If you’re planning to open a restaurant or catering business, then you are going to have to buy commercial appliances. The types of cooking equipment you have in your kitchen are extremely important for your restaurant, therefore it is vital that you buy the best equipment for cooking mouth-watering food for customers.
Due to all the choices available, setting up your commercial kitchen can feel daunting. Here is a helpful guide to some of the different types of commercial appliances available.
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Commercial Ranges – Gas or Electric?
One thing to understand concerning commercial ranges is they are manufactured in electric or gas models. Both have their benefits and drawbacks.
Gas appliances are more powerful, and better suited for large scale commercial operations. The appliances heat quickly and are usually a lot more durable. For preparing meals, gas ovens are the preferred choice for restaurant chefs. Gas fryers and stoves are often in commercial kitchens since they offer more power. Overall, this type of commercial range has fewer parts and is easier to maintain and undergo less commercial repair.
That said, commercial electric ranges offer benefits also. For example, electric stoves offer superior baking options – such as convection capabilities. Electric commercial appliances are typically easier and safer to use, and are less expensive. Most of small appliances, such as toasters, are always electric.
Different Types of Commercial Appliances
There are loads of different commercial appliances available, all of which are especially designed for your specific needs. Here are a handful of the different models of commercial appliances that you can get.
Commercial Exhaust Hoods
Exhaust hoods are an essential part of a commercial kitchen. They’re needed for safe use of the kitchen, plus keeping in code with health standards.
Exhaust hoods provide a couple of different functions. They can be used to reduce smoke, steam, and hot air from a commercial kitchen while cooking. They can also be used to eliminate grease and food particles.
No commercial kitchen would be able to function unless there is a good ventilation system. There are many different kinds of exhaust hoods available for your kind of kitchen and requirements.
Commercial Walk-In Freezers
A walk-in freezer isn’t an appliance that you would expect to find in a residential kitchen! However, they are common in restaurants. These massive freezers are necessary for any business running at a high volume. Commercial kitchens have to have plenty of space to store frozen food and ingredients and that is why a walk-in is needed.
These walk-in freezers are also good for commercial kitchens that have to freeze very large containers or boxes that would not fit into a residential freezer. You can get many different sizes of walk-in freezers. They’re custom-fitted to the kind 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 important for keeping a lot of food chilled. If you’re managing a large scale business, then a normal-sized refrigerator will not be enough. Walk-in coolers make it far more convenient to stash away food, as well as easier to grab out what you need. As with a walk-in freezer, these commercial appliances need to be specially fitted for your specific kitchen space.
Commercial Fryers
From chicken wings to french fries, a commercial deep fryer can cook a lot of delicious food in your kitchen. Some of these foods just can’t be prepared unless there is a commercial fryer available. These are commercial appliances that will be invaluable assets for preparing appetizers and side dishes.
You can decide between gas or electric fryers. Electric fryers do take a while longer to heat up, but they recover quicker between frying cycles. They are also much easier to cook with. Gas fryers can go to higher temperatures, and they heat up faster.
Beyond gas or electric, you can purchase stand-up fryers or countertop fryers. These can come in all types of different sizes and volumes, depending on your needs.
Commercial Grills
The grill is typically the focus of a kitchen. This is where a majority of the hot meals are cooked, and it’s vital that your grill performs to your needs. Grills are made in a variety of shapes and models, and it’s important to have the one that is best suited for what you are cooking in your restaurant.
You can buy electric or gas grills. Gas grills provide higher and faster heat. They will also cook more evenly. Electric grills are typically cheaper and sometimes have more features. Although, electric grills heat slower and can be difficult to maintain.
Commercial Steam Cooking Equipment
Steam cooking is a great method that can be done for many types 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 purchase steam kettles, combi ovens, steam generators and portion steamers.
Steam cooking is healthy for you, and also fast and efficient. It also presents a ideal way of keeping cooked food warm and not cooling.
Commercial Toasters
Commercial toasters are important for kitchens and restaurants that offer breakfast. Toasters can vary widely, depending on what their use is. You can purchase flat press toasters (excellent for paninis), commercial pop-up toasters, conveyor toasters, bun-grilling toasters and more. Even waffle irons fit under this category.
For kitchens that serve a lot of breakfast, fast and efficient commercial toasters are desired.
Commercial Specialty Cooking Equipment
Some special food items can’t be cooked using standard commercial appliances – especially if you want them prepared at a high rate. This is where specialized cooking appliances comes in.
Specialty equipment serves a single unique function. If you’re focused on cooking something specific, you may want the exact appliance for the job. This equipment could include pasta cookers, crepe makers, waffle cone makers, sous vide immersion circulators and more.
Commercial Appliances In Review
Equipping a commercial kitchen can feel like a daunting job. It’s important that you understand the types of appliances available beforehand. The appliances that you install will need to be specifically based on your space, and the kind of meals that plan to be be serving.
Within the several types of commercial appliances, there are many models out there. Buying the best appliance for the job will make the difference to the success of your kitchen.