Buying Kitchen Supplies for Your Restaurant
If you have opened a restaurant and need equipment for it, you will have to consider certain things and, more importantly do a bit of homework. Major cities have certain designated areas having shops for these supplies, just like other markets like cloth markets or flower markets. And if you access these areas, you are more likely to get your hands on some good items. If you are not based in such a major city, visiting one to buy kitchen supplies for your restaurant is worth.
Sit and think on the supplies you will need for your work and the menu you have decided. Know the difference between new and used. Shop around. Check websites of kitchen equipment companies, local and international companies, and also auctions of restaurant supplies. Talk to other restaurant-owners and get references from them for good suppliers.
Considering Leasing
Unless your restaurant is well-established, raising funds for kitchen equipment is tough. Check with your bank if it can help for a piece of equipment you are in real need to purchase. Leasing equipment has an advantage that you pay for it only for the time of use. When the lease is over, you get a brand-new equipment piece by signing a new document of lease. And when it breaks, you are not responsible to repair it. Following are some pieces of equipment that you should lease:
Ice Machines and Coolers – Both of these have short lifespan. Their motors have to work very hard and so, bun out. Moreover, they are expensive and you mostly don’t get used ones. So, it is better to lease them, so that when they are about to die, your lease will be finished and you can lease new ones.
Dish Machine – This can be leased from a chemical supplier. Some suppliers give the machine if you purchase their products.
Coffeemakers – You can get coffeemakers from coffee companies if you purchase coffee from them. Maybe you will have to pay a bit more; but this offers you flexibility and more positive sort of cash flow. Moreover, in case of a breakthrough technology, you can quickly upgrade.
Linens – Don’t buy, but lease all your linens, like entry floor mats, towels, napkins, tablecloths and uniforms. Mostly you pay a single bill to get them shipped, stored and laundered.
Buying – Used or New?
Negotiation is inevitable while buying supplies for your restaurant kitchen. E.g. you can say, “I will buy this food processor and mixer, if you throw in the steel stand.” You may get a table instead but you need it anyway.
When you buy used equipment, get some sort of guarantee in writing. This is for ensuring that it will run for a while. Used equipment lack extended warranty and factory support, in exchange of low price. Used equipment has only one benefit – money-saving. If you don’t save money in the deal of used equipment, you should better buy new equipment.
Don’t pay attention to missing handles and knobs; you can add them. You should see importantly if it works, if it will work tomorrow and if it will work after a week.
While buying used equipment, buy only basic ones and not very specialized, like combination oven or a conveyer oven. Following are some equipment you can consider buying used ones:
Gas Ranges –These should ideally be bought used. There are many sound products available that don’t demand a high price. The important thing you should consider while buying a gas range is how many BTUs it snuffs out.
Ovens – If it is a gas oven it is okay to buy used. But not electric, because you can get so many things wrong, like problems with temperature controls and sensors.
Fryers – Fryers too can be bought used, but get a guarantee about thermostat. Get the thermostat calibrated to ensure that the temperature is indeed correct. If you don’t know how to maintain it, get the information from the salesperson. See if you can get a manual.
Grills – Gas and wood grills are okay to buy used; but you should inspect them visually very well, because guts burn out over time. Inner workings of these ovens are distorted by heat. Also make sure that the surface is flat.
Small Wares – Almost all small wares can be bought used like soup cups, salt and pepper shakers and tongs.
If this is the list of supplies to be acquired on lease or bought used, all the rest should be bought new. Buying new supplies bring you the benefits of warranties and detailed manuals of cleaning and maintenance. Considering your budget and usage of individual supplies, you should consider, whether it is to be taken on lease, or buy used or new.