COMMERCIAL KITCHEN EQUIPMENT LIST AND ASPECTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING
INTRODUCTION Commercial kitchen equipment plays a vital role in the proper functioning and operations of a restaurant. This is because it has a major impact on the quality of food and service that you offer to your customers. Choosing the right commercial kitchen catering equipment allows your staff to prepare food quickly, which has a direct impact on your service time, resulting in happy customers and increased profit. Commercial kitchen equipment also impacts the safety of your restaurant staff and customers and needs to receive regular maintenance. There are many reputed catering equipment suppliers in South Africa that you can reach out to you for all your catering requirements.
Aspects to Consider Prior To Purchasing Commercial Kitchen Catering Equipment Let us take a quick look at the basic aspects that chefs or restaurant owners should consider prior to investing in their restaurant’s catering equipment.
1. Price and budget One of the most crucial aspects to consider before purchasing new restaurant catering equipment is your budget and the cost of the equipment. You can start by asking yourself questions like how often you will use the machine or equipment. If the catering equipment is not used as often, then you should push it to the end of your list of necessities so that your budget is maintained. If you do not have a list already, then make it a priority to make a restaurant kitchen equipment list in the order of use and priority. This will help you get a clear picture of the equipment you should purchase first, while eliminating the pieces of equipment you do not need. Another way to stick to your budget is by looking for kitchen equipment that is multipurpose.
2. Space The second crucial aspect to consider before purchasing kitchen equipment for a restaurant is space consideration. Proper space management is essential, or your kitchen might get too cluttered with equipment and your staff may not be able to use them efficiently. Therefore, consider the space in order to define the type of equipment you can purchase, as well as where you can place it in your kitchen.
3. Quality Quality is one of the biggest factors when it comes to any purchase. If you are buying catering equipment from a brick and mortar store, then physically inspect the quality of the equipment. Similarly, if you are buying equipment online, read through the features and reviews of the equipment. As the owner of the restaurant, you may always be looking for a way to cut costs,
but it is of utmost importance that you do not compromise on quality. In the long term, it will only cause you more loss in the form of repairs, replacements, and maintenance expenses.
4. Cleaning and Convenience Kitchen catering equipment that is attractive and trendy, but extremely difficult to work with, use and maintain, makes zero sense. The type of equipment you choose for your commercial kitchen should be convenient to use, clean and maintain. Also remember the equipment should be made from alloys like stainless steel so that it is not a breeding ground for bacteria, especially because the restaurant industry must maintain extreme hygienic conditions.
5. The Right Catering Equipment Supplier or Manufacturer Another aspect to consider before purchasing restaurant equipment is choosing the right supplier or manufacturer. Reputed restaurant catering equipment suppliers are the ones that will help you with your installation and servicing as well. They should not only be able to supply you with high-quality equipment that lasts you a long time, but also be able to provide repair and maintenance services. A facility with high-quality equipment and maintenance services will ensure the smooth operation of your commercial kitchen, resulting in satisfied customers and increased profits. There are several catering equipment suppliers in South Africa, which can make choosing a supplier a somewhat difficult task. Ensure you do thorough research on the different suppliers before committing.
Essential Catering Equipment List for A Commercial Kitchen Different types of restaurants have distinct formats, which have different requirements when it comes to commercial kitchen catering equipment. It typically depends on the food that needs to be prepared, which is based off the cuisine offered and number of customers served on a regular basis. However, there are pieces of catering equipment that are necessities and are a must in most commercial kitchens, some of which will be discussed below.
1. Ovens Ovens are a necessity in most commercial kitchens. The type of oven used will depend on the needs of the kitchen. A commercial oven can perform various functions, ranging from heating a simple soup for a customer to preparing different dishes. Ovens are necessary in a commercial kitchen because there are multiple tasks happening at the same time. If you have a commercial oven, you do not need an expert to operate it and it will work regardless of who is operating it. If you own a bakery or restaurant that serves baked goods and offers bread items on the menu, an oven with settings similar to that of a convection oven should be a priority on your list of equipment. Unlike regular ones, convection ovens have a fan and an exhaust system that blows hot air around the food being cooked. This type of oven is ideal for cookies, pies or even for dehydrating. Convection ovens or ovens with convection settings are an ideal purchase because they are multipurpose, helping you cut costs.
Factors to Consider Before Buying A Commercial Oven: 
Usage: Figure out your usage requirements and you will be able to decide whether you need an electric oven or a gas oven. Gas ovens are more economical in the long run, while electric ovens are comparatively inexpensive and effectively distribute heat.
