The kitchen is one of the most critical factors in setting up a restaurant. It’s the heart of any restaurant, and how well it’s equipped can make or break the business. Investing in the right restaurant and kitchen equipment is essential to ensure your kitchen runs most effectively to meet your menu’s demands.
In this blog, NWCE will dive into the equipment every restaurant needs. This is whether you are planning a large commercial kitchen design or a more compact small restaurant kitchen design. With NWCE Foodservice Equipment as a trusted provider, we will also explore key considerations for selecting equipment in the UK market.
Commercial Ovens: Essential Kitchen Equipment for Every Restaurant
No restaurant can function without a reliable oven, whether running a small Bistro or a bustling restaurant. Ovens come in various styles, for instance convection, combination, and wood-fired ovens. Depending on your restaurant kitchen design, you might need multiple types of ovens.
Convection ovens are popular due to their efficiency and ability to cook multiple dishes evenly in a commercial restaurant kitchen design. Also, combination ovens, which combine steam and convection cooking, offer versatility for establishments with varied menus. For pizzerias or fine dining restaurants, wood-fired ovens add a unique flavour and aesthetic appeal, making them popular in commercial kitchen design UK.
Keeping Ingredients Fresh with our Kitchen Equipment
A well-designed restaurant kitchen needs efficient refrigeration units to store fresh produce, dairy, meats, and other perishables. These units are vital in maintaining the quality of ingredients and adhering to health and safety regulations.
Space is often limited in a small restaurant kitchen design. So compact refrigeration units or under-counter refrigerators might be more appropriate. Walk-in refrigerators and freezers are typically seen in larger commercial kitchens to store vast ingredients. Investing in quality refrigeration is crucial to avoid food waste and maintain food safety standards.
Versatile Cooking Stations
Commercial ranges are indispensable for any restaurant kitchen equipment list. They allow chefs to sauté, boil, and simmer multiple dishes. These cooking stations often combine a cooktop with an oven, offering flexibility for different cooking methods.
In a commercial restaurant kitchen design, gas ranges are frequently preferred for quick heat-up times and precise control, for fast-paced environments. However, electric ranges are becoming more common, particularly in establishments aiming to reduce their carbon footprint. Choosing the right range depends on your menu, kitchen design, and energy goals.
Commercial Kitchen Equipment: Griddles and Charbroilers
Griddles and charbroilers are essential for restaurants that serve grilled or seared dishes. Griddles are flat surfaces ideal for cooking breakfast items like pancakes and bacon. While charbroilers are perfect for grilling steaks, burgers, and seafood.
For a small restaurant kitchen design, a compact griddle that fits over the stove or is part of a combination unit may be sufficient. Larger restaurants often use standalone griddles or charbroilers to handle high volumes of orders. Griddles and charbroilers are often used in tandem with ranges, making them an integral part of restaurant food service equipment.
Dishwashers: Maintaining Cleanliness and Hygiene
Every restaurant needs an efficient dishwasher to handle the constant flow of dishes. In a commercial kitchen design UK, hygiene and efficiency are top priorities. Commercial dishwashers are designed to clean and sanitise dishes, utensils, and cookware quickly and thoroughly.
Undercounter dishwashers work well in smaller kitchens with limited space, while conveyor dishwashers are ideal for high-volume restaurants. Energy-efficient dishwashers can also help reduce water and electricity usage, saving your restaurant money in the long run.
Every Restaurant Needs a Prep Station
Prep stations are where the magic begins in the kitchen. They allow chefs to prepare ingredients for cooking and are especially important in restaurants with extensive menus. These stations typically include worktables, sinks, and cutting boards.
When planning your restaurant kitchen design, ensure prep stations are placed strategically near cooking and refrigeration units to streamline food preparation. Also, small kitchens may require multifunctional prep stations that combine storage and workspace, optimising space without compromising efficiency.
Storage Racks and Shelving: Organising Your Kitchen
Organised storage is key to an efficient restaurant kitchen. Properly placed racks and shelving allow easy access to pots, pans, spices, and other cooking essentials. When designing a commercial kitchen, it’s important to consider how you will store dry goods, cleaning supplies, and kitchen tools to keep everything within reach but out of the way.
Vertical storage can greatly maximise limited space for a small restaurant kitchen design. Adjustable shelving units can help you accommodate different kitchen equipment and supplies as needed. Investing in stainless steel shelves can also provide long-term durability and ease of cleaning.
Quick and Crisp Cooking with must have fryers
Fryers are a must-have for restaurants that serve fried foods like chips, chicken wings, or tempura. Commercial fryers come in gas and electric varieties, with gas fryers offering quicker heat-up times and more consistent temperatures. In a busy commercial kitchen design, fryers typically sit near ranges and griddles to ensure seamless cooking and plating.
Choosing the right fryer for your kitchen depends on the volume of food you need to prepare. countertop fryers may suffice in Small restaurant kitchens. In larger establishments opt for floor-standing models to handle higher demand.
Mixers: Must-Have Kitchen Equipment
A commercial mixer is another essential piece of kitchen equipment if your restaurant or café specialises in baked goods. Also, Planetary mixers are common for general mixing tasks, while
spiral mixers are ideal for pizza dough and bread-making. Consider your kitchen’s baking needs when selecting a mixer, as this will determine the size and type of equipment.
Commercial Kitchen Equipment Every Restaurant Needs
Equip your restaurant with the appropriate commercial kitchen equipment to ensure success. Whether you are establishing a compact bistro or a high-volume dining establishment.
Selecting the right tools for your restaurant kitchen design can boost efficiency, streamline food preparation, and enhance the overall dining experience. Investing in high-quality restaurant food service equipment is essential. Additionally, by considering the specific needs of your business, you can set your restaurant up for long-term success.
If you are in the process of designing your kitchen and need guidance on kitchen design equipment UK, NWCE Foodservice Equipment is here to help. We offer expert advice and a wide range of products to meet the unique demands of every kitchen, no matter its size or speciality.
