Selecting the right utensils

Carefully select the utensils you will be using to cook at your restaurant as the taste of the cuisine you will ultimately serve will depend greatly upon the preparation and cooking method and therefore the cooking tools you acquire. If you are planning to use induction cooking ranges at your restaurant, there are special kinds of commercial cookware you will have to purchase which your salesperson will explain to you. Try to purchase the most sturdy and durable pots and pans of different shapes and sizes from your equipment dealer. You obviously don’t want to run out of any of your cooking and prep tools when your restaurant is full.

Check the product warranty

Purchase the industrial kitchen equipment you need from a reputed company. If the purchase is made with an overseas-based company, make sure that the company has a factory authorized store, showroom, dealership or branch in the country. Ensure the quality of the appliance before its purchase by carefully examining its track record and technical specifications. Verify the repair agreement and warranty of the appliances you are planning to acquire. Warranties are complex legal documents and if you experience any difficulty in understanding them, take them to someone who does. Look for exclusions and the fine print too.

Code compliance and adherence to commercial use safety standards

Bearing in mind the safety standards which govern your community, buy the best quality gas stoves, ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, deep freezers and other commercial kitchen appliances essential for successful restaurant operation. Before making the purchase, find out whether the restaurant equipment is code compliant. This information is usually available for your city or county’s health, fire and safety departments. Ask the fire department or the food inspector who serves your jurisdiction to check compliance levels for you. You should always purchase your restaurant equipment from authorized entities. Call the manufacturer and verify the dealer’s credentials before making the purchase.

Energy efficient restaurant equipment

When making your rounds of restaurant equipment dealers online or offline, select cooking appliances that not only have a reputation of high quality but are also clearly labeled as being energy efficient. A reliable and eco-friendly to consider is the Energy Star label. Very often, local companies are able to provide excellent resource information regarding energy ratings and so checking with them prior to placing an order is a good idea.

Check the Terms and Conditions of Delivery

While calculating costs, check the delivery rates of different manufacturers or dealers. Many online dealers offer free delivery of the appliances you purchase from them. This can actually save you hundreds of dollars depending on the size and the weight of the appliance. Examine the terms and conditions of the delivery and inspect the appliance thoroughly before you sign any release documents.

Buying restaurant equipment does not have to be a stressful experience. It can actually be fun if you plan it well, take the necessary precautions and become an educated restaurateur first. If you follow these tips, you will not end up making an investment that will give you heart burn down the road. Rather, you will be able to provide your dining guests with a premium quality dining experience, which is after all, your primary mission.