Essential Restaurant Supplies Every OKC Eatery Needs

Opening and operating a restaurant in Oklahoma City requires having the right supplies and equipment to run your kitchen efficiently. Investing in quality restaurant supplies will ensure your eatery can serve consistent, delicious meals to customers. Here are some of the most essential restaurant supplies in okc that every eatery needs.

Commercial Refrigeration

Having proper refrigeration is crucial for any restaurant. Investing in commercial-grade refrigerators and freezers will keep ingredients fresh and prevent foodborne illness. Key refrigeration equipment includes:

• Walk-in cooler and freezer: Walk-in coolers and freezers provide abundant chilled and frozen storage space. They allow you to buy ingredients in bulk and safely store large volumes of perishables.

• Reach-in refrigerators and freezers: These are refrigerators and freezers that kitchen staff can access without entering a walk-in unit. They're useful for frequently used ingredients.

• Undercounter refrigerators and freezers: Compact undercounter units are ideal for storing ingredients that need to stay chilled like dairy products and sauces.

• Blast chillers: Blast chillers rapidly cool down cooked foods prior to refrigerated storage. This prevents bacteria growth.

Choose energy-efficient units with temperature alarms and ensure all refrigeration is kept in working order through regular maintenance.

High-Quality Cookware

The cookware used in your OKC restaurant kitchen directly impacts the quality and consistency of the dishes you serve. Invest in commercial-grade pots, pans, and other cookware built to withstand high heat and frequent use. Essential cookware includes:

• Pots and pans: Select thick, heavy-gauge stainless steel or aluminum pots and pans. Nonstick coatings can degrade over time, so focus on high-quality, natural metals.

• Sauté pans: Opt for wide sauté pans to easily toss and flip ingredients. Lids help trap heat and moisture.

• Stockpots: Large stockpots (20+ quarts) make preparing stocks, soups, and stews simple.

• Steamers: Steamers with multiple tiers or compartments allow you to quickly steam vegetables and other sides.

• Sheet pans and hotel pans: These heavy-duty pans are perfect for roasting large batches of proteins or vegetables in the oven.

High-Heat Commercial Ranges

A commercial range is the heart of any restaurant kitchen. Investing in a powerful, durable range will make cooking easier for your staff. What to look for in a commercial range:

• Powerful BTUs: Look for a range with high BTUs (British Thermal Units) for fast heating and optimal performance with large stockpots or grill pans.

• Flexible burners: Opt for a range with a mix of burners like high-power, standard, and simmer to accommodate different cooking needs.

• Durable grates: Stainless steel grates withstand daily use. Look for grates that lift out easily for cleaning.

• Convection ovens: Ranges with convection ovens cook foods faster and more evenly than standard ovens.

• Safety features: Commercial ranges should have spill containment and other safety features.

Choose a high-quality, commercial brand known for durability and performance.

Food Processors and Blenders

Food processors and blenders are essential for prep work like chopping, pureeing, and mixing. For a restaurant, it's best to invest in commercial models versus consumer models. Key features to look for include:

• Heavy-duty motors: Commercial processors and blenders have far more powerful motors than consumer models. This allows them to perform challenging tasks like breaking down a block of cheese or pureeing thick soups.

• Large work bowls: Commercial processors have extra-large work bowls (10 to 20 cups) to handle large volumes of ingredients in one batch.

• Durable blades: Look for long-lasting, stainless steel blades that can handle daily prep work.

• Safety features: Commercial models have tamper-proof mechanisms and other safety features to protect staff during use.

High-Volume Coffee Makers

For an OKC restaurant serving breakfast or brunch, a high-volume coffee maker is essential equipment. Look for:

• Batch brewers: Batch brewers allow you to brew multiple pots simultaneously. Opt for a unit that can brew directly into insulated dispensers.

• Coffee urns: Stainless steel coffee urns keep large volumes of coffee hot and fresh for hours.

