The Ultimate Restaurant Equipment Checklist

Running a successful restaurant isn’t just about having the right employees and managing your operations smartly and wisely. You also need to have all the essential equipment to ensure that your team has everything they need to prepare food and move it quickly from the kitchen to your customer tables.

Check out this article to learn about the essentials in restaurant equipment.

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1. The Importance of Having the Right Equipment

It doesn’t matter what type of restaurant you run, you’ll need the right equipment to prepare food, serve your menu to customers, and keep your restaurant running smoothly. Before buying equipment, come up with a customized plan for your restaurant operations, making a preliminary list of the equipment you’ll need.

Think of the following when buying equipment:

Know your menu

Make sure you fully know what food you’re serving your clientele and what it will take to prepare these foods.

Kitchen size

Measure your kitchen so you know that all the equipment you purchase will fit into the space. Don’t forget to factor in work space.

Budget

Think of the cost and ROI when buying equipment. You’ll need to recover the cost so keep ROI in mind when buying.

Choose top quality brands

Your restaurant equipment is going to have to withstand constant wear and tear. Choose brands that get good reviews from other restaurateurs.

Maintenance

Maintenance on larger kitchen equipment is important. To protect your investment, schedule regular maintenance.

2. The Expected Costs

One of the biggest costs for any restaurant is the kitchen. You can spend as little as $50,000 for a simple kitchen operation to more than $150,000 for a larger kitchen setup. Equipment and appliances are a necessary expense but the amount of money you spend can quickly add up.

Here’s what to consider when buying equipment:

Kitchen equipment is an investment.
Equipping your kitchen requires specific equipment if you have a specialized menu and restaurant theme.
To cut back on costs, it’s okay to buy used equipment if it’s in good condition, but keep in mind that larger equipment, such as refrigerators, may no longer come with a warranty.
Buy equipment that’s energy efficient. As you go through your checklist of equipment for your restaurant, consider buying equipment that’s energy efficient so you can maximize your profit margin. For instance, you can lower water consumption by choosing a dishwasher that uses pre-rinse valves and turns water off between rinse cycles.

3. Essential Restaurant Equipment For Your Operations.

A. Equipment for Refrigeration

Refrigeration is necessary to keep food fresh at a safe temperature and prevent it from spoiling. Depending on the size of your restaurant, you’ll need refrigerators and freezers of various capacities.

Fridges: Choose from walk-in fridges to standalone to under the counter. For larger kitchens, and depending on the diversity of your menu, you may need to have more than one refrigerator. Ideally, you’ll want a fridge large enough to contain a week’s worth of food inventory.
Freezers: Just like refrigerators, the size of freezer you require will depend on the size of your restaurant. Not only will freezers hold day to day items needed for food prep, they can also be cost effective for inventory management. Talk to your distributor about purchasing bulk food at a discount.
Ice machine: An ice machine is essential for serving cold drinks such as sodas, water, and alcoholic beverages.

B. Cooking Equipment

Based on the menu and the specialized items you’re serving you’ll need different types of cooking equipment to prepare food correctly.

Grills and griddles: Grills are versatile and can be used to cook a variety of foods from burgers to steak.
Oven: Choose from electric or gas conventional ovens as well as convection ovens which use fans to move hot air for fast cooking.
Range: Ranges are also available in electric or gas with either a flat surface or burner grates. Consider choosing one that has a salamander for broiling fish and meat and browning the tops of dishes.
Deep fryer: Available in floor model or countertop styles, deep fryers aren’t just for preparing French fries. Use them to make chicken fingers, tempura, and calamari.
Toaster: Commercial toasters are used to toast bagels, bread, buns, English muffins, and any other type of bread product. Options include conveyer or pop-up toasters.
Microwave: Quickly re-heat food or defrost from frozen with a microwave. Choose a commercial microwave that can withstand higher volumes of food and heavy use.
Coffee machine: It’s not just cafés that need a good coffee machine. Provide your customers with a good coffee experience by investing in a quality coffee maker. Choose a smaller coffee maker for moderate use or a commercial coffee brewer for higher volume.
Warming equipment: Used to keep prepped food and sauces warm throughout the meal service at a safe temperature, warming equipment such as a steam table can be invaluable.

