Annual sales in the restaurant industry have gone as high as $783 billion. This tells you that investing in a restaurant today is among the best investment decision you can ever make. If this is exactly what you have in mind, you’ll have to buy equipment such as a commercial dough mixer and an electric meat grinder, among others. As with any other prime investment, pinpointing the best quality equipment can be a challenge. Discussed below are important factors that will allow you to get it right from the get-go.

1. Equipment Size

Size is among the first things you need to consider when buying commercial grade kitchen equipment. Before getting that commercial meat grinder for sale you saw at the store, make sure that it is of the right size. Figuring out the food volume that you will be dealing with will also help you know the best equipment. The kitchen’s available space is yet another factor that you need to consider. The last thing you want in a busy kitchen is having equipment that impedes staff movement.

2. Efficiency

The success of your restaurant will highly depend on the efficiency of your restaurant equipment. Anyone who has worked in a commercial kitchen will tell you that an efficient restaurant mixer, for example, will get the job done in no time. Keep in mind that time is of the essence when running a restaurant as delays can turn-off potential clients. With efficient equipment comes efficient staff. This tells you not to focus on aesthetics alone when buying.

3. Ease of Maintenance

Unlike a kitchen at home, things can get messy in a jiffy when working in a commercial one. With a commercial dough mixer working here and a commercial meat cutting machine running there, restaurant kitchens can at times seem chaotic. At the end of the day, nearly every employee feels exhausted. Getting things in order can be daunting. It is for this reason that you should remain hawk-eyed on the design of kitchen equipment before buying. Before purchasing a dough mixer for sale, for instance, make sure that it is easy to maintain and clean.

4. Safety

Now that you will be dealing with commercial grade equipment, safety is a concern that shouldn’t slip your mind. Keep in mind that equipment such as a commercial dough mixer is usually made of metal or hardened plastic. This means that you need to incline towards equipment designed with user safety in mind. Some of the safety features to consider are:

• No voltage release: This prevents unexpected and automatic equipment restart after power failure.


• Foot pads: These are usually made of rubber or neoprene and they help keep equipment stable at all times.


• Interlocking bowl support: This keeps heavy bowls stable to avoid spills that could cause falling injuries.


• Bowl guards: These are usually made of stainless steel and they avoid clothing and hands getting caught up in mixers.


• Safe equipment keeps litigation cases and staff injuries at bay by ensuring hot surfaces and sharp edges don’t harm your employees.

5. Cost

Commercial equipment comes with different features as well as different price tags. A commercial dough mixer, for example, will have different jar sizes and their price will escalate as jar size increases. Going for affordable kitchen equipment will ensure that you don’t run into a financial deadlock. Due to business competition today, most commercial equipment dealers are willing to offer discounts. Getting various price quotes will help pinpoint a wallet-friendly dealer in town. However, make sure that a cheap price does not come with compromised quality.

6. Warranty

When time to buy kitchen equipment comes, inquiring about warranty should be a top priority. The longer a warrant lasts, the better as this increases the window period in which you can get a refund or replacement. Warrant features can even help you make a decision in case you’re unable to choose between two dealers.

Bottom Line

There is no doubt that owning a restaurant can be a rewarding experience. After all, most people love eating at restaurants. Investing in the right commercial kitchen equipment is necessary if your business is to thrive. Pinpointing the best equipment is a tough assignment for most people. However, the above tips will point you in the right direction.