Whether you’re managing a small coffee shop or a much larger lunch and dinner restaurant, you’ll know that food prep, cooking, and clean-up can be time-consuming and even stressful. In addition to the challenge of getting everything just right, you also have to focus on food hygiene and safety.
One of the more effective ways of creating a streamlined kitchen is to opt for processes such as the cook chill system combined with quality appliances. Common examples include blast chillers, mixer kettles, and pasta cookers. If you’re in the process of setting up your commercial kitchen, then this post is a must-read. We share a few of the more common and practical appliances to invest in.
Modern Appliances are Designed for Efficiency and Simplicity
When it comes to investing in modern kitchen appliances, the good news is that there is a wide range of options to choose from. Our team of kitchen experts have compiled a list of the most useful appliances to invest in.
- Combi Ovens
The most effective way to cook the best and most consistent meals is to prioritise quality cooking equipment. Combination, or combi ovens are typically used to cook a variety of foods. As highly versatile machines, these ovens can prepare food in the following ways:
- Poaching
- Roasting
- Steaming
- Grilling
- Smoking
- Shallow frying
- Baking
These ovens are well-known for cooking food consistently and can also heat ingredients faster than standard ovens. They also don’t need to be preheated and are more energy-efficient. Different sizes and capacities make it easy to find the best model for your kitchen needs.
- Blast Chillers
Every kitchen will benefit from owning a blast chiller. Also called flash freezers, these appliances are designed to rapidly cool raw or cooked food to a safe storage temperature. The essential difference between a freezer and a blast chiller is that a blast chiller blows cool air over the food to keep it at a specific temperature.
Since a blast chiller doesn’t freeze your food, you won’t have to thaw food before serving it, and you also won’t have to deal with sogginess or freezer burn. Blast chillers are perfect for ensuring food safety and preventing food from developing bacteria when it’s not stored at the correct temperature.
Safe food storage is essential to prevent foodborne illnesses and contamination. These handy appliances are remarkably versatile and can be used to cool all types of foods and ingredients. The most common being:
- Meat
- Fresh and cooked veggies
- Drinks and wines
- Salads
- Ice cream and desserts
- Produce Peelers
Food prep comes with a lot of peeling and chopping of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. This is especially the case if you’re using fresh veggies rather than their frozen counterparts. Luckily, some machines and gadgets can make this task quick and easy.
Vegetable peelers ensure that your ingredients are always cut and shaped consistently, which means there’s no need to worry about stir-fry strips or chips being too thin or too thick. Some of the more common vegetable peelers to consider include the following:
- Potato & carrot peelers
- Onion or garlic peelers
- Leaf vegetable cutters
- Continuous dicing and strip-cutting machines
- Mixer Kettles
If creating a diverse menu is a priority, then a mixer kettle is essential. Essentially, this machine is a combination of a cooker and a mixer and is excellent for preparing food types such as:
- Sauces
- Soups
- Salad dressings
- Purees
Mixer kettles have been designed to create consistent blending where you don’t want lumpy ingredients. Since mixer kettles boast precise temperature control features, you’ll be guaranteed evenly distributed ingredients and consistency every time. Thicker ingredients can also be mixed by changing the mixer blades.
These versatile appliances are ideal for preparing and cooking large volumes of ingredients, which can be stored for use at different times, usually in a blast chiller. Some mixer kettle models can self-wash, which frees up another task that takes up considerable time in every busy kitchen.
- Pasta Cookers
If your kitchen is putting out a lot of different Italian or pasta dishes, then investing in a pasta cooker is a must. These appliances are designed to cook every type of pasta to perfection each time. There’s no risk of over- or undercooking pasta, and it’s an ideal way to prepare large volumes quickly.
Having a machine cook your pasta will free up your staff to focus on other tasks around the kitchen. Some of the more common benefits of using a pasta cooker include the following:
- Faster cooking times
- Consistent al dente results
- Increased efficiency
- No need to wait for boiling
- Space-saver design
Final Thoughts
Having the correct appliances, gadgets, and cooking equipment in your commercial kitchen is essential for ensuring productivity. It’s also an effective way to ensure that your recipes are consistent. Opt for a few appliances on our list to create a streamlined and efficient commercial kitchen!