C. Food Preparation

Just as important as bigger cooking equipment are smaller appliances and tools for food prep.

Tables for food prep: There a huge number of food prep tables to choose from, including those that have a backsplash and undershelves. The best choice are stainless steel tables that are easy to keep clean.
Food processors: A time-saving and versatile appliance, food processors can be used for a variety of jobs, including chopping vegetables and thinly slicing cheese and meats.
Blenders: It’s not just cafés and bars that need a blender – use this appliance to make dips, dressings, and sauces.
Mixing machines: Commercial mixers come in both countertop and standing floor models. Use them for preparing your own pizza dough or making other baked goods.
Coffee and spice grinders: Add uniqueness to your menu by grinding your own coffee beans and spices.

D. Dishwashing Equipment

For safe food handling you’ll need dishwashing equipment as well as utility sinks and handwashing stations.

Dishwasher: A three-stage commercial dishwasher can clean kitchen tools and dishes in just a few minutes, reducing the labor time that it would take to wash by hand. There are many different models on the market – choose based on size and affordability. Buy a dishwasher that’s large enough to handle the volume of dishes you’ll need washed during your busiest service.
Utility sink: You’ll need more than one sink for different purposes to avoid cross-contamination. For washing fruits and vegetables, install a single utility sink. You’ll also require a three-sink washing system to handwash larger tools and equipment as well as a sink that’s used just for mop water and sanitation.
Handwashing station: A separate handwashing station ensures that all your employees have access just for this purpose and can follow safe food handling practices.

E. Tools for Food Prep

Your kitchen staff will need the right smallware in the kitchen to prep and cook the items on your menu.

Knives: Having the right type of chef knives is indispensable and lets your kitchen staff cut, dice, and slice efficiently. Look for knives that are safe and comfortable to use with an ergonomic handle.
Pots and pans: Before buying every different type of pot or pan available, determine what your kitchen staff will need to make the foods you’re serving. Will you need them to fry, sauté, braise, or boil?
Bowls: Mixing bowls are essential for food prep – choose from a variety of different sizes.
Spoons: Your kitchen will need a wide selection of spoons to use for prepping, cooking, and serving.
Cutting boards: Cutting boards made from high density polyethylene are best for commercial kitchens to ensure food safety. To prevent cross contamination, consider color coding your cutting boards so those used for meats aren’t used for vegetables.
Large food pans: Large food pans are ideal for holding cooked foods and keeping them warm in the oven or on the warming table.
Tongs and flippers: Kitchen staff will get a lot of use out of tongs and flippers, which can be used for food prep and serving, grabbing hot pans, and lowering and lifting foods from hot pots.

F. Equipment for Storage

Your restaurant will need storage equipment to store food ingredients, dinner and servingware, and other miscellaneous items so you can stay organized.

Containers for food storage: Choose storage containers of multiple sizes for storing dry ingredients, such as flour and pasta, as well as food ingredients that have been prepped ahead of time, such as sauces and salad ingredients. Containers that can be labeled or have colored lids are a good option to speed up kitchen efficiency so staff can quickly identify what they need.
Shelving: Shelving can provide even more organization in the kitchen for storing everything from dry ingredients to cooking pots and pans. Customize shelves according to space, storing less used items at the top.
Utility carts: Taking up minimal room, utility carts are versatile and can be used to transport items from the freezer or other storage areas to the kitchen. Carts can also be used for bussing tables.
Air drying racks: Heavy-duty racks provide space for air drying kitchen tools and equipment as well as dinnerware and cutting boards.

G. Janitorial and cleaning equipment

Anything you need to maintain a sanitary and safe workspace will fill under the category of janitorial and cleaning equipment.

