Buyers Guides

With average expenditure ranging from £600 to over £4000, buying a new commercial coffee machine is typically the most expensive piece individual item of catering equipment an independent coffee shop or café may purchase.

One of the most popular pieces of refrigeration equipment in restaurants and bars, the commercial ice machine provides your business with a reliable and consistent supply of ice. With a variety of ice maker types and brands, choosing the right machine for your business can be a tricky process.

As any seasoned barista will know, that even with years of skill and experience you have in the trade, you can easily be let down by outdated, poor performing or unsuited pieces of equipment. This is particularly accurate when it comes to coffee and espresso machines, in a full industry you need every edge for your café to stand out and keep your customers coming back for more, that’s why it’s essential to select the right espresso machine to get the results you want. The equipment you choose must also be budgeted for and be able to provide a cost-effective commercial solution and a return on investment, here are some things you need to consider before you buy.

Utilising the wrong type of refrigeration in the commercial kitchen can have a detrimental effect on both health and safety and practicality. Particularly domestic fridges which appear attractive based on the price tag, but do not perform to the standards required for commercial food service.

However, choosing the right type of commercial fridge to suit your requirements can be tricky, with such a variety of configurations and technical jargon to navigate.

A commercial griddle is typically comprised of a plate of rectangular metal heated by burners or elements underneath the plate, the shape of the griddle suited for the shallow frying of food types like eggs, bacon, pancakes and steak which require a large flat surface to cook evenly. This makes the commercial griddle and ideal for breakfast and lunchtime service.

With such a wide range of configurations available, you will need to consider what type of commercial griddle is best suited to your business. This guide provides an overview of all the power configurations, plate types and capacities available, helping you to make an informed decision.

Even in a commercial setting, the microwave is one of the most useful appliances in the kitchen; they can fulfil numerous functions helping to reduce the workload on kitchen staff and other appliances saving you time. Unlike with domestic microwaves, commercial microwaves are much more powerful and durable as they have been built with components designed for consistent and long periods of use.

A common concept in domestic kitchens, induction hobs are now being integrated more into commercial catering establishments as their popularity grows. The sudden increase in their use is down to several factors including the growing concern to save energy to save on costs and the environment. Another is down to manufacturers improving the quality

The commercial oven is one of if not the most important appliance in your commercial kitchen. However, deciding which oven is best for your kitchen can be tricky; our definitive guide to commercial ovens should help you in your buying process.

When considering which commercial oven to buy price is not always to determining factor, you should prioritise choosing the product which will meet your kitchen needs, not just save you money in the short term.