COMMERCIAL RESTAURANT KITCHEN EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

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BY LORRI MEALEY

One of the biggest investments of opening a new restaurant is the kitchen. A commercial kitchen needs industrial grade equipment that will withstand a busy restaurant schedule. The layout of a commercial restaurant kitchen should allow food to flow seamlessly from the prep area to the line.

UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF A RESTAURANT KITCHEN

The kitchen is the heart of your restaurant, where your menu comes to life. It’s where food is prepared, cooked and plated. Typically it is where the dishwasher is located; the food is stored and home to all the various utensils, dishes, and cooking equipment.

COST OF OUTFITTING A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN

Without a doubt, the biggest expense for most new restaurants is the kitchen. A $250,000 loan might seem like a lot of money when you are first getting ready to open, but too quickly it can run out after you've invested in new (or even used) ranges, grills, ovens, and coolers.

COMPLETE LIST OF KITCHEN EQUIPMENT

Here is a general checklist of everything you need to outfit your restaurant kitchen:

· Range

· Oven

· Grill

· Deep-fryer

· Reach-in cooler

· Walk-in cooler

· Freezer (either a chest, upright or walk-in)

· Sauté Pans

· Stock/soup pots