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Using the right restaurant equipment is a crucial element in running a successful restaurant or commercial kitchen. Consider the restaurant equipment you own the "heart" of your operation. Whether you have a new or existing building, buying restaurant equipment is dependent upon what you plan on cooking, the space and utilities available, and of course your budget. We'll take moment to look at all of these factors in order to determine which restaurant equipment will be right for your operation.
What will your restaurant equipment be used for?
Before purchasing any restaurant equipment, you have to know what you are going to use it for. Take a look at your menu for a moment and decide what preparation methods will be used to cook the food. Are you frying, grilling, baking, or steaming your food? Will it be thawed or frozen? Basic questions like these will help you decide if your restaurant equipment lineup will requires more than just an open range. Also considering how many people will be operating your restaurant equipment will help determine factors such as using 1 large section of equipment, or 2 split stations. We carry a multitude of restaurant equipment options to consider when sizing up your kitchen. No matter what the perpetration method is, we will have restaurant cooking equipment to serve your needs. Take a look at some of our categories below to become familiar with the restaurant equipment we have to offer.
| Restaurant Equipment Categories- Commercial Cooking Equipment |
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Browse All Restaurant Equipment
Utility requirements for restaurant equipment -
All conventional restaurant equipment runs on either gas, propane (LP), or electricity. Knowing what you have available in your building is crucial when selecting your restaurant equipment. Some rural areas or new construction may have a difficult time bringing gas utilities into their building. In such instances were gas fuel is preferred , liquid petroleum(LP) also called 'propane' gas will be your best option. Many commercial kitchens bring propane tanks onto their property for use with their restaurant equipment. These tanks can then be refilled as needed. Natural gas and LP run restaurant equipment is virtually the same with the exception of the size of the orifice. Natural gas and propane burn at different rates, so in order to regulate the proper mixture a gas orifice is used accordingly. The cost difference between gas and propane ready restaurant equipment is nominal. Many manufacturers will even supply a propane conversion kit for their restaurant equipment at no additional cost.
When choosing electric restaurant equipment, it is important to know before hand what the voltage and phase of your building are. Equipment run on 3 phase wiring will provide you the best efficiency and lowest energy bill. We also recommend that dedicated breakers are installed specifically for your cooking equipment. Keep in mind that much of our electric restaurant equipment requires hard wiring to your existing building. This means there is no wall plug, and a professional electrician will have to tie in power from the building to terminals located on the equipment. Our restaurant equipment product pages will have links manufacturer's cut sheets which provide important electrical information including voltage, phase, wattage and amperage.
Note on combustible clearances: Give you restaurant equipment plenty of room between combustible surfaces. Most commercial restaurant equipment requires a minimum of 6"-12" clearance from any combustible surface. This includes the entire unit, and not just the areas close to open burners or heating elements. Also remember that this equipment is commercially rated and will require a vent hood exhaust system with adequate fire suppression. Commercial restaurant equipment is not intended for residential use.
Where will you install your restaurant equipment?
Understanding the room you have to work with is extremely important when sizing your restaurant equipment items. Make sure that the basics are covered: you have room to get it in the building, through the corridors, into the kitchen door, and that enough manpower is available to help you move. Restaurant equipment can easily way several hundred pounds. Remember that it will not only have to fit in your space, but also fit in under your commercial vent hood. In general, your cooking line should have an additional 6" to the left and right before exceeding the limits of the vent hood. 7' of cooking equipment requires a vent hood 8' long. Its always a good idea to have a drafted floor plan or layout of your kitchen space to become acquainted with how your restaurant equipment will orientate. We offer a CAD layout and design service to help you layout your kitchen to scale. Contact us to receive further information on how we can help you.
Budget Considerations - How to Save Money
We strive to offer you the best prices around on all of or new and used restaurant equipment. But we are realistic and understand that budget always has an effect on your decision. Keep the following in mind when shopping to lower your cost. Electric equipment is almost always more expensive than gas and propane. If you can get gas utilities into your building, you can save money up front by purchasing gas equipment. If you do decide on electric, then try to get 3 phase power into your building. This type of power lowers the kilowatt hours used, saving you big on the electric bill. Consider how much you will use a specific item. If only specialty menu items are made and a specific piece will not be used heavily throughout the day, then you can save by purchasing equipment intended for lighter concession duties. Heavy duty cooking equipment will cost more. But on that same note, if you need heavy production, then go for the power. Less expensive, light duty restaurant equipment will not produce the same results as the higher end models. At Jean's Restaurant Supply, we offer great used restaurant equipment which is inspected by our trained technicians. Our used restaurant equipment is offered at a significantly discounted price. If your budget is tight, you can see if we have something used that may suite your needs. Check in with us, as our list expands quite frequently. However if you decide on a used piece, then make the commitment right away. Something you may have needed last week, could be gone the next! Contact us with any questions regarding our used restaurant equipment.
Restaurant Equipment Accessories
Here are some additional accessories that will help you get up and running with your restaurant equipment.
Gas Hoses: These are necessary to make a connection to your utilities. Gas hoses come in a variety of lengths to make the best use of space and are designed to have a certain amount of play for unforeseen equipment movement. Make sure to add gas hoses to your order when purchasing gas restaurant equipment.
Equipment Stands: Most restaurant equipment requires a stand or base to bring the unit up to working height. Although these aren't required for units which also have an oven attached, equipment stands will be required for griddles, char broilers, and any other counter top equipment. We offer a variety of equipment stand sizes to fit appropriately to your cooking equipment line up. Caster options are also available to create a mobile stand for your equipment making it easier to move for cleaning and maintenance.
Grease Traps: Although not required to make your restaurant equipment work, grease traps are required by law to run a commercial kitchen. Remember that cooking food with any kind of oil or fat produces grease laden vapors which will work their way into your drainage system. Have your commercial kitchen prepared by installing a restaurant grease trap.
Commercial Vent Hoods: Keeping your kitchen ventilated and fire safe is an absolute requirement. It is illegal to operate commercial cooking equipment inside a building without an adequate exhaust and fire suppression system. We offer a variety of commercial vent hoods in any size or configuration to accommodate your restaurant equipment line. We will be happy to consult with you when sizing your vent hood.
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