Food Service Equipment Basics

The ins and outs of wisely buying commercial food service equipment

One of the more onerous tasks of setting up a restaurant is obtaining food service equipment. Not only is it costly, but there are many important decisions to make about equipment type, quality and quantity that can cost your business many thousands of dollars. Therefore, it makes sense to pay careful attention to food service equipment basics.

Before purchasing any piece of food services equipment, or before considering the full costs of buying a restaurant, there are three basic things to consider. Take your time pondering each of these points, obtaining the opinion of your chef, local government or other expert before spending a dime. Consider:

1. All local food service business regulations; many directly affect the type of equipment you can buy,

2. Exactly which food service supplies you need for your particular menu,

3. And whether or not it makes sense to purchase you restaurant's supplies used or new.

 

Know the codes for food industry equipment

Buying a stove for your restaurant might seem like a no-brainer, but unless you know your local government's ordinances, you could end up spending a great deal of money on a piece of equipment you'll never be able to use. Before buying any equipment, check ordinances with your local fire and building inspector, health department and city zoning department.
Try: Be sure to read the HACCP standards at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website; you'll find seven steps to ensuring food safety, and many affect the sort or equipment you should use. Also read "Food Law and Regulations" at FoodSafety.gov.

Buy only the food service equipment and supplies you really need

Carefully consider what your food equipment needs are. Study your menu, talk to your chef and buy only the equipment you'll need to prepare that food. You can always add more equipment later, as your needs change.
Try: To help determine what equipment you should buy, study "Three Questions to Answer Before Buying Restaurant Equipment" at Isnare.com and "Selecting Your Foodservice Equipment" at Escoffier On Line.

Consider purchasing through the used food equipment industry

Restaurant equipment isn't inexpensive, so you might consider buying used. Be sure to have any used equipment inspected, however. Other good indications you may be getting a good deal include buying equipment used only briefly in a restaurant (because of business closure, for example) and updated safety and sanitary codes. Also, check that the equipment's voltage is up to commercial requirements.
Try: See Underwriters Laboratories and NSF International for more information about their important food equipment labels.

 

• If you're inexperienced when it comes to buying food services equipment, it's probably best to buy your equipment new. Food service equipment prices are high and the initial cost of used equipment is luring--but if you make a buying mistake, it could cost your business a great deal of money.

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