Author Archives: Heather Hartley

Right Safety Measures for Correctional Facilities Kitchen Designs Are Critical

There is a 15-item prison checklist from the Federal Bureau of Prisons that has to be adhered to so kosher meals can be ‘religiously certified’. This is just one challenge a correctional facility kitchen has to face. Every day, there are potential behavior problems from abusive diners that have the potential to ruin the flow of a correctional facilities kitchen. There is a high level of danger that could cause bodily harm since inmates are often employed. The safest correctional facilities kitchen design needs to be in place to protect everyone working within the space. The only way this can be accomplished is by using a correctional facilities kitchen contractor.

Correctional Facilities Kitchen Design Takes a Special Layout

Many security measures need to be put into place for a kitchen in a correctional facility. For example, blind corners need to be eliminated so there is always a clear line of sight directly in the kitchen. There shouldn’t be any space between appliances so inmates cannot step out of sight or hide. This calls for a top correctional facilities kitchen design that ensures all inmates working can be closely monitored. There shouldn’t be any space for hiding objects or stashing food either. All of this and more can be discussed with a contractor that can ensure the kitchen in a correctional facility is as safe and streamlined as possible.

Correctional Facilities Need Food Service Equipment That’s Modified

An expert food service equipment company understands that a correctional facility needs a certain type of foodservice equipment. That’s why they provide equipment and kitchen appliances in ‘correction packages’. Civilian appliance models have been modified to specifically fit into kitchens in correctional facilities. Some of the differences include appliances being more durable and decreasing the amount of detachable and movable parts. More caution is taken in creating kitchen equipment since something simple could easily be transformed into a weapon.

Correctional facilities kitchen design contractors know how to find suitable equipment from top manufacturers that know how to think and plot like a prisoner working in a kitchen. Products should be tested over and over considering prisoners have nothing but time on their hands, so creative measures have to be taken when designing equipment for a correctional facility kitchen.

Design Specialists Know Safe Correctional Facility Kitchen Designs Are in the Details

It is said that the devil is in the details, and nothing could be truer when it comes to the design of a correctional facility kitchen. Even the smallest details can cause the biggest, life-threatening problems. Working in a jail or prison environment is stressful enough as it is. Prison kitchen designs should be covered by contractors with years of experience so they can positively plan an efficient and safe correctional facilities kitchen design for your facility.

Kitchen Designs Need to Keep Up With Health and Safety Standards

Not only does the kitchen equipment need to be robust for long use, but it also needs to be able to maintain health and NSF regulations continuously. The same goes for kitchen designs. Kitchen design for a correctional facility should be durable, safe, and provide the ability to be used with optimal productivity. That takes designs that not only fit your floorplan but also your budget.

Most Prisons Require Custom Work

In order to fully meet your needs, correctional facilities kitchen designs can work within your specific floorplan. Equipment can be customized so you get tamper-proof designs that fully fit the needs of your kitchen. A ‘prison package’ can be designed specifically for a correctional facility with top priorities being security and safety while meeting all codes and regulations. Using the services offered by skilled designers means that you get a design created from scratch for comprehensive floorplans, detailed drawings, written specifications, and rough-in locations so you can view a thoroughly planned design. You are guaranteed to receive cost-effective solutions that perfectly fit your budget. Get a quote for superb correctional facility kitchen designs to get started.

Outdated School Cafeteria Refrigerators Negatively Impact School Districts and Students

Some schools have outdated equipment such as inefficient refrigerators, outdated ovens, and more in their kitchens. This makes it difficult for even the best staff to store and prepare fresh, healthy foods. You want and need students to be healthy and well-fed so they can do their best in school. A lot of children depend on school meals to feed them whey they don’t have enough food at home. What does this mean for your school? It’s time to look into a new school cafeteria refrigerator.

Is Your School Missing the Proper Cafeteria Equipment?

When should you start when it’s time to replace outdated food service equipment such as a school cafeteria refrigerator? A food service equipment company is a great place to start. They have the school cafeteria refrigerator you need with the ability to provide more than one unit. You can also speak with them about other kitchen equipment as well as an updated school kitchen design that will improve the efficiency of the cafeteria.

