Shop direct with us online to get the best deal! — 1300 66 1004
If you are in Melbourne, Visit our showroom
close icon
Showroom & Office: 19 Evans Street, Burwood Vic 3125.
close icon

Office Hours: Monday To Friday: 8.30 AM To 5 PM

close icon
Get a Quote

    Commercial Kitchen Equipment Checklist: Essential Items for Starting a New Restaurant

    Commercial Kitchen Equipment Checklist

    Opening a new restaurant? Just purchased a franchise? About to renovate? Whatever the circumstances, you’ll need to invest in the right items and equipment. From refrigeration to dishwashers and countertops, there are so many items required to operate a successful restaurant.

    So, where do you start? As a leading supplier of kitchen equipment in Melbourne, we’re here to break down everything you’re likely to need. Let’s not waste any time and get right into it!

    Why Investing in the Right Equipment is Invaluable

    In hospitality, there’s no substitute for efficiency, and no venture is successful without a solid foundation. This goes for the smallest local family cafe all the way to fine-dining Michelin star restaurants.

    Having access to the right commercial kitchen equipment speeds up food prep, as well as ensures a certain level of food safety, consistency, and compliance with health regulations. On the flip side, cutting corners leaves you vulnerable to costly downtime, breakdowns, disagreements, or even worse; unhappy customers.

    The best commercial kitchen equipment is designed for durability and heavy use, which is why choosing quality brands and suppliers is essential. We’ll cover this in a little more detail later.

    Different Categories of Commercial Kitchen Equipment

    Starting a new restaurant is already stressful, so when it comes time to source equipment, it’s really helpful to break it down into different categories. Some of the most important categories to account for include:

    • Refrigeration
    • Cooking Equipment
    • Food Preparation
    • Ventilation and Safety
    • Front-of-House

    Below, we’ll cover the basics of each, and give some practical examples of specific equipment that you’re likely to need.

    Refrigeration: Keeping Food Fresh and Safe

    No restaurant can operate without reliable refrigeration systems. Put simply, they’re the backbone of food safety, quality control, and day-to-day operations. Here are some of the essentials you might need:

    Cool Rooms and Freezer Rooms

    For larger venues and franchises, custom-built cool rooms and freezer rooms are essential. They provide bulk storage for fresh produce, meat, and dairy, and will make sure that everything is kept at the right temperature.

    If you’re searching for a reliable cool room in Melbourne, our team can design, supply, and install a solution tailored to your restaurant’s needs.

    Upright Freezers and Underbench Fridges

    In terms of your back of house operations, few things are as essential as freezers and fridges. The right equipment should be positioned to work harmoniously with prep stations, whether that’s a commercial upright freezer or an underbench fridge.

    Because they’re larger, upright refrigeration equipment generally accommodates more stock, while underbench units maximise space efficiency by fitting neatly under countertops.

    For restaurants looking for commercial fridges in Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide, we can supply, install, and service units tailored to your needs.

    Skipio Sft25 2 Door Upright Freezer

    The Skipio SFT25 2 Door Upright Freezer – Available Now!

    Blast Freezers

    Blast freezers or ‘chillers’ are another invaluable piece of equipment to add to your arsenal. As the name suggests, they’re great for fast-paced environments where stock needs to be cooled down rapidly, and there are varying sizes available. In this case, the different sizes generally relate to how many trays are included inside the unit.

    Display Fridges

    If you’re planning to have a front-of-house service or a café setup, commercial display fridges are a no brainer. Once installed, they allow customers to see your range of desserts, sandwiches, or drinks, all while keeping everything at the correct temperature.

    Ice Machines

    From cocktails to soft drinks, ice is an essential part of hospitality. Even if you’re not operating as a bar per se, these machines are a great investment for any restaurant that plans to serve drinks. In basic terms, adding a dedicated commercial ice machine means that you’ll never run out during busy service periods.

    The Blizzard Under Bench Ice Maker

    Not sure where to start? We’re experts in all things refrigeration and will happily assist with your enquiries. Get in touch with us now for product recommendations, installation, repairs, and cool room design services.

    Cooking Equipment: The Heart of Your Kitchen

    The cooking line is where everything comes together, and when the dockets are coming in fast, you certainly won’t want to be running short of the right equipment. Fortunately, investing in durable, high-capacity appliances is one way to make sure that everything is coming together seamlessly.

    Commercial Ovens

    This one is a no-brainer, as restaurants rely on ovens every single day. Whether it’s a convection oven for baking, a combi oven for versatility, or a deck oven for pizzerias, this should always be one of the first items on your checklist. Of course, the “right” choice depends on what you’re planning to serve and how you plan to cook it.

    Cooktops and Ranges

    From sautéing to simmering and frying, commercial cooktops are another absolutely essential investment. These days, there’s a great range of electric options available, including induction cooktops. However, if you prefer the performance of traditional gas stoves, they’re still available on the Australian market.