Mops and buckets: Use dry and wet mops along with mop buckets to clean up at the end of service as well as during the day to clean up messes as they occur.
Cleaning sponges: Keep kitchen equipment, pots and pans, and tools clean using abrasive sponges, cleaning scrubbers, and soft sponges. Consider buying these items in bulk.
Cleaning cloths: Use microfiber cloths and dish towels to clean and wipe kitchen equipment.
Garbage bins: Place garbage bins in several places in the kitchen for ease of use.
Recycle bins: Place recycle bins near the kitchen food prep areas.
Cleaning chemicals: Use non-toxic chemicals to clean all areas of the kitchen, including general cleaners, degreasers, and surface sanitizers.
Bathroom cleaning equipment: Keep bathrooms clean with specialized equipment and cleaners, including disinfectants and sanitizers. Keep these cleaning products in a separate section of the kitchen or in another storage area.

4. Conclusion

Owning the right type of commercial kitchen equipment is an important aspect of operating your own restaurant. The equipment listed here will help you store and prepare food professionally and safely. Whether you’re opening a new kitchen or updating one that’s already existing, outline which equipment is going to add to the success of your business. You’ll be able to increase efficiency and provide your kitchen staff with the tools they need to make your kitchen service a success.

Commercial Kitchen Equipment List

Here is a general checklist of everything you need to outfit your restaurant kitchen:

Range
Oven
Grill
Deep-fryer
Reach-in cooler
Walk-in cooler
Freezer (either a chest, upright, or walk-in)
Sauté pans
Stock/soup pots
Saucepans
Baking sheets
Pizza screens
Baking pans
Tongs
Spatulas
Ladles
Chef’s knives
Pizza paddle
Whisks
Mixing bowls
Plastic inserts for coolers
Steam table
Entrée plates
Pasta bowls
Appetizer plates
Salad plates
Dessert plates
Metal or plastic shelves for walk-in cooler
Cleaning rags
Cleaning buckets (specifically labeled for cleaning products)

Rubber floor mats
Hand soap and sanitizer dispensers
Fire extinguisher

Depending on the size of your restaurant kitchen and the restaurant concept, you may not need every item. Or you may need other types of equipment more specific to your restaurant concept, such as an ice cream maker if your restaurant will make artisan ice cream, or bread pans if you plan to make your bread in-house. Be sure you're considering every aspect of your menu plan and kitchen layout as you make your equipment list.

List of the Top 10 Must-Have Kitchen Equipment for Restaurants

Opening a brand new restaurant can be confusing and stressful. With so many different things to keep track of, it can be easy to forget kitchen equipment and appliances that are essential to operating your business.

To help you stay on top of your to-do list and ensure that your restaurant opening goes smoothly, we created this checklist of the top 10 pieces of restaurant equipment that every establishment needs.

1. Refrigeration Equipment

Refrigeration equipment is critical in a foodservice establishment because it prevents your food from spoiling or melting. While stainless steel refrigerators and freezers are essential, different types of restaurants will need various features and capacities.

For instance, larger commercial kitchens may need to take advantage of a walk-in cooler for bulk items and to maintain a healthy inventory. Smaller food service businesses can usually get by with a single or double door reach-in commercial refrigerator.

Fortunately, there are many types of refrigerators to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for every restaurant, whether you’re opening a sandwich shop, fancy Italian restaurant, or a fast-casual joint.

2. Commercial Grills

Every commercial kitchen needs a grill, stovetop or cooking range. Whether you’re creating delicious Cuban sandwiches in a panini press, flipping pancakes on a griddle, or adding appetizing grill marks to your steaks, commercial grills are an essential part of your kitchen.

Grills come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and types, making it easy to find an option that will perfectly meet the needs of your business. The most popular choices for restaurants are commercial ranges, griddles, stovetops, and charbroilers.

Cooking equipment can be costly, so make sure to compare prices before you make a purchase. We’ve compiled the best selling charbroilers in the commercial kitchen equipment category for you to check out at Amazon here.

3. Ice Machines

When it comes to serving beverages, ice machines are just as crucial as soda fountains. Ice machines create ice and then dispense it into an ice bin or soda fountain. While ice is necessary for serving soda and iced water, you can also use ice machines to create blended drinks like smoothies, margaritas, and alcoholic slushies.

