10 things to Know about Restaurant Equipment

10 things to Know about Restaurant Equipment

Tips for buying restaurant equipment

By Lorri Mealey

Restaurant equipment covers everything from commercial ovens to dining tables, restaurant dishes to ice machines. Deciding what type of restaurant equipment to purchase can be overwhelming for a new restaurant owner. Read on for tips to make buying restaurant equipment easier.

1. New Restaurant Equipment isn’t Always Better. A new restaurant doesn’t necessarily require all new equipment. You can purchase quality used restaurant equipment for pennies on the dollar. Tables, chairs, dishes, utensils are all fine to buy second-hand. Bigger pieces of restaurant equipment, such as stoves, ovens, refrigeration units can often be found for good deals, used.

2. Leasing is a Good Option for Restaurant Equipment. Many companies offer leased restaurant equipment, which can save you a lot of money as you get ready to open a new restaurant. Equipment with short life spans, like ice machines, are perfect for a monthly lease. Vendors also offer leased equipment, like coffee makers and coolers, for free, so long as you buy their products.

3. Restaurant Dishes Aren’t the Same as Your Kitchen Dishes. Restaurant dishes aren’t cheap, compared to those you can buy at Wal-Mart or Target. But that is because they are made to withstand the rigors of a busy restaurant kitchen dishwasher.

4. Restaurant Tables and Chairs are Part of the Décor. Tables and chairs represent a big expense when opening a new restaurant. But like commercial restaurant dishes, they are made to last. The look of your dining room will be heavily influenced by the tables and chairs you choose.

5. A Restaurant Kitchen Should be Well Stocked. A restaurant kitchen requires careful planning, to maximize space and promote efficiency. A typical restaurant kitchen is composed of different stations and restaurant equipment. A station is the area where a certain type of food is prepared. Stations help keep a restaurant kitchen running smoothly.

6. Restaurant Dining Room Designs Should be Flexible. Setting up your restaurant dining space to be reconfigured is a good idea. It allows you to accommodate larger parties or change the flow of the dining room, if you feel it isn’t working.

7. Restaurant Bars Require Their Own Equipment. The set-up of a restaurant bar depends on your restaurant’s size, theme and liquor license. Some bars are service only, meaning it does not serve customers directly; it is just for staff to order drinks.

8. There are Many Options for Restaurant Refrigeration. An integral part of restaurant equipment is the refrigeration systems. Restaurant refrigeration ranges from small coolers (like a dorm fridge) to massive walk-in refrigerators and freezers, and everything in between. 

9. Tablecloths Require a lot of Maintenance. Few items in a restaurant dining room make a statement the way tablecloths do. Crisply ironed tablecloths and starched linen napkins set a distinctly upscale atmosphere. But they also require constant care and can be expensive to clean, press and replace.

10. Catering Equipment can Increase Restaurant Sales. Off-premise catering offers restaurants a chance to expand business beyond their dining rom. However, catering outside of a restaurant requires a lot of attention to detail and organization. You need a certain pieces of commercial equipment to serve food safety and efficiently. 

Article original from: http://restaurants.about.com/od/stockingarestaurant/a/10-Things-To-Know-About-Restaurant-Equipment.htm