6 Must-Ask Questions When Selecting Commercial Kitchen Equipment
Starting a catering business is an exciting experience that can also be overwhelming. Part of the necessary installations is the restaurant exhaust hoods meant to provide proper ventilation for your kitchen.
Did you know that as of 2016, the number of inmates in federal and state prisons stood at 2,162,400? These correctional facilities have unique kitchen designs that must abide by the set regulations. Whether it is a correctional facility or any other commercial kitchen space, the appliances must meet the conditions discussed below.
Can Your Cafeteria Equipment Cope With Emerging Trends?
The food and catering industry in the U.S. has changed dramatically over the last few years. The changes have been brought by the emergence of new dietary requirements as well as food intolerances.
Today’s kitchen environments must, therefore, be structured in a way that cross-contamination doesn’t occur. Part of these unique designs is the installation of restaurant exhaust hoods for extra ventilation in your kitchen.
Does Your Commercial Kitchen Design Meet Local Building and Health Codes?
Rules governing the food industry vary depending on your location. How close to one another are your sets of equipment? How about the positioning of the commercial kitchen equipment in relation to the exit of the facility?
Take time to review the existing local codes of operations. Consequently, you can contact the nearest restaurant supply stores and be guided on what works best for your situation.
Failure to comply with the set regulations will attract hefty fines. You will also be required to redo your kitchen design and incorporate all the important features such as the restaurant exhaust hoods.
How Future-Proof Are These Appliances?
With the drastic changes being witnessed in the food industry, kitchen appliances need to be future-proof. As your commercial kitchen grows, the appliances should advance with you to facilitate new kitchen activities.
Contact your local restaurant equipment company and seek guidance on the kitchen appliances that will serve you several years down the line. Are there new designs coming out soon? In case there are, you would rather wait instead of buying obsolete equipment.
Will the Equipment Fit in Your Space?
Measuring the available space sounds obvious, but it is important to ensure that your equipment properly fits in the designated area. Commercial kitchen equipment such as the deep fryers could consume lots of space, which makes it necessary to plan your layout before making any purchase.
Having the measurements will help you determine the exact areas to fix the restaurant exhaust hoods, among other appliances. It also allows you to concentrate on the quality of the appliances and not the size.
Have You Factored in Water and Energy Efficiency?
In typical cases, you are likely to concentrate on the upfront cost and forget the aspect of lifetime cost. The direct opposite applies when dealing with commercial kitchen appliances.
Commercial kitchens consume two times more energy per square foot compared to other commercial spaces. However, using energy-efficient appliances can cut power bills by over 20%.
Water is the other crucial resource that, if not well-managed, the utility bills will keep soaring. Get in touch with your local restaurant equipment company and inquire about water and energy-efficient appliances.
How Safe Is the Equipment and How Easy It Is to Use?
Always go for kitchen appliances that are easy to install and use. Equipment sets that are easy to maintain and those that offer optimum performance with minimal effort are the best for your commercial kitchen.
In modern-day kitchens, safety trumps style. Identify cafeteria equipment that can anticipate danger and force you to act before it gets worse. Some appliances will also detect excess voltage and signal you to regulate or self-regulate.
The safety measures taken should also reflect in the quality of air around the kitchen. The best way to ensure sufficient air circulation and proper ventilation is through the installation of restaurant exhaust hoods.
Final Word
Choosing the right catering equipment comes with extra benefits for your firm. Apart from quality, they are easy to use and will require minimal maintenance. Use the questions above as a guide when buying commercial kitchen appliances. If you are looking for commercial kitchen equipment for your new venture, contact us today.
