So you want to start your own restaurant? Congratulations! Starting any business is always daunting. Restaurants are unique because they require a very specific list of equipment and fittings that don’t really change. To make sure that you don’t overlook a crucial detail, we have compiled a list of must-have equipment. Refer to this list, and you will ensure that your restaurant is not missing anything.
A fridge
You simply cannot go without a refrigeration system. Your fridge will stop your food and produce from going ‘off’ and developing harmful bacteria, potentially infecting your patrons and causing your business to be inspected or shut down. You can choose eco-friendly options will have lower energy consumption and will result in a lower energy bill. You can also buy your fridge second-hand. Second-hand whitegoods are frequently in great condition and lessen the sting of this costly up-front investment.
A grill
Most kitchens will need to use a grill for some of their featured menu items. You might use your grill for charring the perfect steak, sizzling up morning bacon, or cooking up vegetables to perfection. You have many different options available to you, and choosing the right grill for your restaurant should not be too difficult. You can always upgrade at a later date if you find that this piece of equipment is essential to your daily operations.
An icemaker
An icemaker may seem option but read on to find why this item is indispensable. Firstly, customers greatly appreciate their water being iced. It compliments food better and will make your restaurant seem more upmarket. An icemaker also works out cheaper than buying fresh ice each day. You can also crush the ice and use it for smoothies, mocktails, cocktails and even certain dishes.
A griddle
Your griddle can be used in a similar way to your grill. It can be used to cook pancakes, hotcakes, patties, and more. Griddles are also smaller than grills which makes them more suitable for small café spaces and even food trucks.
A grease-trap
Food preparation and washing up will always generate large amounts of organic waste. Clogs of fat, grease and food solids can cause extensive damage to your plumbing if they are washed down the sink and enter your pipes. This can be costly to fix and may even bring your restaurant to a standstill. A grease-trap is the only way to prevent against this plumbing disaster. The grease-trap is an invaluable investment.
Knives
Chef’s knives are typically of a higher quality than knives used in domestic kitchens. This is because they are used for many hours each day, day in and day out. They must also have comfortable handles. Your chefs and staff will be using them for many hours each day, and you do not want anyone developing an RSI injury. Additionally, you will need many different kinds of knife. Each knife will be most effective for particular ingredients.
Shelving solutions
Organization is key. Without proper organization, you may misplace key ingredients or neglect to use ingredients before they spoil. Most restaurants will buy their groceries in large quantities, and short of running a food truck, you will definitely have a long-term storage system in place. You need to ensure that your shelves are durable and will not fall under the weight of your products. Fridge, freezer and shelves in humid climates will also need to be epoxy coated. You can also consider building a walk-in pantry.
Dispensers
Dispensers, or squeezy bottles, are great for restaurants of all kinds. They can be used to store oil, vinegar and dressings to be used for food preparation in the kitchen. You can also put dispensers on the table for condiments like tomato sauce. They can be more elegant than ketchup bottles.
A Restaurant POS system including a printer
If you look at open kitchen restaurants, you will notice that ‘tickets’ are printed off for each order that is made, placed in a line, and removed as the dish is brought out to the customer. This is done using a kitchen printer. To prevent confusion, we highly recommend investing in a kitchen printer along with your restaurant POS system.
One last thing
Don’t forget about the insurance. A restaurant kitchen replies heavily on its tools such as fridge, freezer, cook top, mixer etc. If any of them breaks down, you restaurant won’t even operate. Consider getting insurance to cover these fundamental equipment and tools in your kitchen.
