Setting up your first commercial kitchen can be a whole lot of fun, especially if you have the budget for a few quality appliances. The goal is always to invest in items that will simplify food prep and help you cook consistent quality meals.
Your list of must-have appliances most likely includes items such as blast chillers, deep fryers and icemakers. If you need a few more ideas for appliances that will simplify meal prep in your kitchen, then this post is a must-read.
Quality Appliances Are Essential
The last thing you want to be doing is struggling to do things manually in a busy kitchen. Especially if there are ways to do it faster and more consistently. Here’s a list of the top appliances that will help you simplify a few of the more laborious tasks around the kitchen.
1. Blast Chillers
There’s a general misconception that blast chillers, or flash freezers, are not all that necessary. Once you use a blast chiller for the first time, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without one.
Blast chillers are designed to lower the temperature of your produce, salads, desserts, ice creams and drinks, making them ready to serve in no time. Another plus point is that blast chillers don’t freeze food in the process so there’s no freezer burn and no food that turns soggy when it’s thawed.
2. Deep Fryers
If your menu contains a lot of dishes that need to be fried, then a deep fryer should earn a spot on your list. Some deep fryers are designed to handle several batches of oil at once. This means that you can fry fish, chips, and sausages altogether without the oils of each mixing. Deep fryers are an essential item in a fast food café kitchen.
3. Under-Counter Dishwashers
With the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen, the number one item that you will definitely need is a dishwasher. While it’s true that you can simply hire someone to do this, the reality is that dishwashers benefit your kitchen in more ways than simply keeping the dishes clean.
Dishwashers use less water than manual washing, which in turn reduces your water bill. Furthermore, using a dishwasher means you have the sink available to rinse produce when necessary. For smaller kitchens, opt for under-counter options.
4. Convection Ovens
Customers will return to your café or restaurant for two reasons. Excellent service and quality food. That means your food should always be evenly cooked and consistently prepared. It needs to be the same quality and taste with each visit. The simplest way to achieve this result is to use a convection oven.
Typically, convection ovens can be used for most types of cooking such as roasting, baking and air frying. Since these ovens cook faster than traditional ovens, you won’t need to constantly stir and turn the food. Cafés that don’t cook large meals can opt for smaller countertop versions.
5. Plate Warmers
As a new kitchen owner, you can look forward to busy days when you have more customers than time. On these days you’ll need a few plate warmers to keep food warm while you’re waiting for servers to collect and serve them to customers. These will ensure that none of your customers complain about receiving cold food.
6. Blenders and Mixers
Every kitchen needs a few small blenders and at least one bigger benchtop mixer. This will make it easy to quickly whip up everything from a batch of fresh cream to mixing dough for desserts. You can also use blenders to mix your own spice or herb mixes.
7. Quality Coffee Maker
A quality coffee maker will ensure that you can add speciality coffees to your menu. This is an especially good idea if you serve the lunch rush or if you have sandwiches on your menu. Takeaway coffee and tea options are also an excellent way to boost your morning service.
Be sure to opt for a model that boasts its own milk frother and can handle more than one cup at a time. You can always upgrade to a larger model if your coffee clientele picks up.
8. Ice Makers
If you’re serving any type of drink, an ice maker is an absolute must. This will make drinks such as smoothies, iced teas and simple cold drinks very appealing in the Australian climate. If you have dessert displays, you can also use fresh ice to keep the desserts cool and fresh.
Final Thoughts
Every commercial kitchen owner dreams of streamlined processes, less manual work and the ability to serve quality food to appreciative customers. One of the more effective ways to achieve this is by investing in a few of the appliances that will benefit your kitchen the most.
Your choices should be based on the types of foods you’re going to prepare the most frequently. If you can’t afford all the appliances on your wish list, the good news is that you can spoil yourself with a new one every time your profits allow!
