How To Choose A Gas Equipment For Your Catering Business

Safety, space and efficiency should be your top priority when choosing a catering equipment and commercial cooking equipment for your kitchen and gas equipment is a preferred choice. While electric equipment is booming as the new, hip and high-tech thing, kitchen managers stick to gas equipment since it’s less expensive and more efficient to use.

But what factors do you need to consider when looking for gas equipment? Here’s a quick guide to help you decide.

Gas vs. Electric: Which one should you choose?

The traditional gas equipment gives you the long-term efficiency you need. Compared to electric ones, gas accumulates less operation costs.

Some electric equipment-- like ovens-- can heat quicker and better than gas ovens. But if you need quick heating for your ovens, there are also gas ovens meant for that.

Then again, if you won’t use ovens often, should you get electric? It’s all about considering your kitchen needs.

Installation

Gas equipment has a bigger installation cost compared to electric equipment. This involves setting up running gas pipes, a proper ventilation system, and a gas cut-out valve. This is an intricate procedure that only professionals can do.

On the other hand, electric equipment doesn’t require the presence of a professional after purchase and for first use. You can just plug them into an outlet and that’s it.

But despite the installation convenience, electric appliances can be more expensive to operate. It adds up.

You might not notice it on a daily basis, your savings for using gas equipment for several years will already cover the difference in its purchasing price.

Cleaning and maintenance

There’s a common misconception about electric equipment that it doesn’t need regular servicing to maintain its optimal performance. But the truth is, whether you have electric or gas equipment, you’ll need to get an inspector to regularly check them and ensure safety.

Gas appliances are cheaper to repair in case of an issue since they only have a few components compared to electric equipment. And since it's less complicated and more of a traditional equipment, it’s easier to dismantle for regular cleaning and maintenance.

Performance

When it comes to overall performance and ease of use, gas equipment is still the top choice. All the knobs are familiar. It’s easier to manually adjust the flame.

Both gas and electric have their own strengths and weaknesses but gas equipment responds quickly to heat adjustments.

Gas equipment you need for your commercial kitchen

Gas cooking equipment has several advantages and strengths compared to electrical appliances. Its operation cost is lower than electric equipment. Gas tends to be less expensive than electricity in most places.

Ease of use is important, especially in a kitchen and it’s all hands on deck. Buttons on electric appliances can sometimes need a learning curve. It’s all explained in the manual.

Gas equipment is perfect for those who are used to traditional operation. Just turn the burner control knobs and you’re good to go.

Gas range

Gas range is one of the most common commercial kitchen equipment in a kitchen, of course. It’s where most of your best dishes are crafted.

Soggy vegetables and undercooked meat are just two of the worst things that can happen when cooking. Gas ranges offer more accurate heat control you can manually and easily adjust for even cooking.

It also provides instant heat once you turn the burners on and cools down quickly when you turn them off. And unlike electric ranges, a gas range has removable grates so you can easily clean it after use and make sure there’s no food residue left.

Oven

Ovens have both electric and gas types. They provide different types of heating features. Choose one that suits your menu.

Gas ovens have different features and functions depending on your needs. To choose the best gas oven for your commercial kitchen, assess if it fits your cooking style, budget and kitchen space. Whether you’re just remodelling or starting a new kitchen, select an oven that will make your kitchen staff cook efficiently and roam around comfortably.

Deep fryer

A deep fryer is what you use to cook donuts, tempura, fries, onion rings and other fried dishes. It comes in different types and sizes suitable for your deep frying needs.

Gas-operated deep fryers are what most kitchen owners go for because of its faster heating time. It also comes with a heat control you can manually and easily adjust. Gas deep fryers are also efficient to use even for a long time.

Grill

A commercial kitchen isn’t complete without a grill. This is what brings satisfying grill marks to your steaks, vegetables, and burger patties.

With all the available grills in the market, choosing the best one for your kitchen means taking the size and quality into consideration. Do you have high customer demand daily? Then you might need a bigger one. But will it fit your kitchen without compromising the kitchen staff efficiency?

Your new grill must meet your customer demand while maintaining a great flow in your commercial kitchen.

Choosing the right gas equipment

Commercial gas equipment comes in different types, sizes, and uses. Just because you own a commercial kitchen doesn’t mean you need them all. Assess and evaluate some factors before deciding so you can make the most out of your purchase. Here are some tips to help you pick the right gas equipment for your business.

Assess your cooking intensity.

What types of food do you usually offer? Are you a steakhouse? Or a diner? Do you specialize in a specific type of food? Or maybe you offer more pastries? These factors will help you determine what gas equipment you need.

If you’re more on fried dishes, you might need a floor deep fryer for quicker and more efficient cooking. For gas ranges, look at their features and assess how many burners you need. If you’re managing a kitchen that serves 50 to 100 customers a day, you can go for a gas range with at least six burners so your kitchen staff can cook simultaneously.

Check your commercial kitchen space.

How much room does your kitchen have to accommodate your gas equipment? A standard gas range’s width measures about 30 inches but there are also larger units available. Check your space and make sure you won’t restrict your staff’s movements. If you have a compact kitchen, you can go for tabletop fryers and gas ranges that come with an oven so you can save space.

You also need to consider the size of your storage cabinets and the style that best fits your kitchen so you can prevent accidental bumps among your kitchen staff, especially on a very busy day.

Consider your budget.

Budget is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing gas equipment. Gas ranges are more expensive than electric ranges, but have a lower running cost. Also, it comes in different sizes depending on the number of burners you need.

Your kitchen needs and budget will help you determine which model is the right one for you. If you manage a fast food restaurant or a cafeteria, you need to invest in a set of equipment that can accommodate several orders at the same time. Before deciding what to pick, assess their prices first and weigh the pros and cons for your kitchen.

Check the warranty.

Warranty is essential in case your purchased commercial kitchen equipment fails. This will save you money since the manufacturer will take charge of your unit for the necessary repairs. When buying gas equipment, check how long its warranty lasts. Usually, it’s around one to two years from the purchase date.

You can also contact the manufacturer for regular maintenance if they offer professional inspection services. They are the most knowledgeable when it comes to the proper maintenance of your equipment to keep its efficiency for a long time.

Key Takeaways

The right gas equipment will help you be more efficient in providing quality dishes to your customers. Consider your budget, cooking intensity and kitchen space when deciding so your staff can maintain both safety and efficiency inside the kitchen. Do you now have an idea of what to pick? These tips will help you come up with the best decision. If you're looking for a versatile and reliable piece of equipment for your kitchen, also consider investing in a bain marie. With its gentle, consistent heat, a bain marie is perfect for keeping sauces, soups, and other dishes warm without overcooking them.