THE COMMERCIAL CATERING EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED
Pots and Pans
Anytime you cook for a large group of people, you’ll use several pots and pans. How
many you need depends on a number of things:
1) The menu you’ve planned
2) How many guests you’ll serve
3) What cooking equipment (ranges, ovens, etc.) you have
4) Your capacity to wash everything
A Range
There are two broad categories of ranges, heavy duty and medium. Heavy-duty
ranges will be able to handle your heavier pots, and it will likely be welded together,
not held together by bolts.
Whichever category you go with, you’ll find a stovetop on top of an oven, which
makes this a versatile piece of equipment for cooking several dishes at once. Larger
ranges might even have griddles, prep areas and other additional features, but these
extra features begin to quickly affect the price.
Refrigeration
Most caterers will need to keep their food — especially meat and fish — as fresh as
possible, which usually requires storing it in a space no warmer than 40 degrees
Fahrenheit. Any basic or commercial-grade refrigeration unit will be able to handle
that.
Dishwasher
Cleaning up after a banquet is one of the least fun parts of the job, but it’s among the
most important. The size and scope of the banquets you host will determine how
large and how powerful you’ll need your dishwasher to be. Three things to explore
before purchasing a dishwasher: How long is the wash time? How hot can the water
get? How much water pressure is it capable of producing?
Also, consider the space in which you’ll install the dishwasher. A compact washer
might not require too much room, but it will require adequate ventilation because it
will produce a lot of heat.
A Grill
Grilled meats, fish and vegetables are a big hit with any crowd, so consider
incorporating one into your kitchen setup. Most grills use flame or4induction heat. If
you need to broil dishes, salamander grills are an excellent way to do this. They don’t
take up much space, and because they heat from above, they let your dishes —
particularly meats — retain all of their moisture.
A Microwave
Microwaves are the quiet workhorses of commercial kitchens. However, be aware
that microwaves for everyday home use lack the capacity for prolonged use in a busy
kitchen. Get a commercial-grade microwave.
