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Are you opening a new restaurant or foodservice establishment? If you are, you need specific commercial kitchen supplies and accessories. Some may seem obvious; others may not be as conspicuous.
There are more than 660,000 restaurants in the United States. That doesn't include other foodservice kitchens, like those in schools, rec centers, medical facilities, and institutions.
What these kitchens all have in common is the need for industrial-grade equipment. You will need to take a strategic approach when making your list. Here are the top twelve categories of supplies and accessories any commercial kitchen needs.
Key Takeaways:
- Different stations throughout your commercial kitchen need specific supplies. Server stations require supplies necessary for serving guests in the dining room, like appetizer plates or silverware and other cutlery.
- Food prep supplies consist of mixing bowls, serving and prep utensils, and entree plates. You will also need beverage serving equipment and accessories such as ice and champagne buckets, wine bottle holders, and stemware.
- Your commercial kitchen needs chaffing dishes and serving carts. You must also add cooking supplies like pots, pans, and baking sheets to your equipment list.
- Refrigeration units and large appliances are an obvious necessity. You will also need racks and shelves along with food storage equipment.
- Non-food-related supplies your commercial kitchen needs include cleaning equipment, like buckets, cleaning cloths, and cleaning agents. Your establishment will also require safety supplies like rubber mats, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits.
12 Top Commercial Kitchen Supplies and Accessories
Your commercial kitchen is the heart of any foodservice establishment. The equipment needed will be one of your biggest expenses.
You can spend upwards of $250,000 to purchase all the commercial kitchen supplies and accessories you need. Here's where that money will go:
1. Server Station Supplies
Server stations are where your employees keep the supplies necessary for serving guests in the dining room for easy access. The items include:
- Appetizer plates
- Salad plates
- Dessert plates
- Silverware and cutlery
- Condiments and condiment holders
- To-go containers
2. Food Prep Supplies
These include items necessary for preparing the food for your guests. They range from utensils to platers. Here are a few of the food prep supplies your commercial kitchen needs:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisks
- Spatulas
- Tongs
- Ladles
- Chef’s knives
- Entrée plates
- Pasta bowls
- Steam table
- Food storage containers
3. Beverage Servers
Commercial kitchens of all types offer beverage services, from self-serve fountain stations to wine and champagne presentations in fine dining establishments.
These include beverage serving supplies such as:
- Ice buckets
- Wine bottle holders
- Champagne bucket and stand
- Stemware and rocks glasses
- Tumblers and disposable cups
- Straws and stirrers
4. Chafing Dishes
Banquet halls, rec centers, institutions, schools, and anywhere that offers food service to large parties use chafing dishes. If your establishment caters to groups of twelve or more, you will want to ensure these dishes are on your commercial kitchen equipment list.
5. Gueridon (AKA Trolley or Cart)
Servers use this piece of equipment to transport items between stations and out to the tables for patrons. Staff uses these carts most commonly for displaying dessert options.
Your employees will use these carts in numerous ways. Other uses include transporting serving platters and utensils or dishes the culinary staff prepare in front of the visitor.
6. Cooking Equipment
These include anything your cooking staff will prepare the food in while cooking or baking. Here is a basic list of what you will need:
- Stock/soup pots
- Sauté pans
- Baking pans
- Baking sheets
- Saucepans
- Pizza screens
- Pizza paddle
7. Refrigeration Units
Most of the food your establishment serves will need to be refrigerated or kept frozen before your staff prepares or serves it to guests. These are the standard refrigeration units most kitchens require:
- Walk-in cooler
- Reach-in cooler
- Freezer (either a chest, upright, or walk-in)
- Cold beverage display units
8. Appliances and Fixtures
From large kitchen appliances to over-the-range fixtures, these are a few pieces of commercial kitchen equipment you need:
- Oven
- Range
- Deep fryer
- Grill
- Glass and Pot filler faucets
9. Racks and Shelving Units
You can maximize the storage space in a commercial kitchen by strategically placing racks and shelving units where needed. These areas include:
- Metal or plastic shelves for walk-in cooler
- Storage shelves
- Plastic inserts for coolers
- Utensil racks
10. Cleaning Supplies
In a commercial kitchen, cleanliness must take priority over anything else. Not only is it necessary to ensure that your establishment passes health inspections, you are liable for the health and wellbeing of those who eat the food prepared by your kitchen.
A few cleaning supplies you must keep on hand are:
- Cleaning buckets (specifically labeled for cleaning products)
- Cleaning rags, mops, and sanitizing wipes
- Cleaning agents and chemicals
- Hand soap and sanitizer dispensers
Pro tip: Foodservice industry experts agree that your establishment’s bathroom needs to be just as clean (or cleaner) as the kitchen. Customers don’t often see inside the kitchen. However, many use the bathroom.
If the bathroom is dirty, they assume the kitchen is as well. One way to ensure the cleanliness of your bathroom is to design a commercial bathroom with touchless fixtures. The bathroom is easier to keep clean, and patrons will appreciate not having to touch contaminated surfaces when washing up.
11. Safety Supplies and Equipment
Safety is especially paramount in a commercial kitchen. Open flames, hot surfaces, sharp knives, and hazardous cleaning agents are only a few reasons to ensure you have the safety supplies you need. Not to mention, OSHA requires most of these.
- Rubber Floor Mats
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kits
- Eye wash station
Find the Fixtures and Fittings You Need for Your Food Service Kitchen
Depending on your commercial kitchen size and scope, you may not need every item on this checklist. You may also need other equipment to fit your restaurant's concept that was not listed here.
For instance, if you have an artisan ice cream shop or a pastry shop, there are specific items you need. Consider every aspect of your menu or kitchen layout when making your equipment list.
One thing every commercial kitchen needs, regardless of concept, is durable faucets and fittings. You can find high-quality commercial fixtures at Chicago Faucets.
Does your commercial kitchen equipment list include sustainable faucets? Contact us today to speak to one of our friendly associates to find out exactly what your establishment will need.