• Automated espresso machines: Super-automatic espresso machines can produce espressos, lattes, and cappuccinos at the touch of a button.

• Coffee grinders: Every eatery needs at least one commercial coffee grinder to freshly grind beans. Burr grinders provide the most uniform grind.

Dishwashers

A restaurant can go through piles of dishes every day. Investing in a commercial dishwasher is a must for efficiency. When selecting a unit, look for:

• High rack capacity: Choose a dishwasher that can accommodate full racks of dishes in one cycle. Conveyor-style washers offer the largest capacity.

• Powerful spray jets: Look for wash arms with high-pressure spray jets to blast away debris.

• Built-in booster heaters: These heat water to the high temperatures required for sanitization.

• Short wash cycles: Fast cycles (2-3 mins) allow you to reuse dishes quickly.

• Low water and energy use: Choose an ENERGY STAR-certified machine to save on utility bills.

Knife Sets

Quality knives make prep work easier and safer. Stainless steel commercial knife sets are ideal for pro kitchens. Must-have knives include:

• Chef's knife: An 8 to 10" chef's knife efficiently chops, dices, and minces meats and produce.

• Slicing knife: Long-slicing knives make clean cuts through roasts, breaded cutlets, and more.

• Paring knife: Smaller paring knives handle tasks like peeling fruits and carving garnishes.

• Bread knife: A long serrated blade easily slices through crusty bread loaves and delicate baked goods.

• Boning knife: Thin, sharp boning knives remove meat from bones cleanly.

Cutting Boards

Commercial kitchens need large, durable cutting boards that can withstand heavy prep work. Opt for:

• Hardwood boards: Hardwoods like maple resist knife marks and cracking. Avoid softwoods like pine, which can harbor bacteria.

• Rubber boards: Rubber boards offer great durability and can withstand thousands of chops. The non-porous material prevents bacteria growth.

• Poly boards: Polyethylene boards withstand heavy use. Just avoid low-density plastic boards, which warp easily.

• Color coding: Use color-coded boards (e.g., red for raw meat) to prevent cross-contamination. Rotate boards daily to extend life.

Food Storage Containers

Commercial kitchens go through large volumes of ingredients daily. Sturdy food storage containers help keep ingredients organized and fresher for longer. Look for:

• Stainless steel containers: Stainless steel won't absorb food odors or stains. Steel is easy to sanitize.

• Plastic containers: Heavy-duty plastic containers are affordable and lightweight. Look for BPA-free food-grade plastic.

• Lids: Airtight lids help retain freshness and prevent spills in storage.

• Size range: Have containers in multiple sizes to store bulk ingredients or pre-portioned servings.

• Labeling: Use labels to organize ingredients and track dates.

Utility Carts

Maneuvering around a busy restaurant kitchen requires sturdy utility carts. Standard carts include:

• Speed racks: Wire shelving speed racks transport ingredients from storage to stations.

• Bussing carts: Bussing carts clear and carry dirty dishes from dining areas.

• Prep tables: Stainless steel prep tables provide space for chopping, breading, garnishing, and other tasks.

• Server carts: Insulated server carts keep food hot while transporting plates from the kitchen to the tables.

• Item-specific carts: Specialty carts like beer bottle coolers cater to specific needs.

Durability, maneuverability, and cleaning ease are key when selecting utility carts.

Conclusion

Equipping a restaurant in Oklahoma City with the right supplies and equipment is vital to ensuring operational efficiency and delivering high-quality dining experiences. From reliable commercial refrigeration and high-quality cookware to powerful ranges and essential food processors, each piece of equipment plays a critical role in maintaining a smooth kitchen workflow and serving consistent, delectable meals. By investing in top-notch tools and appliances, such as those provided by Main Auction Services, Inc., restaurants can enhance their performance, streamline operations, and uphold the highest standards of food safety and quality. Choosing the right equipment not only boosts productivity but also supports the long-term success of any eatery.