Why rely on a commercial cooking equipment company? Over the past five years until 2019, the manufacturing industry for commercial cooking equipment has only grown producing an industry revenue that has increased from 2.2% to $3.7 billion annually. Innovative equipment works more efficiently using better technology. A food service equipment company offers the exact type of equipment you need to bring your school’s kitchen up to date.

What Does a New School Cafeteria Refrigerator Have to Do with Kitchen Designs?

Kids love going to the cafeteria for lunch. It tends to be their favorite part of school. Great lunches are made in school cafeterias that have been designed to flow efficiently, and that can only happen with the right appliances. It may not seem like it, but a school cafeteria refrigerator can make or break a kitchen. First, the kitchen needs to be designed to make it easy to get to the refrigerator without upsetting other tasks or interrupting the flow of food preparation. Consider having your school’s kitchen design overhauled to enhance all of your cooking needs.

Excellent School Lunches Are Prepared with Top School Kitchen Appliances

Commercial kitchen appliances are ideal for school cafeterias. They are more robust and tend to have newer technology that most outdated appliances in school cafeterias now. Does your cafeteria staff struggle to produce bulk meals? They need the right cafeteria equipment to get them through the lunch crunch and more. It takes trusted appliances to truly aid your staff in providing healthy meals to students.

Your School Cafeteria Is Feeding the Future

New refrigeration appliances are a step forward in helping your school make smart food decisions. When your kitchen staff has the best resources, tackling challenges such as meal patterns and safe food handling just get easier, more streamlined, and efficient. Being able to cook large meals for many students means meals will stack up quickly. Without the best cafeteria refrigerators in place you risk wasting food that doesn’t stay cool enough and needs to be tossed into the trash well before it’s date of freshness has been reached. You would be tossing more money in the garbage in the long run versus purchasing new refrigerators that help you increase the number of meals made while providing the cold reserve needed to make those meals.

Get Equipment from Some of the Best Vendors

You need equipment that the best vendors can provide for your school. Speak with a friendly commercial kitchen equipment company that can give you the information need to choose the right equipment for your foodservice requirements. They are more than happy to help make a great impact and improve your school cafeteria.

7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping For Commercial Grade Kitchen Equipment

Food service equipment gobbles up a significant portion of a restaurant or cafeteria start-up budget. Buying the wrong commercial grade restaurant supply may have huge financial implications in the form of repairs and replacements. No investor wants to spend their money on costly maintenance even before your new business is off the ground. Take a look at some common mistakes done during the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment and how to avoid them.

1. Lack of Proper Research

Commercial grade restaurant supply is a huge investment. Most customers tend to skimp on research for the right appliances that they require. Failure to understand their exact cafeteria needs results in the purchase of wrong equipment that does not meet their capacity and energy requirements. Conduct due diligence on the different brands and makes available. Choose kitchen appliances that fit into your business model.

2. Failure to obtain the Right Material

Commercial kitchens are ever busy, with some running for hours on end. School cafeterias serve over 4.9 billion lunches annually, serving more food than the nation’s largest restaurant chains combined. You may need to purchase genuine grade materials that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use. The material affects the durability of the equipment, as well as the quality of food served.

3. Not Paying Attention to Energy Efficiency

Commercial grade kitchen appliances consume at least six times more power than domestic equipment. Cutting corners to purchase cheaper devices with low energy efficiency rating may become costly in the long run. Energy-efficient equipment can reduce your energy bills by up to 25%, boosting your bottom line. A little more investment upfront may have a long-term effect on future savings.

4. Purchasing the Wrong Equipment Size

Shopping for your commercial grade restaurant supply is an exciting adventure, and you may easily get carried away on finding the perfect equipment. It can be frustrating to realize later that the appliances cannot fit within your floor plan. Always take measurements of your kitchen layout before heading out to shop.

5. Focusing Solely On Pricing

While the total cost of the cafeteria equipment will influence your choices, it should not be the principal factor. Overlooking quality equipment for cheaper options may prove to be costly in the long run. Do not worry about going for high-grade kitchenware that will help you sustain food quality and capacity.

