Pricing and costs of catering equipment varies widely, so keep yourself informed of where to go for the best deals. Choose formal, informal or industrial catering, as each of these areas uses different equipment, or delve into all three. Choose new or used equipment. New will cost more but there is usually a guarantee that the equipment is free from manufacturer defect. Used equipment sells "as is" most of the time, so make sure it works before buying it.

Decide the type of catering and the type of equipment, then compare pricing and costs of catering equipment:

1. Choose new or used catering equipment for formal events.

2. Purchase caterers equipment for informal catering events.

3. Find catering supplies for industrial catering.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for new or used banquet equipment for weddings and other formal occasions

When you cater weddings, dinner parties and other formal events, you need equipment and supplies such as chafing dishes, formal china ware and cloth napkins. Purchase these items at the least cost to make money with catering faster.

I recommend: A1 Caterer offers an article about costs of getting into the catering business. Check the ideas they present before you buy equipment. US Tent Rental offers equipment for formal catering. Check the list for prices on the products you need such as convection oven for about $250, chaffing dishes for about $30, glass creamer and sugar bowls for around $1 each and stainless steel wine buckets for about $6 each.

Select BBQ catering equipment for cookouts and picnics

You may be called to cater the neighborhood block party, summer cookout events or beach parties. Find the right equipment for this job including BBQ grills, folding tables and chairs and outdoor tents.

I recommend: J & J Party and Janitorial Supplies offers plastic and paper products and more for informal catering use. Browse all of their items including deli lids for under $4 per 50 units, plastic bowls for under $8 for 15 bowls, and food containers for around $60 for 500 pieces. Burkett Restaurant Equipment offers equipment such as pizza ovens, hot dog equipment, heated merchandisers and hot chocolate dispensers. Food warmers range in price from under $106 to about $340. Hot dog grills range from under $650 to around $1300. See their complete list of equipment and prices and buy what you need.

Bring lunch to your customers with industrial equipment for catering business

Lunch trucks or catering trucks take meals to work sites such as construction sites and factories. You will need a special vehicle equipped with ovens, shelves and coffee urns to get this job done.

I recommend: Lunch Trucks 4 Sale sells new and used catering trucks. The used trucks start at under $16,000 and range up to under $30,000. Vending Trucks sells new and pre-owned catering trucks from under $9,000 up to under $70,000.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you purchase insurance on your catering supply and equipment in case of loss or vandalism.

The catering equipment you need depends on the type of catering you supply to your customers. Catering for weddings and formal sit down dinners requires different equipment than BBQ catering equipment for informal buffet settings. You can also choose industrial catering, which also requires special equipment needs.

Choose the type of catering business you want or decide to do all of the different kinds of catering. Check the following for where to buy equipment and catering supplies for the type of catering you will be performing:

1. Buy catering equipment for formal dinners.

2. Purchase catering business supplies for informal buffets and picnics.

3. Get used catering equipment and save.

4. Choose catering equipment distributors that sell industrial catering trucks.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a catering supply company providing formal catering equipment

Cater to weddings, special anniversary party dinners and fund raisers by providing a quality sit-down dinner to your customers for any size party. You need special equipment to prepare, hold and serve this food so the evening is a success for you and your customer.

I recommend: Gala Source sells cake stands, candelabras, chafing dishes, champagne fountains, formal dinnerware and glassware, and ice sculpture molds. Check their complete line of catering equipment and supplies for all your formal dinner party needs. Catering Equipment World sells banquet carts, table skirts, chocolate fountains, cook and hold ovens, and food carriers. Look at their line of supplies for the items you need.

Select equipment for a catering business for informal services

Everyone loves a backyard cookout and many people prefer someone else to do the cooking and clean up. Cater to these events in your area with professional equipment to bring the food to the site or cook it on site to the specification of your customer.

I recommend: CaterGear.com sells commercial BBQ grills for any number of people. Serve chicken, turkey or prime rib buffets or traditional hamburgers or hot dogs with the favorite sides such as potato or macaroni salad. A Best Kitchen sells concession equipment including food warmers and snack and pizza ovens. Check their complete inventory for all your catering needs.

Locate used catering supplies and equipment for your business

Catering equipment is expensive especially if you decide to go with all types of catering. Find distributors of used or refurbished equipment to save on start up costs and get your business up and running.

I recommend: A City Discount sells used restaurant and catering equipment. Call them for the current list of inventory they have on hand. Custom Northeast Repair Services buys and sells used catering trucks. Call them for their current list of products.

Pick companies selling lunch trucks for your industrial catering business

Industrial catering provides breakfast, break and lunch foods to the work force in factories and on construction sites. Special vehicles, equipped with ovens and refrigeration, carry sandwiches and drinks to the workers.

