitchens since they generate much more power. Overall, this range of commercial range has less components and is easier to maintain and undergo less commercial repair.
That said, commercial electric ranges offer benefits too. For example, electric ovens offer superior baking features – like as convection. Electric commercial appliances are usually simpler and a lot safer to cook with, and are cheaper. Most of small commercial appliances, such as toasters, are exclusively electric.
Different Types of Commercial Appliances
There are many different commercial appliances available, all of which can be especially designed for your exact needs. Here are some of the various subcategories of commercial appliances that you can get.
Commercial Exhaust Hoods
Exhaust hoods are an essential part of any commercial kitchen. They’re needed for safe use of the kitchen, as well as keeping in code with health regulations.
Exhaust hoods provide a couple of different functions. They can be used to reduce fumes, steam, and hot air from a kitchen while cooking. They can also be used to filter grease and food particles.
No commercial kitchen would be able to function with no proper ventilation system. There are several different brands of commercial exhaust hoods for purchase for your specific kitchen and spacial requirements.
Commercial Walk-In Freezers
A walk-in freezer isn’t something you would see in a residential kitchen! However, they’re very normal in restaurants. These enormous freezers are important for any business running at a very high volume. Commercial kitchens require plenty of space to store frozen food and ingredients and this is why a walk-in is needed.
These commercial freezers are also good for commercial kitchens that have to freeze very large containers or boxes that cannot fit inside of a conventional freezer. You can purchase several different sizes of walk-in freezers. They are custom-made to the amount of space you have in your kitchen.
Commercial Walk-In Coolers
You can’t run a good commercial kitchen without plenty of food. Commercial walk-in coolers are needed for keeping a lot of food fresh. If you are managing a very large scale business, then a normal-sized refrigerator won’t do. Walk-in refrigerators make it far easier to store away food, as well as to easily grab out what you need. As with a walk-in freezer, these commercial appliances will have to be specially made for your specific kitchen space.
Commercial Fryers
From french fries to chicken wings, a deep fryer can cook many delicious items in your kitchen. Some foods just cannot be made unless there is a commercial fryer available. These are appliances that will become invaluable tools for cooking appetizers and side dishes.
You can choose between electric or gas fryers. Electric fryers do take a longer to heat up, but they also recover a lot quicker between frying cycles. They’re also simpler to manage. Gas fryers are able to reach higher temperatures, and they also heat up faster.
Beyond electric or gas, you can buy stand-up fryers or countertop fryers. These are available in all types of different sizes and volumes, dependent on your needs.
Commercial Grills
The grill is often the focus of a kitchen. This is where so much of the hot food is cooked, and it’s vital that your restaurant’s grill performs to your needs. Commercial grills are made in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it is important to buy the model that’s best suited to anything you’re cooking.
You can purchase gas or electric grills. Gas grills provide faster and higher heat. They also cook more evenly than electric. Electric grills are usually cheaper and sometimes have more features. However, electric grills heat up slower and can be difficult to maintain.
Commercial Steam Cooking Equipment
Steam cooking is a fantastic method that can be done for many types of meals. This style of cooking is energy-efficient and cost-effective. Commercial steamers are available in countertop, floor, or microwave models. You can also purchase steam kettles, combi ovens, steam generators and portion steamers.
Steam cooking is healthy for you, and also fast and efficient. It also offers a good way of keeping prepared food warm without cooling.
Commercial Toasters
Commercial toasters are important for kitchens that serve breakfast. Toasters can vary widely, based on what their specific use is. You can get flat press toasters (great for paninis), commercial pop-up toasters, conveyor toasters, bun-grilling toasters and more. Even waffle irons fall under this category.
For kitchens that cook a lot of breakfast foods, fast and efficient commercial toasters are desired.
Commercial Specialty Cooking Equipment
Some unique food items cannot be cooked with regular appliances – especially if you need them cooked at a high volume. This is where specialized cooking equipment are helpful.
Specialty equipment serves a custom unique function. If you’re planning on preparing something very specific, you may want the exact tool for the job. This equipment could include pasta cookers, waffle cone makers, sous vide immersion circulators and more.
Commercial Appliances In Review
Equipping a commercial kitchen can seem like a daunting job. It is important that you understand the types of equipment available first. The commercial appliances that you choose will have to be specifically determined by your kitchen space, and the types of food that you will be cooking.
Within the many categories of commercial appliances, there are so many brands out there. Buying the right appliance for the task can make all the difference to the success of your kitchen.