Kitchens are usually two things: low on space and notoriously fast-paced, meaning every piece of equipment, from gas cooking equipment to commercial refrigeration, needs to be highly efficient and effective.

So, how do you choose what tools are necessary for a restaurant kitchen? How do you navigate through all the different gadgets and devices that promise efficiency but end up falling flat?

Luckily, we can look to other successful kitchens to see what works for them. If you look at any commercial kitchen in a fast-paced restaurant, you’ll likely see high-powered gas cooking equipment and top-notch commercial refrigeration.

To get more specific, nearly all kitchens have the same five tools they consider “must-haves”.

• Gas Ranges
• Gas Fryers
• Reach In Refrigerators
• Chef Bases
• Stainless Steel Tables

Let’s break down each of these tools and outline how they contribute to the success of any high-volume kitchen.

#1: Gas Ranges are the Backbone of the Kitchen

Let’s start with the cornerstone of any kitchen: the gas range. Of all the gas cooking equipment available, none is more essential. No matter your menu, a reliable gas range serves as the backbone of a high-volume kitchen — making durability and performance non-negotiable.

Many gas ranges — including the ones we manufacture at Serv-Ware — feature ovens, open burners (ranging from 2 to 10 burners, depending on the model), and options to add griddles. Gas ranges deliver instant heat, giving chefs precise control to sear, simmer, boil, and sauté almost anything.

Gas cooking equipment, such as a gas range, is ideal for busy restaurants because of its speed and ease of use. Flames are visible, heat is evenly distributed, and recovery time is minimal. For line cooks who push out dozens of dishes an hour, those small seconds saved add up quickly.

#2: Gas Fryers for Speed, Consistency, and Performance

If you have anything fried on your menu — from fries to samosas to tempura vegetables — a gas fryer should be at the top of your list for gas cooking equipment.

Gas fryers are all about speed and consistency. They can heat up quickly and return to temperature rapidly between batches, meaning they can handle the rigor of a busy kitchen. Because they work so quickly, gas fryers can handle a wide range of menu options.

Simply put, few pieces of equipment can match a gas fryer’s speed and efficiency. Gas fryers can knock out the cooking needs of many of your menu options quicker than virtually any other cooking tool.

#3: Reach-In Refrigerators for Reliable Cold Storage

Let’s switch to commercial refrigeration: if a gas range is the backbone of the kitchen, a reach-in refrigerator is the lifeblood — keeping the ingredients you rely on cold, safe, and ready when you need them.

Reach-ins are used for everything, from storing prepped ingredients to keeping backup proteins and sauces at the ready. In a busy kitchen, chefs are constantly opening fridges and grabbing essentials, so a reliable reach-in refrigerator that keeps food safe is key.

We recommend looking for models with adjustable shelving, strong airflow, and easy-to-clean interiors for maximum versatility. At Serv-Ware, we manufacture reach-ins with anywhere from 1 to 3 doors, offering options for solid or glass doors.

#4: Chef Base for Flexibility and Maximum Efficiency

A chef base is essentially a souped-up fridge: below is an under-counter fridge, while the top features a work base for chefs to use for preparing and plating foods. Chef bases are designed to work within the flow of a restaurant line and help chefs and cooks by providing refrigerated space to store commonly used items.

Chef bases increase kitchen efficiency by reducing steps between cold storage and the hot line. They’re ideal for small kitchens that need to maximize every square foot, but they’re also great for reducing workflow issues in any kitchen, regardless of size — a chef doesn’t need to walk all around the kitchen to reach cold storage to retrieve the items they need.

Typically, kitchens maximize their cold storage by keeping raw materials and received goods (such as deliveries) in reach-ins and prepped items (including everything that needs to be prepared before service begins) in a chef base.

#5: Stainless Steel Tables to Keep Everything Clean

Every kitchen needs space to prep items for service, and there’s a reason most turn to stainless steel tables: they’re durable, easy to clean, and resistant to rust, bacteria, and wear.

Stainless steel tables can do a lot in the kitchen, from storing appliances to serving as a workbench to being the final spot for dishes as an expediter calls out tickets and delivers plates to the dining room. Stainless steel tables can come with overshelves for added storage.

And because stainless steel is noncorrosive and nonporous, work tables made of stainless steel are easy to clean — you don’t have to worry about materials like wood, stone, or plastic, which can absorb bacteria easily if not cleaned properly or deteriorate if the wrong cleaning product is used.

In a busy restaurant, your kitchen is only as strong as the equipment you equip the space with. Investing in high-quality gas cooking equipment, stainless steel work tables, and commercial refrigeration will make all the difference in the longevity and profitability of your restaurant.
If you’re ready to equip your kitchen with proven, professional-grade tools, check out our selection of fryers, gas ranges, prep tables, refrigerators, and more.