I recommend: Mobile Catering and Carts sells industrial lunch trucks. They have several models to choose from, so select the truck with the features your catering company requires. VendingTrucks.com sells walk-in catering trucks. These self-contained units come equipped with griddle, steam table, freezer, refrigerator and other equipment you need to prepare, cook and sell your products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Catering equipment is very expensive so place insurance on all your equipment. If your machines break down or become damaged, insurance will buy you new or replacement parts so your business can continue without interruption.

Buying caterers equipment for a catering business can involve quite an outlay of money. To get the most from your equipment for catering business, there are a number of things you can do. You can buy used catering supplies or find a business that sells discount catering supplies.

You can also make use of catering equipment rental products, especially for special items you don’t need all the time. But the best way to get the most from your catering supply budget is to learn how to use your catering equipment in its most efficient manner.

You can get catering equipment education and training in a variety of ways. With proper training and education you can:

1. Make your catering equipment last longer.

2. Prepare specialty foods using general catering supplies.

3. Positively impact your bottom line with good food prepared at a lower cost to you. This not only can allow you to profit, but you can market your catering services in a competitive manner that puts you ahead of the game.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Familiarize yourself with the operation of your catering equipment

Make sure you have a good working knowledge of each piece of equipment in your kitchen. This also means reading the equipment manuals.

I recommend: AppliancePartsOutlet.com has equipment manuals for Southbend catering equipment, as well as other brands commonly used in the catering business. The Cadco website also has a number of catering equipment manuals you can download.

Participate in catering equipment training activities

Many professional organizations as well as catering equipment distributors offer workshops and training sessions. This is a good way to stay current with your catering equipment education and training. Not only can you find information about new products, but you can also learn new ways to use your existing equipment.

I recommend: Schedule a training session with the experts at Manitowoc Foodservice. As leading catering equipment distributors, they offer many catering business supplies and can help you get the training you need for the catering supplies you use. Howcast Media offers a number of training videos that demonstrate the use of various pieces of catering equipment.

Learn all you can about specialized catering equipment

No matter what types of foods you prepare for your catering business, you're sure to have one or two specialty pieces of equipment. Be sure you know how to put those pieces of equipment to their best use to get the most value from your investment.

I recommend: Probably one the most useful pieces of in your kitchen is a Kitchenaid mixer. The Kitchenaid forum and videos can offer specialized training for all models of Kitchenaid appliances. Even if you are using used catering equipment and appliances, this forum is an excellent resource for training purposes. You can find videos on the Wood Stone website to help you learn more about using its specialized caterers equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Every piece of catering equipment comes with an operator's manual. Read and understand how the piece of equipment works. Be sure to file the manual in a safe location for future reference.

Whether you hope to serve as a caterer for small dinner parties or large, lavish weddings, you’ll need to stock your kitchen with essential equipment. To run a successful catering business, you’ll need proper tools and accessories to prepare and serve the type of dishes that your clients request most. Familiarize yourself with catering equipment terminology like “chafer,” “portable stovetop” and “food transporter” to help you secure the most useful and current tools to suit the style of your catering business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Countertop fryer

Even mobile catering operations can offer fried dishes with a countertop fryer. The mobile unit can sit alongside countertop, electric griddles and other cooking appliances to create meals at the event site.

I recommend: Discover the benefits and specifications of countertop fryer models on the Gala Source website.

Portable stovetop

Prepare, cook or reheat dishes when catering an event on site with portable stovetops. Check out the power sources you'll have available at the site to ensure you bring stovetops that you'll be able to use.

I recommend: Check out a selection of portable stovetop models, in butane and electric-powered styles, through Catering Equipment World.

Chafer

An essential piece of catering equipment, a chafer can hold and warm food that you've created at the event or brought into the venue. Also called chafing dishes, the units' style and material should suit the nature of the event you're catering.

I recommend: Discover a variety of chafer models, including domed, oblong, square and rectangular models, through Cater Gear.

Food transporter

After preparing appetizers, desserts and other dishes in your commercial kitchen, you'll need a way to move the food to the event location while keeping it warm or cold, as needed. An insulated food transporter will maintain the desired temperature and feature handles or rollers to simplify transport.

I recommend: Find information on double end, end loader and tray carrier models of food transporters through AKitchen.com.

Commercial microwave

Equipping your kitchen with commercial microwave ovens ensures that you have the capacity to cook and reheat food items before and during the event. Look for models with programmable memory pads to pre-program cooking times and levels for the types of foods you cook most.

I recommend: Find a selection of commercial microwave ovens with different capacities and features through Burkett Restaurant Equipment and Supplies.

Hot food wells

Whether you prefer wet or dry heating, hot food wells can keep several different dishes warmed to specific temperatures throughout a catered event. Drop-in styles allow you to transport the foods securely, then add them to the heating unit at the event location.

I recommend: Discover the features of various hot food well units with diverse measurements and capacities through CKitchen.