Best Way - Tips on Renovating a Commercial Kitchen

A commercial kitchen renovation project differs from one for a residential kitchen. A residential kitchen is designed for families or individuals, while a commercial kitchen considers restaurant employees and management staff. Before you decide on a commercial kitchen renovation project, you should carefully plan the kitchen design, equipment and safety.

Kitchen Design

1. Decide on a design when you prepare for a commercial kitchen renovation. Look at your menu and determine your design budget. Plan your project with an understanding of your work flow, which can set the tone and mood of your staff.
   
   Aim for the best kitchen flow to make the best use of staff time and create a positive and organized workplace. You may use an assembly-line approach to kitchen traffic because you'll be using the same food preparation methods daily. Two examples of assembly-line approaches are pizza parlors and fast-food restaurants.
   
   Speak with a professional commercial kitchen consultant about your vision and budget. Some of the topics to discuss include proper lighting, equipment and ventilation. Seek written proposals from three to five commercial kitchen consultants.

Kitchen Equipment

2. Prepare a list of your desired kitchen equipment, including cost estimates and frequency of use. Your kitchen equipment will include preparation and work tables, refrigerators and freezers, and pots, pans and other cooking implements.
   
   Renovate your commercial kitchen to maximize the efficiency of your space. You can place your preparation and work tables along the kitchen walls, on an island, or use a combination of the two. Consider how many pieces of food equipment you need to purchase and how you will store the equipment.

Kitchen Safety

3. Update kitchen safety guidelines for your employees and management staff. These include safe food handling practices and fire safety and prevention .
   
   Check with an inspector about health and safety codes. You may be required to store food items in a storage area at least six inches off the ground. Maximize your storage space with a dunnage rack, which can fit along storage walls.
   
   Create a fire safety checklist for your kitchen. Make sure your cooking appliances, including commercial ranges and steamers, are installed in compliance with local and state fire safety codes.