Top Things to Know When Purchasing Restaurant Equipment

What do you need to know to make the best possible choices? Let’s look at some tips to make the process easier.

How to Buy Restaurant Equipment

The natural place to start is with a budget. But be careful! Your accountant isn’t the only one who needs to weigh in on decisions to buy restaurant equipment. It’s critical to research what features and specs are available and what is best in your kitchen. You might be able to get a better deal on a smaller unit with fewer features. But that may cause frustration and slow workflow. And that creates issues in everything from customer satisfaction to employee morale.

The general rule of thumb is to get the best you can afford because you get what you pay for. Plus, a superior used model may be better than a similarly priced new one. Or adding time to the lease term may be better than settling for fewer features.

Start with outlining your requirements and match those with features and specs. Your kitchen floor plan is a good place to start. Oversized commercial kitchen equipment can seriously mess up traffic patterns.

A good deal on the wrong restaurant equipment is no deal at all!

Types of Restaurant Equipment

Look around the kitchen – so many types of restaurant equipment! You’ll find:

• Ovens, grills, microwaves, ranges, and ventilation
• Food processors, mixers, and slicers
• Food prep counters, cutting boards, knives, and sharpening stones
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Safety equipment
• Storage containers for used oil
• Serving ware
• Sinks
• Kitchen Display System (KDS)
• Point of sale system (POS)
• Steam tables
• Storage racks and shelves
• Washing equipment
• Ice makers

Buying each type of equipment requires considering your staff, kitchen layout, food served, and systems.

What to Look For in Commercial Kitchen Equipment

A critical element is the long-term cost of commercial kitchen equipment. This goes beyond your monthly payments. Consider the maintenance schedule, energy efficiency, and lifespan. This combination can make the difference between profit and loss.

Ask Chef

Chef knows best what equipment you need and often has preferences on models or brands. Often chefs give insight on how a feature that sounds good isn’t essential. Many owners find that advice from chefs saves on kitchen equipment purchases. Confirm the most important features and provide training for anything new.

Independent Certifications

Energy Star ratings help reduce your power consumption and utility bills. And check for the blue NSF Sticker logo – required for all restaurant equipment. This logo denotes independent verification of safety certification.

Warranties

Do your research about where to buy restaurant equipment with the best warranty. Most equipment for a restaurant comes with a warranty but always verify the details. Avoid any opportunity to buy commercial kitchen equipment without a warranty.

Local Health Codes

Check your local health codes to ensure your purchase meets the requirements. This is especially important for used commercial kitchen equipment. Using non-compliant equipment sets you up for penalties and potential lawsuits.

Production Speed

You need to put food on the table quickly. Check specs like RPM, BTUs, hourly output, and cooling or freezing time. Take the time to assess the speed of the equipment to be sure it fits your expectations.

Check With Service Vendors

Vendors may offer equipment at little or no cost if you use their service. These offers are usually an exceptional value. For example, you can get a great deal on storage tanks for used cooking oil.

Ensure Even More Value When Purchasing Restaurant Equipment

Once you narrow your choices down, ask for a demonstration. Spend some time getting a feel for the equipment before making a purchase. Take your time and compare the demo to your list of requirements. Carry a checklist with you to be sure. This ensures you get the most suitable equipment and optimal use of each feature.

Then, when you do decide to buy, carefully check over the equipment on delivery. Shipping damage opens only a short window for complaints.

Here are some additional points to help you profitably buy commercial kitchen equipment

• Explore credit and finance options from suppliers and manufacturers like:
  • Rent higher-quality equipment than you could afford to purchase or lease
  • Lease high-quality brands instead of purchasing to reduce financing costs
• Confirm where to buy restaurant equipment that is verified and serviced by the seller
• Consider equipment insurance if not included in your financing package. Insurance protects you from potential repair or replacement costs

Commercial Kitchen Equipment Purchase Checklist

• Determine specs and features required (Ask Chef. At least get the necessary features as your old equipment – upgrade what you can.)
• Research your options for budget (You get what you pay for! Get the best you can afford.)
• Get the right size (Use your kitchen floor plan or check the equipment you need to replace.)
• Check the Certifications (Energy Star and the blue safety NSF Sticker logo)
• Check the Warranty (Even used commercial kitchen equipment should have a seller’s warranty.)
• Confirm the equipment meets your Local Health Codes
• Get a demo
• Check the equipment carefully for damage on delivery
• Consider various options for financing
• Do you need to insure your commercial kitchen equipment purchase? (Often, insurance is part of your financing package)

Takeaways to Reduce the Cost of Commercial Kitchen Equipment

Planning your restaurant equipment purchase carefully helps support this long-term investment. Many considerations, like budget, upkeep, features, and warranty, contribute to a decision you and your kitchen staff will appreciate for years to come.