6. Ignoring Warranties

Commercial kitchen appliances operate for long shifts at a time, and are prone to normal wear and tear effects. Warranty agreements for your equipment may help cover costs for repairs and routine maintenance. Regular inspections may significantly increase the life of your appliances.

7. Failure to Inspect Upon Delivery

While your kitchen equipment purchases should arrive whole, it’s not unheard of for damages to occur during delivery. While accepting your new equipment, make sure you check the condition of the appliance before installing it in your kitchen space. You may have a challenge returning the said appliance if you note the dents and damages later on.

Buying commercial grade restaurant supplies is a considerable investment for any food service business. Finding the right appliances is key to the success of the restaurant. Take time in selecting the right equipment and avoid mistakes that may burn your fingers in the long run.

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.

How to Choose the Right Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hood

The exhaust hood is the heart of any commercial kitchen’s ventilation system. The range hood manages airflow by removing smoke, steam, soot, heat and grease vapors out of the kitchen area. The commercial kitchen exhaust hood not only protects your staff from excessive heat but also helps the cooking area remain clean. Poorly ventilated kitchens accumulate heat and humidity that support the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. To avoid this, follow these tips to find the right exhaust hood for your commercial kitchen.

1. Regulatory Compliance

The National Fire Protection Association sets the standards for commercial kitchen appliance use through the National Fire Code (NFC.)It is essential to find an exhaust hood that complies with the set national, state and local codes for commercial kitchens. Ensure that you are well acquainted with the necessary regulations.

2. Type 1 vs. Type 2

Type 1 exhaust hood systems are also known as grease hoods as they expel greasy vapors from the kitchen. The exhaust vent systems are installed above commercial grease or smoke-producing appliances such as deep fryers, boilers, barbeques and griddles. Type 2 exhaust hoods expel steam vapors and heat from non-grease appliances such as coffee machines, general ovens and commercial dishwashers.

3. Hood Exhaust Rate

It is a mathematical calculation that indicates the amount of air expelled by the vent. The rate is measured in cubic feet per meter (CFM.) The design and engineering of your exhaust hood determine the rate. Additionally, the amount of heat, smoke, vapor and grease fumes produced in your commercial kitchen should dictate the exhaust system you buy.

4. Fire Suppression Systems

Most municipal fire codes demand that exhaust hoods have a fire fail safe installed. The system connects to tanks that store fire suppression agents, which through a series of pipes put out fires through the attached sprinklers. Ensure you comply with the local fire codes on exhaust hoods’ fire suppression systems.

5. Hood Size and Design

Exhaust hood systems come in different designs that not only determine their aesthetic appeal but also affect their performance. Your exhaust vent system can be a proximal hood, wall-mounted hood or an island hood. The unique arrangement of your commercial kitchen equipment also determines the size of the exhaust hood. The NFC recommends a six-inch overhang to capture the entire zone of the cooking area.

6. Ventilation Design

Properly installed exhaust hood systems determine the balance of air expelled and pushed in. The hood system comprises of a range hood vent, an exhaust fan and a make-up air fan. The exhaust fan pushes the contaminated air and fumes out of the building while the make-up air fan replenishes the expelled air, attaining a balanced air pressure. Ensure your exhaust hood system meets the standards set for sufficient ventilation.

7. Hood Accessories

Every commercial exhaust hood system requires vents and ducts that channel the air to exhaust and make-up air fans. The tubes may require a curb where they emerge on the roof or wall. The number of bends may affect the effectiveness of your exhaust system. Some hoods may contain lights that illuminate the cooking area. Ensure the lights are compliant with the set ordinances.

Choosing the right commercial kitchen exhaust hood is one of the most important restaurant equipment purchases you can make. The tips above will guide you to an exhaust hood system that meets your needs. For more information, visit our website today.

How to Make Sure Your Kitchen Equipment will Fit Your Space

The restaurant industry pulled in around $863 billion in sales in 2019, making it one of the largest industries in the world. To match the power of this industry, restaurant owners can sometimes be left scratching their heads on where to find the best kitchen equipment and equipment that will fit in their space. Utilizing these tips can help you solve that problem.

