When designing your commercial kitchen, you should focus on more than aesthetics. One important thing you should always prioritize is food safety. Not only should your kitchen be safe for the activities that will happen in it, but it should also be a safe environment for your employees and staff. It can become hectic in commercial kitchens; therefore, you should design your kitchen with a smooth workflow in mind, safety protocols and systems, and proper materials and appliances.
Considerations When Designing Your Commercial Kitchen
- Materials
If you choose the materials for your commercial kitchen construction, think of smooth and durable ones. You should think about cleaning these surfaces and ensure that the staff can do so quickly. These surfaces must also be smooth for equipment, food contact, and backsplashes.
- Budget
You should never forget about your budget when it comes to constructing anything. When designing your kitchen, it is essential to consider what materials and equipment you need. Spend your money on better things than going overboard on aesthetics rather than functionality.
- Workflow
When designing your commercial kitchen, you should envision the flow of food. Receiving and storing food should be in the back with preparing and serving up front. It is essential to limit cross-contamination, so keep in mind that the food you are about to act does not pass-through areas where you can find raw products. In the same way, dirty dishes and leftovers should not pass through areas where you prepare new food.
- Lighting
When you think of food safety, you must think of proper lighting. Not only is adequate lighting to ensure that you see where the food is and if it is of good quality, but it is also to ensure that your staff has ample lighting. Cooking uses different tools and equipment that can be a physical hazard to them.
- Storage
Not only does this talk about the storage areas for food and other kitchen equipment, but you should also consider creating a storage area for your employees. When you run a commercial kitchen, you will probably have more than five staff, and they will likely bring some personal belongings. To create a safe environment in the kitchen, give them an area where they can leave their things and change into their uniform so that these items will not be in contact with the food.
- Sinks
Another thing you should consider to help ensure food safety is to install proper handwashing stations. These are important, especially for the staff that prepares and handle the food. While it may be convenient to place them near the preparation area, placing a splash guard between them will be best to avoid contaminating the food they are preparing.
- Equipment and Appliances
When it comes to commercial kitchens, you will need more extensive equipment and appliances. These could be large industrial fridges and coolers, which take up much space. Choose equipment and kitchen appliances you can quickly move when the need arises and even smaller appliances that you can easily take apart. It makes them easier to clean. Consider separating your utensils based on their use and purpose. Some commercial kitchens use color coding.
- Disposal
One thing you will indeed have a lot of in your commercial kitchens is trash. You must install disposal or trash bins far from the preparation table and the raw food. Consider placing them in compartment sinks, handwashing stations, and somewhere near the preparation areas. Make sure they all have different uses and purposes. It is to prevent the mixing of different types of trash.
- Plumbing
Consider your plumbing design. Hiring an expert will help ensure that your plumbing installation is proper, safe, and functional. You should not allow just anyone to install your plumbing systems because plumbing designs vary depending on your kitchen’s overall design and the different sinks’ locations. These plumbing systems will need constant maintenance. Ensure that maintenance experts have direct and easy access to it by installing a glass fiber reinforced cement access door that will blend seamlessly into your kitchen.
- Exhaust
You should also consider installing an exhaust fan in your commercial kitchens. It will help ensure the airflow is clean inside the kitchen and lessens the chances of a fire risk because of grease build-up in your kitchen exhausts.
When it comes to a commercial kitchen, having an attractive one is good, but you should maintain quality and functionality. Your priority is the safety of your employees and your customers. Keep in mind that food and occupational safety is necessary when running a business.
