Should You Invest In Repairs Or Purchase New Commercial Kitchen Equipment?

Managing a commercial kitchen can be tricky. Everyone cooking in the kitchen regularly needs access to the equipment required to prepare menu items with ease.

Commercial kitchens rely on a wide range of appliances, accessories, and other equipment to maintain order. It's inevitable that a piece of kitchen equipment will malfunction at some point during regular use.

One of the most difficult decisions you will face is determining whether to invest in the repair of your existing equipment, or whether it's time to splurge on new equipment to add to your commercial kitchen.

Weigh the following four factors to help you decide whether repair or replacement is the best option for your commercial kitchen equipment.

1. Efficiency

The first factor you want to consider when evaluating the usefulness of your existing kitchen equipment is the efficiency each machine offers.

Commercial kitchens need the ability to produce a high volume of food items as quickly as possible to meet customer demand. Inefficient equipment can interfere with production.

If you have an oven that is taking a long time to heat up or a garbage disposal that requires several cycles to completely crush waste, it's probably time to replace these items rather than invest in repairs. When a piece of kitchen equipment no longer contributes to the efficiency of your kitchen, it is not worth repairing.

2. Cost

Another factor that will come into play when you are trying to decide whether you should repair or replace a piece of commercial kitchen equipment is cost.

Collect a couple of estimates from experienced repair technicians. Then do some research to identify how much new equipment sells for in your area. If the cost of replacing the broken piece of equipment is comparable to the cost of repairs, it makes more sense to invest in new equipment. If repairs are much more affordable, then paying for repairs will be more cost-effective over time.

3. Maintenance

The cleanliness of a commercial kitchen is critical to the success of any company in the food service industry. All commercial equipment should be easy to clean and maintain.

Ask your employees how frequently they have to clean the damaged piece of equipment. Is the item easy to maintain, or is extra effort required just to keep the item in usable condition? Any kitchen equipment that requires an excessive amount of maintenance and cleaning should be replaced with a new model. This will help boost the efficiency of your commercial kitchen and ensure that your customers receive a quality product when ordering your food.

4. Industry Upgrades

Technology is constantly changing the way that companies do business. This is especially true for companies in the food service industry.

Advancements in technology have produced some kitchen equipment that can significantly reduce preparation times and enhance food security. You need to evaluate the equipment in your kitchen anytime something breaks down.

If your equipment is outdated, it could be holding your company back. Invest in new pieces of equipment that feature valuable upgrades rather than paying to repair items that are dated and worn.

Access to the right equipment is essential to the success of your commercial kitchen. Each time a piece of kitchen equipment breaks down, you are faced with the important decision of paying for repairs or trashing the item and investing in a new piece of equipment instead.

Many factors must be taken into consideration when making this decision to ensure you balance the performance of your commercial kitchen with the preservation of your cash resources. Work with a commercial kitchen equipment supplier to learn more about your options.

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