Kitchen equipment risks and how to reduce them
Commercial kitchens can be challenging places to work, and even more challenging to manage. Not only does kitchen equipment need to facilitate the speedy delivery of orders, it also needs to maintain the safety of both venue employees and customers.
So just what are the biggest equipment-based risks in the hospitality sector?
Production Loss & Customer Safety
According to Food Safety News, a whopping 85% of all production loss in restaurants is due to the inadequate storage of food and an inability to handle and process ingredients in a timely and temperature-controlled manner. And the reason? Poorly-performing equipment. Equipment malfunctions and a loss of power to essential appliances such as refrigerators is noted as being a major concern for restaurateurs. In the United States last year, 44 Steak ‘n Shake restaurants were temporarily shut as a direct result of old equipment that negatively affected workplace productivity.
Fires & Explosions
All electrical equipment carries risk, and there have been a large number of deadly fires caused by commercial kitchen appliances and venue utilities. One of the worst fires in the hospitality industry took place in 1980, in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand resort when a pastry display cabinet suffered an electrical fault, killing 85 people. More recently, a gas leak at a Japanese restaurant in New York caused a blast that ripped through three East Village buildings, killing two and leaving 20 injured. These real life examples demonstrate how devastating a lack of commercial kitchen maintenance can be.
How to reduce risk
FSR (Full Service Restaurant) Magazine reports that restaurants that implement standardised processes, utilise available technologies, and draw upon industry professionals for repairs and maintenance of kitchen equipment typically show a 50% reduction in operating costs than their ill-prepared counterparts. Statistics such as this suggest that maintenance contracts and ongoing support are vital components of running a successful restaurant, especially a mix of proactive and reactive support.
At Dawnvale, we are committed to helping our hospitality clients thrive, which is why we offer professional 24 hour aftercare support, helping restaurant owners to reduce the likelihood of kitchen equipment failure, and, should an incident occur, minimising the impact of the event through reduced downtime and managed reputation.
The dedicated Dawnvale support team can:
- Install, repair, service, and remove gas, LPG, and electrical catering appliances
- Repair faulty refrigerators as needed, and carry out scheduled maintenance
- Offer planned preventative maintenance for all appliances and equipment
- Be on the other end of the phone 24 hours a day, whenever you need them
At Dawnvale, we also offer full breakdown cover and flexible contracts for fridges and freezers, ovens and grills, induction hobs and cooking stations, fryers, microwaves, dishwashers, coffee machines, and more, ensuring that your kitchen is operating safely and optimally, and is always ready to meet the needs and expectations of guests.
Our support doesn’t end once the equipment is ordered or installed. Our team is on hand for any additional help or advice you may need moving forwards. It’s all part of the service.
Commercial Kitchen Appliances Market Trends & Growth
The global commercial kitchen appliances market size is expected to reach USD 131.77 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2020 to 2027. Rising popularity of Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) and Full Service Restaurants (FSRs) and expanding travel and tourism are some of the key factors driving the market. Other factors impacting the market growth are rising demand for drive-through meals, development of railways, fast-paced life in metros and cosmopolitans, surge in the number of working women and nuclear families, and increasing disposable income of individuals.
Emergence of smart kitchen equipment is expected to favorably contribute to the market growth.Smart technologies can keep track of the performance of kitchen equipment as well as increase food preparation consistency.
Hence, key market participants are focusing on technological advancements pertaining to ventilation, temperature control, and automated techniques for maintenance and cleaning of the equipment to reduce operational time and capital in the long run.
Moreover, the Internet of Things (IoT) is taking over commercial kitchens worldwide by integrating the appliances with other electronic devices owned by the consumers, which, in turn, increases efficiency and saves time.For instance, Monnit Corporation designs remote monitoring solutions for commercial refrigerators that are built with temperature and humidity sensors to ensure food quality, monitor cold inventory, and optimal inventory storage.
Prominent end-use industries of commercial kitchen appliances are equipping multi-functional equipment with such state-of-the-art solutions as they are more efficient and they combine several functions in a single device to accommodate different pre-cooking programs as well as prepare multiple dishes in relatively less time.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), commercial kitchens roughly consume 2.5 times more energy per square foot than any other commercial spaces. Thus, growing concerns regarding the energy consumption of equipment used and shift towards more energy-efficient appliances are expected to significantly contribute to the industry growth. Furthermore, rising government initiatives to spread awareness about energy consumption and increasing electricity cost are expected to drive the demand for eco-friendly and energy-efficient equipment over the forecast period.
Commercial Kitchen Appliances Market Report Highlights
• In North America, the dishwasher segment is expected to reach USD 4.09 billion by 2027
• The rail, cruise and airways catering segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period
• The Average Selling Price (ASP) of kitchen equipment is higher in U.S. owing to greater variation in prices and availability of a diverse product range
• MEA is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period
• Key participants in the market include Bakers Pride, G.S. Blodgett Corporation, Garland Group, Vulcan, Bonnet International, Ali Group, and True Manufacturing.
Why you should be shopping at restaurant supply stores
REASONS TO GIVE IT A TRY
Restaurant supply stores have other features that make them attractive:
- You can buy exactly what you need. Say you’re shopping for silverware. Maybe you want 20 dinner forks but only 10 salad forks. You can mix and match your own set, and choose from hundreds of different options.
- You’ll have lots of choices. You can picked out a 12-inch whisk from a wall of whisks in various sizes, shapes, and types. Same goes for tongs, ladles, spatulas, and other kitchen tools.
- Sizing is universal. The industry is standardized, so things like lids and pans from different manufacturers will fit each other.
HIDDEN ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN
Why aren’t these stores more popular? It’s simply because people don’t know about them. You generally won’t spot them alongside your local Target or Costco.
READY TO SHOP?
To get started, search online for restaurant supply stores in your area. When you find one that looks good, check their web site or call to make sure they’re open to the general public — while these stores are geared toward the restaurant industry, many welcome consumers.
Stephanie Thurrott | NBC News
