Choosing the right commercial kitchen equipment.
You may know TWO Services as the UK’s only genuine independent cleaning and maintenance provider. But, as a company that has been in business for close to 40 years, we can offer value to our clients in many more (often surprising) ways.
For example, TWO can also help caterers and hospitality businesses like yours source the right equipment for their commercial kitchen setup.
Here are a few things you’ll need to bear in mind when choosing fridges, freezers, ovens, fryers, prepping stations, and all the other vital gear needed to make your commercial kitchen a success.
To buy or to rent
The answer will often come down to budget – or, more specifically, the state of your cash flow.
Obviously, purchasing new equipment will cost you more upfront. However, you will usually benefit from long warranties that will protect your investments over the course of the term.
Rental contracts are a great option if you’re strapped for cash right now, but remember, you may need to pay more in the long run, and you may not be able to keep or sell the equipment on once you’ve come to the end of your finance agreement. You will also need to find out whether your lease includes repairs; if it doesn’t, you will need to pay any additional breakdown or maintenance costs yourself.
Quality matters
Our Field Services Manager, Carl Twaites, summed up our thoughts perfectly in a previous article – but here’s a reminder of his stance on the importance of purchasing the best quality equipment possible.
“You really do get what you pay for. New machines will have a much better life expectancy from the manufacturer, not to mention longer warranties, which can come in handy later on.
“If you buy second hand, you should expect their components to start to wear and fail much sooner, meaning you’ll have to fork out for an engineer to come and deal with every breakdown (unless you’re on a maintenance package with a company like TWO, of course).
“Plus, newer equipment is much more eco-efficient than older items – and we know this is something that’s becoming more important to our customers as they seek to lower their energy bills and do their bit for the planet at the same time.”
Consider your layout
How much floor space do you have to work with – and, just as importantly, how can you design your commercial kitchen to encourage a better flow and make life easier for your staff?
Having too much space in between workstations can cause friction during the cooking process. You need to make sure your equipment is laid out in a way that encourages faster prepping/cooking, keeps your employees out of each other’s way, and reduces the chances of cross contamination. This will come down to careful planning and clever installation – both of which we can definitely assist with here at TWO.
Gas or electric
This is the question that plagues caterers and kitchen managers, as there are pros and cons to using each system to fuel your ovens.
If your kitchen already has access to a gas supply, our engineers will usually recommend opting for gas ovens, as they are more responsive when your team are adjusting heat levels.
If you are currently running an electric-only kitchen, it could be possible to switch you over to gas, as Carl explains:
“We can help you transition to a gas setup if your consumer board is full, and your network is constantly being overloaded. Our staff have the relevant qualifications to modify gas pipework and run for new gas equipment. Alternatively, we can convert your power network to electric only, if you no longer have a need for gas. It’s about looking at what’s going to work best for your business in the long term and putting a plan in place to make changes to your infrastructure that are both smart and sustainable.”
Get professional advice
Whether you’re new to designing a commercial kitchen or you just want fresh input, there’s no substitute for getting practical, impartial advice from people like Carl, who deal with finding, installing, and maintaining kitchen equipment day in, day out.
We can take into consideration:
- Your exact circumstances
- Your budget
- The nature and size of your kitchen
- The level of intensity the appliance will be used at
- How easy it is to get hold of spares at short notice
- Our experiences with similar makes, models, and manufacturers
Only once we have reviewed all the above will we provide you with clear, honest recommendations that have been tailored to the needs of your premises, as well accurate quotes.
Contact TWO Services for help planning your kitchen layout and sourcing the right solutions for your needs at competitive prices. We can also handle the installation, cleaning, and maintenance of your equipment; in short, we offer everything you need to keep your investments working at their best for years to come.
You can learn more about our equipment sourcing services on our website or enquire with us directly by emailing sales@two-services.com.
