Opening a New Restaurant? A Guide to Essential Equipment
Congratulations! You’ve taken the exciting leap and are on your way to opening your very own restaurant. From menu planning to interior design, there are a million things to think about. But one crucial element that often gets overshadowed is equipping your restaurant with the right tools for the job.
Resist the urge to fill your restaurant with every appliance under the sun. Invest in high-quality, reliable equipment that can handle the daily demands of a busy operation. This will save you money on repairs and replacements in the long run, and ensure your food prep runs smoothly.
Time is money, especially in the fast-paced world of restaurants. Choose equipment that helps you work smarter, not harder. Look for features like fast preheat times for ovens, or appliances with multiple functions to save on counter space. Do a little research on brands known for building commercial-grade machinery that can withstand the heat (literally) of the kitchen.
A safe kitchen is a happy (and healthy) kitchen. Make sure all your equipment meets safety regulations and comes with the proper certifications.
Equipping Your Space
Now, let’s talk specifics!
Ovens, Ranges, Deep Fryers, and Grills are essential for your kitchen, allowing you to sear, bake, fry, and grill all your menu favorites.
Food Processors and Mixers tackle repetitive chopping, mixing, and blending tasks, saving you valuable prep time.
Ventilation Hoods play a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable and safe kitchen environment by removing smoke, heat, and cooking odors.
Refrigeration, this is the heart of your kitchen! You’ll need reliable refrigerators and freezers to keep your ingredients fresh and safe. At Hoshizaki America, we offer a fantastic range of commercial refrigerators and freezers designed for efficiency, durability, and top-notch food safety.
Hoshizaki Steelheart® refrigerators and freezers are a star in any kitchen. They’re built tough, with a stainless steel interior and exterior that can handle the daily grind. No matter how busy things get, these refrigerators will keep your food safe and chilled at the perfect temperature.
Our undercounter and worktop refrigerators and freezers are designed to maximize space without sacrificing performance. They’re perfect for tucking away in prep areas, behind bars, or anywhere you need quick access to chilled or frozen items.
Hoshizaki prep tables are built for efficiency and organization. They can handle even your deepest pans, and come with handy divider bars and removable cutting boards to keep your workspace tidy. Mega Top refrigerators offer extra space on top for ingredients, making the most of your storage capacity. Ideal for busy restaurants, allowing chefs to prep food quickly and keep everything within easy reach.
Hoshizaki Pizza Prep Tables are a game-changer for any pizzeria. They distribute air evenly throughout the entire unit, so even during peak hours, your ingredients stay perfectly chilled delivering consistent quality pizzas, crust to crust. Now imagine a world where heat from the stove doesn’t affect the freshness of your ingredients. Hoshizaki’s refrigerated chef bases make it a reality! With a built-in ceramic heat shield, these innovative units protect your food from heat exposure, keeping everything cool and safe even in the most intense kitchen environments.
Hoshizaki Glass Door Merchandisers are perfect for showcasing your grab-and-go offerings. These stylish units come in a variety of sizes, features and colors to suit any restaurant’s needs. With clear visibility and attractive displays, they’ll entice customers and boost your sales. Additionally, Hoshizaki’s Back Bar Refrigerators, Direct Draw Refrigerators, and Bottle Coolers are lifesavers for cramped bar areas. They’re designed for tight spaces, with front breathing and side-mounted refrigeration that requires zero clearance. This means easy access to beverages and efficient cooling, all without sacrificing that sleek, professional look. So you can prioritize both style and functionality in your bar setup.
We also believe that Sushi Cases are the secret weapon of any restaurant that serves Sushi. Hoshizaki Sushi Cases feature a sleek stainless steel interior and bright LED lights, creating the perfect stage for showcasing your delicious sushi creations. But they’re not just about good looks! Hoshizaki cases also have a powerful, specially-plated evaporator on top to keep your sushi chilled to perfection. This means your customers get the freshest sushi possible, while you can rest assured it’s stored in ideal conditions. Check out our brochure to know more about our refrigeration products.
Heated cabinets, on the other hand, are an excellent addition too. For restaurants specializing in take-out or delivery, these unsung heroes are a game-changer. Hoshizaki America also offers heated cabinet solutions that maintain food safety and quality while keeping your take-out orders piping hot and delicious.
Dishwashers are the silent warriors behind the scenes, tackling mountains of dirty dishes efficiently. A dedicated three-compartment sink ensures proper hygiene for washing, rinsing, and sanitizing dishes by hand. For optimal results, consider equipment from Jackson Warewashing Systems, part of the Hoshizaki Alliance, known for its reliability and performance.
Ice Machines keep beverages icy cold and are an essential investment for any restaurant. Hoshizaki America offers a range of high-efficiency ice machines that produce clear, hard, and clean ice, with each machine guaranteed to last for years.
The MVP of all ice machines, KMEdge™ Crescent Cuber Ice Machines are our champions! They are built tough with a stainless steel exterior and a double-sided evaporator, so you know they will be maximizing ice production for years to come. They are designed to fit perfectly into your kitchen and can handle even the busiest rush, ensuring your drinks are always served with fresh, clear ice cubes. Hoshizaki offers cubelet ice machines as well! Cubelet ice is the perfect middle ground – it’s hard enough to hold its shape but soft enough to soak up all the flavor of your drink. This makes it ideal for specialty cocktails, smoothies, and soft drinks. Additionally, restaurants are loud. Your ice machine doesn’t have to be. Our Serenity Series reduces noise, stays cooler, and is more compact than other cubers.
Our flaker machines are rockstars for all sorts of restaurants, from sushi bars to cocktail lounges. They produce a steady stream of flaky ice, perfect for chilling drinks and showcasing your food beautifully. We offer a range of sizes, from undercounter models with built-in bins to powerhouse machines that can produce up to 1800 lbs. of ice a day!
Running a bar? Hoshizaki’s Specialty Ice Machines are your new best friends. They come in 2by2 cubes, 1by1 cubes, and even spheres! These machines fit neatly under your bar counter and eliminate the need for messy ice molds or costly outside suppliers. Plus, with perfect ice, you can create show-stopping cocktails that will have your customers coming back for more. Hoshizaki’s Top Hat Ice Machines create gourmet cubes resembling top hats. They melt slower than regular ice, so your drinks stay colder, longer, and without getting watered down and are the perfect way to elevate your outdoor bar or restaurant experience, ensuring happy customers and picture-perfect drinks.
We also offer Ice and Water Dispensers in various sizes to fit any restaurant, from cozy bistros to large dining halls. They ensure you always have a steady supply of fresh ice on hand, keeping your kitchen and bar running smoothly during peak hours. They are also ideal for serving customers directly or for self-service by customers themselves. Check out our brochure to know more about our Ice Machines.
And lastly, fire safety equipment is essential for the well-being of your staff and customers.
Remember: This is a general list, and your specific needs will depend on your restaurant’s type of cuisine and menu. For example, a pizzeria will require a powerful pizza oven different from a high-end steakhouse. However, having a well-rounded understanding of essential equipment will put you on the right track.
By investing in the right commercial equipment, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and efficient restaurant operation! So, do your research, choose wisely, and with a well-equipped kitchen, you’ll be serving up culinary delights in no time!
July 24, 2024
By Maitri Gandhi – Product Marketing Specialist, Hoshizaki America
