1. Freezers & Refrigerators

All commercial kitchens require a refrigeration unit of some type. Refrigerating food items prevents them from perishing quickly, preserves freshness, and provides cold food storage space.

Industrial grade refrigeration units are designed to meet the unique needs of the food industry, so they are a key purchase for any food handling operation. There are many varieties of coolers and freezers available, but your purchasing decisions will generally involve two types: reach-in or walk-in units.

Before making a decision, consider the size of your operation. Although they have larger cold storage space and can be custom built to fit any kitchen, smaller restaurants may not require a walk-in cooler. There are even outdoor refrigeration and freezing options available if interior space is an issue.

Regardless of the type you choose, your cooling unit will be essential to your business. Seek professional help for installation and make sure you know how to properly maintain your unit as it can be costly to repair.

2. Food Preparation Counters

Prep tables, counters, and cutting surfaces are essential to any commercial kitchen and come in various sizes. Choose preparation surfaces made of stainless steel. Stainless steel is sturdy against corrosion, resists attack from food and meat juices, and can withstand the harsh cleaning products used in commercial kitchens.

As for cutting surfaces, choose either plastic or wooden cutting boards. Plastic boards are easier to sanitize but can develop deep grooves that can hide bacteria. Wooden boards are generally tougher than plastic ones and don’t develop grooves as easily.

3. Slicers

Slicers are often tasked with cutting meat, cheese, or other foods with speed and precision. If you need to purchase a slicer, consider how often you’ll need to use it. If your slicing is low volume or infrequent, a manual food slicer is a better, less expensive option. However, for larger amounts of food or foods that need to be cut to specific proportions, choose an electric slicer instead. Electric slicers are automatic, which can save you time and labour. Moreover, most electric slicers allow you to turn off the automatic function and operate the machine manually.

4. Mixers

If your operation involves baking or bread making, a commercial mixer is a mandatory purchase. Just like slicers, it’s important to choose a mixer based on the volume of food you’ll need and how frequently the mixer will be in use.

If you need to mix dense materials for doughs like that of bagels or pizza, buy a spiral mixer. Spiral mixers are named after the spiral-shaped agitator (the mixing appendage). They mix at fast speeds and are capable of handling fifty to six hundred pounds of dough.

For all other types of mixing, choose a planetary mixer. Planetary mixers offer versatility to your kitchen. Named after the way the mixing bowl rotates around the agitator, planetary mixers have lower mixing speeds than their spiral counterparts, but allow you to make various things like whipped cream and mashed potatoes. These mixers come in both countertop and floor types, which can handle up to twenty and two hundred quarts, respectively.

5. Food Processors

Predominantly, there are four types of food processors:

batch bowl

continuous feed

buffalo chopper

combination

Batch bowl processors collect food as it’s processed. These processors generally hold between one and six quarts but can also come in larger sizes. Most bowls are made of plastic, but stainless steel options are available for those who want more strength and durability.

Continuous feed food processors allow you to constantly add food to the processing unit. As it operates, the processor dispenses food into a separate container. Continuous feed processors can minimize preparation time when processing large quantities of food, making them an advantageous option for many kitchens.

Buffalo choppers are heavy-duty, all-metal food processors capable of chopping everything from small vegetables to tough meats. Although heavier than other food processing types, these units are sturdy and multifunctional.

Finally, combination processors combine the properties of batch bowls and continuous feed units. You can add an attachment that collects chopped food in a side container or use the bowl instead.