5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Domestic Catering Equipment in Your Commercial Kitchen

When browsing catering supplies for a new commercial kitchen, some caterers — especially in smaller establishments — might be tempted by the lower price tag and accessibility of domestic products. However, these budget buys can lead to dramatic costs in the future, for you as a chef and for your kitchen.

Below we’re going to outline some of the most important differences that professional commercial equipment provides over standard domestic items.

Size does matter

The first and most obvious difference anyone will notice between commercial and domestic equipment is the size. Commercial appliances such as ovens and microwaves dwarf their domestic equivalents, and for good reason.

Professional kitchens in restaurants and cafes are expected to provide for a large and continuous stream of customers, and therefore a large amount of food orders. If you do not have the necessary sized equipment to handle the workload, it will negatively impact your food production and the overall efficiency of your kitchen.

Article: When it comes to shopping for a commercial oven, the huge range of products available can be overwhelming. Take a look at our guide on how to choose a commercial oven to help you decide.

Quality as well as quantity

Any item in your kitchen — be it your fridge, oven or knives — needs replacing eventually. While any of these domestic tools can survive for years in your average home, the constant use and employment of catering equipment in a professional kitchen will rapidly increase the deterioration of domestic equipment.

Commercial goods on the other hand are typically manufactured to the highest standard of quality, often with materials such as iron or stainless steel that will keep them long-lasting in a busy environment.

Not only is it about the quality of your equipment, but in a commercial kitchen environment, looking after your cookware is equally important. For instance, cast iron pots and pans need to be seasoned in order to protect them from rust. For the professional chef, this is crucial maintenance of their cooking equipment, but in the home, this job will often be forgotten or neglected.

Keeping up the pace

Besides top-notch materials and components, commercial supplies come with a range of built in features to maintain their overall efficiency and the preservation of your ingredients. A domestic fridge’s compressor, for example, is only designed to handle being opened several times a day. A commercial fridge, comparatively, features a much more powerful compressor to handle regular opening and the higher temperatures of a busy kitchen. They also incorporate fans to evenly distribute cool air throughout the fridge, keeping your foodstuffs fresher for longer.

Precision is key

Whilst cooking in your own comfy kitchen can be completed with any appliance, food at any commercial business, restaurant or bar is expected to be made as best as it possibly can be. This calls for meals to be prepared at exact temperatures for precise periods of time. Commercial goods, with their top-tier quality and efficiency, are capable of achieving these specific needs quickly and without jeopardising the quality of your end product.

Forget about the price tag

We all know that it’s easy to get hooked by a low number, but if you want to keep the cash in your wallet, look beyond the price tag. What is it made from? What features does it support? How safe is it when used in a hot and hectic environment? All these factors should be considered before making your buy, and they will always result in commercial equipment being the superior and better long-term investment. You can read up on everything to take into account when purchasing commercial catering equipment by scanning through our helpful buying guides.