4 Essential Tips for Commercial Kitchen Compliance
A commercial kitchen is always busy with food preparation activities. Regulators require the space to be compliant with Federal and State regulations to reduce cross-contamination and enhance safety. Those policies can have an impact on various aspects of your food business.
Here are the top compliance requirements for a new commercial kitchen you’ll need to consider.
1. Stainless Steel Surfaces for the Kitchen
A commercial kitchen design should include stainless steel. Stainless steel is non-porous and does not absorb moisture. Therefore, it is the ideal choice of material for its ability to contain microbial growth. Stainless steel surfaces are mandatory if your food service is going to be processing meat. You can get the right grade of the metallic table from a new appliance restaurant supply service. Restaurants may also use stainless steel for backsplashes, exhaust canopies, sinks, and counters. These surfaces are easy to clean and maintain, and you can clear blemishes and stains with a damp cloth.
2. Compatible Sinks
You will also require ceramic or stainless steel sinks to comply with regulations. Ceramic has similar characteristics as stainless steel for food processing. It resists stains, and it is easy to clean with a damp cloth. Ceramic is also a durable option for a busy kitchen. The sink must also have non-manual taps, which are either automatic or pedal-controlled. There should be separate sections for meat and vegetables to prevent cross-contamination.
3. Temperature Sanitation
A professional dishwasher is essential for any commercial kitchen. There are different types of heavy-duty dishwashers you can get from your new appliance restaurant supply service. The most significant feature of a commercial dishwasher is temperature sanitization. A high-temperature version will kill microorganisms with temperatures of 150 to 160 Fahrenheit. Low-temperature equipment will mainly use detergents to clean. The type you choose will depend on the design of your commercial kitchen. A high-temperature dishwasher may take up more space and consume more energy. On the other hand, low-temp versions could leave stains on your cutlery.
4. Safe Kitchen Layouts
The efficiency of your workflow can have an impact on output as well as safety. Regulations require the restaurant kitchen design to have a layout that facilitates easy movement and reduces accidents. You can enhance the flow of work by carefully mapping the activities.
An area with high-traffic ought to have rubber floor mats to minimize slipping hazards. To avoid collisions, you may have to set aside two-way routes to facilitate ease of movement. There are several floor plans you can adopt, depending on the nature of your service. Some of the layouts include Galley, Assembly-line, and the open kitchen layout, among others.
You will require a wide range of equipment from a new appliance restaurant supply service. Your needs will depend on your area of specialization. You ought to have a grasp of the State laws in your region before making any commitments. Besides the regulations, consider other factors such as efficiency and aesthetics before buying kitchen appliances.