    Fryers

    Planning to have chips, fried chicken, battered fish or something similar on the menu? Make sure to invest in high-quality commercial fryers. In this case, keep a look out for models with built-in filtration systems, as this can really help to extend oil life and improve food quality.

    Chargrills and Griddles

    Chargrills and griddles are a must-have for steakhouses, burger joints, delis, and cafés. This really opens the door to a new level of flavour and versatility. They can be combined with rangehoods to create a seamless cooking line.

    Food Preparation Equipment: Efficiency and Speed

    We’re all familiar with the saying that if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail, and this is definitely true for the world of hospitality and restauranteering. Put simply, consistency of prep work is key for any commercial kitchen, and everyone benefits when you have fully equipped prep stations.

    Mixers and Food Processors

    From dough mixing to chopping vegetables, mixers and processors save countless hours of labour. Heavy-duty models are built to handle constant use without slowing down your kitchen.

    Slicers

    Commercial slicers are ideal for delis, sandwich shops, and restaurants that deal with large volumes of cured meats and cheeses.

    Blenders

    High-powered blenders are essential for smoothies, sauces, and soups. They’re a staple across cafés and fine dining alike

    Dishwashing and Cleaning: Keeping Hygiene in Check

    As a restaurant owner, the last thing you want is to run out of unclean plates, cutlery, and glasses; especially at the height of the lunch rush or during busy dinner hours. Of course, hygiene is also non-negotiable in any restaurant.

    Commercial dishwashing systems are far superior to cleaning by hand, and this is why they’re commonplace in restaurants, pubs, cafés, and bars across the country.

    Commercial Dishwashers

    Unlike your average domestic unit, commercial dishwashers complete cycles in just a few minutes. Pass-through dishwashers are also common in busy kitchens, while underbench dishwashers tend to suit smaller operations or more confined spaces.

    For those looking for commercial dishwashers in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide, we can supply, install, and service units to meet your kitchen needs.

    Glass Washers

    Glass washers are a must-have for bars, pubs, restaurants, beer gardens, cafés, and any business that tends to turn over a large amount of drinks. Glass washers are even faster than commercial dishwashers, and really allow your staff to keep up with demand (even on the busiest nights).

    Asber Underbench Glass Dishwasher

    Stainless Steel Benches and Sinks

    Stainless steel benches provide prep space that’s easy to sanitise, while deep sinks with double or triple bowls allow for efficient washing and rinsing.

    Ventilation and Safety: Protecting Staff and Customers

    Heat and fumes are unavoidable in a commercial kitchen, but investing in the appropriate ventilation systems protects your staff, prevents disruptions, and allows you to remain compliant with safety regulations.

    Fire Safety Equipment

    Speaking of health and safety regulations, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and suppression systems should always be part of your setup. Compliance is one thing, but protecting your staff and property is another. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts about this one.

    Rangehoods

    A commercial rangehood extracts smoke, grease, and odours from your cooking line. As your staff cook, rangehoods actively prevent these issues from becoming an obstruction or a disruption to the flow. There are also a raft of fantastic new innovations that you can receive with newer systems. Of course, correct sizing and installation are vital to avoid any airflow issues.

    Modular System Bench Top Filtered Hood

    Front-of-House Equipment: Making the Right First Impression

    While the kitchen is the engine room, front-of-house equipment also plays a major role in the dining experience.

    Coffee Machines and Grinders

    A coffee machine is, in some ways, just as important as the oven. So, if coffee is going to be a key part of your menu, we recommend investing in high-quality machines and grinders.

    Display Cabinets

    Hot or cold, display cabinets showcase your food in the best light. This is why they’ve become so essential for bakeries, cafés, and quick-service restaurants.

    Point of Sale (POS) Systems

    A streamlined POS system improves efficiency, manages orders, and reduces errors between the floor and kitchen.

    Get Everything You Need at Adgemis Refrigeration

    Whether you’re starting a new restaurant, Adgemis Refrigeration is the perfect place to source commercial kitchen equipment in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, or Adelaide The items we’ve listed above are just a snapshot of the huge inventory available. Our contractors supply, install, repair and service the following brands and many more:

    • Albany                    Thermaster                 Skope (Pegasus, Centaur, Irinox, Misa)
    • Williams                 Scotsman                    Hoshizaki
    • Atosa                       Festive Fridges          Skipio
    • Turbo                      Air Orford                   Bromic

    Adgemisrefrigeration

    Our team has been in the business for more than 40 years, and we’re proud to carry on the Adgemis legacy. In addition to being a leading supplier of commercial kitchen equipment in Melbourne, we are experienced in everything from commercial refrigeration repairs to cool room design and engineering.

    service-repairs-icon
    Service & Repairs

    Call us today on 1300 66 1004

    contact-icon
    Can’t find what you are looking for?
    Contact Us