Commercial Cooking Pots

Use commercial-grade cooking pots to improve operations in your restaurant's kitchen
By Andrea Townsley The term "industrial pots" encompasses a multitude of pots and pans used in the restaurant business. Examples include stock pots, sauce pots, Dutch ovens and brasiers, as well as saute pans, steamers and double boilers.

To run your kitchen efficiently, your cooks have to be equipped with the proper pots. Low-end pots can leave food cooked unevenly and stuck to the bottom of the pan. Heavy-gauge construction is preferable over thin material so the food cooks throughout and the pot lasts through getting banged around for more than just a few dinner rushes. Make your chefs' lives easier by supplying them with the best commercial cooking pots.

1. Think about your menu. This will determine what restaurant cooking pots you need, and in what sizes and quantities.

2. Decide to go with stainless steel if you have an open kitchen (the pans will stay shiny and more aesthetically pleasing).

3. Choose aluminum commercial pots if you're on a budget but need something sturdy.

Buy your general commercial stock pots and pans

Stock pots come in many sizes and compositions. You'll need a variety of industrial cooking pots as well as some pans for your restaurant's kitchen to run smoothly.
Try:  Shop at A-Best Fixture Co. for any size stock pot you're looking for. Foodservicedirect.com has a variety of stock pots made from metals including copper and cast iron, as well as saute pans, woks and crepe pans.

Invest in commercial stainless cooking pots for specialty items

Stainless steel conducts heat evenly and efficiently. You might be able to save on your gas bill by turning down the heat just a bit since these pots and pans cook food quickly. They tend to have a longer life span, lowering your expenses even further. Shiny stainless steel tends to be a bit more classy as well, so keep this in mind if your kitchen is exposed to customers' curious eyes.
Try:  Find quality stainless steel stock pots at Cresco. High-quality stock pots and lids can also be found at KegWorks.com. As far as lids are concerned, avoid plastic or wooden handles and pick matching stainless lids to match the pots.

Get more bang for your buck with aluminum cooking pots

Aluminum is a cheaper metal but has excellent conductivity. Good pots are thick and are lined with stainless steel to produce that lovely non-stick quality.
Try:  Find various sizes of aluminum kitchen stock pots at Do Right Services. Food Equipment International offers a selection of brushed aluminum sauce pots for your restaurant.

• Try out anodized aluminum cooking pots if you cook a lot of acidic dishes or sauces. Acid and standard aluminum don't work well together, but many companies make anodized options with non-stick surfaces for more versatility.