The 10 Must Have Catering Appliances If You Are Running A Restaurant

If you're thinking of launching your own restaurant, the sheer amount of equipment you'll need can feel overwhelming. With countless tools and appliances available, it’s hard to know which are worth the investment and which you could do without.

At Alliance Online, we’ve been supplying the UK’s hospitality industry with kitchen equipment for over 24 years, so we’ve got the answers! While every restaurant has its own unique requirements, there are certain appliances that are essential for setting up a successful establishment. In this guide, we’ll explain the 10 must-haves that form the backbone of any thriving restaurant.

Commercial Oven

The first essential for any restaurant is a robust oven. Commercial ovens are far more powerful than standard home ovens – they’re designed for continuous cooking and have higher capacities. When choosing one, consider the following:

• Functionality: A convection oven with built-in fans ensures even cooking, while a conveyor oven is ideal for dishes like toasted sandwiches that need a set time. Combination ovens are perfect for limited space, offering steaming and baking in one. If you’re opening a pizza restaurant, you’ll need a dedicated pizza oven.
• Brand: Research different industrial oven brands and read user reviews to ensure you’re getting the best quality for your money. Brands like Falcon, Rational, and Opus 800 are known for their reliability.
• Size: Measure your kitchen and estimate the amount of food you’ll be cooking daily to help you choose the right size and capacity.

Commercial Refrigerator and Freezer

Quality refrigeration is crucial for keeping your food fresh, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. A commercial fridge keeps prepared foods fresh, while a freezer allows you to bulk-buy ingredients and store them for later use. Industrial fridges and freezers are designed specifically for the hospitality industry, maintaining safe temperatures to keep your health inspector happy.

You can choose between standalone units or walk-in fridges and freezers, depending on your space and needs. Walk-ins offer plenty of storage and can be custom-fitted to your kitchen, but for smaller establishments, a couple of units will suffice.

Commercial Dishwasher

A reliable commercial dishwasher is a game-changer for busy kitchens, especially during peak hours when clean dishes are urgently needed. A standard home dishwasher simply can’t keep up with the fast pace of a restaurant, but a commercial unit will have the job done in minutes. When it comes to commercial dishwashers, quality is key. Brands like Classeq and Winterhalter are trusted for their efficiency and performance, ensuring your dishes are spotless and your guests are happy.

Coffee Machine

Every restaurant needs a coffee machine to offer customers a good post-dinner espresso. Start by deciding which type of coffee maker suits your needs best: filter coffee machines, traditional espresso machines, coffee grinders, bean-to-cup machines, espresso capsule machines, or instant coffee machines. It’s also important to choose a machine that fits your kitchen layout. If space is limited, a smaller countertop model might be ideal. Larger kitchens may benefit from a freestanding machine with more options.

Also, consider the features. If you plan to serve cappuccinos, make sure the machine has a milk frother. Do you need a machine capable of handling high volumes? Or perhaps one with multiple brewing options to cater to different tastes?

Food Processor

Food processors are indispensable in restaurant kitchens for blending, pureeing, chopping, and making sauces and dips. There are two main types: batch bowl processors, which collect food in an included bowl, and continuous feed processors, which are great for high-volume tasks and don’t require you to change the bowl when it’s full.

When purchasing a food processor, consider its power and look for one with enough wattage to handle tough tasks like chopping vegetables. Also, check the range of attachments available – a variety of blades and discs will expand its capabilities. Brands like Robot Coupe or Mitchell and Cooper are renowned for their high-quality machines.

Deep Fat Fryer

Deep fat fryers are another crucial component of a well-equipped restaurant kitchen. Even if your menu doesn’t focus on fast food, a good fryer will allow you to offer crispy, flavourful dishes.

The most important factor to consider is size. There are tabletop fryers, single tank and double tank fryers, and larger freestanding fryers. Choose a fryer that meets your menu’s demands – countertop models are ideal for smaller establishments, while larger kitchens might require floor-standing units with multiple tanks. You should also consider the fuel type – gas fryers typically heat up faster and offer precise temperature control, while electric models are known for being clean and low-maintenance.

Ice Machine

A reliable ice machine is essential for enhancing drink presentation and maintaining food safety. There are several types to choose from:

• Ice flakers produce thin, flaky ice, ideal for smoothies or cocktails.
• Undercounter dice ice machines are compact units that create square ice cubes, perfect for blended drinks.
• Ice crusher machines transform regular ice into crushed ice.
• Ice machines with bins produce a large volume of ice and store it in a built-in bin, convenient for high-demand establishments.

Professional Food Mixers

A reliable food mixer is indispensable in your restaurant for tasks like whipping up batters and doughs. Depending on your production volume and the variety of tasks you need to perform, you have several options:

• Floor mixers are the most popular for commercial use; they handle large volumes of ingredients and guarantee efficient mixing.
• Countertop mixers are perfect for smaller kitchens or for tasks that don’t require industrial-level power but still ensure great results.
• Hand mixers provide portability and are ideal for quick tasks like whipping egg whites.

Cooking Equipment

In addition to the larger catering appliances listed above, you’ll need a range of specialised tools and cookware. Some essential items might include:

• Knives (chef’s knife, paring knife, serrated knife)
• Cutting boards
• Bowls
• Colanders
• Strainers
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Zesters and graters
• Woks and stir-fry pans
• Sauté pans
• Baking sheets and pans
• Whisks
• Spatulas
• Ladles
• Squeeze bottles

The specific tools you need will depend on your menu, but be sure to stock up on enough equipment to handle peak service times. You’ll need more than you think – you don’t want to be caught without a pan at a crucial moment!

Storage Racks and Shelving

All this equipment will need a home! Robust shelving and racks are crucial for keeping your tools, supplies, and ingredients organised. A well-thought-out storage system will improve your restaurant’s efficiency and reduce clutter, keeping everything running smoothly.

Here are a few tips to help maintain a clean and organised environment:

• Utilise all available vertical space, installing shelving up to the kitchen’s ceiling to maximise storage capacity.
• Keep frequently used items within easy reach on lower shelves.
• Maintain a minimum of six inches between the bottom shelf and the floor to prevent pests from reaching your ingredients.
• Consider investing in storage designed for specific items, like spice racks.

At Alliance Online, we stock all these must-haves and more. We only offer quality equipment from top brands that can handle the heat of a busy kitchen. Whether you’re just starting out or upgrading your restaurant, our range of catering appliances has everything you need to cook up a storm.

For more information on The 10 Must Have Catering Appliances If You Are Running A Restaurant talk to Alliance Online Catering Equipment