Size of The Oven: The size of the oven you require has to be determined to ensure you are able to keep up with orders, as well as work with your desired number of items in the oven. Durability and Reliability: Commercial ovens are typically quite an investment, which is why you must invest in a reliable and durable oven from a branded supplier or manufacturer.
2. Ranges/ Cooking Line A commercial range in any restaurant is responsible for performing a variety of functions. A commercial range refers to cooking equipment that includes separate cooking areas using gas, induction, or electricity. Ranges allow you to use different methods of cooking in one piece of restaurant equipment.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Commercial Ranges
Size of The Ranges: Different sizes and configurations are available to suit different restaurants’ specific needs. Most restaurants will require either a standard duty or a heavy-duty commercial range. The heavy-duty option is great for large restaurants to keep up with high-volume kitchen production, while the standard duty or restaurantstyle range is better suited to smaller restaurants. Gas or Electric Range: The first and foremost decision you must make is whether you want to invest in an electric range or a gas range. The industrial gas range is highly preferred because of its ability to provide accurate and instant temperature regulation. A retail electric range is preferred when a gas range is not available or other factors, such as budget or space, are an issue.
3. Mixers
For any restaurant, mixers are indispensable pieces of equipment, especially if your restaurant produces a lot of baked goods and makes their own bread.
Factors to Consider Before Buying A Mixer  
Type of Usage: Your type of use will define the type of mixer you need. If you only occasionally use a mixer, then a light-duty mixer is best suited, whereas a standard duty mixer is ideal for a restaurant or cafe that makes batter and dough in-house. Size and Type of Mixer: If your kitchen works with high volumes of dough and sauces, or you are a bakery or a pizzeria, then buying a sizeable heavy-duty mixture is the way to go. If you are a commercial kitchen that does not work with such items on a regular basis, opt for stick mixers or a countertop mixer.
4. Sinks Sinks are vital pieces of equipment for any kitchen because they provide running water, as well a space for washing food and dirty dishes. A commercial kitchen without a sink does not make sense since you need it to maintain food safety standards. Sinks also ensure hygiene and cleanliness of your kitchen equipment and the food items. The only consideration you will need to keep in mind when buying sinks is the size of the sink, as well as the number of units you require. This can be determined by considering the size of the kitchen, the number of staff working in the kitchen and your production amounts.
5. Refrigerators and Freezers Refrigerators and freezers are crucial pieces of catering equipment in any kitchen. Choosing the right commercial refrigeration solution is important for kitchen efficiency, in terms of energy and ease of food preparation. The different kinds of refrigeration units include walk-in coolers, restaurant freezers and reach-in colours. The refrigeration system is an integral part of restaurant kitchen equipment that can range from small coolers to massive walk-in refrigerators and freezers. When it comes to choosing the right sized freezer unit, it will typically depend on the size and the nature of the restaurant. If your restaurant uses food items that need to be frozen on a large scale, it is recommended that you opt for a walk-in freezer, as it will provide maximum space and promote ease of operation. If you own a small restaurant with little stock of frozen food, reach-in freezers will suffice.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Refrigeration Units 
Menu and Cuisine of Your Restaurant: If your menu consists of meat dishes, the refrigeration requirements will be different. Therefore, determine the menu and cuisine to decide the type of refrigeration needed.
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The Dimensions of Your Kitchen: The space in your kitchen is a factor that will define your refrigerator purchase. Also, do not forget to consider the exterior and interior
dimensions of your kitchen’s doorway. There is nothing worse than purchasing a refrigerator only to later find out that it is difficult to move in and out of the kitchen.
6. Fire Extinguishers/Fire Suppression Unit System Commercial kitchens are always at risk of catching fire because most of the cooking is done on the fire. This means that there should be something form of fire suppression nearby for staff working near a fire. You must invest in a fire suppression system because it is your first line of defence. Fire suppression systems come in various sizes that are usually installed in the hood of a kitchen. Having a fire extinguisher is extremely crucial for the safety of your restaurant, your customers and most importantly your employees. A multipurpose powdered extinguisher will help with most fires, including electrical fires. The fire extinguishers should be replaced or refilled every year.
CONCLUSION The kitchen is the heart of a restaurant and the equipment is the most crucial element of a commercial kitchen. It is an established fact that one thing all customers expect from restaurant is fast and efficient service. This can only be achieved with efficiency, and if your catering equipment is well purchased, installed and well-maintained. Only these aspects can help you deliver quality food at the expected time. Make sure to invest in the right restaurant catering equipment. Do not slack when it comes to quality if you want an efficiently functioning kitchen, making your expenses and investments worth it.