Here’s a comprehensive checklist of essential commercial kitchen equipment you will typically need for setting up a new restaurant:
Cooking Equipment
- Commercial Ranges and Ovens
- Convection ovens
- Combi ovens
- Pizza ovens
- Standard gas or electric ranges
- Grills and Griddles
- Flat-top grills
- Charbroilers
- Panini presses
- Fryers
- Deep fryers (gas/electric)
- Microwave Oven
- Steamers and Sous Vide
- Salamander Broilers
- Holding Equipment
- Food warming cabinets
- Bain-marie/hot holding units
???? Food Preparation Equipment
- Commercial Mixers
- Planetary mixers
- Spiral dough mixers
- Food Processors
- Commercial Blenders and Stick Blenders
- Meat Processing Equipment
- Meat mincers/grinders
- Meat slicers
- Sausage fillers
- Meat tenderizers
- Vegetable Preparation
- Mandolines
- Salad spinners
- Vegetable cutters
- Dough Preparation
- Dough rollers/sheeters
- Dough dividers
- Scales and Measuring Equipment
- Digital portion scales
- Bench scales
❄️ Refrigeration and Freezing
- Commercial Refrigerators
- Reach-in refrigerators
- Under-counter refrigerators
- Prep tables (pizza/salad tables)
- Commercial Freezers
- Reach-in freezers
- Chest freezers
- Walk-in coolers and freezers
- Ice Machines and Ice Storage Bins
???? Warewashing Equipment
- Commercial Dishwashers
- Undercounter dishwashers
- Conveyor dishwashers
- Glasswashers
- Pre-Rinse Spray Units
- Sink Stations
- Multi-compartment sinks
- Handwashing sinks
☕️ Beverage Equipment
- Commercial Coffee Machines and Grinders
- Juicers
- Drink Dispensers
- Water Boilers and Hot Water Systems
????️ Kitchen Utensils and Cookware
- Pots and pans (various sizes/types)
- Knives and cutting boards
- Baking trays and sheets
- Mixing bowls
- Ladles, spatulas, tongs
- Storage containers (dry, refrigerated, freezer)
????️ Storage and Shelving
- Stainless steel shelves
- Dry storage racks
- Ingredient bins
- Wire shelving systems
???? Packaging and Food Storage
- Food wrapping equipment
- Vacuum packaging machines
- Containers for takeaway/delivery service
????️ Safety and Ventilation
- Commercial exhaust hood systems
- Fire suppression systems
- Fire extinguishers and blankets
- First aid kit
- Floor mats (anti-fatigue, anti-slip)
???? Cleaning Supplies
- Sanitizer dispensers and chemicals
- Cleaning brushes and sponges
- Mop buckets and brooms
- Commercial-grade cleaning chemicals
✅ Optional but Recommended Equipment
- Sous vide cookers
- Blast chillers
- Vacuum sealers
- Food dehydrators
- Smokers
Quick Selection Checklist for Starting Out:
- Range/oven
- Griddle/chargrill
- Deep fryer
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Dishwasher/sink stations
- Prep tables
- Food processor, mixers, blenders
- Knives, utensils, cookware
- Shelving/storage
- Exhaust system/hood
- Safety equipment
- Coffee machines (if applicable)
???? Tips for Equipment Selection:
- Plan your menu first: Buy equipment aligned with your cooking requirements.
- Kitchen Layout: Measure your space accurately; equipment size must match your layout.
- Budget Wisely: Invest more in high-quality items used frequently (e.g., refrigeration, ovens, dishwashers).
- Energy Efficiency: Look for energy-efficient equipment to reduce operational costs.
This guide should help you create a functional, efficient, and safe commercial kitchen suited to your restaurant’s specific needs.
