Butcher shops have existed for centuries and have served the greater community in various ways. These businesses are essential to any community because they help prepare and sell food. Butcher shops are also prolific, and you can find them just about anywhere. Not everyone is cut out to own a butcher shop, and not every piece of equipment can fulfill the needs of the butcher. So, what are some pieces of vital equipment and tools that your butcher shop needs? Read on below to find out more.

Meat Grinders

Getting a commercial stainless steel meat grinder is essential to preparing your meats, and it takes center stage in the operation of the butcher shop. Meat grinders can grind quite a few pounds of meat in an hour, making them indispensable to any butcher shop’s operation. When you grind your meats, you can make sausage and ground beef with ease or provide grinding services to customers who prefer to have their meat prepared by a professional. This service saves your customer a ton of energy and time and allows you to fill a vital role in your community. That’s more money in your pocket and another way to serve the neighborhood.

Meat Slicers

If you want to make thin or thick slices of meat, a meat slicer is for you. It helps you measure your slices and saves you time normally dedicated to meat slicing by hand. Commercial meat slicers are far more reliable than regular knives, and they ensure that the force of the knife does not compromise the texture of the meat. Most meat slicers also allow you to adjust the thickness of the slice. Many customers desire thin slices for deli meat sandwiches, and meat slices give you the ability to make consistently thin slices your customers will love. Additionally, if you want to expand your services, you don’t just have to use a meat slicer to only cut meat. You can also use this machine to cut vegetables and cheese.

Hamburger Presses

Many establishments use hamburger presses. If your customers have a high demand for burgers, it’s time to pick up a hamburger press. Most equipment in the butcher shop helps you press meat, but when you invest in a hamburger press, you have a clear idea of how many burgers you can produce from the meat you have. This knowledge is especially important when it comes to saving energy and planning. A hamburger press is easy to use and has a simple ergonomic design, so it will make your customers’ and employees’ live much easier. This factor makes it a vital tool that every butcher shop needs.

Chicken Slicers

Who doesn’t like chicken? It’s safe to say there will be quite a demand for the product. However, it’s especially important to evenly cut this meat into pieces without compromising the connective tissue. Your chicken slicer makes chicken significantly easier to prepare. These machines help you cut off large pieces of meat with one motion, making them suitable for even your less experienced staff members and apprentices. While you can also use a knife, a chicken slicer helps you avoid accidental cuts and injuries. That said, these machines cannot cut into the bone, so you will need to ensure that the device’s operator is aware of this limitation.

Meat Saws

Meat saws are incredibly valuable since they chop larger portions of meat into smaller sizes. These tools are resilient and strong. They can saw through thick muscles and even bones. Because of this, they’re often used at the start of the butchering process, when the first slab of meat is on the chopping floor. The meat saw is invaluable since you can’t cut some bones and muscles with regular butcher knives. If you are going to pick up a heavy-duty saw, it’s integral that, like your other bladed equipment, you sharpen and maintain it regularly.

Meat Smokers

Humans have been smoking meat for centuries. It’s a cooking method that’s been around forever, and most businesses can benefit from having a smoker. Having a smoker gives you many options regarding flavor and capacity. You can also easily customize your machine for your business’s size, the smoke fuel, or the flavor you want to infuse in the meat. You can also use various fuel sources, whether coal or electricity, to create a product that is entirely unique to your business.

Walk-In Refrigerators and Freezers

The last thing you want to smell is decomposing meat on a hot day. Additionally, your business will need to operate with strict food handling regulations to pass inspections and continue to operate. Because of this, you should get a freezer to ensure the meat remains at safe temperatures. Investing in a large walk-in freezer allows you to accommodate several slabs of meat in rows.

When you shop for these commercial freezers, you must pay attention to how much insulation they have, as cold air can leak out of poorly insulated appliances. You must also weigh how appropriate the model you’re considering is for your kitchen or shop. We would say that this piece of equipment is indispensable, so we highly recommend taking the time to find the perfect match for your store.

Protective Gear

You must keep yourself and your staff safe while working as a butcher. Your staff should wear goggles, cut-proof gloves, and a mask when handling meat. You also want to ensure you keep your bacteria and DNA from coming into contact with the meat. Hairnets and clean aprons are essential for this process; failure to wear the proper protective gear can put your customers and your business in danger.

Packaging Machines

Packaging machines are useful for easy production and food safety measures. They’re also incredibly versatile. For instance, there are a ton of different kinds of wrappers on the market to choose from, all with different traits. You should consider investing in a model with vacuum technology, as this can simplify the meat-handling process for both you and your staff. It also keeps you from having to seal things in by hand, which is the slowest and most difficult method of packaging food. Some models can even wrap 30 packages per minute. What a time saver!

Ultimately, if you’re interested in any of the tools above, from meat grinders to meat slicers, check out our wares here at Pro Restaurant Equipment. It doesn’t matter if you’re a restaurant or a butcher shop—when you choose us, you’ll get everything you need. Shop Pro Restaurant Equipment today!