Top 8 Commercial Kitchen Equipment Trends

In 2020 there were 10,404 registered food businesses just in Auckland.

With this much competition, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. For any restaurant, one of the most crucial areas of focus is the kitchen. The commercial kitchen equipment you have can play a large part in the success of your business, so knowing what’s available is crucial.

For a rundown of 8 of the biggest commercial kitchen equipment trends, keep reading.

1. Sustainability

Sustainability is one of the biggest trends in the world right now – not just in terms of equipment in commercial kitchens, but in various aspects of all industries. Organizations all over the world are working to reduce their impact on the environment and promote the use of sustainable energy.

Commercial kitchen equipment can be very expensive and uses a lot of energy, so keeping costs down is ideal. Modern equipment tends to be more energy-efficient, and it’s worth comparing the efficiency of different products when looking at your options. Our selection of energy-efficient bain marie is a great example of how you can make your commercial kitchen more sustainable without compromising on performance.

2. Visually Appealing Cooking Equipment

The popularity of natural ingredients and clean menus is increasing, changing the way a lot of kitchens work. Many are opting for open concepts where customers can see more of what’s going on.

If customers are going to be able to see your employees preparing their food, making sure everything looks good is crucial. Many kitchens are leaning towards equipment for commercial kitchens based on looks, as it will give customers a better opinion of a restaurant. Common examples of this are appliances that make use of bright colours or touchscreen controls in place of buttons and dials. Our selection of modern and stylish ovens in NZ is the perfect choice for any commercial kitchen looking to create a visually appealing and customer-friendly environment.

3. Labor Reducing Equipment

Kitchens are fast-paced, and often chaotic environments. Efficiency is crucial, and improving efficiency is always a good thing.

Kitchens are getting smaller these days, making it harder to get things done. By implementing equipment that reduces labour, your workers will be able to work more efficiently and get more done. It’s also ideal to have equipment that’s easier to understand – this will keep training time to a minimum.

A dishwasher is a perfect example of how this has been done in the past. Rather than having a worker spending valuable time washing everything by hand, a machine can take care of it, making things easier for everyone.

4. Automated Technology

Another way of making things easier for your staff is with the use of automated equipment. With modern advancements, automated systems are becoming more capable and affordable.

Not all commercial equipment for kitchens can be automated, but where it’s possible, it can prove very helpful. This is becoming very popular in chains with systems that make taking orders easier, such as kiosks, touchscreens, and chatbots.

When customers can use these systems, they won’t have to wait for servers, and the kitchen staff can get on with orders faster. This leads to improved customer satisfaction, and can also reduce the risk of human error.

5. Food Waste Reduction

Along with sustainability, another popular trend among many industries is the reduction of waste. As it stands, roughly 4%-10% of food in restaurants is discarded before it even reaches the customers. Sometimes food goes bad or is otherwise not suitable to serve to customers, but that doesn’t mean it should just be thrown away.

Composting is becoming more common, which allows food waste (as well as other organic material) to be turned into fertilizer to help grow plants. This form of recycling can help provide better soil where it’s needed and leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Waste doesn’t always come down to food. You can also reduce waste by purchasing used commercial kitchen equipment. If you’re getting rid of anything that’s still in working condition, you can sell it rather than throwing it away.

6. Smaller Footprint

With many restaurants downsizing in recent years, things have gotten more difficult. You need to be able to do the same work with less space, which presents new challenges. To deal with this you may want to find smaller commercial appliances that take up less space in your kitchen.

Smaller appliances can often be limited, so you should assess your needs and make sure any new appliances are suitable before making a purchase. Advancements in technology have made this more possible, and more appliances are being made that can perform multiple functions.

You should also think about things like smaller display cabinets and compact prep tables to further save space. Our range of compact and space-saving chest freezers in NZ is perfect for any commercial kitchen looking to maximize their available space without compromising on storage capacity.

7. Customization

Customization is becoming more achievable, and more popular every year. For chains that have establishments across the globe, this is more beneficial, as they can keep things the same where they need to be while easily making any necessary changes.

A common example is RFID-enabled coffee machines. These allow customers to get their coffees exactly how they like them anywhere in the world.

Equipment that’s specifically defined for certain cuisines are also becoming more popular. Tabletop corn tortilla machines, for example, are becoming widely used in various restaurants.

8. Cloud Connectivity

Restaurants have never implemented the most advanced technologies available, but some new technologies such as automation, AI (artificial intelligence), and cloud computing are proving very useful. Various equipment can now integrate with wireless technology for improved capabilities, such as:

• Combi ovens
• Fryers
• Ice cream machines
• Displays
• Waste disposal systems

Some of these devices can send alerts to your smartphone if there are any issues with them. They can also help everyone in the kitchen communicate with one another, allowing things to run more smoothly.

Finding High-Quality Commercial Kitchen Equipment

Finding the right commercial kitchen equipment for your business isn’t always easy. There are always a lot of options to consider and various factors you need to think about.

At Federal Hospitality Equipment we offer a range of kitchen equipment including cooking appliances, commercial fridges, dishwashers, and more. We’re always happy to give our expert advice to help ensure your kitchen is kitted out with everything you need. If you have any questions, click here to contact us today.