Stocking your kitchen with the right equipment is essential for ensuring your business’ success. Having the right equipment makes it easier for your employees to work quickly and safely in your kitchen. Kitchen’s that aren’t properly equipped are more dangerous and less efficient. Buying commercial kitchen equipment is an essential part of running any food-based business. Here are four suggestions that will help you purchase kitchen equipment.

1. Make A Plan

Before investing any of your hard earned money on kitchen equipment, you need a solid plan to follow. Planning is a crucial element that allows you to choose the best equipment for your own personal situation.

The first criterion in your plan that you need to follow is your budget. Your budget will determine if you buy new or used and the order you’ll buy your equipment in. Getting clear on your budget allows you to prioritize the items you need.

Your plan also needs to take into consideration the amount of space you have in your kitchen for equipment. It’s always best to measure twice and buy once. If you end up buying equipment that doesn’t fit or too much equipment for your space, you may find yourself violating safety laws in your kitchen. Your employees need to be able to move around the kitchen quickly and safely.

If you’re having difficulty making a plan for buying kitchen equipment, you can consult a restaurant planner. Restaurant planners have the skills of an interior decorator, but they are also familiar with kitchen equipment and safety regulations. They can help you make the best use of your space and guide you on arranging your equipment.

2. Always Try And View The Equipment In Person

If possible, try and take a look at the equipment you want before buying it. Even if you’re buying new, inspecting the item before you buy is great because it allows you to check for any noticeable defects. Simply looking at the floor model isn’t enough, ask to take a look at the exact model you’ll be purchasing.

Taking a look at the equipment in person also gives you an idea of the actual size of the item. This helps you properly arrange equipment in your kitchen and ensure that there’s enough room for all of your appliances. Looking at the equipment in person is especially important if you’re buying used.

3. Learn About Your Building Utilities

Another crucial part of planning out your commercial kitchen equipment is ensuring your new appliances are compatible with your building. Depending on when your building was constructed the utilities may be a bit different. For example, it’s important to learn about the incoming water pressure and temperature it comes out at in your building. You also need to know if your kitchen is set up for natural gas or propane.

4. Don’t Be Afraid To Buy Used

Buying new isn’t always practical so don’t hesitate to consider used appliances. As long as you do your research, you can still be confident in the quality of used equipment. Many reliable commercial kitchen equipment companies sell used equipment.

When it comes to buying used, always opt for gas over electric. Electrical appliances are more likely to degrade over time when compared to gas. Also, cooling equipment isn’t the best choice to buy used. If you have the option of buying certain items used and others new, buy your cooling appliances new. Gas appliances maintain their quality over time and are excellent used purchases. Many successful businesses started out with used equipment so don’t be afraid to do your research and take a chance.