What is included in commercial restaurant equipment supply?

Many of our customers ask us the same question when they contact us for the first time through Shinelong Kitchen Equipment, a manufacturer located at Guangzhou Shinelong Kitchen Equipment Co., Ltd. What do commercial restaurant equipment supply packages include?

Piecing together a commercial kitchen is a complicated task. Many restaurant investors, for example, tend to underestimate the complexity of the design process and integration of the numerous systems involved. Refrigeration and cooking systems, food prep and commercial kitchen ventilation, food and supply storage and safety systems, and custom stainless-steel fabrication all go into a full commercial restaurant equipment supply. This article will examine some of the legislative and practical criteria for each example.

Preparation Equipment: The Essential Elements of a Commercial Kitchen

No commercial restaurant equipment supply is complete without preparation equipment. This contains food grates, induction cookers, fridges, ovens and freezers, steamer, salmon, combi ovens and more. The variety and range of the equipment is defined by the type of food served and the volume of the service.

For a few hotel projects in Southeast Asia we've collaborated on, customers selected high-output wok ranges as well as high-powered burners used for stir-frying. In comparison, high-end Western restaurant projects typically feature convection ovens, griddles, and range tops. The National Restaurant Association notes that while the selection of energy-efficient cooking equipment is a good practice for reducing operational costs, the selection of durable equipment will lower costs in the long run.

Most of the cooking equipment supplied by Shinelong is constructed of food-grade stainless steel (most often SUS304) and is therefore corrosion-resistant and easier to clean. In my opinion, and based on my experiences, ease of cleaning is far less important than durability, consistent heat distribution and the high costs associated with frequent replacement.

In every restaurant, solid commercial kitchen equipment will always include refrigeration. This includes upright freezers, undercounter chillers, blast chillers, display freezers and walk-in cold rooms.

Food safety regulations require that the temperature of the food storage areas must be maintained below 41°F (5°C). I have seen restaurants that have unstable refrigeration systems and have experienced substantial financial loss due to food spoilage.

Professional suppliers design cold rooms for restaurants based on the kitchen layout and the amount of food to be stored. Complete sets of modular refrigeration equipment with a commercial kitchen setup are used for large-scale catering kitchens and are constructed with modular cold rooms with polyurethane insulation and energy-efficient compressors.

Equipment for Food Preparation and Fabrication of Stainless Steel

Being equipped with the right tools makes a huge difference to how quickly staff can respond to customers' orders. That's why processors, cutters, slicers, mixers, and worktables are a staple in the commercial restaurant equipment supply industry.

In a central kitchen project we implemented, the optimizations we made to workflow and the redesign of construction's stainless steel tables, along with the addition of integrated vegetable washing stations next to cutting zones, enabled the central kitchen to reduce food prep time by 30%. Fabrication of custom stainless steel tables is often overlooked, but it makes a big difference to ergonomic workflow and balancing the demands of hygiene.

The kitchen cabinet makers like Shinelong also manufacture custom stainless steel sinks, shelves, cabinets, and canopies. Stainless steel is the best material for these applications because it is hygienic and easy to clean.

Ventilation and Exhaust

No commercial restaurant equipment supply is complete without good ventilation. Restaurants emit significant heat, and produce a lot of grease, smoke, and unpleasant smells. If there are no good exhaust hoods or fresh air systems, the quality of the air inside the restaurant will quickly become unbearable.

Canopy hoods, grease catchers, extraction fans, ducts, and air purifiers are all part of a regular exhaust ventilation system. In our larger projects, like kitchens for hotel banquets, we also include fire suppression systems in the hoods.

The industry and ventilation standards consider that having a balanced and properly working airflow system is essential. I have seen ventilation systems in kitchens that have not provided adequate air replacement and have caused kitchens to fail inspections. So, this makes clear that the ventilation needs to be designed according to the cooking load, the layout of the equipment, and the regulations applicable to the area.

Cleaning, Sanitation, and Hygiene Equipment

The importance of hygiene is extremely important in modern food service. Supply for a complete commercial kitchen equipment includes dishwashing, sterilization, handwashing, grease traps, and drainage systems.

Commercial dishwashers can be of four categories; undercounter, hood, and conveyor, depending on the size of the restaurant. Conveyor dishwashers are a lot more efficient and are able to decrease the amount of labor required in extremely busy kitchens.

Handwashing station is a sanitation station that is mandatory to be in food preparation areas. Based on my experience, inspectors are very strict about placement of sinks, soap dispensers, and measures to prevent splashes. Failing to provide sufficient cleaning and sanitation equipment will often lead to the restaurant not being given permission to open.

Storage, Utility, and Supporting Equipment

Along with cooking appliances and refrigeration units, a complete industrial kitchen equipment package will also include storage shelving, ingredient bins, utility carts, and shelving systems, and occasionally buffet stations and serving lines.

Dry storage equipment must be designed to ensure ventilation and prevent the entry of pests. Wire shelving units that are adjustable are often used. In catering projects, mobile carts are often used to improve the flow of materials between the preparation area and the serving area.

Many customers first focus on the ‘big machines,’ but without the small supporting equipment, such as floor drains or storage bins, the operational flow of the kitchen can be seriously interrupted.

Design, Installation & After Sales Service

Commercial kitchen equipment suppliers do not only sell equipment. Value-added suppliers offer kitchen design, 3D drawings, kitchen layout drawings, technical consulting, installation, and after-sales services.

In my overseas project coordination, I have found that pre-installation layout planning saves money, for example, by avoiding the placement of gas pipes and electrical lines that don't provide enough power. Suppliers like Shinelong combine equipment and engineering planning to provide a complete package.

After sales service is equally important. Operational reliability is maintained over time with the availability of spare parts and maintenance.

Conclusion – Complete System, Not Just Equipment

To conclude, design included, commercial kitchen equipment suppliers provide cooking, refrigeration, food preparation, ventilation, sanitation, storage, and complete design services. It is a fully integrated ecosystem, not a random selection of machines.

An experienced manufacturer guarantees that equipment will meet global standards for hygiene, safety, and durability. In my experience, the most successfully organized kitchen projects are for restaurants that regard kitchen equipment as a long-term investment, not a one-time purchase.