If you are planning on opening your own restaurant space and are confused about how to plan your commercial kitchen, do not worry! Before you step into the restaurant industry, it is extremely crucial that you are aware of the ins and outs, what is essential and what is not. In this blog, we will discuss the regulations and requirements that are necessary before you start your endeavor. Starting a restaurant project can seem to be a daunting task, but with this guideline, we have you covered. So let us explore everything you need for your restaurant’s commercial kitchen space.
What is a Commercial Kitchen?
A commercial kitchen is different than your ordinary residential kitchens. These kitchens are fully equipped with the items necessary for large scale and efficient cooking. They are rented so that they can be used for more than one party. Commercial kitchens are also known as culinary kitchens, shared kitchens, or food hubs. With so many different names, it might get difficult for you to get the desired information to plan your kitchen space. However, do not worry, we have the perfect guidelines for you to follow!
The Need to Use a Commercial Kitchen
Commercial kitchens are shared spaces, which is one of the most important factors when planning your restaurant. It is also the biggest advantage since it cuts down on your costs and improves efficiency. The entire kitchen space is equipped with every essential equipment you need to run your restaurant smoothly. All you must do is focus on your food quality and aesthetics.
On the other hand, if you are planning on buying or renting your own restaurant, you will have to execute a kitchen space from scratch. You will have to either buy or rent the equipment needed in the kitchen, pay for constant repairs, obtain the necessary permits, and so on. This will increase your cost and can be a very stressful task too. By choosing to have a commercial kitchen, all you need to do now is sit back, relax, and focus on lesser issues while your restaurant is up and running!
Commercial kitchens are perfect when you have to rent a restaurant. Food truck operators benefit the most from commercial kitchens as they help in properly disposing of food truck water waste and replacing it with a clean water supply. If you are still unsure about commercial kitchens, let us explain more for an informed decision.
General Requirements for Your Commercial Kitchens
Whether you are on the lookout to rent or to start a commercial kitchen, it is essential that you should be aware of the basic requirements to keep your kitchen running efficiently. You can do this by checking your local guidelines since they may vary from one location to another. The most general requirements include:
- Make sure that your chemicals like the cleaning material are kept separately from all food items.
- Your refrigerator must be always working at appropriate temperatures and should always pass inspection.
- Try to have stainless steel in your kitchens because that is easy to clean and disinfect.
- It is crucial that you have clean water. Hygiene for your restaurants and especially your kitchen is above everything else!
- Inspection for gas hook ups should also be clear.
- Ensure to keep your staff happy and satisfied too. Their bathrooms should be clean and made of material that can easily be cleaned. There should also be a hand washing station.
- There should be a separate area to keep items like your mops, hand washing a cleaning supply.
- All the chefs in your kitchen should be well trained, keep hygiene a priority, and should be licensed in food handling.
- Do not forget to check your local regulations, since they may vary from one location to another. You may need more permits than the ones mentioned in the article.
- Depending on your menu and the food you are preparing, regulations and permits may vary. So ensure that you check FDA websites and are aware of the codes you should be complying with.
Equipment Needed for A Commercial Kitchen
When you run a restaurant, you need to have a list of all essential items so there is no hassle in between. The following equipment is necessary for your kitchen:
Multiple Sinks: Ensure that you have sinks for your handwashing, cutlery cleaning, and other sanitary cleaning. This is necessary because you cannot be using one sink for all purposes. It breaches the most important code of hygiene and cleanliness.
Refrigerator and Freezer: Both these items are essential to store all your ingredients, so nothing goes stale, and you serve fresh food.
Basic Cooking Equipment: Cooking equipment will differ as per the food you are serving but some basic items that you should take note of are an oven, a stand to keep all essential cutlery, a deep fryer, a grill, a proper stove, a toaster, etc. Go through your food choices and their process to help you with an equipment checklist.
Storage Spaces and Containers: One of the most essential areas in a kitchen is storage. If you want your kitchen to be mess free, you need to ensure that your storage space should be enough. Moreover, you would need containers that will help you keep items like tea, sugar, salt, and other ingredients in place. Keeping all things organized in the commercial kitchen will not only make it easy to cook but also speed up your service.
Cleaning Equipment: There cannot be enough emphasis on how crucial it is to keep your kitchen clean. There should be a separate space where you should have all janitorial equipment like mops, dustpans, cleaning chemicals, bins, buckets, and the items needed for personal hygiene. Keep your kitchen space sanitized so there is no fear of insects.
Racks and Open Shelving: Since commercial kitchens are busy spaces, you need to ensure it is clutter-free. Open shelving and racks help you occupy less space and help you use walls for storage. It is also convenient since racks and shelves are mostly within a hand’s reach, making your kitchen service easier and more efficient.
Common FAQS
What equipment does a commercial kitchen need?
Commercial kitchens need bigger appliances which you would not normally find in a household. For example, huge boilers, steamers, blast chillers, and ovens can cater to mass food production and many more.
How much does the equipment for a commercial kitchen cost?
There is no specific amount. It largely depends on the size and the scale of your restaurant operations. However, considering the kind of equipment needed, it is always a better idea to rent them.
Can you use commercial kitchen equipment in your home?
You can but it will depend on the size and the space of your own house. Commercial kitchen equipment is normally larger than the equipment you will find at home. So, it is always better to find items that do not occupy a lot of space.
In Conclusion
A lot goes on when you are planning to open a restaurant space of your own. Commercial kitchens help you reduce a lot of unnecessary stress and the burden of doing all your work from scratch. Although maintaining and regulating the kitchen can still be a task, it is still better than taking up the responsibility for every repair, buying new equipment, or getting all the desired codes and permits. If your dream is to excel in the culinary world, your kitchen is the road to it. An efficient kitchen space will not only streamline your service but will also help in preparing delicious meals of the highest quality.
If you are unsure about how to plan your project, call a general contractor right now, take a quote, and start away. A reliable contractor will not only guide you but will also create a plan reflecting your vision.
So, what are you waiting for? Contact Arrant Construction for commercial kitchen remodeling in Houston & Dallas, TX.