Determine What Type of Equipment You Need

Not all equipment is created equal and some types of equipment are better suited for different environments. Is this equipment going in a prison, a school, or a restaurant? Consider that when it comes to healthcare kitchen design and prison kitchen design, there is often more room that needs to be utilized than that for a restaurant. This is due to the kitchen needing to serve many people quickly. Speaking with a restaurant supply company can help you determine which equipment and how much of that equipment you will need for your particular location.

Consider Dimensions

One of the most common mistakes when it comes to commercial kitchen design is a lack of measurements. Some people skip this process and get right to ordering the equipment that they need. The problem that then happens is that the equipment arrives, but then everything does not fit properly into the kitchen. This leads to headaches that were avoidable in the first place.

You will want to take measurements of the entire kitchen and may even want to draw a model that is to scale. When you are told or see the dimensions of the equipment, you can then plug them into the model to see if they fit correctly.

Research

Not all restaurant supply companies are made equal. This is why it is important to do the necessary research to ensure that you land on a company that values you as a customer and provides you with high-quality products. You do not want to spend the time and money on large restaurant equipment only to have it removed or replaced in the near future.

Thompson Little prides itself on providing high-quality restaurant supply services and expert customer services. Their professional team can help you through every part of the selection process, providing you with unique solutions.

4 Standards of Efficient Correctional Facilities Kitchen Design

Every commercial kitchen comes with its own set of unique challenges. Correctional facilities kitchen contractors have even more challenges when it comes to providing prison kitchen design that is efficient and safe for everyone. Here are a few different ideas for ensuring that a correctional facilities kitchen is as efficient as possible while also protecting the lives of all those in the correctional facility.

Carefully Supervise Everyone

A standard commercial kitchen has its own standards of safety but those requirements are increased tenfold, as you’ll see when you talk to a correctional facilities kitchen contractor. Some prisoners may be focused on how they can use kitchen equipment to hurt other prisoners or officers in the facility. All food service equipment should be carefully supervised to prevent any accidents or harmful incidents.

Enhanced Food Prep and Production

Prison kitchens have to follow a carefully planned 15-item checklist that dictates how kosher meals meet “religiously certified” guidelines. Prisons also have to meet nutritional guidelines to make sure the inmates are getting the right amounts of fruits and vegetables in their diet. If you’re considering working with a correctional facilities kitchen contractor, you should consider the best way to make food production within the prison possible to make meals more efficient and help inmates be responsible for their own wellbeing.

Carefully Planned Layout

Many prison kitchens have inmates working on kitchen duty. This can mean that correctional facility kitchens have to be carefully planned so that there are no blind corners or chances for inmates to slip out with a knife or slip something dangerous into the food. Standard commercial kitchens are busy and crowded without much time to make sure that everyone is behaving. In a prison kitchen, keeping up with all workers – many of whom are inmates – is a must.

Working with the Right Contractor

Everything is in the details when it comes to prison kitchen design. The key to successful correctional facilities kitchen design is working with an expert correctional facilities kitchen contractor that considers each little detail so you don’t have to worry. Ready to get started with designing your most efficient and safe prison kitchen? Give our team a call today.

The Type of Food Service Equipment Used Shapes the Future of a Restaurant

Over the past 5 years and clear to 2019, the industry for commercial cooking equipment manufacturing has seen substantial growth with revenue increasing for the industry at a yearly rate of 2.2% up to $3.7 billion. What is the one influence that will continue to shape food service in the future? The food service equipment that restaurants choose to use.

Purchasing food service equipment is one of the most important steps an establishment will make when opening a restaurant. This is especially true if you want to expand and open more restaurants in the future. Understanding recent trends can assist in what would otherwise be an exhaustive task when it comes to purchasing food service equipment. Keeping these trends at the forefront of a business can have rewarding results and help food service equipment companies ensure restaurants are getting the overall best kitchen equipment that serves every purpose required.

Purchase Restaurant Equipment with Sustainability

One of the most important factors a new restaurant needs to embrace is the ability to embrace sustainability. What does this mean for your restaurant kitchen design? It means that purchasing food service equipment that is versatile, durable, and reliable will be most impactful in the long run.

