When is the Right Time to Upgrade your Kitchen Equipment?
The time will come when your restaurant equipment will no longer meet the needs of your business. It may be your business will simply outgrow the kitchen equipment, or your equipment becomes irrelevant for the tasks that you have to be done or you simply want to give your restaurant a new look.
There is always some good reasons for upgrading your restaurant’s kitchen equipment: better performance, increased output, better energy efficiency, increased ease-of-use, etc. There is also an equally pressing reason why some owners try to get one more year out of that same kitchen equipment: budgetary constraints and there are plenty of other costs your restaurant are facing.
So how do you know when is the right time to upgrade your kitchen equipment? Here are some factors that can help you decide to upgrade your equipment:
1. Spending too much on repairs
Some restaurants have a service contract for their large kitchen equipment. If you are calling that service a lot on repair, it may be the time to look for a new equipment. All equipment will eventually wear out and need replacement. The need for costly repair is a good sign you would be better off replacing that kitchen equipment for a new one.
2. Changing concept
Restaurant concepts can change over time in exquisite ways. Perhaps you have attracted a different sort of customer that would appreciate different place settings and theme. Maybe you’ve stumbled upon a new dish that will need different equipment to reach great presentation and customer expectation. This is also a factor that you might like to upgrade.
3. Old and wearing out
Commercial kitchen equipment wears down over time and it may eventually come time for owners to make new purchases. Even if any equipment is fixable, it may also be a decade old or even older. In these situations, especially if it’s surrounded by newer equipment with more up-to-date features, it is probably a better idea to make an upgrade before it’s absolutely necessary to make cooking easier. If your Gas Ranges and Griddles is getting older and it’s not working like it used to, it can affect how well it can cook the food.
4. More efficient cooking
You will also receive more efficient cooking by upgrading your kitchen equipment. You may just need a little space to cook or want to branch into a form of cooking that needs more specialized equipment. For instance, if you are using both a food Steamer and a Convection oven, you might be able to combine both processes with a Combi oven. That could not only open up more space in your crowded kitchen, it could also save you money because you are no longer powering two equipment.
A new equipment comes out all the time, equipment which can make your cooking experience easier and more efficient. By studying your options, you will be able to take full advantage from your restaurant equipment needs. Owners and managers should make sure they are careful and consistent in monitoring their equipment’s performance and quality to ensure maximum productivity. Investing in new equipment is always a difficult decision. You will face challenges in the short term, but the benefits in the long term are extremely huge. Get a new equipment if necessary, provide the right trainings so your employees can use the equipment properly, and choose an equipment that matches your budget.
