Increasing Your Restaurant Kitchen Equipment Knowledge

What Are Examples of Restaurant Kitchen Equipment?

Cooking equipment for use in a commercial restaurant can include a wide variety of items. Key pieces of restaurant equipment range from the following-

Ovens
One piece of kitchen equipment that will be found in any restaurant is an over. There are a variety of different style ovens to choose from with different features. Choosing the cooking equipment that best suits a restaurant will depend on personal needs. The most versatile ovens will fit most restaurants and offer durability.

Mixers
Mixers and blenders cut down the time for certain recipes. This type of commercial kitchen equipment comes with different functions in a variety of sizes. It's not uncommon to find more than one mixer or blender as part of the commercial kitchen. Some mixers are industrial sized for large batches of food products.

Refrigeration equipment
Commercial refrigeration is an important part of commercial kitchen equipment. Appropriate refrigeration is a requirement for restaurants. Food needs to be stored at the proper temperature at all times to keep in line with food safety standards.

Serving utensils
Kitchen equipment includes kitchen utensils used for serving such as plates, tableware, and glasses. Serving utensils also include items like bowls, saucers, or pots which hold large quantities of food that are served from the source.

Chopping boards and equipment
Different boards are crucial to developing specific meals. Whether they are chopping boards or pastry boards, they lend an important element to food preparation. Cutting equipment are also essential pieces of kitchen equipment used to prep food for cooking.

Deep fryers
Commercial deep fryers are used for specific types of foods. You'll find deep fryers in commercial kitchens and fast food chains. They cook frozen foods quickly and in large batches. As such, the fryers are sold in single, double or and triple units to accommodate the food prep station.

Peelers, Cutters and Slicers
Peeling and slicing can take time by hand. Commercial food processors can peel in a fast and efficient manner allowing large batches of foods to be cut and sliced at the same time.

Bread maker and food processor
Any restaurant that deals in pastries will have a bread maker on hand. This restaurant equipment is used for pie crusts, cakes, breads and biscuits. A food processor is also a large part of a dessert development or used for breads. Each comes in a variety of styles and sizes, with some including temperature adjustments that can be adjusted automatically.

Pressure Cleaners
Cleaning should not be overlooked when stocking a restaurant with commercial kitchen equipment. Cleaning and sanitizing the counters, floors and food prep stations is imperative to a restaurant's success. High powered, pressure cleaners can do the job needed in less time than cleaning by hand would. At extreme temperatures, the pressure cleaners also ensure the area is free of bacteria and other harmful contaminants. Any area that comes in contact with food can never be too clean.

What Are The Categories of Restaurant Kitchen Equipment?

The four categories of kitchen equipment are- food production, maintenance, special, and food storage equipment. Here's more information about them-

1. Food Production Equipment

Cooking Ranges
Cooking ranges are a versatile piece of cooking equipment which can be powered by electricity or LPG. The functions on a cooking range can vary but usually include one of the following- frying, broiling, grilling, baking, boiling.

Cooking Spoons and Pans
The choice of which pots and pans to use comes down to the method of cooking. As such, a wide variety of pots, pans and cooking spoons will be found with the kitchen utensils in a restaurant.

Vegetable Choppers and Cutters
Vegetables are versatile and are often cut in different dimensions for recipes. A variety of chopping and cutting equipment for vegetables is often found in most restaurants. This includes equipment to slice, dice, chop, and shred. This kitchen equipment often doubles for cutting fruit or bread in some instances. They are made of stainless steel to maintain cleanliness and longevity from consistent use.

Steamers and Cookers
With more consumers becoming health conscious, its not uncommon for them to request their food steamed instead of fried. Having commercial steamers in a restaurant works for rice, vegetables, and more.

2. Maintenance Equipment
Dishwasher
Having electronic dishwashers cuts down on the time it takes to clean dirty dishes. They also run at a heat much higher than human hands can withstand making them ideal for sanitizing dishes, glasses, or other cleaning equipment.

Dish Warmer
Waiting for dishes to dry in a busy kitchen is not an option. A dish warmer is a piece of kitchen equipment that dries up to 1800 dishes in an hour. It also cuts out contamination that can transpire from towel drying.

3. Special Equipment
Depending on the restaurant cuisine, there may be need for special equipment such as-

Shredders
Vegetarian restaurants or meals often require very thinly sliced vegetables for meals. A food shredders is optimal for this type of dining.

Nutcracker
Nuts and seeds are used in many desserts and some main dishes. Opening multiple nuts fast requires a nutcracker. These machines crack almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, hazelnuts and more. They can also shell most seeds or peel peanuts and cashews.

Kitchen Knives
The most important kitchen utensils is arguably the kitchen knife. They are used in most food preparation and production by slicing or carving foods.

Knives also come in the following types-

• Utility Knife
  
• Steak Knife
• Paring Knife
• Santoku Knife
• Chef's General Knife
• Carving Knife
• Slicing Knife
• Cleaver
• Turning Knife
• Serrated Knife
• Boning/Filleting Knife

4. Food Storage Equipment
Proper food storage ensures there is no food spoilage before use. The kitchen equipment that falls under this category can include-

• Freezers
• Refrigerators
• Display counters
• Vegetable storing systems
• Heated storage systems
• Cold storage systems
• Stainless steelwall shelves

Key Takeaways: The four categories of kitchen equipment are-

• food production
• maintenance
• special
• food storage equipment

Conclusion to Restaurant Kitchen Equipment

• Kitchen equipment is divided into four categories- Food production, food storage, maintenance and special equipment.
• Restaurant equipment are the tools and appliances used in a restaurant kitchen to keep operations running.