An ice machine is also essential for bars in restaurants so that the wells (ice bin) can always have plenty of fresh ice. Most contemporary bars will use under counter ice makers, but any ice machine that can handle your capacity will get the job done.

4. Salamander Broilers

Salamander broilers are valuable pieces of equipment for pizzerias, sandwich shops, and bakeries as they allow you to finish off your dishes before serving them to your customers. Salamanders brown the top of your dishes and melt cheese on top of your casseroles and sandwiches to entice your customers. Some of these products also attach to your range or directly to your walls, so they don’t take up valuable countertop space.

5. Griddles

Griddles (also known as a flat top grill) are ideal pieces of equipment for cooking many different foods, such as burgers, breakfast foods, and grilled sandwiches. Due to their versatility, griddles are an essential appliance for any foodservice establishment. Plus, there are several types and sizes of countertop griddles to consider.

The types of flat grills consist of countertop griddles, drop-in griddles, and teppanyaki grills, each with specific uses. The large drop-in plate styles are perfect for commercial use, or small countertop grills are ideal for small restaurants or food trucks. Some are gas-powered, and some are electric. So be sure to choose the best option for your business type and needs.

6. Grease Traps

Grease, sediment, and solids entering your plumbing system can lead to lengthy and expensive repairs, so it’s good to protect your plumbing by using a grease trap. Grease traps attach to your commercial dishwashers, food prep sinks, and other equipment that connects to your plumbing, and they catch any grease or food particles to prevent them from draining into your pipes. Because they can save your business a lot of money in repair costs, they’re essential restaurant items for any foodservice establishment.

7. Chef Knives

While maybe not technically restaurant kitchen equipment, make sure to purchase a sharp set of chef knives. A quality set of chef knives are indispensable to chefs and kitchen staff in any foodservice setting. Chef knives come in many different sizes and styles, allowing chefs to choose the option that best suits their task. Most chef knives also feature ergonomic and comfortable handles, which is ideal when preparing large quantities of food and chopping for long periods of time.

8. Commercial Shelving

You also need commercial shelving as part of your restaurant kitchen equipment checklist. Shelving helps foodservice establishments stay organized, and it can be used to store and organize anything from food items to dinnerware. Many types of shelves are heavy duty and are made out of durable materials, allowing them to hold lots of products without buckling. Additionally, some racks are rust-resistant and feature epoxy coatings that make them perfect for use in humid environments, like a walk-in coolers, walk-in refrigerators, and freezers.

9. Squeeze Bottles

Again, while not necessarily restaurant kitchen equipment, you will also need squeeze bottles for commercial kitchens. Whether you’re looking for a condiment dispenser to leave on your tables for self-service or you want a product to improve your plating technique, squeeze bottles are perfect. You can use these products to hold many different types of liquids, like condiments, sauces, oils, or salad dressings. Most squeeze bottles also have easily removable caps, which make them easy to refill.

10. Restaurant POS System with Kitchen Printer

A kitchen printer, typically called an impact printer or dot matrix printer, is used to print tickets from your new restaurant point of sale system to your kitchen so your kitchen staff can prepare the food for your guests. Some commercial kitchens may just need one printer, while others may require multiple printers. For instance, you may need a dedicated printer for your prep station or expeditor, while having a dedicated printer for your line cooks.

A modern point of sale system like Harbortouch Bar & Restaurant allows you to specify to which printer you want your menu items sent for preparation of your food items.

Conclusion

This list of essential restaurant kitchen equipment makes it simple for every restaurant business owner to get started. No matter if you require commercial kitchen equipment or supplies for your restaurant, we’ve provided links above to find everything you need.

Each button sends you to the best sellers and pricing that’s updated hourly. We’ve provided these links so you can read reviews, compare prices, and find the most popular kitchen equipment that every new restaurant needs.

To toot our own horn, when you’re ready for a point of sale system, please check us out and find out how we can help your business thrive in any economy!

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