The Basic Equipment Checklist for Commercial Kitchens

 

What's a kitchen? And why are kitchens important in our lives? Kitchens are defined as rooms or places where food is prepared and cooked. The origins of the term can be traded to the old Latin verb “coquere”, which means “to cook”. “Coquere” later became “coquina”, and in Middle English it became “kichene” and finally “kitchen”! But when it comes to a commercial setting (like restaurants), kitchens serve as the brain or the nerve center of operations.  Read on to learn more about the basic equipment checklist for commercial kitchens. 

What You Need to Outfit a Restaurant Kitchen

Perhaps both neophyte and experienced restaurant owners know that kitchens are the heart and brain of its successful operations. So, when things fall apart in the kitchen, this leads to a domino effect which eventually wrecks the whole restaurant. 

For restaurants, the basic commercial kitchen equipment Brisbane checklist includes items like an oven, range, deep fryer, reach-in cooler, walk-in cooler, freezer, saute pans, stock and soup pots, saucepans, baking sheets, baking pans, pizza screens, tongs and spatulas. 

The other basic commercial kitchen equipment Brisbane includes ladles, metal and plastic shelves, chef's knives, mixing bowls, pasta bowls, appetizer plates, salad plates, dessert plates, whisks, cleaning rags, cleaning buckets, rubber floor mats, hand soap and sanitizer dispensers, steam table, entree plates and fire extinguishers (to put out fires).  

Depending on the kitchen's size, as well as the restaurant's concept, the establishment's owner or head chef may not need all of the items listed above. Nevertheless, the restaurant owner must ensure that they consider every aspect of their kitchen layout and menu plan as they create their own commercial kitchen equipment Brisbane list. 

The Costs of Building a Commercial Kitchen

In a restaurant setting, the kitchen is considered as one of the biggest expenses. While getting a $200,000 loan might look like a lot of money when setting up a kitchen and buying all the required commercial kitchen equipment Brisbane, this amount can quickly run out even after you've just invested in new (or used) ranges, ovens, grills and coolers! 

If you buy new kitchen equipment, remember that these items can depreciate (just like a new car or motorcycle), especially the moment they leave the showroom or appliance center. Thus, one great way to save cash during the kitchen startup process would be to either lease or buy used (but good quality) kitchen equipment. 

One of the best places to buy used (but still good quality) commercial kitchen equipment Brisbane would be at restaurant auctions, where you could find stuff like bread baskets, flatware, dishware  serving utensils and other items for pennies! 

Just keep in mind that purchasing used kitchen equipments doesn't come with a warranty, although this shouldn't serve as a deal-breaker or a source of discouragement (Although you still need to factor this into what you're willing to pay for your kitchen!). 

And when buying new or used kitchen equipment, remember that the salesperson will try to sell you more than what you need. So, make sure you only get what you truly need!