Your kitchen will be able to meet new trends in the future concerning how dishes are prepared, produced, preserved, and consumed. The needs of consumers are at the base of purchasing food service equipment that will serve your customers the best. Otherwise, choose innovative equipment that helps your kitchen become more efficient.

Bring Your Menu to Life

There is a very close relationship with the ability of a restaurant to produce naturally good foods and purchasing food service equipment. You want your menu to be fantastic and draw in crowds, or at least flood your restaurant with take-out or delivery orders. The future of food service is the ability to reach more diners whether they visit a restaurant or not.

Being able to churn out the amount of food that is ordered takes stocking a kitchen with the correct equipment. No one can help you decide what type of equipment would suit those purposes the best other than an experienced food service equipment company. Work closely with them to have kitchen designs created with superior equipment aimed at helping your restaurant meet all goals easily. After all, your restaurant’s success starts with the perfect equipment that keeps the kitchen running like a well-oiled machine.

Every Piece of a Restaurant’s Kitchen Is Crucial

There isn’t a single part of a restaurant’s kitchen that is not important. All of the equipment is crucial in being able to prepare and serve delicious menu items. If one piece does not function properly, it can cause the entire kitchen to enter a state of chaos. Professional kitchen design companies can ease any angst you may have when it comes to designing your kitchen and choosing the equipment and tools that will keep it functioning seamlessly.

Strategic Kitchen Equipment Solutions

It stands to reason that your eating establishment requires equipment that can handle any level of productivity as it continues to grow. Using the services of expert food service equipment companies allows you to shift your focus on achieving set goals to improve food safety, quality, profitability, and consistency. Reach more of your goals using equipment that can be relied upon from high-quality food service equipment providers.

Use the Services of a SEFA Food Service Equipment Establishment

Being a member of Supply and Equipment Foodservice Alliance, LLC gives a food service establishment the right credentials to point you in the correct direction when it comes to choosing supplies and equipment manufactured by industry-leading vendors. A few of those vendors include Bar Maid, AARCO Products, Inc. Channel, Fisher, Duke, Hatco, Garland, Sterno Products, Merrychef, and TableCraft. Discuss your precise needs to learn which equipment manufacturer can meet them so you get the desired results you have always wanted.

3 Food Service Trends for Restaurant Equipment in 2020

It’s no secret that running a food service business isn’t easy. In 2019 alone, the restaurant industry brought in approximately $863 billion in sales. That’s a lot of food to prepare in a short amount of time. Fortunately, having the right food service equipment on hand can help your business keep up with the demand.

But investing in new commercial kitchen equipment isn’t a simple process, and you often have to scrap older food service equipment to make room for your latest investment. To help you make the right investment decisions, it can help to know what’s trending in food service equipment for the year. That said, here are some of the top food service trends for 2020.

Energy-efficient kitchen equipment

Energy efficiency is more than about going green. It’s also about saving money. The last thing you want to have to worry about in your restaurant is paying for enormous energy bills. Because many restaurant owners think along the same wavelength, Energy Star appliances are becoming even more popular in 2020.

In fact, Energy Star appliances now include more than just your larger appliances such as refrigerators and ice machines. They also now include steamers, water calculators, underfired char-broilers, rack ovens, and more.

Automated technology

Automation is making its way into several industries and the restaurant industry is no different. In 2020, food chains and restaurants are increasingly implementing automated technology including chatbots, food ordering kiosks, and touchscreens.

Some restaurants are using artificial intelligence that allows customers to make orders via social media platforms and smart TVs. Other food brands are also testing drone food delivery, too.

Multi-functional cooking equipment

A greater number of restaurants are adopting front-of-house and open concept food prep where customers can see where their food is coming from. Visually appealing multi-functional cooking equipment is becoming a common trend in 2020 to meet these needs.

Ovens and fryers in bright colors or sleek whites are big right now. Rapid cook ovens that feature several different cooking methods are also becoming popular because they allow busy restaurant workers to prepare a variety of foods at once.

Looking for commercial kitchen appliances to take your restaurant to the next level? Thompson and Little has you covered. For more information on our restaurant equipment and design options, contact Thompson and Little today.