If you’re thinking about opening a restaurant, one of the first things you’ll need to consider is what kind of food you want to serve and the equipment that will be needed. Restaurants are unique business establishments that require special types of equipment and furnishings to prepare and serve food. The type of restaurant that you choose will determine the type of equipment that will be needed. Some restaurants have very little special equipment while others may have numerous pieces. Depending on where your location and target audience, there are some pieces of equipment that are more appropriate than others. Furthermore, depending on the layout of your premises, certain types may be more suitable than others. Here we explore everything from fryers to exhaust hoods to help you decide which kitchen set-up is right for your establishment.
What is the best type of equipment for a restaurant?
If we look at the three main types of equipment in a commercial kitchen, they are as follows:
- Cooking equipment (stoves, ovens, etc.) - Food preparation equipment (cutting boards, mixers, etc.)
- Food serving or display equipment (tables, chaffing dishes, etc.)
Each of these three areas of equipment has its own particular set of needs and requirements. Cooking equipment must be able to stand up to extremely high temperatures; food preparation equipment is mostly used only briefly, but must be cleanable and sanitizable; while serving equipment must be attractive and sturdy enough to be used repeatedly.
Ovens
If you are planning on opening a restaurant that offers baked goods like pastries or bread, you will need to consider acquiring an oven. Ovens are used to cook foods that are baked or roasted. Depending on the type of restaurant that you are planning to open, you will likely want to acquire different types of ovens. For example, if you want to offer roasted meats such as chicken, pork, or beef, you would need to acquire a roaster oven. If you want to offer baked goods, such as bread and pastries, you would need to acquire a baker’s oven. Pastry shops that offer pizza will also need a deck oven. Depending on the types of foods that you want to prepare in your oven, you may wish to purchase a convection oven. This type of oven cooks food more quickly and evenly than a regular oven.
Restaurant Food Warmers and Holders
If you plan on serving baked goods, you will need to have equipment for warming your pastries and baked goods. Food warmers are used to keep foods at a warm temperature. Warming drawers are used to keep baked goods warm. Depending on the size of your restaurant, you might choose to acquire a warming drawer designed for commercial use. Warming cabinets are used to keep food warm at a low temperature. Depending on the size of your restaurant, you may choose to acquire a warming cabinet designed for commercial use.
Conclusion
When choosing the equipment that is right for your restaurant, it is important to consider the types of foods that you will be serving. This can help you decide whether to acquire a stove, an oven, or both. It can also help you decide whether to buy commercial kitchen equipment or equipment designed for home use. When deciding on the type of equipment that will be best for your restaurant, it is important to consider how often it will be used. For example, you will likely use your ovens more often than your stoves. You may also want to consider the amount of space that is available in your kitchen. This can help you decide which types of equipment will be best suited for your establishment.