What Can Be Classified as a Small Kitchen?
Commercial kitchens vary a lot in terms of size, but a lot of them are around 50 to 200 square metres. If your kitchen measures less than 50 square metres, it’s most likely smaller than standard commercial kitchens. However, it’s important to note that small kitchens aren’t just found in restaurants; for many food trucks, concession stands, and small diners and bakeries, having a cramped workspace is a fact of life.
Finding the Right Equipment for a Small Kitchen
While working in a tiny kitchen can be difficult, there are several things that you can do to make the most of your space and deliver a high-quality dining experience to your customers despite the lack of real estate. Start by ensuring that your kitchen layout is optimal for your day-to-day food preparation tasks. As much as possible, create an assembly line layout that allows you to start the food prep process from one side of the kitchen to the other. This way, you and your staff members won’t have to repeatedly bump into each other or into various equipment, and you prepare your dishes in a fast and efficient way.
Being creative with your storage space is also a must. If you’ve already exhausted all of the storage options on your worktops, it’s time to go vertical by installing shelves on open walls and hanging wire racks from the ceiling. Buying stackable bows and containers is likewise a good idea along with buying storage bins that you can easily slide under your counters and worktops.
Of course, one of the best ways to maximise your space is to purchase the ideal equipment. Many manufacturers nowadays have acknowledged that there are numerous hospitality businesses that are running on small kitchens, and they have responded by creating modern equipment that are either compact in size or have functions, or even both. By investing in these equipment, you can make your food prep process smoother and less stressful while still saving up on space.
Not sure where to find the right equipment for your small kitchen? Don’t worry since we’ve rounded up some of the best options for you and listed them below. Simply browse through this list to find high-quality commercial kitchen equipment that’s designed for small spaces.
Cooking Equipment for Small Commercial Kitchens
LCTADT-104E LAVA COMPACT COMBI OVEN 4 X 1/1GN
Combi ovens have become a staple of restaurant kitchens because of their multi-purpose design. Specifically, you can use your combi oven to steam, smoke, braise, roast, poach, bake, sous vide, or oven-fry a wide range of ingredients, which eliminates the need to buy specific equipment for each cooking process.
However, the LCTADT-104E model from Lava Range takes things a step further by being compact in size. Measuring W510 x D760 x H880 mm, this combi oven can fit even into the smallest corner in your commercial kitchen while still doing an excellent job at creating flavourful dishes. It’s designed to be highly user-friendly, so your staff members can use it right out of the box even without any special training.
Other Options:
- LPKADA-107E Lava Compact Combi Oven 7 X1/1GN Analog
- LPKADA-111E Lava Compact Combi Oven 11 X1/1GN Analog
Fridges and Freezers for Small Commercial Kitchens
BS2DCC-1360 TWO DOOR PREMIUM BENCH FRIDGE 314 LITRES CAPACITY
Having fully functional refrigeration equipment is essential for all commercial kitchens. This used to be a problem for smaller kitchens, but nowadays, restaurant owners are spoilt for choice since there are many compact freezers and fridges to choose from. One of the best examples is the BBS2DGN 2 Door Premium Bench Fridge from Greenline. With a 314-litre capacity and gastronorm-size doors, it’s large enough to meet your business’s refrigeration needs but won’t take up a lot of room. Station it underneath a counter to maximise your kitchen space or tuck into any corner and use its smooth, level worktop as an additional food prep area. The choice is up to you!
Other Options:
- BBS2DGN 2 Door Value Bench Fridge 314 Litres Capacity
- BS7A-2D-12 2-Door LH Compact Fridge 262L- W1200
Dishwashers for Small Commercial Kitchens
S510 Commercial Dishwasher 1800 Glasses / Hour or 280 Plates / Hour
When people think of commercial dishwashers, they often think of giant units that take up a lot of space. However, these are no longer the only options available for hospitality business owners! Restaurateurs who are working with a small kitchen can now purchase under bench units such as the Lamber S510 Commercial Dishwasher. It’s made for heavy-duty use and can wash up to 280 plates per hour or up to 1800 glasses per hour, but it’s small enough to be fitted under most benches. It’s also designed with two-, three- and four- minute fixed cycles so it can clean almost anything from breakables to heavily soiled pans, and you can easily pick a setting that fits your warewashing needs.
Other Options:
- GS581P Commercial Glass Washer 1500 Glasses/Hour
- GS900DP Underbench Dishwasher Rinse Aid Pump 480 Dishes
Storage Units for Small Commercial Kitchens
3 Draws Stainless Steel Drawers
As mentioned above, getting creative with storage solutions is a must for commercial kitchens that are on the smaller side. Getting this 3 Draws Stainless Steel Drawers from Jemi is a great way to start; simply mount this under a worktop and you’ll instantly have a safe and secure place to store your cutlery and other small items. Jemi also has two-drawer and three-drawer versions that provide additional storage space for those who need it.
Other Options:
- 2 Draw Stainless Steel Drawers
- 1 Draw Stainless Steel Drawers
Get in Touch with Our Experts
Equipping a small kitchen can be challenging, but it’s certainly not impossible! If you’re ready to purchase high-quality equipment for your commercial equipment, reach out to HE2020 and let our experts help you make an informed buying decision.